The Paschal Sacrament
We feed
as on the food of life, we constantly refresh our souls with his precious
blood, as from a fountain. Yet we are always thirsting, burning to be
satisfied. But he himself is present for those who thirst and in his goodness
invites them to the feast day. Our Savior repeats his words: If anyone
thirsts, let him come to me and drink.
He
quenched the thirst not only of those who came to him then. Whenever anyone
seeks him he is freely admitted to the presence of the savior. The grace of the
feast is not restricted to one occasion. Its rays of glory never set. It is
always at hand to enlighten the mind of those who desire it. Its power is
always there for those whose minds have been enlightened and who meditate day
and height on the holy Scriptures, like the one who is called blessed in the
holy psalm: Blessed is the man who has not followed the counsel of the
wicked, or stood where sinners stand, or sat in the seat of the scornful, but
whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and
night.
Moreover,
my friends, the God who first established this feast for us allows us to
celebrate it each year. He who gave up his Son to death for our salvation, from
the same motive gives us this feast, which is commemorated every year. This
feast guides us through the trials that meet us in this world. God now gives us
the joy of salvation that shines out from this feast, as he brings us together
to form one assembly, uniting us all in spirit in every place, allowing us to
pray together and to offer common thanksgiving, as it our duty on the feast.
Such is the wonder of his love: he gathers on this feast those who are far
apart, and brings together in unity of faith those who may be physically
separated from each other.
Source:
The Liturgy of the Hours – Office of Readings
From an Easter Letter by Saint Athanasius Archbishop of Alexandria
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