We have learned by bitter experience the sadness of sin; we have
learned how evil and bitter a thing it is to have forsaken the
Lord our God.
Now, rising from the tomb, Christ teaches the mercy of God. He
spoke kindly to the sinful Samaritan woman, He protected the
woman taken in sin, He received from the outcast Magdalen tokens
of her veneration; yea, from the Cross He spoke words of hope to
the penitent thief, and prayed therefrom for every wandering
prodigal: "Father, forgive them."
Let us take courage, cast off the old man and put on the new, so
that the grace of God may abound in our souls.
O Mary, teach us gratitude to God who has forgiven us!
Second Glorious Mystery:
"The Ascension"
"And He led them out as far as Bethania; and lifting up His
hands, He blessed them. And it came to pass, whilst He blessed
them, He departed from them, and was carried up to heaven. And
they adoring went back to Jerusalem with great joy."--(St. Luke,
XXIV, 50, 51, 52.)