The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-10-28
SUNDAY MEDITATION.

morning, very early, March 20, A. ID. 20. On
that day he was seen five times. First, he ap-
peared to Mary Msgdelene. GO: Ills and
Mark. 16:99 Next, he was seen by several
women on way from the sepulcher. Matt,
1913, 10.) Then st. Peter saw him. Iu., "a:
34) The two Disciples on the way to Emmaus
were the fourth party to meet him. In the even
ing 10 Apostles were assured Of his presence.
Our lesson calls US to consider his fth and
sixth appearance-frst to the 10 Apostles, st.
Thomas being absent; secondly, to the IL Apos-
ties He was seen ii different times during the
40 days between the resurrection and the as
cension.
In'the evening Of the day on which he rose
from the dead, 10 Of the Apostles assembled at
some room in the city of Jerusalem. 1t was Sun
day, and hence the first day of the week. They
wanted to counsel together. They knew we'll
the power that crucified Christ and they could
but be apprehensiye OF il. Hence they held
their meeting in as retired manner as possible.
Known as the friends Of Christ, they would be
suspected. 1t was wise in them to make no
public denunciatory demonstrations. Having
gathered, they closed the doors of the room.
The account does not declare they bolted, locked
or barricaded the doors. If their presence were
known and called for police action, locks and
bolts or distractions of any kind would be ut
terly useless to prevent their arrest. 1t was pru
dent of them to close the doors SO that they
could the more quietly talk over the events of
the day. 1t would be against them if discov-
cred in fortified room. 1t is possible the room
itself was in a secluded part of the city. Some
have believed it was the place in which Christ
and his Apostles were accustomed to meet be-
fore his crucifxion. Perhaps it was, but it is
not an argument in favor of such opinion to
say that Jesus knew where to find them. 1t is
not necessary to suppose our Savior's entrance
was miraculous. Some have held that Christ's
body, flesh and bones, u4u., 81: 39,) gained en-
trance through a door remaining closed and
fastened. The account does not even imply
such an explanation.
The Apostles not only met to consult, but
also, it would seem from Mark l6: Ia, to cele-
brate the Holy Communion. So many inter-
prefers hold. 1t is probable that Jesus went
quietly to the place, opening the door and ap-
pearing to the 10. No wonder that, in room
in the evening lighted only by moonlight, they
were alarmed, imagining the form, so unex-
pectedly in their company, was ghost. We are
to remember they were also in state OF fear
| on account of the wrath of the jews. He would
quiet them, aud hence in his natural voice said,
Peace be unto you" This was a usual salu-
tation in that land, but it meant much as then
uttered by Christ. Lu., "a: 80 is proof Christ
was not pleased with their lack Of faith. They
should better have understood his declarations
before death. They ought to have had greater
confidence in the declarations of the women
who stated they had seen him. Matt, % :9-l0.)
| Specially was st. Peter without good excuse,
seeing that he had met Christ after his resur-
rection. (Lu, "a 81. Compare Mark Is IA. }
| To convince them of his identity, and to show
| he was not spirit, he babe them examine his
hands, feet and side. We cannot believe the
| Apostles forced Christ to submit to a critical
inspection. They were probably satisfied by
his well-known voice and manner. Lu.,
| "a: 80, 40; John, 20 :20.) As additional evil
dence. he ate some fish and honey, (Lu., "a: Al
| -43,) it being an admitted fact spirits do not
eat. Jesus then rehearsed the instructions
formly impaired. (Lu., "a: 44-49) He added
his blessing and gave them their commission as
preachers. John, 20: 21.) The account of st.
Mark is more full right here, Mark, 10 1918;
also, Lu., 10: 49, stating who are to preach, to
| whom they are to preach, what they are to
preach, how to be benefited by the preaching,
the miraculous powers of the preachers, etc.
The work of the Apostles was now all laid
out, but they needed preparation for their mis-
sion, power from on High, the gift of the Holy
Ghost. (Y. % Of the lesson.) Hence Christ
breathed on them the Holy Spirit. Accompa-
nying the act of expiration, which was the Wis
IDLE symbol of the Spirit and possibly the hu-
man Christ was human well as divine)
| means of its importation, the Apostles received
the Holy Ghost. Christ's words, Receive We
the Holy Ghost" was not a wish or prayer,
but rather a command first to the Apostles TO
|
TO the Holy Ghost to rest on the Apostles.
We remember God breathed into Adams
nOstrils and he became a living being Gen,
2:7); so Christ breathed upon his Apostles and
they became new creatures, were born again.
But the degree of spiritual power realized on
Easter was but foretaste of the manifesto
tions on Penteeost day, 80 days afterward.
(,u., "a: 40. Compare Acts, 2 Ia, and John,
IA: It, 26.) Such presence and help of the
Holy Spirit were to enable them to found the
Church. A special power impaired Is seen in
V. %, reading. "WhosesOeyer sins we remit
they are RENTED unto them; and whosesOeyeI
sins We retain. they are retained" Compare
Mt, Is 49, This verse certainly means that
the Apostles had power and authority to for
give the sins of the people or to refuse forgive
ness. This was not an arbitrary ability and
right, but was dependent on the repentant at.
titude OF the sinners forgiven. They could
not forgive one who was rebelliOus and indis-
posed to forsake his evil ways. They were &c
be judges of the conditions on which God would
forgive sins; they were TO demand the fulfill
ment of said conditiOnS-wheres such conditions
were evidently complied with they were tC
assure the wrong doors that God forgave them
This was simply question of the veraeity o.
Deity. The Apostles and all of Gods minis
tiers are simply agents for God. The clergy
cannot prescribe the conditions of forgiveness
they can merely announce them. They can
however, do SO with certainty, Tor God never
fails TO keep his promises. We must think
that something more personal on the part o.
the Apostles Is meant III V. % than the preach
ing of the Gospel offering forgiveness to the
repentant aud condemning the Obdurate. The
act of remitting or retaining does not seen
general but individual, and hence, "whOsesO
ever" Whenever an evil doer gives proof O
genuine contritiOn, is resolved to reform, anC
makes reparation to those whom he ha
wrOnged. il is safe to say he is forgiven. He is
. or God is false. The ministry are Gods min
istry, doing his work, representing Christ il
the work OF rescuing sinners. They have Ger
tain powers under their commission. 1t is no
correct to confne the authority given in " 2
to the Apostles. Why assign it only to them
They were men. weak men too ut times ant
fallible as mOrtals always are. There is n,
intimation this power To remit or retain wa
} simply temporary. We think, too, v. % refer
to more than q merely dsclarative power. Tn
Clergy are officers of the Church.
} Some explain the verse as referring to eccle
J siastic government. The Church is the King
dom of Heaven. mt, is: 49, The Apostle
} and clergy in general have the keys to thi
Kingdom. They declare the conditions of mem
, bership in the church and the causes for ex
communication. They admit to the Holy eel
: ebration of the Eucharist, or debar from TIL
} privilege of partaking. The right TO open tn
doors OF the church, and hence to welcome /
the ohaliee and paten, does not belong 10 tn
: laity, say some. The clergy are judges of tn
r fitness for approaching the chancel. IL pei
sons be unworthy, the priest in the Roma
, Catholic and Protestant Episcopal branches o
the Church exclude them from the altar. S,
h.. So IL. II.