Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/241



I. Christ  made  known  His  resurrection  by  different means: 1. By Saints,  who  rose  in  their  bodies  and  appeared to  many;  2. By angels,  who  appeared  at  the sepulchre; 3. By appearing  in  His  own  proper  person, "showing Himself  alive,  after  His  passion,  by  many proofs;  for  forty  days  appearing." (Acts i.  3.)  In  the same manner  is  he  accustomed  to  display  Himself  to  His faithful servants,  by  the  agency  of  pious  men,  by  their guardian angels,  and  immediately  by  Himself. " He who  loveth  me,"  He  says  Himself,  "  shall  be  loved  by My  Father;  and  I  will  love  Him,  and  will  manifest  Myself to  Him." (John xiv.  21.)  Love  Him,  therefore,  in order  that  you  may  receive  this  favor.

II. It is  piously  believed  that  Christ  first  appeared  to His  blessed  mother  in  order  that  she,  who  had  drunk deepest of  the  cup  of  His  affliction,  might  be  the  first  to enjoy  the  glory  of  His  resurrection. " As  ye  are  partakers of  the  sufferings,  so  shall  ye  be  also  of  the  consolation." (2 Cor.  i.  7.)  She  believed  with  the  most  certain faith,  and  expected  with  the  most  ardent  hope  the hour of  His  resurrection,  and  therefore  her  desires  were not frustrated. Learn hence  to  desire  heavenly  things with fervor,  and  patiently  to  wait  for  the  destined  hour. " If  it  make  any  delay,  wait  for  it;  for  it  shall  surely come,  and  it  will  not  be  slack." (Hab. ii.  3.)

III. What were  the  feelings  which  Christ  and  His  mother experienced  at  this  joyful  meeting? What expressions of  affection  passed  between  them! The Saints  who had long  been  dead,  Adam,  Abraham,  Moses,  and  David, might well  congratulate  her  in  the  language  of  the