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Wednesday of the Second week of Easter

Commentary of the day
Saint Clement of Alexandria (150- c.215), theologian
The Instructor [Paedagogus], 1,6

"Whoever lives the truth comes to the light"

Being baptized, we are illuminated; illuminated, we become children; being made children, we are made perfect; being made perfect, we are made immortal. God says: “I have said you are gods, and all children of the Most High” (Ps 81[82],6).

This work of baptism is variously called grace, illumination, perfection, and washing. Washing, by which we cleanse away our sins; grace, by which the punishment owing to our sins is remitted; illumination, by which the holy light of salvation is beheld so that we see clearly the divine things; perfection, because nothing is lacking. For what is yet lacking to one who knows God? Or how could we call “God’s grace” something that is not perfect? Being perfect himself, God only bestows perfect gifts…

Therefore, we have hardly been regenerated than, as the name suggests, we have been “illuminated”, set free from darkness and, in the same instant, filled with light… We are relieved of the sins that concealed the divine Spirit like a cloud and, behold, the eye of the spirit is set free, uncovered and full of light: that eye which alone enables us to contemplate divine things.

Each of us is called to be both a sacrifice to God and his priest. Do not forfeit what divine authority confers on you. Put on the garment of holiness, gird yourself with the belt of chastity. Let Christ be your helmet, let the cross on your forehead be your unfailing protection. Your breastplate should be the knowledge of God that he himself has given you. Keep burning continually the sweet smelling incense of prayer. Take up the sword of the Spirit. Let your heart be an altar. Then, with full confidence in God, present your body for sacrifice. God desires not death, but faith; God thirsts not for blood, but for self-surrender; God is appeased not by slaughter, but by the offering of your free will.

–- Saint Peter Chrysologus from a sermon