ACC ~ John 20 v13

ANGELS INITIALLY SILENT ABOUT THE RESURRECTION

CHRYSOSTOM: The angels who appear say nothing about the resurrection. But by degrees the subject is entered on. First of all they address her compassionately, to prevent her from being overpowered by a spectacle of such extraordinary brightness. And they say to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 86.1. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 14:323**.

NO OCCASION FOR TEARS

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: Observe that the tears shed for Christ do not lose their reward, nor is it long before love for him bears fruit. Rather, his grace and rich restitution will follow closely in the wake of pain. Notice how—as Mary was sitting there, her cheeks bedewed with mourning for her beloved Lord whom she had lost—notice how the Savior granted to her the knowledge of the mystery about him through the mouth of holy angels. They tell her to stop crying because this was no occasion for tears. She was making a subject for rejoicing a cause of grief. Why, indeed, they say, when death has been subdued, and corruption has lost its power and our Savior Christ has risen again and made a new pathway for the dead back to incorruption and to life—why would you misunderstand what is going on now? Why are you so distraught with pain when what is actually going on calls for rejoicing? You should be glad, even ecstatic! And so, why then are you crying and, in effect detracting from the honor due to what amounts to a celebration? COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 12. [1]

[1] LF 48:653**.

OUR TEARS WIPED AWAY TOO

GREGORY THE GREAT: The very declarations of Scripture that excite our tears of love wipe away those very tears by promising us the sight of our Redeemer again. FORTY GOSPEL HOMILIES 25. [1]

[1] CS 123:191**.

MARY’S LOVE FORETOLD IN THE SONG OF SONGS

RUFINUS OF AQUILEIA: This was foretold in the Song of Songs: “On my bed I sought the one my soul loves. I sought him in the night and did not find him.” [1] Of those also who found him and held him by the feet, it is foretold, in the same book, “I will hold the one my soul loves and will not let him go.” [2] COMMENTARY ON THE APOSTLES’ CREED 30. [3]

[1] Song 3:1.

[2] Song 3:4.

[3] NPNF 2 3:555**. See also Cyril of Jerusalem Catechetical Lectures 14.12.

JESUS’ BODY IS CALLED LORD

GREGORY OF NYSSA: His body too is called “the Lord” on account of the inherent Godhead. LETTER 17. [1]

[1] NPNF 2 5:544*.

MARY CALLS JESUS’ INANIMATE BODY “HER LORD

” AUGUSTINE: Mary calls her Lord’s inanimate body her Lord, meaning a part for the whole. It is the same as when all of us acknowledge that Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, our Lord, who of course is at once both the Word and soul and flesh, was nevertheless crucified and buried, while it was only his flesh that was laid in the sepulcher. TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 121.1. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 7:437**.