Sunday
\n**Easter\/Pascha meditations from Catholic Bishop Challoner this week…<\/p>\n
ONSIDER, first, that the soul of our dear Redeemer immediately
\nafter his death descended into the lower parts of the
\nearth, to visit and comfort the spirits of the just, and to change
\ntheir prison by his presence into a paradise of delights. How
\nhappy and how joyful a day was this to all the patriarchs and
\nprophets! How glorious was the sight of his triumph over the
\npowers of darkness, and the near prospect of eternal bliss,
\nfrom which they had been so long excluded by the sin of our
\nfirst parents. The Jews in the mean while, secure the monument,
\nand place guards to prevent, as they say, the disciples
\nfrom stealing away the body of our Saviour. This malicious
\nindustry of theirs only serves to put our Lord’s resurrection beyond
\ndispute. For “there is no wisdom; there is no prudence;
\nthere is no counsel against the Lord,” (Prov. xxi. 30.)
\nConsider, secondly, that early in the morning on Easter
\nSunday, being the third day, appointed by the scriptures for
\nour Lord’s resurrection, his soul returns in triumph into his sacred
\nbody; imparts to it a new and immortal life, and clothes
\nit with all the glorious qualities decreed for the bodies of the
\nsaints, in a super-eminent degree : and so brings it forth without
\nresistance through the monument, hewn in a rock, and
\ncovered with a very great stone, unperceived by the guards,
\nwho were not worthy to see him in this glorious state. Yet,<\/p>\n
that they and all the world might know he was risen indeed,
\nthey felt a great earthquake; and an angel visibly descending
\nfrom heaven, removed the stone which covered the entrance of
\nthe monument, and sat down upon it. The guards hecame as
\ndead men.; and when they recovered from their swoon, they ran
\ninto the city, publishing the wonders they had seen; till<\/p>\n
Prayer:\u00a0 Christ is risen from the dead trampling down death by death and on those in the tombs bestowing life!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Monday
\n“Christ was delivered up to death for our
\nsins; and rose again for our justification.” For his rising from
\nthe dead was to be the model of our resurrection from the death
\nof sin. We must therefore imitate our Lord’s resurrection by
\nrising verily and indeed, and not in appearance only. Alas!
\nhow many at Easter pretend to rise again with Christ, by frequenting
\nthe sacraments according to the custom of Christians
\nat this season; but do not rise again in reality, because they do
\nnot heartily renounce their sins.
\nConsider, secondly, that when Christ rose again from the
\ndead, he presently quitted his monument, and retained nothing
\nat all of death; to teach us, that if we would rise with him to
\nthe purpose, we must also quit our winding-sheets, and all the
\nappurtenances of death; by renouncing bad company and the
\ndangerous occasions of sin, and by breaking the force of all
\nformer bad habits, and striving to fix our affections in heaven.
\n“If you be risen with CHRIST, seek the things that are above,
\nwhere Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. Mind the
\nthings that are above,<\/p>\n
Prayer:\u00a0 O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, Treasury of good things and Giver of life: Come and dwell in us, and cleanse us of all impurity, and save our souls, O Good One.<\/p>\n
Tuesday
\n[first]\u00a0our Lord was pleased to comfort his
\n“blessed mother and his afflicted disciples, by appearing to them
\nimmediately after his resurrection. As to his Messed mother,
\nthough the gospel is silent, we cannot doubt but she was favored
\nwith an early visit; that as she loved him most, and partook
\nmore than any other in the sorrows of his passion, so she
\nmight also in the joy of his resurrection. The good women,
\nwho went early in the morning to the monument, to perfume
\nthe body of our Lord, were likewise favored first, with a
\nvision of angels, and then with the sight of Christ himself.
\nThey had been at a loss how to get the stone removed from the
\nmonument; for it was “exceeding great :” but on their arrival,
\nit was already removed to their hands : to teach us, that if we
\ncontinue constant in our good resolutions, God will take away
\nthe obstacles we apprehend, or enable us to surmount them.
\nConsider, secondly, that our dear Redeemer, to encourage
\npenitent sinners, honored Magdalene amongst women, and
\nPeter amongst men, with his first visits. Magdalene, from the
\ntime of her conversion, had constantly attended our Lord : she
\nfollowed him even to the cross; and after the repose of the
\nsabbath, she was up before light, and was the first at the monument,
\nwith her perfumes. When she found him not, she
\nhastened to tell the apostles, that the body was taken away.
\nPeter and John, on their arrival, finding only the linen cloths
\nwithout the body, returned : but Magdalene staid behind, weeping
\nand lamenting that she could not find HIM whom her soul
\nloved till at length she saw his heavenly messengers, and
\nshortly after HIMSELF in person; and was sent by him as an
\napostle to the apostles<\/p>\n
Prayer:\u00a0 Holy angel of the Lord by guardian, pray to God for me.<\/p>\n
Wednesday
\nPeter, who, from his fall, had continually
\nhewailed his misfortune, was the first among the apostles,
\nfavored with the sight of our Lord, (1 Cor. xv. 5., and
\nLuke xxiv. 34.) He was struck with the most lively sentiments
\nof repentance for his crime, mixed with a holy joy at
\nthe sight of his divine master, now risen from the dead; and
\nwas by him most tenderly received to mercy. Moreover, to
\nshow the unspeakahle bounty of our Lord to repenting sinners,
\na little while after (John xxi.) he was pleased to advance him
\nto the supreme pastoral charge over all his flock, and to promise
\nhim the glory of following 1dm, even to the death of the
\ncross all in consequence of that ardent love, of which he
\nthrice required the profession, [“lovest thou me more than
\nthese?] in opposition to his three denials.
\nConclude, if ever you have denied your Saviour by word or
\ndeed, to return now to him by repentance and love; and
\n“though your sins be as red as scarlet, they shall be made
\nwhite as snow,” (Isa. i. 18.)<\/p>\n
Prayer:\u00a0 Our Father, Who art in \u00a0Heaven, hallowed by Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.<\/p>\n
Thursday
\nCONSIDER, first, that while two of the disciples, on the day
\nof our Lord’s resurrection, were discoursing together concerning
\nhim, on their way to Emmaus, he overtook them in the
\nway, and joined their company. After reprimanding their
\ndoubts and slowness of belief, he explained to them the scriptures
\nrelating to his passion and resurrection, and enkindled in
\ntheir hearts the fire of devotion. We see in this instance the
\ngreat advantage of pious conversation, such especially as has
\nChrist for its subject : it even draws him down from heaven
\ninto our company.
\nConsider, secondly, that these disciples, who took him for a
\ntraveler, at length “knew him in the breaking of bread” to
\nteach us that there is no better way to attain the perfect knowledge
\nand love of God, than a worthy<\/p>\n
Prayer:\u00a0 Christ is risen from the dead trampling down death by death and on those in the tombs bestowing life!<\/p>\n
Friday
\n…on the evening of the same day of the
\nresurrection, the disciples being assembled together, with the
\ndoors shut for fear of the Jews, our Saviour came in,
\nstood in the midst of them, and said: peace be to you.” Then
\nhe showed them the wounds of his hands, and feet, and side.
\nAdmire the qualities of his glorious body, which like a spirit
\npasses through the doors, and yet shows itself to be true and
\npalpable flesh. Christians now no longer feel their Saviour’s
\nwounds, like Thomas; nor lodge their hand in his side : but
\nthey have him still no less really present with them in the
\neucharist. Let this suffice: “Blessed are they that have not
\nseen, and have believed,” (John xx. 29.)
\nConsider, secondly, that after our Lord had said again to his
\ndisciples; “peacebe to you : as my Father hath sent me, I also
\nsend you, “breathing upon them he said : “Receive ye the
\nHoly Ghost; whose sins your shall forgive they are forgiven
\nunto them; and whose sins you shall retain they are retained.”
\nSee how ample is this authority, which he imparts to his apostles
\nand their lawful successors, the pastors of his true church.
\nAs his Heavenly Father sent him, even so. he sends them, furnished
\nwith all spiritual power for the rule of his Church, and
\nthe ministry of his word and of the sacraments. To them he
\nhas given the keys of the<\/p>\n
Prayer:\u00a0 Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3X)<\/p>\n
Saturday
\nCONSIDER, first, the nature of that peace, which our blessed
\nSaviour so repeatedly bequeathed to his disciples. It is not
\nthat peace which the world pretends to give; false and deceitful
\nlike itself : but the “peace of God which surpasseth all
\nunderstanding,” ( Philip, iv. 7. ) A threefold peace, with God,
\nwith our neighbor, and within ourselves. Whosoever desires
\nany degree of happiness either here or hereafter, must keep an
\ninviolable peace with God. For how can there be any peace
\nof mind or solid content, where this is wanting? “”Who hath
\nresisted God and hath had peace,” (Job ix. 4. ) “There is no
\npeace for the wicked, saith the Lord God,” (Isai. Ivii. 21.)
\nConsider, secondly, that as without charity for all mankind
\nthere can be no true love of God; so if we do not “follow
\npeace with all men,” (Heb. xii. 14.) and endeavor to “keep
\npeace with all men,” (Rom. xii. 18.) we cannot be at peace
\nwith God. We must therefore avoid all animosity and rancor,
\nall discord and contention, all malice and envy; bear with patience
\nevery provocation , and overcome evil with good. How
\namiable is this character of the peaceable Christian!
\nConsider, thirdly, that, in order to be at peace with ourselves,
\nwe must have our affections well regulated, and our inordinate
\ndesires restrained : we must banish all excessive
\neagerness; all sadness and melancholy; scrupulous fears, anxieties
\nand uneasiness about the things of the world; and conform
\nourselves in all things to the holy will of God. Practice
\nthese lessons, my soul, and thou shalt enjoy a solid peace.<\/p>\n
Christ is risen\u2026.truly He is risen!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Sunday **Easter\/Pascha meditations from Catholic Bishop Challoner this week… ONSIDER, first, that the soul of our dear Redeemer immediately after his death descended into the lower parts of the earth, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13844","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-orthodox-daily-devotional","has_no_thumb"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/orthodoxinsight.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13844","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/orthodoxinsight.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/orthodoxinsight.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/orthodoxinsight.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/orthodoxinsight.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=13844"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/orthodoxinsight.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13844\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13848,"href":"https:\/\/orthodoxinsight.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13844\/revisions\/13848"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/orthodoxinsight.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13844"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/orthodoxinsight.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13844"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/orthodoxinsight.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13844"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}