St Athanasius the Great LETTERS, Part I, Complete

Translated by Cardinal Newman.

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Page 93

Letter VI.--For 334. Easter-day, xii Pharmuthi, vii Id. April; xvii Moon; AEra Dioclet. 50; Coss. Optatus Patricius, Anicius Paulinus; Praefect, Philagrius [4072] , the Cappadocian; vii Indict.

Now again, my beloved, has God brought us to the season of the feast, and through His loving-kindness we have reached the period of assembly for it. For that God who brought Israel out of Egypt, even He at this time calls us to the feast, saying by Moses, 'Observe the month of new fruits [4073] , and keep the Passover to the Lord thy God [4074] :' and by the prophet, 'Keep thy feasts, O Judah; pay to the Lord thy vows [4075] .' If then God Himself loves the feast, and calls us to it, it is not right, my brethren, that it should be delayed, or observed carelessly; but with alacrity and zeal we should come to it, so that having begun joyfully here, we may also receive an earnest of that heavenly feast. For if we diligently celebrate the feast here, we shall doubtless receive the perfect joy which is in heaven, as the Lord says; 'With desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I say unto you, that I will not eat it, until it is fulfilled with you in the kingdom of God [4076] .' Now we eat it if, understanding the reason of the feast, and acknowledging the Deliverer, we conduct ourselves in accordance with His grace, as Paul saith; 'So that we may keep the Feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth [4077] .' For the Lord died in those days, that we should no longer do the deeds of death. He gave His life, that we might preserve our own from the snares of the devil. And, what is most wonderful, the Word became flesh, that we should no longer live in the flesh, but in spirit should worship God, who is Spirit. He who is not so disposed, abuses the days, and does not keep the feast, but like an unthankful person finds fault with the grace, and honours the days overmuch, while he does not supplicate the Lord who in those days redeemed him. Let him by all means hear, though fancying that he keeps the feast, the Apostolic voice reproving him; 'Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years: I fear lest I have laboured among you in vain [4078] .'

[4072] The index gives still Paternus for Letters 6 and 7. On Philagrius, see p. 93, note 2.

[4073] Cf. i. 9, n. 12.

[4074] Deut. xvi. 1.

[4075] Nahum i. 15.

[4076] Luke xxii. 15, 16.

[4077] 1 Cor. v. 8.

[4078] Gal. iv. 10, 11.

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