>> As a reminder, please join us in our [daily morning Rosary Novena](https://2020nationalnovena.com/optin1598968688164). >> *[Church Militant](https://www.churchmilitantaction.org/) (a 501(c)4 corporation) is responsible for the content of this commentary.* If you also seek the truth, then please consider joining Church Militant today by supporting our work. Sign up for a [Church Militant Premium account](https://www.churchmilitant.com/gopremium) or simply [make a donation](https://www.churchmilitant.com/donate). And now, let's begin with today's Vortex... >> **Ticktock, ticktock.** >> In the great celebration of Easter, we are only halfway through. The Church celebrates Easter as one long feast — an octave — because the joy of Easter cannot be contained in just one day. And the Easter season is exactly one week longer than Lent because, despite the pain of life and its crosses, the joy is more enduring than the pain. For the faithful, pain is temporary; victory is forever. >> Our Lord speaks of this when He talks of the pain of childbirth — that when a woman is going through it, it's intense, but once the child is born, she soon forgets the pain because her joy overwhelms her. And so it is for the faithful in the Church today regarding the pains and the agony of watching what feels like the Church being destroyed, especially when it seems to be getting destroyed from within. >> We must remember that on "Spy Wednesday," one week ago today, this is precisely what was happening as Judas plotted with the Jews to betray Our Lord. No great victory is possible without an equally great sacrifice. Salvation costs, and it costs dearly. It cost Our Lord His life. Primary Video source and transcript continues here: https://www.churchmilitant.com/video/episode/vortex-halfway-through