Where is that saying of yours, let him come down from the cross and we will believe him? You wanted to break the seal of the cross, promising that you were going to begin believing. Look! the seal is open, not broken, so enter! In any case, if you do not believe the One rising from the dead you would not have believed the One coming down from the cross. If the cross of Christ is an offense to you, at least let the novelty of his resurrection rouse you. We find glory in the cross. To us who are being saved, it is the power of God and the fullness of all virtues. May you at least have as part in the resurrection.
But perhaps that too (and even more so) is an offense to you; perhaps the aroma of life-unto-life for us is the aroma of death-unto-death for you! So why do we dwell upon it? The elder brother [of the Prodigal Son] cannot bear to listen to the music and the dancing; he is indignant when the fattened calf is killed for us. He stands outside and will not agree to enter in on any account. Let us go in and let us feast on the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth, for Christ our Pasch has been sacrificed. Let us embrace the virtues commended to us on the cross–humility and patience, obedience and charity.
Bernard of Claivaux, Sermon One on the Resurrection of the Lord
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