The Holy Women Go to the Sepulcher

 

“And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalen, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought sweet spices, that coming, they might anoint Jesus. And very early in the morning, the first day of the week, they come to the sepulchre, the sun being now risen. And they said to one another: ‘Who shall roll the stone back from the door of the sepulchre?’” (Mark 16, 1-3).

First Prelude:
Picture the holy women, early in the morning on their way to the sepulchre to anoint the Body of their Lord with precious ointments.

Second Prelude:
Inflame me, O Lord, with Thy holy love, that I may be generous and fervent in the discharge of my duties.

FIRST POINT

THE ZEAL OF THE HOLY WOMEN

Before daybreak after the Sabbath, the holy women started out for the sepulchre, to anoint the Body of the Lord. How ardently they loved Jesus! They knew well that Joseph and Nicodemus had already anointed the sacred Body, but on account of the Sabbath it had to be done hurriedly. What satisfied the demands of strict necessity did not satisfy their love. They felt an eager longing to lavish on the sacred Body of their beloved Master the last honors with all care and solicitude. How are we forced to admire their zeal and fearlessness! Alone, and before break of day they leave the city, ascend Calvary, and go straightway to the sepulchre. Such is the work of charity that knows no bounds, fears no obstacles, and recoils from no difficulty or danger.

How much could we do for the honor of God and the salvation of souls if we were inflamed with similar love! With what fervor should we then perform our spiritual exercises, comply with the obligations of our holy state and advance in perfection! What progress would we make in perfection! Love, which never thinks it has done enough, would sweeten all our difficulties.

Ought not our zeal surpass that of the holy women? They honored the Body of the Saviour after His death, but we may hasten to His Tabernacle in which He reposes under the form of bread, — may receive His glorified Body in Holy Communion. We have the happiness of serving members of our Lord’s mystical body in the poor, the sick, and the children entrusted to our care. Oh, how great is our happiness, how sublime are the obligations of our holy vocation! Alas, why are we not animated by a more lively faith, a more ardent love, a more intense desire?

SECOND POINT

THE WORDS OF THE HOLY WOMEN

“Who shall roll back the stone?” asked the holy women, when they were well under way. Now they recalled the insurmountable obstacle that barred the way to the achievement of their undertaking. Though they realized that their strength was insufficient to overcome it, they did not turn back, but rather continued their way, intent upon rendering the last services to their beloved Master. Let us admire their great steadfastness and implicit trust, grounded in the love of Jesus. How often do we lack courage and confidence, when God demands a work of piety of us! We forget that at the same time He imparts the means to overcome all obstacles. In imitation of the example of the holy women we will proceed courageously, blindly trusting in the Lord. If, like the holy women, we do our share, God will do His, and we can do all things in Him, Who strengtheneth us.

How great was the amazement of the holy women, when, on reaching the grave, they saw the stone rolled back. God had anticipated their confidence, had sent an angel to aid them, and in a single moment, removed the insurmountable barrier. How often have we experienced the powerful and benign assistance of almighty God! How often has Divine Providence lovingly aided our constancy, our trust, and to our great astonishment disposed all things in a manner surpassing our expectations!

Affections:

O my God, inflame in my cold heart the fire of the strong, self-sacrificing love I admire in these holy women. How weak and inconstant am I in the face of difficulties, in the discharge of my duties! May I never forget that I, too, serve a Lord Who has power to remove every hindrance, Whose goodness sustains me with His grace, Who sends His angel to protect me. Quicken my confidence, O Lord, let my courage wax strong in the struggle with my passions, that I may say with the Apostle: “For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor things present, nor things to come, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate me from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord” (Rom. 8, 38-39).

Resolution:

I will perform all my actions with renewed zeal and love.

Spiritual Bouquet:

“I can do all things in Him, Who strengtheneth me.”

Prayer:

Take, O Lord…