An Easter
Sermon
by St. John
Chrysostom (347-407)
If anyone is devout and a lover of God, let
them enjoy this beautiful and radiant festival.
If anyone is a grateful servant, let
them, rejoicing, enter into the joy of his Lord.
If anyone has wearied themselves in
fasting, let them now receive recompense.
If anyone has labored from the first hour, let them today receive the just reward.
If anyone has come at the third hour, with thanksgiving let them feast.
If anyone has arrived at the sixth
hour, let them have no misgivings; for
they shall suffer no loss.
If anyone has delayed until the
ninth hour, let them draw near without
hesitation.
If anyone has arrived even
at the eleventh hour, let them not fear
on account of tardiness.
For the Master
is gracious and receives the last even as the first; he gives rest to him that
comes at the eleventh hour, just as to him who has labored from the first.
He has mercy upon the last and cares
for the first; to the one he gives, and to the other he is gracious.
He both honors the work and praises
the intention.
Enter all of you, therefore, into the joy
of our Lord, and, whether first or last, receive your reward.
O rich and
poor, one with another, dance for joy!
O you
ascetics and you negligent, celebrate the day!
You that have fasted and you that have
disregarded the fast, rejoice today!
The table
is rich-laden; feast royally, all of you!
The
calf is fatted; let no one go forth hungry!
Let all partake of the feast of faith. Let
all receive the riches of goodness.
Let no one lament their poverty, for the universal kingdom has been
revealed.
Let no one mourn their
transgressions, for pardon has dawned
from the grave.
Let no one fear death, for the Saviour's death has set us free.
He that was taken by death has annihilated
it!
He descended into Hades and took Hades
captive!
He embittered it when it tasted his
flesh! And anticipating this Isaiah exclaimed: "Hades was embittered when
it encountered thee in the lower regions."
It was embittered, for it was abolished!
It was embittered, for it was mocked!
It was embittered, for it was purged!
It was embittered, for it was despoiled!
It was embittered, for it was bound in chains!
It took a body and came upon God!
It took earth and encountered heaven!
It took what it saw but crumbled
before what it had not seen!
O death, where is thy sting?
O Hades, where is thy victory?
Christ is risen, and you are overthrown!
Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen!
Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice!
Christ is risen, and life reigns!
Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in a tomb!
For Christ, being raised from the dead,
has become the first-fruits of
them that slept.
To him be glory and might
unto ages of ages. Amen.
