- December 3, 2023
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Today is Easter Sunday, the day of the Resurrection of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
From The Liturgical Year, by Dom Prosper Gueranger:
The Gospel does not relate the apparition thus made by Jesus to His Mother, whereas all the others are fully described. It is not difficult to assign the reason. The other apparitions were intended as proofs of the resurrection; this to Mary was dictated by the tender love borne to her by her Son. Both nature and grace required that His first visit should be to such a Mother, and Christian hearts dwell with delight on the meditation of the mystery. There was no need of its being mentioned in the Gospel; the tradition of the holy Fathers, beginning with St. Ambrose, bears sufficient testimony to it; and even had they been silent, our hearts would have told it us. And why was it that our Savior rose from the tomb so early on the day He had fixed for His resurrection? It was because His filial love was impatient to satisfy the vehement longings of His dearest and most afflicted Mother. Such is the teaching of many pious and learned writers; and who that knows aught of Jesus and Mary could refuse to accept it?
AT Thecua, in Palestine, the holy prophet Amos, whom the priest Amasias frequently scourged, and whose temples Ozias, that priest’s son, pierced with an iron spike. Being carried half dead to his native place, he expired there and was buried with his forefathers.
In Africa, the holy martyrs Theodulus, Anesius, Felix, Cornelia, and their companions.
In Persia, during the reign of king Isdegerdes, St. Benjamin, deacon. Because he would not cease to preach the word of God, sharp-pointed reeds were forced under his nails, a thorny stake driven through his entrails; and thus he consummated his martyrdom.
At Rome, the holy virgin Balbina, daughter of the blessed martyr Quirinus, who was baptized by pope St. Alexander, and after overcoming the world, was buried on the Appian road at her father’s side.
℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
℟. Thanks be to God.
