The Women And The Angel

Erat autem aspectus ejus sicut fulgur: et vestimentum ejus sicut nix.  Ut ipso quoque significaret habitu ac vultu quia is gloriam resurrectionis nuntiabat qui et terribilis ad damnandum reprobos, et benignus esset ac blandus ad consolandum electos. Respondens autem angelus dixit mulieribus: Nolite timere, vos.   Ac si aperte dicat: Paveant illi qui non amant adventum supernorum civium, et carnalibus pressi desideriis, ad eorum se societatem desperant posse pertingere; non vos, quae vestros concives videtis. Scio enim quod Jesum, qui crucifixus est, quaeritis, etc. Scio inquit, quod funus Salvatoris, charitatis officio celebrate venistis, sed hic praesentem cernere non habetis, qui jam sua virtute surrexit, licet nunquam majestate sentiatis absentem; et si meis verbis non creditis, veritatem resurrectionis, vel vacuo probate sepulcho; subjunxit: 'Et cito euntes', usque' ibi eum videbitis, ecce praedixit vobis.' Felices feminae, quae angelico doctae oraculo, triumphum resurrectionis mundo annuntiare meruerunt, ac mortis imperium quam Eva serpentino seducta afflatu induxit, praedicare dirutum. Sanctus Beda, In Matthaei Evangelium Expositio, Liber IV

And his face was like lightening and his vestments like snow. 1 The garments and face signify the same thing because he announces the glory of the resurrection, this one who is terrible damning the wicked and kind and charming comforting the elect. Answering the angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid.' As if he had openly said, Let them fear who being oppressed with worldly desires do not  love the higher city and those who despair of being able to attain to this society, not you who look on your fellow citizen. For I know that Jesus , who was crucified, you seek, etc. I know, he said, that the corpse of the Saviour you have come to administer to by the office of charity, but do not tarry here to see him present, He who has already risen by his power, for it is not for you to feel His majesty absent. And if my words you do not believe, test the truth of the resurrection by the empty tomb. He adds: And go quickly...until ...there you will see him, behold, I have spoken to you. Happy women, who are taught by the speech of an angel, who are worthy to announce to the world the triumph of the resurrection, and to pronounce destroyed the empire of death brought in by Eve when she was seduced by the serpent. Saint Bede, from the Commentary On The Gospel Of Saint Matthew, Book 4 1 Mt 28.3