Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/252

 faith. Who can  disbelieve  in  the  resurrection,  when such incredulous  and  obstinate  men  were  at  last  convinced of  it,  and  shed  their  blood  in  its  defence? The resurrection of  Christ,  however,  will  be  of  no  advantage to you,  unless  you  rise  with  Him  to  a  newness  of  life.

I. After  Christ  had  eaten,  He  ordained  His  Apostles missionaries, teachers,  and  pastors  of  His  flock. He first, however, repeats  the  words  "Peace  be  to  you,"  to  show them how  necessary  peace  and  unity  are  in  the  sacred ministry. " As  My  Father  has  sent  Me,"  He  continues, "I also  send  you." (John xx.  21.)  He  communicates  the same authority  to  them  which  the  Father  had  given  .to Him;  and  as  the  Father  had  sent  Him,  not  to  seek  His ease, but  the  salvation  of  mankind,  through  pains  and affliction; in  the  same  manner,  to  gain  the  same  object by the  same  means,  did  He  send  His  Apostles,  Hence, apostolical men  ought  to  love  sufferings  when  the  glory of God  can  be  promoted  by  them.

II. "When He  had  said  this,  He  breathed  on  them,  and said  to  them,  Receive  ye  the  Holy  Ghost." (John xx.  22.) Christ might  as  easily  have  communicated  the  divine Spirit to  them  without  breathing  on  them,  but  He  did  so, to inspire  His  followers  with  a  reverence  for  similar  ceremonies of  His  Church. By these  ceremonies  the  Holy Ghost is  imparted  to  the  soul,  or  His  divine  grace  given, in many  cases  by  virtue  of  the  work  performed,  and  in others  in  consequence  of  the  merits  and  disposition  of the  person  who  performs  them,  or  for  whom  they  are performed. Beg of  Almighty  God  to  bestow  on  you something, at  least,  of  His  divine  Spirit,  to  enable  you,