"And the angel answering said to the women: 'Fear not you; for I know that you seek Jesus Who was crucified. He is not here: for He is risen as He said. Come, and see the place where the Lord was laid'" (Matt. 28, 5-6).
First Prelude: Picture the angel in shining apparel speaking to the holy women at the sepulchre.
Second Prelude: Grant me grace, O Jesus, ever to seek Thee, the Crucified, that I may render myself worthy of Thy pleasure and Thy grace.
First Point
The Holy Women Come to the Sepulchre
With fear and trembling they beheld the angel, who had rolled back the stone and had seated himself on it. But the heavenly messenger, whose apparition had hurled the guards to the ground and put them to flight, soon ended their consternation, when he said: "Fear not, for I know that you seek Jesus of Nazareth!" All who seek Jesus crucified have nothing to fear; neither in this world nor in the next; neither from the good angels who protect, comfort, and encourage, nor from the evil spirits who are powerless in their regard. Such is the compensation with which God rewards all that seek Him with perseverance, zeal, and love. Peace, calmness and true joy of spirit shall be their portion, while those who seek themselves or anything outside of God, shall find naught but unrest, fear, and trouble.
Let us, therefore, diligently seek Jesus, by not fleeing the cares and hardships of our vocation. Animated by a fervent desire, let us cheerfully accept, and patiently bear, whatever is repugnant. May I always be able to say in truth: I seek Jesus, the Crucified; for love of Him I will bear the cross, will persevere with Him, die with Him on the cross.
Why else have I chosen the religious state, whose aim it is to crucify the old man constantly? Why have I joined the ranks of apostolic souls, if not that besides carrying my own cross I may help others carry theirs?
Second Point
The Angels Announce the Resurrection of Christ
The angel having dispelled their fear, the holy women entered the sepulchre, but found not the Body of the Lord. Two other angels appeared to them, who said: "Why seek you the living with the dead? He is not here, but is risen. Remember how He spoke unto you, when He was yet in Galilee, saying: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and the third day rise again'" (Luke 24, 5-8).
How great must have been the joy of these holy women, to know that their Master lives and that they failed to see His Body because He was risen from the dead. Happy women, who were the first to hear of the resurrection from angels' lips! They had merited such happiness by following the Saviour, not only when He revealed His power by astounding miracles, but also when, laden with the cross, He walked the painful road to Calvary, and again now, when they were about to bestow marks of faithful love on Christ in the sepulchre.
The words of the angel, however, savored also of a slight reproach; how often had Jesus told His own, that He would rise again on the third day, and still they forgot such a glorious, consoling promise. The enemies of Jesus, the pharisees, thought of it, nevertheless, and sought for means to hinder the accomplishment of His prophecy; the friends of Jesus, on the contrary, must be reminded of it, even on finding the sepulchre open and empty on the third day.
Just so superficially do we consider incidents in the light of faith, in the time of tribulation. While we forget what there is to hope for with reference to our future resurrection, to fear, or to lose, the children of the world endeavor studiously to ward off a temporal disaster or to secure an earthly advantage. Let us frequently call to mind the great promises given us by our Lord. Let us heed the admonitions of the holy angels. How much more easily shall we then shoulder the burdens of life and how much more merit shall we acquire?
Affections:
The holy women seek Thee, O Jesus; as the Crucified I, too, can find Thee only on the way of constant crucifixion of perverted nature, dying to self, to rise with Thee to a glorious life like Thine,—a new, divine life, by noble and pure sentiments,—an immortal life, by perseverance in good.
Do Thou effect such a happy transformation in me, O my God! Grant that I may never cease to seek Thee, how hidden soever Thou mayest be. Grant that I may always find Thee, through the cross, O my beloved Bridegroom, that thereby I may render myself more and more worthy of Thy grace and Thy glorious promises.
Resolution:
I will perseveringly seek my Saviour by leading a mortified, humble, and hidden life.
Spiritual Bouquet:
"Fear not; for I know you seek Jesus, Who was crucified."
Prayer:
O Jesus, living in Mary . . .
No comments:
Post a Comment