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| Andre-Rublev's Saviour |
Homily preached by Br. Luke at Blaxland on Easter Sunday 5th April 2015:
The Easter Sermon of St John Chrysostom,
Bishop
of Constantinople: ca. A.D. 400
Is there anyone who is a devout lover of God? Let
them enjoy this beautiful bright festival! Is there anyone who is a grateful
servant? 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 endeavour. The deed He honours
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 Saviour has set us free. He has destroyed it by enduring it.
He destroyed Hades 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 Hades, 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!
