The Easter Homily of
St. John Chrysostom
Homily delivered Easter Sunday (Easter Sunday C RCL)
Homily delivered Easter Sunday (Easter Sunday C RCL)
The
Rev. Fr. Tony Hutchinson, SCP, Ph.D.
16 April 2017; 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Sung Festival Mass
Parish Church of Trinity, Ashland (Oregon)
Readings:
16 April 2017; 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Sung Festival Mass
Parish Church of Trinity, Ashland (Oregon)
Readings:
Lord Jesus, you were raised in light and glory from the dead. Pour out upon us your light and life, that we may share your love with all.
Amen.
In preparing this liturgy, I
thought I would make use of a time-honored Anglican/Episcopalian tradition and simply preach a homily by one of my
betters. The first Prayer Book, aware
how poor priests’ education was, made provisions for a Book of Homilies. Eventually there were four prepared, of
sermons seen as exemplary. Using them
helped solve the problem of a bunch of presbyters who held a lot of cranky and
downright wrong ideas. The homily I have
chosen is known by many as the best Christian sermon ever preached, The Easter
Homily of St. John Chrysostom. It was
preached in Constantinople around the year A.D. 400. In case any of you think I tried to escape preparation
time here, know that I am using here my own translation from the Greek, made
for you for this Easter day.
If any of you are devout and
God-loving, take joy in this kind and bright Feast of all Feasts.
If any are wise servants, come rejoicing
into your Lord’s joy.
You who are worn out by fasting,
receive your wages.
You who have worked from sunrise,
come now to the party!
You who came at nine o’clock in
the morning, rejoice!
You who waited until the noon, celebrate!
You who came at 3 p.m., do not
be sad!
You who arrived barely in time
for sunset, don’t worry about how late you are.
No one will be deprived of
heavenly joy. Our generous Lord welcomes those who come last in the same way as
those who come first. He shows mercy to the first and rejoices in the last. He comforts
those who came at sunset just as if they had worked hard from sunrise. He gives
to everyone, both those who worked and those who merely wanted to work. He welcomes with open arms our service and
hugs our intentions. He values not just our works, but praises our mere desire
to do well also.
All of you enter into the joy of
the Lord: First and last, receive the reward!
Rich and poor, one with another,
dance for joy!
You who are hard on yourselves,
and all you slackers, celebrate this day!
You who have fasted and you who
have cheated in the fast, be glad together.
The table is groaning, overloaded
with the finest food: eat your fill! Each and every one of you enjoy the rich banquet
of faith and God’s loving kindness. Do
not go off still hungry or offended at something or other. No one should regret their poverty, for God’s
Reign is now here—for everyone!
No more weeping over our sins—forgiveness
for all has burst with light from the grave.
No more fear of death, for Jesus’
death has freed us all.
Death grabbed onto him tightly, but
He subdued it.
He descended into hell, but took
hell captive.
When Death tasted his flesh, it
found him bitter on the tongue. Isaiah foretold it: “Hell was overcome, having
met You in the underworld!”
Hell had to mourn, for it was
undone!
Hell panicked, for it was
condemned!
Hell went hungry, for it was put
down!
Hell was destroyed, for it was
bound!
It thought it was taking in one
more corpse, but touched God instead!
It thought it was seeking earth,
but met heaven.
It took what was there for the
taking, but found itself falling into unexpected oblivion!
Death! Where is your sting?
Hell! Where is your victory?
Christ is risen; you are brought
down. Christ is risen; the demons have fallen. Christ is risen; the angels
rejoice. Christ is risen; life triumphs. Christ is risen; no dead are left in
the grave.
Christ is risen from the dead, the
first fruits of those who sleep. To Him
be glory and power now and forever. Amen
Awesome, thank you!
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