apostles. Whereupon Peter and John likewise hastened to the grave, and, entering in, saw the linen cloths in which the Body had been wrapped, each in its right place, the head-cloth where our Lord’s Head had lain, and the foot-cloths where His Feet had been; but the Sacred Body itself had vanished. They could perceive that no one had stolen the Body, for had they done so, they would have taken It away wrapped in the cloths, or else they would have torn these off and cast them aside. It began to dawn upon them that their Lord had really risen from the dead. But where was He? Why did He not show Himself? And full of such thoughts they returned home.
Mary Magdalen, following the two apostles, returned herself to the grave. And while she stood there weeping, she saw the two angels. One of them said to her: Woman, why weepest thou?” Mary sorrowfully replied: “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid Him.”
When she had said this she turned back, and saw Jesus standing! but she knew not[1] that it was Jesus. He said to her: “Whom seekest thou?” She, thinking it was the gardener[2], replied: “Sir, if thou hast taken Him, tell me where thou hast laid Him, and I will take Him away.” Jesus said to her: “Mary!”[3] Immediately recognising Him, she fell down at His Feet, and exclaimed: “Rabboni!” that is to say, “Master!” He said to her: “Do not touch me[4], for I am not yet ascended to my Father, but go to My brethren, and say to them: I ascend to My Father, and to your Father, to My God and to your God.” He then disappeared.
Meanwhile the other women had returned from the Sepulchre, and to them also our Lord appeared and gave the same message: “Go and tell my brethren [5], that they go into Galilee, there they shall see me.” On the same day also He appeared to Simon Peter (Luke 24, 34).
- ↑ She knew not. Just as, later in the day, the two disciples walking to Emmaus did not know Him (chapter LXXX).
- ↑ Gardener. In the employ of Joseph of Arimathea.
- ↑ Mary. This one word was said in a tone which pierced her heart, and opened her eyes to know Him. Truly, no other voice could equal the voice of the Incarnate Son of God for beauty and majesty.
- ↑ Touch me. Mary had stretched out her hands to detain Him, lest He should leave her again.
- ↑ Tell my brethren. But when the women delivered the message, the disciples would not believe them, but thought they were under a delusion.
