Easter Tuesday.
by VP
Posted on Tuesday April 02, 2024 at 12:00AM in Meditations
Jesus appears to his disciples after he has risen. 1873 | |
"They being troubled and affrighted, imagined that they saw a spirit. This was the first effect of Christ's manifesting himself to His apostles, after His rising from the dead. He presented Himself in the midst of them; but such was their difficulty of believing, that they could not persuade themselves that it was any more than an apparition. This their incredulity was necessary for establishing the faith of this mystery; since they required most convincing proofs to persuade them to believe it. This therefore was so ordered by Providence, in all the witnesses of this truth. The women that carried perfumes to His sepulchre, went with a persuasion of His being dead. The two disciples going to Emmaus, seemed disappointed in the hopes which they had once had of His Resurrection. The apostles, though prepared by the information which they had received, were not hasty in believing it. St. Thomas positively declared his disbelief, and that he would not believe, but upon evidence of seeing. Now though this was a weakness in all, yet it was permitted for our greater assurance. For had they shewn an over-credulity, their testimony might have been questioned, in a mystery so difficult. When however they give their lives in testimony of the truth, this renders them witnesses above all exception.
It is our duty therefore, to give hearty thanks to our Redeemer, for setting this fundamental article of our religion in so eminent a degree of certainty, that it equals and surpasses that of all other things in the world. For, the Resurrection of Christ being proved, all other articles are proved by it. If Jesus Christ is risen, then the whole Gospel is to be believed; then the Church is to be believed, which is promised in the Gospel; in fine, the whole Christian religion is to be believed, because it is all linked to the truth of the Resurrection.
But how far are many who are called believers, from imitating the faith of the apostles! While all profess a belief of an eternal life to come, yet in the usual methods of their lives there appears little or no influence of this faith. We see Christians so careless and indifferent as to the concerns of eternity, as to lay them by upon mere sloth and compliance; to trample upon the commandments, for running after trifles and smoke; to court the world and its applause, at any expense; to sacrifice all to fashion and inclination; to forsake the maxims and spirit of the Gospel, which lead to God; and follow quite other principles, set up by pride and corruption. Can it be thought of these, that they truly believe and understand what they profess? If they understood and believed heaven to be so much their interest, would they forfeit it so easily? Would the provision for a few uncertain years have the preference to a certain eternity; and the care of the body take place of the care of an immortal soul? Were we to see the husbandman more solicitous to preserve the chaff than the corn, then some credit might be given to this proceeding. But while the general method of all in their senses, is to make that the subject of their greatest care, which they believe their greatest interest, must it not be concluded, that either their belief of heaven is not what they profess, or else, that they are not in their senses, to let the most contemptible things of life have the greatest part of their concern?
Again, if they in earnest believe the torments of hell to be endless and intolerable, and that there is no possibility of relief for those who are condemned to them; would they not be daily watchful in doing their best for their security against this danger? And so if we measure the faith of Christians by the general practice, we find it to be very weak, both as to heaven and hell. Have we not all then reason to beg of Christ our Lord, that as at this time He confirmed the apostles in their faith, and gave them sense to understand the Scriptures, so He will now please to increase our faith, and give us a sense of what we hear, read, and believe; that our faith may be as fruitful seed in our hearts, manifesting itself in good works, and thus distinguishing us from unbelievers.
Grant us thy grace, O Jesus; and since thou hast
been so merciful as to provide us with evidence to raise our faith above
all question, grant that we live according to what we believe, and give
proof of our faith by our works." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother
