Angels proclaim the Resurrection; Angels: Day 201

The women who came to the tomb where Jesus had been buried were granted a vision of  angels. Why  were they given this privilege? It was because of  their deep love for Christ, says St. Cyril of Alexandria.

The women came to the sepulcher, and when they could not find the body of Christ—for he had risen—they were much perplexed. And what happened then? For the sake of their love for Christ, and their earnest zeal in it, they were counted worthy of seeing holy angels, who even told them the joyful tidings, and became the heralds of the Resurrection, saying, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen” (Luke 24:5).

For the Word of God always lives, and is by his own nature Life: but when he humbled himself to emptying, and submitted to be made like to us, he tasted death. But this proved to be the death of death: he rose from the dead, to be the way by which we return to incorruption, rather than himself.

And let no one look among the dead for him who always lives; for he is not here—not with death, that is, and in the tomb. So where is he? In Heaven, plainly, and in godlike glory. And to make the women’s faith in these things even firmer, the angels recall to their minds what Christ had said, that he “must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise” (Luke 24:7).

Angels brought the joyful tidings of the nativity to the shepherds in Bethle- hem, and now they tell of his resurrection: and Heaven yields its service to pro- claim him, and the hosts of the spirits above attend the Son as God, even when he had become flesh.

–St. Cyril of Alexandria, Commentary on Luke, Fragment of Sermon 154

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

St. Cyril says that the way to be counted worthy of seeing angels is through earnest love for Christ. How can I show more zeal in love for Christ?

CLOSING PRAYER

Holy angel who guarded the tomb of our Lord, holy angels who proclaimed his birth, help me to see the truth of these mysteries.  Reflect them in my life and reveal them in my words.

___________________________________________________________________________________________
Remember to subscribe to my feed so you will not miss a day! This recurring feature at The Catholic Blogger is possible through the cooperation of author Mike Aquilina and publisher Saint Benedict Press. To get your own copy of this book, click below.