 The
Easter Sermon of John Chrysostom
Pastor of Constantinople (~400 AD)
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 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 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!
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Directions
to Christ the King Retreat House:
I-690
to Midler Ave Exit
SOUTH
on Midler Ave
Go
across Erie Blvd
Midler
changes name to SEELEY RD
Go
up BIG HILL to top, Turn Right on Salt Springs Road.
You
will see small brick church on Left, Our Lady of Solace.
Turn
LEFT there onto EAST AVENUE
Go
across E Genesee St
Street
name changes to BROOKFORD ROAD
Follow
Brookford across Meadowbrook Drive
Continue,
go across Euclid Avenue. stay on Brookford
Road
goes UP another BIG HILL, ends there.
Christ
the King Retreat Center is at top, on the right, at the end of street.
Park
along Street.
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