From an Easter letter by Saint Athanasius, bishop
The Paschal sacrament brings together in unity of faith those who are far away |
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Brethren,
how fine a thing it is to move from festival to festival, from
prayer to prayer, from holy day to holy day. The time is now at hand when we enter on a new beginning: the proclamation of the blessed Passover, in which the Lord was sacrificed. 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 Saviour repeats his words: If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.
prayer to prayer, from holy day to holy day. The time is now at hand when we enter on a new beginning: the proclamation of the blessed Passover, in which the Lord was sacrificed. 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 Saviour 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 Saviour. 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 night
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 is our duty on the
feast. Such is the wonder of his love: he gathers to this feast those
who are far apart, and brings together in unity of faith those who may
be physically separated from each other.
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