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.
THURSDAY.
Christ Appears in the Absence of Thomas. — II.
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,
