From a sermon by St. Saint Lawrence of Brindisi
Since, dear brethren, we have recently considered the most bitter and severe sufferings of the Virgin Mother because of the passion and death of her Son, it is only right that we now turn our attention to her joys because of her son’s Resurrection from the dead. She hoped for light after the darkness; she hoped for a pleasing spring after the horrible winter had passed; she must have kept in her heart the words of the Psalmist, “Sorrow is but a guest of the night and joy comes in the morning” (Ps 29:6), or “amid all the throning cares that fill my heart, my soul finds comfort in thy consolation” (Ps 93:19). “Insofar as the sufferings of Christ abound in us,” wrote St. Paul “so will our consolations abound through Christ” (II Cor 1:5)....
And just as Jacob rejoiced at the news of his favorite son, who could ever try to imagine what happiness and bliss the Virgin enjoyed at the glorious and immortal Resurrection of her son, when He appeared to her in that same glory which He had shown to His chosen disciples?...
What then did the Virgin feel? What kind of rejoicing was hers? What happiness did she experience because of Christ’s Resurrection? If the disciples rejoiced at the sight of the Lord, how much more did the mother rejoice at the sight of her most cherished Son? If she had been so happy at His conception, when she conceived a mortal person subject to many pains, as to say, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (Lk 1:45), how much happier was she when He received immortality and blessedness?
Surely, she had the right to cry out with Anna, the mother of Samuel, “My heart thrills with joy in the Lord, and I lift up my head in my God. My mouth is bold against my enemies because I am happy in my salvation!” (I Kg 2:1). O immortal God, how great and how wonderful is the reason for this joy! “This is the day which the Lord has made,” sings the chorus of saints, “let us rejoice and be happy during it” (Ps 117:15). Now the homes of the just echo with glad cries of victory” (Ps 117:15). Yet, what was the cry of happiness and victory in the heart of the most holy mother? If the Jews saw a new light dawning, bring rays of joy, honor, and a favorable sign to Mardochai and Esther after the execution of the wicked Aman...imagine what light the Virgin must have seen on this day in the great glory and exaltation of her Son, when, after He had conquered and triumphed over hell, overcome death, and, crushing Satan in battle, He appeared to her clothed with the sun and wearing a crown of stars.
Mary rejoiced in the conception of Christ, she thrilled with joy at His birth, and when she heard “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace of men of good will” (Lk 2:13-14), the hymn echoed throughout the countryside by a chorus of angels. Mary was enraptured when the Magi came in adoration, and when she found Jesus in the temple; and she was even more joyous when she heard of and saw the great number and variety of miracles which He was working. Her joy grew more profound as she saw Him ascend into heaven, His seat of glory, accompanied by the angels. But on this day, she was filled with a happiness greater than all of these, greater than can ever be told. Just as the man who found the great treasure in his field, in an unimaginable manner Mary found an infinite glorious treasure in the Resurrection of her son, Jesus Christ.
Musical Selection (Archangel Voices)
The angel cried out to the Lady full of
grace, “Rejoice, rejoice, O Pure Virgin, and
again I say ‘Rejoice,’ your Son is risen from
His three days in the tomb. With Himself
He has raised all the dead, rejoice, all ye
people!” Shine, shine, O New Jerusalem, for
the glory of the Lord has shone on you. Exult
now, exult and be glad, O Zion! Be radiant, O
most pure Theotokos, in the resurrection of
your Son.