Sunday Morning

            This day, when thou hast made the sign of the Cross, (and prepared thyself hereunto,) thou hast to meditate upon the mystery of the holy Resurrection: in which thou mayest consider these four principal points: to wit: Of the descending of our Savior into that place of hell, which is commonly called by the Learned divines: Limbus Patrum. Of the Resurrection of his holy body: Of his appearing first to our blessed Lady, and afterwards to St. Mary Magdalene, and to the disciples.

            Nondum propalatam esse sanctorum viam, adhuc priore tabernaculo habente statum. Heb.9.vers.8.

            Quod autem ascendit, quid est, nisi quia et descendit primum in inferiores partes terrae? Ephes.4.vers.9.

            Descendit ad Inferos. In Symbolo Apostolorum. Christus descendit ad inferos solus, ascendit vero cum multitudine. St. Ignarius in Epist.2. ad Trallianos.

            Quis nisi Infidelis negaverit fuisse apud inferos Christum. St. Augustinus. Tomo 2. Epist.99. ad Euodium.

THE TEXT OF THE HOLY EVANGELISTS.

          Upon the Sunday next ensuing after this Friday of the Passion, very early in the morning before the break of the day, Mary Magdalen came to the sepulcher: and saw the stone removed from the tomb, and perceived that the body was not there. The which, when she found not, she stood without the sepulcher in the garden weeping. And as she wept, she bowed herself down into the sepulcher, and saw two Angels in white, sitting the one at the head, and the other at the feet of the place, where the body of Jesus was laid. And they said unto her: Woman, why weepest thou? She made answer, and said: They have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. When she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus said unto her: Woman, why weepest thou? She supposing that he had been the gardener of that garden, said unto him: Sir, if thou hast taken him away, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Then said Jesus unto her: Mary. And she said unto him, Master. Jesus said unto her. Touch me not, but go, and tell my brethren, that I ascend to my father, and your father, to my God, and your God. Mary Magdalen came forthwith away, and told these things unto the Disciples, saying: I have seen our Lord, and he told me these, and these things, that I should tell them unto you.

          The same day, late in the evening, when the doors were shut, where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, Jesus came, and stood in the midst of them, and said unto them. Peace be with you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands, and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they had seen our Lord. Then said Jesus again unto them: Peace be with you. As my father sent me, so send I you. And when he had said those words, he breathed upon them, and said: Receive the holy Ghost. Whose sins so ever ye shall forgive, they be forgiven unto them: and whose sins so ever ye shall retain, they are retained.

          At that time, Thomas one of the twelve, who was also called Didymus, was not with the Disciples when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore (when he came) said unto him: We have seen our Lord. But he said unto them. Except I see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the holes of them, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe. And eight days after, his Disciples were again within, and Thomas with them. Then came Jesus again, when the doors were shut, and standing in the midst of them: said: Peace be with you. And after he said unto Thomas. Put thy finger here, and see my hands, and bring hither thy hand, and put it into my side, and be no more incredulous, but faithful. Thomas answered, and said: My Lord, and my God. And Jesus said unto him. Thomas, because thou hast seen, thou believest. Blessed are they, that have not seen, and have believed. Many other signs did Jesus work also in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: but these things are written, that ye might believe, that Jesus Christ is the son of God, and that believing, ye might have life by him.

MEDITATIONS UPON THESE POINTS OF THE TEXT.

            This is the day that our Lord hath made, let us rejoice, and be merry in it. Our Lord who is the maker of all times, hath made every day: but this day especially he is said to have made, forsomuch as on this day he finished the most excellent of all his works, to wit, the work of our redemption. Now as this work is called (by way of excellency) the work of God, by reason that it far passeth all his other works: even so also this day is called the day of God, for that upon this day he finished this work, which was the most excellent of all his works.

            It is also said that our Lord made this day, because whatsoever was done in it, was done only by his own hand. In other feasts and mysteries of our Savior, there is ever some thing that we have done ourselves, because there is always in them some thing of pain, which pain grew of our sin, and therefore there is some thing belonging unto us. But this day is not a day of travail, nor of pain, but a putting away, and banishment of all pain, and a fulfilling of all glory, and therefore it is wholly and purely the day of God. Who is he then that will not rejoice upon such a day as this is? This day all the humanity of Christ rejoiced: The blessed mother of Christ rejoiced: The disciples of Christ rejoiced: Heaven and earth rejoiced: Yea hell itself had his part of this joy. This day the sun shined more clearly than it did any other day: because it was meet that it should serve our Lord with his light on this day of his rejoicing, as it had served him before with his darkness on the day of his Passion. The heavens which before in the day of his passion became dark, because they would not see their creator naked, do now on this day shine with a singular clearness, to see him how he cometh forth as a conqueror out of the sepulcher. Let the heavens therefore rejoice, and thou O earth take part of this joy: because this day there shineth a greater brightness out of the sepulcher, than from the very son itself that giveth light in the heavens. A certain holy Father given much to contemplation saith, that every Sunday morning when he rose to matins, he took so great joy by calling to mind the mystery of this day, that it seemed to him, that all creatures both of heaven, and earth, did sing at that hour, with loud voices, and say: In thy Resurrection O Christ, Alleluia. The heavens and earth rejoice, Alleluia.

            Now to understand somewhat of the mystery of this day, consider first of all, how our Savior having finished that painful journey of his passion, as he ascended with passing great charity upon the cross for our sakes, even so did he descend down into hell with the like love, and charity, to finish the work of our reparation. For as he took death as a mean to deliver us from death: even so did he likewise go down to hell, using that as a mean to deliver such as be his from hell.

            Now therefore let us consider, how this noble triumphant conqueror goeth down into hell, clothed with brightness, and strength, whose entry Eusebius Emisenus describeth in these words. O beautiful light which shining from the highest part of heaven, didst give light with a sudden and unwonted brightness to them that were in darkness, and in the shadow of death! For at the very instant that our Savior descended thither, immediately that everlasting dark night shined very brightly, and noise of them that there lamented ceased forthwith, and all that cruel rout of tormentors trembled, to behold our Savior Christ present. There were the princes of Edom troubled, and the mighty of Moab quaked for fear, and the inhabitants of the land of Canaan were sore amazed, and astonied. Incontinently all those infernal tormentors began in the midst of their obscure darkness to murmur among themselves, and to say: Who is this, that is so terrible, so mighty, and withal so bright? There was never seen any man like unto this in our quarters. There was never the like person sent into these dens from the beginning of the world unto this day. What? He looketh as one that would rather assault us, than pay here any debt: and as one that would sooner give us an overthrow, than be punished as a sinner. He seemeth to be a Judge, and no guilty person. He cometh with great might to fight, and not to suffer any pain. Where stood our guard, and the porters of our gates, when this conqueror brake our strong enclosures, and entered thus perforce upon us? What may he be, that is of such a mighty puissance? If he were faulty, he would not have been so hardy? And if he had brought with him any obscurity of sin, he could never have thus given light to our darkness with his brightness? If he be God, what hath he to do in hell? If he be a man, how is it that he is so bold? If he be God, what hath he to do in the sepulcher? If he be a man, how happeneth it, that he hath spoiled our strong prison?

            O Cross that hast after this manner defeated our hopes, and been the cause of this our great loss, and damage! Upon a tree we gained all our riches, and now upon a tree we lose them all again.

            Such words as these murmured those infernal fiends among themselves, at what time the noble triumphant conqueror our Savior Christ entered therein, to deliver his prisoners. There stood all the souls of the just gathered together, that had from the beginning of the world until that hour departed out of this life. There might ye have seen one Prophet sawed asunder: an other stoned: an other having his neck broken with a bar or iron: and others that had with other kinds of death glorified almighty God. O glorious company! O most noble treasure of heaven! O most magnificent, and rich part of the triumph of our Savior Christ! There were those two first persons (to wit: Adam, and Eve,) who in the beginning peopled, and increased the world: which two, as they were the first in sin, so were they the first also in faith, and hope. There was that holy old man Noe, who by building of the great Ark, preserved seed that the world might be replenished, and peopled again, after the ceasing of the waters of the flood. There was the Patriarch Abraham the first father of the believing people, who deserved before all others to receive the testament of God, and the sign and separation of his family from others, by the mark of Circumcision in their flesh. There was his obedient son Isaac, who in carrying upon his shoulders the wood wherewith he should be sacrificed, represented the sacrifice, and redemption of the world. There was Jacob the holy father of the twelve tribes, who by putting upon him an others apparel, and strange garments, gained his fathers blessing: which figured the mystery of the humanity and incarnation of the everlasting word. There was the holy St. John Baptist also, as a guest, and new inhabitor of that land: and likewise the blessed old man Simeon, who would not depart out of this world, until he had seen with his eyes the redeemer of the world, and received him in his arms, and song like a swan before his death that sweet song: Nunc dimittis: Etc. There had the poor seely Lazarus mentioned in the gospel his place also, who by means of his sores, and patience, deserved to be partaker of that so noble company, and hope.

            All this choir, and assembly of holy souls were there mourning, and sighing for this day. And in the midst of them (as master of the chapel) was that holy king, and Prophet David, who without ceasing repeated his ancient lamentation. As the heart longeth after the fountains of waters, even so doth my soul long after thee my God. My tears were bread unto me day, and night, whiles they say unto my soul, where is thy God? O holy king David, if this be the cause of thy lamentation, now mayest thou cease from singing this song: for here thy God is now present, and here is thy Savior, whom thou mayest now enjoy. Change this song therefore, and sing that other song which thou didst sing long before in spirit. Thou hast blessed thy land (O Lord,) thou hast delivered Jacob out of captivity. Thou hast pardoned the iniquity of thy people, and hast dissembled the multitude of their sins. And thou holy Jeremias that wast stoned to death for the same Lord, shut up now thy book of lamentations, which thou didst write, when thou beheldest the destruction of Jerusalem, and the ruin of the temple of God. For even within these three days, thou shalt see an other temple builded up, far more beautiful than that was, and thou shalt see an other more goodly Jerusalem renewed throughout the world.

            Now when those blessed fathers saw their darkness changed to a goodly bright light: when they saw the time of their banishment expired, and their glory now begone, what tongue is able to express the passing inward joy that they felt? O how glad were they to see themselves now delivered out of the captivity of Egypt, and their enemies drowned in the red Sea? How heartily did they sing altogether, and say: Let us sing unto our Lord, for he hath gloriously triumphed. He hath overthrown both the horse, and the horsemen into the sea. With what inward affection (trow ye) did the first father of all mankind prostrate himself before the feet of his son, and Savior, and said unto him. Thou art now come my dearly beloved Lord, whom I have so long time looked for to redeem my sin. Thou art come to fulfill thy promise, and hast not forgotten them that did put their trust in thee. The difficulty of the way thou hast overcome with thy great pity, and mercy: and with thy passing great love thou hast overcome also the painful travails, and torments of the Cross.

            No tongue is able to express the great joy of these holy fathers. But the joy that our Savior had to see such a multitude of souls redeemed by the merits of his passion was far greater without all comparison. O sweet Lord, how well wouldst thou then accompt the great labors, and pains of thy cross employed, when thou sawest what goodly fruit, that most blessed and sacred tree began to yield. The Patriarch Joseph when he had two sons born unto him in the land of Egypt, made none accompt of all his pains, and travails past: and in signification thereof, he called the first son that was born in that country Manasses, saying: God hath caused me to forget all my travails, and the house also of my father. If Joseph rejoiced so much at the birth of one son: What might our Savior now think, when he saw himself beset on every side, with such a number of sons, after the end of his torments, and Martyrdom upon the cross? What might that precious olive think, when it saw round about her so many, and such goodly branches shooting out on every side?

OF THE RESURECTION OF THE BODY OF OUR SAVIOR.

        But O my Savior what meanest thou, that thou givest no part of this thy glory to thy most holy body, that lieth waiting for thee in the sepulcher? Thou knowest well (O Lord) that the law, that was made concerning the division of spoils saith, that there should be given as great a portion to him that remaineth in the tents, as to him that entereth into the battle. Thy holy body hath remained waiting for thee in the Sepulcher, whilst thy most holy soul entered into hell to give the battle. Make therefore an equal division of thy glory to thy body, forsomuch as thou hast now won the battle.

            The holy body of our Savior lay in the sepulcher in such a pitiful form as he had left it, stretched out along upon that cold stone: wound up in his winding sheet: his face covered over with a napkin: and all the parts of his body wholly rent, and torn. It was now after midnight, and the dawning of the day approached near at hand, when the son of Justice had determined to prevent the sun of the morning, and to be before him in this days Journey. In this blessed time therefore entered that glorious soul into his sacred body. And how (think you) did it adorn the same? Surely there is no tongue able to express it in words: Howbeit by an example we may perceive somewhat thereof. We see sometimes towards the west a very obscure, and dark cloud: and if haply the sun do take it before his going down, and beat upon it, and cover it all over with his beams, it is wont to cause it to appear all beautiful, and goodly, and all glistering like gold: insomuch as it seemeth to be the very son itself. Now in like manner did that glorious soul after it was invested in that holy body, and entered into the same. For it converted all the darkness of the body into light, and all his filthiness into beauty, and caused the body that was the foulest of all bodies, to become the fairest, and most beautiful of all bodies. After this sort our Savior riseth again out of the sepulcher, altogether perfectly glorious, as the first begotten of the dead, and the figure of our resurrection.

            This is that holy Patriarch Joseph, who is now delivered out of prison, the hair of his mortality being cut off, and appareled with the garments of immortality, and made Lord of the land of Egypt. This is that holy Moses, who was taken out of the waters, and out of the poor rush basket, and is now come to destroy all the power, and chariots of king Pharaoh. This is that holy Mardocheus, who after he had put off his sackcloth, and ashes, and was appareled with royal garments, overcame his enemy, and crucified him upon his own cross, and delivered all his people from death. This is that holy Daniel, who is now come forth out of the lions den, and hath not received any damage at all of the furious, hungry, and ravenous beasts. This is that strong Sampson, who being environed about with his enemies, and enclosed within the city, riseth up at midnight, and breaketh up their strong gates, and locks, and so defeateth the malicious purposes, and designments of his adversaries. This is that holy Johnas, that was allotted to die, to deliver his companions from death, who entering into the belly of that great beast, is the third day cast up again upon the coast of Nineveh.

            Who is this, that being between the hungry Jaws of the devouring beast, could not be eaten of her? Who is this, that was swallowed down into the bottom of the waters, and enjoyed nevertheless the air of life? Who is this, that being sunk down into the depth of perdition, caused even death itself to serve him? This is our glorious Savior, who was snatched away by that cruel beast, which is never satisfied (to wit, by death,) which after she had him in her mouth, and perceived the worthiness of the prey, trembled, and quaked for fear, and could not hold it. For although the earth swallowed him after he was dead, yet finding him free from all fault, and sin, she was not able to detain him in her house. For it is not the pain, that maketh a man guilty, but the cause, which could not be found in him.

HOW OUR SAVIOR CHRIST AFTER HIS RESURRECTION APPEARED to the holy virgin his blessed mother.

        Now hast thou O Lord glorified, and rejoiced thy most holy flesh, that suffered with thee upon the cross. Remember likewise that the flesh of thy mother is also thy flesh, and that she also suffered with thee, when she saw thee suffer upon the cross. She was crucified with thee, it is reason therefore that she also rise again with thee. It is a saying of thy Apostle, that whosoever have been thy companions in thy pains, shall be thy companions likewise in thy glory. Forsomuch therefore, as this blessed Lady hath been thy faithful companion in all thy pains, even from the manger to the cross, reason it is, that she should be now partaker of thy joys also. Wherefore clarify that heaven, that is now obscured: discover that moon, that is now eclipsed: dissolve those clouds of her heavy soul: dry up the tears of her maidenly eyes: and now after the stormy winter of so many floods, command the flowering spring to return again.

            At this time of the resurrection of our Savior, the holy virgin had withdrawn herself into her oratory, expecting there the coming of this new light. She cried inwardly in her heart, and called like a pitiful lioness the third day unto her dead son, saying: Arise up my glory, arise my harp, and my viole. Return (O triumphant conqueror) unto the world. Gather together (O good pastor) thy dispersed flock. Give ear (O my dear son) unto the clamors of thy heavy and afflicted mother. And seeing by these clamors thou wast moved to descend down from heaven into the earth, let the same move thee now also to ascend up again from hell into the world. In the midst of these clamors, and cries of the blessed virgin, behold that poor cottage of hers was suddenly brightened all over with a heavenly light, and her son being now gloriously risen again from death to life, presenteth himself to the sight of his holy mother. The morning star appeareth not so beautiful, the bright sun at noon day shineth not so clear, as did that face full of all graces, and that unspotted glass of divine glory in the eyes of his holy mother. She beholdeth the body of her sweet son, risen up again from death, and glorified, all the disfigures of the former deformity being clean wiped away, the comely grace of those divine eyes returned, and his former beauty was restored again, and increased.

            She also beholdeth those gaps of his wounds, which as they were before very swords of sorrow to her heavy, and tender heart, so are they now become fountains of love. Whom she saw before to suffer between two thieves, she seeth now accompanied with Saints, and Angels. Whom she saw before to commend her from the cross unto his disciple, she seeth now stretching forth his loving arms, and giving unto her the sweet kiss of peace. Whom she held before dead in her arms, she seeth now risen up again before her eyes. The blessed mother now holdeth him, and will not leave him, she embraceth him, she desireth and prayeth him most instantly not to depart away from her. Heretofore she was made speechless for sorrow, and knew not what to say: But now she is become speechless for very joy, and cannot utter her inward gladness unto him.

            Now what tongue can tell, or what understanding is able to comprehend, the exceeding joy that this blessed virgin conceived inwardly in her mind? We cannot understand the things that do exceed our capacity, unless we compare them to other less things, and frame by them as it were a ladder, to ascend by degrees from the lower unto the higher, and so make a conjecture of the one by the other. Now that we may understand somewhat of this her exceeding joy, consider what a great joy the Patriarch Jacob felt, when after he had bewailed his dearly beloved son Joseph with so great abundance of tears, supposing him to be dead, tidings were brought him, that he was alive, and Lord over all the land of Egypt. The holy scripture saith, that when these news were told him, he conceived so great joy, and astonishment therewith, that as a man newly awaked out of a heavy sleep, he could not call his wits perfectly together, nor yet believe the news that his sons had told him, no more than if it had been a very dream. But afterwards, when he was fully resolved that it was true: the holy scripture saith, that his spirit revived again, and that he spake these words following. It is enough for me, if my son Joseph be yet alive: I will go, and see him, before I die: Now then, tell me I pray you, if Jacob that had eleven other sons in his house, conceived yet so great a joy in his heart to understand that even one only, whom he supposed to be dead, was yet alive, what an exceeding great joy conceived the blessed virgin, who having no more but one son, and that one such a son as our blessed Savior was, so notable, and so dearly beloved, as he was unto her, after she had seen him with her eyes both dead, and buried, saw him now again risen up from death, and withal glorified, and made Lord not only of all the land of Egypt, but also of all things created? Is there any understanding able to comprehend this? Undoubtedly her joy was inwardly so great, that her heart had not been able to sustain the force thereof, had it not received some supernatural strength, and comfort, by special miracle of almighty God for that end. O blessed virgin, this benefit alone may suffice thee! It is enough for thee, that thy dear son is alive, and that thou hast him in thy presence, and seest him before thy death: so as now there remaineth nothing else for thee to desire. O Lord, how well knowest thou how to comfort them, that suffer for thy sake! The former pain of thy blessed mother seemeth not now to be great, being compared with this passing great joy. If thou O Lord, dost comfort such as suffer for thee after this sort, blessed and happy are their persecutions, and troubles, seeing they shall be thus rewarded.

            In like manner we have to consider, how our Savior appeared unto his disciples, and especially to St. Mary Magdalen, whereof presently we do not intreat, because we would not make this meditation over long.