Saturday, April 16 : Asterius of Amasea

Today the Church, the inheritor, is joyful. Christ, her spouse, who suffered, has come to life again. (…). Rejoice, O Church, Christ’s spouse ! The resurrection of your Bridegroom has raised you from the ground where passers-by trod you underfoot. (…) O wonder ! (…) A single grain was sown and the whole world was fed from it. He was buried as a man; as a God he was restored to life and gives life to the earth. (…) He was sacrificed like a lamb and as a shepherd he dispersed the crowd of demons with the staff of his cross. He was extinguished on the cross like a candle on the candlestick, and he has risen from the tomb like a sun. Two marvels were witnessed: the day was darkened when Christ was crucified and at his resurrection the night shone like the day. Why was the day darkened ?Because, as it is written, “He made darkness his covering” (Ps 17 (18):12). Why did the night shine like the day ? Because, as the prophet said: “Darkness is not darkness to you and night shines as the day” (Ps 138 (139):12). O night, clearer than the day ! Night more resplendent than the sun ! Night whiter than snow, brighter than our torches, sweeter than paradise ! O night that knows shadows no more, you chase away sleep and cause us to keep watch with the angels ! Paschal night, the fear of demons, awaited for a year ! The Church’s bridal night, that brings to birth the newly baptised and strips the sleeping demon ! Night when the heir introduces his co-heirs into the inheritance !
Roman Catholic Ordinary Calendar – rosary,team