A Paschal Homily in the Spirit of St. John Chrysostom

“If any man be devout and loves God, let him enjoy this fair and radiant feast…”

Beloved in the Lord,

If any have labored from the first hour, let him today receive his just reward.
If any have come at the third hour, let him with thanksgiving keep the feast.
If any have arrived at the sixth hour, let him have no misgivings, for he shall suffer no loss.
If any have delayed until the ninth hour, let him draw near, doubting nothing.
If any have tarried even until the eleventh hour, let him not be afraid because of his delay.

For the Master 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 who has labored from the beginning.
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 your Lord.
You rich and you poor, rejoice together.
You sober and you slothful, celebrate the day.
You that have kept the fast, and you that have not, rejoice today.

The table is fully laden; let all enjoy the feast of faith.
The calf is fatted; let no one go away hungry.
Let all partake of the banquet of immortality.
Let no one lament his poverty, for the universal Kingdom has been revealed.
Let no one mourn his transgressions, for forgiveness has dawned from the tomb.
Let no one fear death, for the death of the Savior has set us free.

Christ is risen, and life reigns!
Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in the grave!
For Christ, being risen from the dead, has become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

O death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your 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 is set free.

To Him be glory and dominion unto the ages of ages. Amen.

A Word for the Desert
Here in the stillness of the desert, beneath the vast heavens of the Sonoran night, this proclamation echoes with a particular clarity:

the tomb is empty, and the world is made new.

No darkness, no silence, no barrenness can overcome the light of the Resurrection.
As the desert blooms after the hidden rains, so too the soul, watered by repentance and illumined by grace, rises into life.

Therefore, let us go forth in the light of Pascha--
not merely as those who have heard,
but as those who have seen, tasted, and become partakers of the Resurrection.

Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!
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