Happy Easter!
I’m quoting the Easter sermon of St. John Chrysostom, circa 400 AD.
Are there any who are devout lovers of God?
Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival!
Are there any who are grateful servants?
Let them rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord!
Are there any weary with fasting?
Let them now receive their wages!
If any have toiled from the first hour,
let them receive their due reward;
If any have come after the third hour,
let him with gratitude join in the Feast!
And he that arrived after the sixth hour,
let him not doubt; for he too shall sustain no loss.
And if any delayed until the ninth hour,
let him not hesitate; but let him come too.
And he who arrived only at the eleventh hour,
let him not be afraid by reason of his delay.
For the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first.
He gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour,
as well as to him that toiled from the first.
To this one He gives, and upon another He bestows.
He accepts the works as He greets the endeavor.
The deed He honors and the intention He commends.
Let us all enter into the joy of the Lord!
First and last alike receive your reward;
rich and poor, rejoice together!
Sober and slothful, celebrate the day!
You that have kept the fast, and you that have not,
rejoice today for the Table is richly laden!
Feast royally on it, the calf is a fatted one.
Let no one go away hungry. Partake, all, of the cup of faith.
Enjoy all the riches of His goodness!
Let no one grieve at his poverty,
for the universal kingdom has been revealed.
Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again;
for forgiveness has risen from the grave.
Let no one fear death, for the Death of our Savior has set us free.
He has destroyed it by enduring it.
He destroyed Hell when He descended into it.
He put it into an uproar even as it tasted of His flesh.
Isaiah foretold this when he said,
“You, O Hell, have been troubled by encountering Him below.”
Hell was in an uproar because it was done away with.
It was in an uproar because it is mocked.
It was in an uproar for it is destroyed.
It is in an uproar for it is annihilated.
It is in an uproar for it is now made captive.
Hell took a body, and discovered God.
It took earth, and encountered Heaven.
It took what it saw, and was overcome by what it did not see.
O Death, where is thy sting?
O Hell, where is thy victory?
Christ is Risen, and you, O Death, are annihilated!
Christ is Risen, and the evil ones are cast down!
Christ is Risen, and the angels rejoice!
Christ is Risen, and life is liberated!
Christ is Risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead;
for Christ having risen from the dead,
is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
To Him be Glory and Power forever and ever. Amen!
Happy Easter to all who celebrate it. Have a lovely day, @packmule3.
Happy and hopeful Easter to all!
Christ is risen!
Happy Easter!
Thank you, Packmule3 for this sermon. I have heard parts of it before but not all.
I have to admit that I didn’t completely understand Jesus’ descent into hell until I read this.
Χριστός Ανέστη! Happy Easter to all those who celebrate it! My best wishes to everyone!
Happy Easter! He is risen! 🙏🏼
God wanted Pope Francis to go with him. 😭May my favourite Pope rest in peace together with our Saviour. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
I’m so sad. 😭
I didn’t know, @agdr03. Just looked it up on BBC. I’m sad, too.
@Fern, it feels like Pope Francis really just wanted to say goodbye. He wanted to say Happy Easter and God bless to you all. 🙏🏼
@agdr03 – I was saddened this morning.
Thinking of Catholic friends.
I do agree re the timing of Pope Francis leaving us. He died in the hope of the resurrection.
A sad, and moving time.
absolutely wonderful sermon. Thanks.
Condolences to Catholics. All of us of whatever faith will also miss Pope Francis dearly. He was one for the ages.
Happy easter eggs. And thank you very much for you text.
I know I’m not someone from the first hour, so it helps a lot. 😉
I was shocked to wake today to the news of Pope Francis’ death. I know he’s been ailing, but this seems so sudden. He will be mourned and missed worldwide, by people inside and outside the Catholic faith. I respected the man: his faith and his principles have been examples to us all. Unsettled by the news of his passing, I’m grateful these verses from my morning reading brought me comfort:
The LORD loves those who hate evil; he guards the lives of his faithful; he rescues them from the hand of the wicked. Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart. Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name! (Psalm 97:10-12)
For the folks on this blog who celebrate Easter, I hope yours was a day filled with wonder, blessings, and celebration!
@Kate , last night I watched the whole news about Pope Francis’ passing. He really did say his final blessing. 🙏🏼
I saw this and I really love the lyrics of this song. This was in Manila 10 years ago and apparently one of the candidates for the next Pope is Philippine’s Cardinal Tagle, the one at the beginning of the video.
I just want a Pope like Pope Francis. 🙏🏼
https://youtu.be/kEAEg-sjrCE?si=EqZ7rWkCVqLuhsGl
A Holy and Happy Easter to all! I thought I posted this already, but it looks like I did not hit Post Comment!
We are united in prayer and sorrow over Pope Francis’ passing, but at the same time we are joyful, that he has entered into the Father’s presence and is comfortably home. There are several Vigil Prayer sessions taking place and I’m sure, more to come.
Here’s are excerpts from a beautiful reflection by Dani Alvarez.
Thank you for that post, @Growing Beautifully. It celebrates Pope Francis as we remember him.
Yes. thank you @Growing Beautifully.
What an inspiring reflection on Pope Francis – beautifully expressed.
I will share this with others.