9781644135945

The Light of the World
of the state of spiritual childhood. “God rejoices more over what He accomplishes in a soul that
surrenders itself humbly in its poverty than He does in the creation of a million suns.” 16 The state
of spiritual childhood is a more perfect state even than that of patient suffering, since nothing
subdues a man so thoroughly as the earnest and peaceful desire to be humble. By becoming as
little children we shall reach the state of perfection. “Whosoever therefore shall humble himself
as this little child, he is the greater in the kingdom of heaven.”
Prayer
Grant, we beseech Thee, O almighty God, that we who have celebrated the paschal solemnity,
may by Thy bounty show forth its effects in our life and conduct. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Wednesday
“As newborn babes, desire the rational milk without guile, that thereby you may grow unto
salvation” (1 Pt 2:2). This is a forceful admonition to us that we should grow in the spiritual life.
“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but incorruptible, by the word of God, who liveth
and remaineth forever” (1 Pt 1:23). As a consequence of our spiritual rebirth, St. Peter concludes:
“Wherefore, laying away all malice and all guile and dissimulations and envies and all
detractions, as newborn babes, desire the rational milk without guile, that thereby you may
grow unto salvation, . . . purifying your souls in the obedience of charity [that is, according to
the prescriptions of the gospel], with a brotherly love, from a sincere heart, love one another
earnestly” (1 Pt 2:1 f.; 1:22).
Rebirth in Christ eradicates in us the old man with his vices and self-seeking, with his
malice and hypocrisy. It produces in us the new man, stifling self-love and implanting in our
soul a love which binds us as brothers in Christ and unites us by an inner bond of charity. To
the extent that we embrace this new life and let it operate in us, this rebirth makes us men of
strength and heroism, men of patience, kindliness, and stability, men who are considerate and
helpful, who are zealous in the practice of fraternal charity. “By this shall all men know that you
are my disciples, if you have love one for another” ( Jn 13:35).
“As newborn babes, desire the rational milk without guile.” The positive element in this
rebirth calls for a growth in the life of grace. Just as newborn babes long for their mother’s
milk, so should we long with a burning desire for spiritual food through which the life of
the soul is strengthened and nourished. It is not enough to be born or reborn; we are born
and then reborn that we may achieve our salvation and holiness and reach the full stature
of our being. The nourishment by which we achieve this growth is the “rational milk without
guile.” the word of God which is revealed to us in the gospel and is presented again
continually by the Church. The more readily we accept this word of the gospel, the more
certain and the more rapid is our growth to full spiritual manhood. Thus we attain our full
perfection in heaven.
“Desire the rational milk without guile.” Just as the child longs eagerly for its mother’s milk,
once it has tasted its sweetness, so you also will long for the word of the gospel “if so be you
16
Ibid.
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