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The Easter Open forum

Today is Easter.  Two thirds of Christendom will celebrate Easter today.  Those of us who are Eastern Orthodox will celebrate next week.

Easter is a time to remember and reflect.  It is a time for families to gather.  Many eloquent things have been written about Easter, but the best still remains the Easter Homily of St. John Chrysostom.  

Here it is.

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 Ηeaven!
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 have slept.
To Him be glory and might unto the ages of ages.
Amen.

Tags: America, Easter, chrysostom, john, st

Views: 737

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by David Sykes on April 8, 2012 at 7:56am

Happy Easter to all!

Permalink Reply by Katie Kalpin on April 8, 2012 at 7:59am

Thank you for sharing that. Have a very happy Easter to all...no matter when you celebrate it. ;) May youall have a blessing from God and be full of joy as we celebrate the rising of Christ. And to those that are Jewish....please enjoy this day with us. God Bless you all and God Bless America. :)

Permalink Reply by Ronald Sorrells on April 8, 2012 at 8:05am

JESUS PAID IT ALL.........ALL...........TO JESUS......... I OWE !

 

LOVE TO ALL THE TEA PARTY NATION,

 

RON SORRELLS

SAMSON, ALABAMA

Permalink Reply by Debrajoe Smith-Beatty on April 8, 2012 at 8:07am

Thanks.

Permalink Reply by Grace Kirby on April 8, 2012 at 8:30am

A Blessed and Happy Easter to all TPN members. 

Permalink Reply by Vern Shotwell on April 8, 2012 at 8:32am

Thank you, Judson, for bringing us this

uplifting message on this most most

special day.....

And, perhaps it is an appropriate time

to suggest a more popular Candidate

for President in 2012?

Loved by young and old alike, the one

and only Socialist we can all get behind....

Easter Bunny, for 2012!

Permalink Reply by Roni Smith on April 8, 2012 at 8:55am

Adorable! Happy Easter to all, and Happy Pesach (to next year in Jerusalem!!!!!!)

 

Ronisue

Permalink Reply by Volunteer Patriot on April 8, 2012 at 8:34am

Inspiring. 

Permalink Reply by Andrew Cochran on April 8, 2012 at 8:38am
My Pastor read this at Easter Vigil Mass last night. Thanks Judson and Happy Easter to Sherry, your kids, and you. And Happy Easter to all my TPN friends.
Permalink Reply by Jean C. Mair on April 8, 2012 at 8:41am

Beautiful words and the same for you and your family and all Tea Party members.

Permalink Reply by Marcia Wood on April 8, 2012 at 9:13am

Happy Easter to all of my friends - May God give us strength and wisdom to do what is right in 2012. 

Permalink Reply by Joan J. Reisinger on April 8, 2012 at 9:23am

HE IS RISEN!!  HE IS RISEN INDEED.!!  Happy Easter to everyone.

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