He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia! Glory be to Jesus Christ!On this glorious Feast of the Resurrection of Our Lord we have gathered for the Divine Liturgy, and received the most blessed Sacrament of the Altar. Having been nourished with His very Body and Blood and having sung the resounding acclamations of His victory over death we have returned to our homes to spend time together as a family celebrating the transcendent reality that life no longer ends in death. Rather, as Christians we celebrate that for those who are alive in Christ Jesus earthly life continues to eternal life in spite of our temporal physical mortality. One day we shall be raised from the grave as He has been.
Christ Jesus has overcome sin, death, and the devil. In this 16th century Russian Orthodox icon the iconographer tells of Christ's descent into Hades. Christ has knocked down the gates of death (notice them lying in submission under His feet in the form of a cross) and takes Adam and Eve by their hands and leads them and the other faithful out of Hades to the place which He has prepared for them. Spiritually they are alive and in paradise awaiting the final day of resurrection when their bodies and souls will be raised together. On that day the fulfillment of His victory will not only be for us a spiritual reality, but also physically evident to all eternity. Therefore let us boldy rejoice in what He has accomplished for us. Throughout my seminary years the Easter sermon of the fifth century Bishop of Constantinople, St John Chrysostom (literally John the "golden-mouth" because of his homiletical abilities), was passed around among the seminarians. He begins his homily by addressing those who have stringently fasted throughout the Great Fast / Lent in repentance and in preparation for celebrating this glorious feast. He also recognizes that not everybody has been so steadfast in their dedication. He welcomes those who have stumbled and faltered along with those who have withstood the physical, emotional and spiritual demands of this preparatory season. Grace and forgiveness is offered to all not on account of their efforts but on account of the work of Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross. One and all who receive what Christ has done, come and celebrate for yours is forgiveness, life and salvation.
Blessings+
Father Daniel
P.S. Below is St John Chrysostom's magnificent Easter homily; please enjoy.
An Easter Sermon
by St John Chrysostom, Bishop of Constantinople (b.347-d.407)
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.
