9781644135945

The Easter Cycle
And while Peter was yet speaking, the Holy Ghost came down upon all those who listened
to him, upon Cornelius and the heathens who were with him (Acts 10:44 f.). The Jewish
Christians who accompanied Peter were astonished that the Holy Ghost had been given
also to the Gentiles, and Peter ordered that the heathens be baptized (Epistle). The Holy
Ghost will be given also to the Gentiles who come to the Church. The Spirit of God makes
no distinction between Hebrew and Gentile, nor between nation and nation. “God so loved
the world as to give His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him may not perish,
but may have life everlasting” (Gospel). We are invited today by the liturgy to thank God
that we have been called to Christ, to the Church, to baptism and confirmation.
“God so loved the world as to give His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in
Him may not perish, but may have life everlasting. For God sent not His Son into the world
to judge the world, but that the world may be saved by Him. He that believeth in Him is not
judged; but he that doth not believe is already judged, because he believeth not in the name
of the only-begotten Son of God” (Gospel). Baptism gives us the gift of faith. We are saved
by faith, for “whosoever believeth in Him may not perish, but may have life everlasting,” In so
far as it depends on Him, the divine physician comes to heal the sick. But those who will not
follow His instructions take their lives in their own hands. Those who will not allow Him to
save them are responsible for their own damnation. “He that believeth in Him is not judged;
but he that doth not believe is already judged, because he believeth not in the name of the
only-begotten Son of God.”
“He is already judged.” The judgment hath not yet appeared, but the judgment has already
been made. For the Lord knew who were His; He knew who would persevere unto a crown
and who would continue unto the flame. He knew the wheat on His threshing floor, and He
knew the chaff. He knew the grain and He knew the cockle. “He that doth not believe is already
judged.” Why judged? “Because he believeth not in the name of the only-begotten Son
of God.” 20
“Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Heb 11:6).
“He fed them with the fat of wheat, alleluia; and filled them with honey out of the rock, alleluia,
alleluia” (Introit). This is the thanksgiving song of the baptized, and it is also our hymn of
thanksgiving. We have been fed with the wheat of the Eucharist and filled with the honey from
the rock of Christ. His flesh and His blood, His love, are all ours as the result of our baptism.
“Rejoice to God our helper; sing aloud to the God of Jacob, alleluia” (Introit). The Lord hath
done great things for us; now we must make some return to Him.
In Holy Communion, God gives us the Holy Ghost and an increase of sanctifying grace.
“The Holy Ghost will teach you,” the Communion prayer tells us. The more devout our reception
of Holy Communion, the more the Holy Ghost will increase our faith and strengthen it
and make it live. “But he that doth truth, cometh to the light” (Gospel); that is, he will acquire
an active and vigorous faith. The more truly Christian we make our lives, the deeper and more
pure and more active will be our faith.
Today we gratefully recall our baptism and confirmation. “The Lord thundered from
heaven, and the Most High gave His voice [at the descent of the Holy Ghost], and the fountains
of waters appeared, alleluia” (Offertory).
20
St. Augustine; lesson at Matins.
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