THE PASCHAL SERMON OF OUR FATHER AMONG THE SAINTS,
JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, ARCHBISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE
JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, ARCHBISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE
If any be a devout lover of God, let him partake with gladness from this fair and radiant feast. If any be a faithful servant, let him enter rejoicing into the joy of his Lord. If any have wearied himself with fasting, let him now enjoy his reward.
If any have labored from the first hour, let him receive today his rightful due. If any have come after the third, let him celebrate the feast with thankfulness. If any have arrived after the sixth, let him not be in doubt, for he will suffer no loss. If any have delayed until the ninth, let him not hesitate but draw near. If any have arrived only at the eleventh, let him not be afraid because he comes so late. For the Master is generous and accepts the last even as the first. He gives rest to him who comes at the eleventh hour in the same way as to him who has labored from the first. He accepts the deed, and commends the intention.
Enter then, all of you, into the joy of our Lord. First and last, receive alike your reward. Rich and poor, dance together. Sober minded and you slothful, honor the day. You who have fasted and you who have disregarded the fast, rejoice today. The table is fully laden: let all enjoy it. The calf is fatted: let none go away hungry. All of you shall enjoy the banquet of faith. Receive, all of you, the riches of mercy.
Let none lament his poverty; for the universal Kingdom is revealed. Let none bewail his transgressions; for the light of forgiveness has risen from the tomb. Let none fear death; for the death of the Savior has set us free. He has destroyed death by undergoing death. He has despoiled Hades by descending into Hades.
He embittered it when it tasted His flesh. And Isaiah, receiving this beforehand, cried out: Hades, said he, was embittered when it met Thee face to face below. It was embittered, for it was brought to nothing; it was embittered, for it was mocked; it was embittered, for it was overthrown; it was embittered, for it was put in chains. It received a body, and encountered God. It received earth, and confronted heaven. It received that which was seen, and fell upon that which is unseen.
O death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? Christ is risen, and you are cast down. Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen. Christ is risen, and the Angels rejoice. Christ is risen, and life lives. Christ is risen, and not one of the dead remains in the grave. For Christ, rising from the dead, has become the first-fruits of them that have fallen asleep. To Him be glory and dominion, unto the ages of ages. AMEN.
I love this!
