Quarta Hebdomada: De Resurrectione

Quarta Hebdomada: De Resurrectione

This is the first contemplation on how Jesus, our Lord, appeared to His holy Mother after the Resurrection, as will be explained below. A preparatory prayer according to custom. The first prelude is taken from history. After the Lord expired on the cross and His body was buried, yet His divinity remained united, He Himself, in His soul, continuously united to the divinity, descended to the underworld; and after rescuing the souls of the just, He returned to the tomb, reuniting His body with His soul, and finally, rising again, He appeared alive to His blessed Mother, the Virgin, as is piously and reasonably to be believed. According to the construction of the place, we will examine the location of the tomb and the dwelling of the Blessed Virgin, whose form and parts, as well as the remaining disposition, we will scrutinize in detail, including the cell and the oratory. The third will contain a grace to be sought, so that we may share in the immense joy of Christ and His Mother. The first, second, and third points will be the same here as those presented earlier in the contemplation of the Supper, which are to consider the persons, the words, and the actions. The fourth point is to observe how the divinity of Christ, hidden during His Passion and Death, reveals itself openly in the Resurrection and shines forth through so many miracles thereafter. Fifth, consider how prompt and abundant the Lord is in comforting His own, using the kind of consolation that can only be provided by a very dear friend. The contemplation should conclude with a conversation, whether with one person or several, according to the material being addressed, along with the Our Father. It's important to note that in the following contemplations, or Exercises, all the Mysteries of the Resurrection, Ascension, and those that are intermediate will need to be reviewed in order, using the same formulas and methods everywhere, just as was done throughout that week when we contemplated the Mysteries of the Passion. In a similar way, regarding repetitions and the operations of the senses, we can also be directed in increasing or decreasing the Exercises according to the number of Mysteries, just as we were taught in the previous week of meditating on the Passion of Christ. Secondly, it should be noted that this week’s exercises should focus more on the fourth week than on the previous ones, so that there will be only four exercises. The first exercise should take place after we rise in the morning; the second around the time of Mass, or a little before lunch, in place of the previous repetition; the third at Vespers, for the second repetition; and the fourth before dinner, with the senses engaged to deepen the three contemplations made that day, briefly noted and thoroughly examined in those parts or places where we felt more intense movements of the spirit and a greater taste of the spiritual. Third, although a specific number of points is prescribed for the one who is practicing, say three or five, it will still be up to him to expand or reduce the number of points in his contemplation, depending on how he finds it most beneficial. In this matter, it will be very helpful to think about the points to be addressed before beginning the exercise and to set a specific number for them. Finally, it's important to note that during this fourth week, the second, sixth, seventh, and tenth additions should vary. In the second week, as I wake up, I should suddenly place before my eyes the set contemplation, and I should strive to rejoice in the joy of the Lord with His own. In the sixth, I’ll bring to mind those things that inspire spiritual joy, so that I can reflect on the glory. On the seventh day, I should enjoy the comforts of light and the sky that present themselves: for example, during springtime, with the sight of green herbs and flowers, or in pleasant sunny places; during winter, with the warmth of the sun or fire; and likewise with other suitable pleasures of the body and soul, through which I can rejoice in my Creator and Redeemer. In the tenth, I should be content with a moderate diet as a form of penance, unless the Church has designated a time for fasting or abstinence, to which I must always adhere unless a just impediment arises.