[Meditationes seu Contemplationes devotissimae]

Concerning Christ’s descent into hell and the rescue of those who sat in darkness and the shadow of death

In this way, Jesus, through the grace of your condescension, you could have rescued those who were held captive there in darkness without descending to the underworld by the mere impulse of your will. But drawn by piety and your ineffable love, you deigned to descend there, so that you might pour your splendid light upon those who had sat for a long time in darkness and the shadow of death, just as at your nativity the light of your brightness shone upon those who were on earth. Then, also to demonstrate your power among the dead. Hence John in the Apocalypse describes an angel descending from heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand Revelation 20:1. Who, seizing the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, bound them for many years. Then, with the ancient enemy of the human race now defeated by your death and the prince of death bound by your power, the iron gates of hell broken, you rescued his captives from the chains of damnation. Consider, devout faithful soul, how Christ, descending to the depths of the underworld to the end of darkness, as if you had taken up into yourself the passible human nature in which, by enduring death, you most sufficiently paid the price of our redemption to God the Father for us. Truly, your passion, good Jesus, was our last refuge, a singular remedy; when wisdom fails, justice not being sufficient, and merits succumbing, that comes to the rescue. This manner of redemption is clearly most acceptable, good Jesus, which you chose to appease God, most congruent to attract the human race, most prudent to purge the impurity of the human race. O immense love of God! God truly commended his love toward us, because when we were friends, Christ died for us Romans 5:8. O what undue mercy,