Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/262

 III. " Go  ye,  therefore,  and  teach  all  nations,  baptizing them  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of the  Holy  Ghost." (Matt, xxviii.  19.)  He  thus  institutes the sacrament  of  Baptism,  and  ordains,  that  it  shall  take the place  of  ancient  circumcision. As circumcision  was the entrance  into  the  number  of  God's  chosen  people,  of old,  so  is  Baptism  the  entrance  into  His  Church  in  the new law. But the  advantages  of  Baptism  are  far  greater. But Baptism,  or  faith  alone,  is  not  sufficient  for  salvation; the observance  of  God's  commandments  is  also  requisite. " Teaching  them,"  continues  Jesus  Christ,  "to  observe all  things,  whatsoever  I  have  commanded  you." St. James emphatically  writes:  "Whosoever  shall  keep  the -whole  law;  but  offend  in  one  point,  is  become  guilty  of all." (James ii.  10.)  Admit,  then,  the  necessity  of  good works, and  observe  the  whole  law  in  perfection.

I. Our  Lord,  as  St.  Luke  writes:  "showed  Himself alive,  after  His  passion,  by  many  proofs,  for  forty  days appearing  to  them." (Acts i.  3.)  Christ  remained  with with them  for  so  long  a  time,  in  order  to  increase  and strengthen their  faith  in  His  resurrection. Although during that  time,  He  was  always  present  with  them  in an  invisible  manner,  yet  He  only  favored  them  with  His visible presence  at  intervals. Like a  tender  mother  He wished  to  accustom  them  by  degrees  to  more  solid  and substantial spiritual  food,  than  the  consolation  of  His personal presence.

II. In these  apparitions,  Christ  as  St.  Luke  observes, "spoke of  the  kingdom  of  God." He did  not  converse with them  on  worldly  trifles,  or  objects  of  idle  curiosity,