ly removed by the grace of God, or greatly diminished. "And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side." God rewards the piety of these women with the vision of an angel. " And His countenance was as lightning, and His raiment as snow." (Matt, xxviii. 3.) Who would not wish to dwell forever in such happy company!
III. " Fear not, for I know you seek Jesus, who was crucified." (Matt, xxviii. 5.) Among the titles of the glorified Jesus, that of His having been crucified stands in the first place. Hence you should learn to appreciate duly the value of suffering, " and to glory in nothing but the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Gal. vi. 14.) St. Paul, who was a faithful imitator of the suffering Son of God, says of himself, " I judged not myself to know anything among you, but Jesus Christ, and Him crucified." (1 Cor. ii. 2.) Imagine what sincere joy the holy women experienced when they heard that Christ had risen! "They went out quickly from the sepulchre, with fear and great joy, running to tell His disciples." (Matt, xxviii. 8.)
THURSDAY.
Christ Appears to Magdalene.
I. " But Mary stood without the sepulchre, weeping." (John xx. 11.) Ponder the fervent love and unshaken constancy of this devout penitent, which prompted her still to remain at the sepulchre when her companions had left it. Hence she deserved to see our Lord the first; for, as St. Gregory, commenting on this passage of the Evangelist observes, " Persevere in the essence of a good work." Learn hence to seek God, when you have lost Him by sin, or when by desolation He withdraws Him-
