But the Maries remained in the same place, and looking into the sepulchre, they saw two angels, standing in white garments, who said to them, “Whom seek ye ; the Living among the dead ?”1 But they neither heeded their words, nor accepted any consolation from the angelic vision, for they sought not angels, but the Lord of angels. Two of the Maries were again frightened, and as it were absorbed with grief, and drew themselves back a little, and sat sorrowing. But Magdalen, not knowing what else could be done, and because she could not live without her Master, when she could not find Him there, and knew not where to look for Him, stood at the sepulchre without, weeping. Again she looked into the sepulchre, because she was constantly hoping that she should see Him there where she had buried Him, and she saw the same angels sitting there, who said to her, “Woman, why weepest Thou? Whom seekest Thou ?”2 And she replied, “They have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid Him.” See the wonderful action of love. A little while before she had heard from one angel that He had risen, and afterwards from the two that He was alive, and yet she seemed to forget their words, and answer, “I know not” Love effected this, because, as Origen says, “her soul was not where she herself was, but where her Master was. She knew only to think, to speak, to hear, of Him.” But while she thus wept, she cared not for angels ; but from love of her, her Master was unable any longer to keep away. Perhaps Jesus informs His mother of His desire to comfort Magdalen, in which she rejoices. “Go, my Son, and console her ; she hath loved us tenderly, and was in bitter grief at your death.” And Jesus, full of love foi her, departed. He comes to the sepulchre in the garden, where Magdalen was, and says to her, “Woman, whom seekest thou ? Why weepest Thou ?” 1 And she, not yet recognizing Him, as one who did not know what she was doing, answers Him, “Sir, if Thou have borne Him hence, tell me where Thou hast laid Him ; and I will take Him away.” Regard her attentively; how, with tearful countenance, and in a suppliant and devout manner, she prays Him to tell her where He is whom she seeks. For she was continually hoping to get some tidings of her Beloved. Then the Lord said to her, “Mary ;” and she, coming to herself and recognizing Him by His voice, said with inexpressible joy, “Rabbi,” that is, Master, “Thou art the Lord whom I sought; why hast Thou so long concealed Thyself from me?” And running to His Feet, she longed to embrace them. But the Lord, desirous of raising her mind to heavenly things, that she might not henceforth seek Him on earth, said, “Touch Me not, for I am not yet ascended to My Father ; but go to My brethren, and say unto them, that I ascend unto My Father, and your Father,” etc. And He added, “Did not I tell you beforehand, that on the third day I should rise again; why, then, did you seek me in the Sepulchre?” And she replied, “O Master, I tell you that such grief had possessed my heart for the bitterness of Thy Death and Passion, that, mindful of nought else, I remembered nothing but Thy dead Body, and the place where It was laid; and therefore this morning I brought the ointment. Blessed be Thy Majesty, who had deigned to rise again and come back to us !” Then they rejoiced together with great gladness of heart. But she closely regarded Him, and asked Him many questions, to which He replied with readiness. Is not this a great Easter ?
But notwithstanding our Lord’s check, I can hardly believe but that she lovingly touched Him before she left Him, and kissed His Feet and Hands. But the Lord at first gave her that warning, for the instruction of others also, because He revealed Himself to her as He had been in her affections, or because He willed to raise her thoughts to heavenly things, as S. Bernard seems to suggest. For it will surely be piously believed, that as He so lovingly and singularly revealed Himself to her, before all others, according to the record of Holy Scripture, He did this, not to confound her, but to fill her with joy. For a mysterious purpose, then, and not harshly, did He say that word ; because the most gracious Lord is neither inexorable nor severe, and least of all to those who love Him. After, then, a little delay, the Lord departed from her, saying that He must visit others also.
Then Magdalen, altogether changed, resigned herself to the thought of His departure, saying, “I see, 0 Lord, that Thou wilt not again be with us, as Thou hast formerly been ; I beseech Thee, do not forget me ; remember all the blessings, O Lord, which Thou hast bestowed upon me ; remember Thy friendship and Thy love for me ; remember me, O Lord my God.” And the Lord replied to her, “Fear not ; be strong and steadfast, for I shall be always with you.” Then Christ gives her His blessing and departs ; and she joins her companions, and relates all that had passed ; and they, filled with joy at the Resurrection, but grieving that they had not themselves seen Him, depart with her. Whilst the three Maries thus walked together, before they reached the city, the Lord Jesus appeared to them, saying, “All hail.”3 And they, rejoicing beyond all descrip4 tion, fell down before Him, and embraced His Feet. Then they likewise look inquiringly, and gaze upon Him, and rejoice in His gracious response to them, and they too keep a great Easter. But the Lord Jesus says to them, “Tell my brethren that they go into Galilee ; and there shall they see Me,” 2 as I foretold them. You see that the Master of humility calls His disciples brethren ; has He, then, ceased to exercise this virtue ? But you, for your part, if you would gain the knowledge and consolation which this scene should impart to you, do what I have before taught you : be present in spirit at every spot, as though you were there bodily. And in this manner strive to realize all that follows.
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