Easter Sunday

The Gospel: Mark 16:1-7.

At that time 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 came to the sepulcher, the sun being now risen. And they said one to the other: Who shall roll us back the stone from the door of the sepulcher? And looking, they saw the stone rolled back. For it was very great. And entering into the sepulcher, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed with a white robe: and they were astonished. Who saith to them: Be not affrighted: you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen; he is not here; behold the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, that he goes before you into Galilee: there you shall see him, as he told you.

Meditation:

On the Resurrection of Our Lord.

I.

Jesus has risen. He has come glorious and impassible from the tomb. He is victorious over death. He has broken the gates of hell, triumphed over Satan, and stripped him of his spoils. He terrified the soldiers who guarded, the sepulcher, confounded the Jews, triumphed over his enemies, and enjoys a life of infinite glory. My soul, weep no more. Jesus will die no more in his body. Take care that you do not make him die in your heart.

II.

Jesus has risen in our souls, entered into the kingdom of our hearts and spirits, driven the devil therefrom, triumphed over our sins, which held us slaves, remained in us by his grace, lived by his spirit, reigned by his love, and rested in peace. My soul weep no more. Jesus has risen to a better life. He will die no more in his body, but be watchful lest you make him die in your heart.

III.

All the Church has risen with Jesus. All its body has come from his sepulcher. All its members are reanimated by the spirit of penance. All who were spiritually dead have risen with him. He has now only to give them the Paschal Lamb to eat. Woman, why do you weep? Jesus is no longer dead in the sepulcher; he has risen to a new life. He will die no more in his body, but take care that your sins do not make him die in your heart.

Ungrateful Christian, don’t you know that Jesus was crucified for you? You wept at the cross and at his burial, and now that he has risen you only think how you may renew his passion and deprive him of life! You prepare whips to scourge him, thorns to crown him, and a cross whereon to crucify him! What has he done to merit such treatment? Is he criminal because he has loved you infinitely? Does he deserve death for having saved you from death eternal? My soul, weep no more, Jesus is risen; he will die no more in your heart, if sin does not crucify him therein.

Resolution: I will never again commit mortal sin with the help of Jesus crucified and risen.

Prayer: Oh Jesus, divine Master, ascend not so soon into heaven. Remain with us to strengthen our faith, hope, and charity. Behold this holy Easter Sunday is nearly over. Night approaches. The spirits of evil assemble and conspire against us. The lion cometh forth seeking my soul to devour it. My passions begin to revolt. My old habits revive. The world takes arms against me and my flesh torments me with divers temptations. Oh Jesus, thy life, within me is not in safety. They conspire thy death and seek to renew thy sufferings. All the wicked and impenitent clamor together to drive thee from the world, scourge and crucify thee again. Defend thyself, oh my Savior, and do not permit me to destroy thy life in my heart. O Mary, my Mother, come quickly to my aid!

By a Member of the Society of Jesus, edited and amended by J. Scott Bailey, C.Ss.R.
© ASG