Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/246



I. The  devout  women  relate  to  the  disciples  what  they had seen  at  the  sepulchre,  and  it  "seemed  to  them  as  an idle  tale." (Luke xxiv.  11.)  The  Apostles  were  as  yet attached to  sensible  things,  and  were  not  enlightened  by the  Holy  Ghost. The mysteries  of  the  Cross  and  Resurrection always  appear  folly  to  the  wise  ones  of  this world. Entreat Christ  to  enlighten  your  darkness,  and not to  suffer  you  to  follow  the  incredulity  or  fashionable errors of  the  world.

II. Peter and  John,  more  desirous  than  the  rest  of  discovering the  truth,  ran  to  the  monument,  entered  it,  and: found all  to  be  as  the  women  had  related. But they neither saw  angels,  nor  did  Christ  appear  to  them,  for their greater  trial,  and  because  they  ought  to  have  believed those  whom  Christ  had  ordered  to  communicate the news  of  His  resurrection  to  them. Learn hence  the importance of  "  believing,  although  you  have  not  seen," when the  object  of  faith  rests  on  the  divine  veracity.

III. On the  same  day,  Christ,  as  we  learn  from  St. Luke,  appeared  to  Peter,  who  "went  away  wondering in  himself  at  that  which  had  come  to  pass." " The Lord  has  risen  indeed,"  the  Apostles  exclaimed,  "  and hath  appeared  to  Simon." Thus Christ  confirmed  St. Peter,  in  order  that  He  might  afterwards  confirm  others in their  faith. He had  denied  his  Lord  and  Master;  but having satisfied  for  his  guilt  by  due  penance,  he  now deserved consolation. Among all  the  disciples  He seems  to  have  loved  Christ  most,  and  to  have  felt  the most poignant  grief  at  His  death. Learn to  accompany your Redeemer  in  His  sufferings,  in  order  that  you may