Dear all.
Christos Anesti
Yesterday we joyfully proclaimed that: “Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death, and bestowing life to those in the tombs.” This culminated the intense preparation, patient waiting and fervent expectation of the resurrection. What bliss! Those of you who completed the great fast will be able to relate to the mixed emotional states that this one is simple hymn stirs within. That sense of almost unbearable sadness experience over the course of the fast is now dissolved in the exaltation of the risen Lord. To those of you who prove themselves worthy marathon runners – well done!
To those of you who were unable to make the full course of the fast for whatever reason be comforted by the fact that the intention is honoured as much as the deed. To those also well done.
Yesterday’s gospel reading is the prologue of the gospel of John. (I say “is” because liturgically this entire week is known as Bright week. It is called this because each day of the week is Resurrection Sunday. Therefore we can speak of the week in the present tense). This most wonderful prologue reminds us that the son is pre-eternal with the Father: “in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.”
The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in perfect accord, determined to save us from death. The son voluntarily undertook human flesh to become fully human. That is the great miracle and mystery. It was the son in his full humanity and in his full divinity that visited earth. The son, acknowledged in two full natures without mixture, without divisionand without separation that completed this self-emptying on the cross for us. The son who wept for Lazarus and who later on the cross cried: “my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”, thus demonstrating his full humanity whilst remaining fully God. The son, who rested in the tomb whilst at the same time breaking the gates of Hades. There is demonstrated the greatest of mysteries. What ineffable wonder!
May the resurrected Christ enlighten us all!… Christ is risen…YES… He is truly risen.
Thought for the week
This week, being bright week, focuses all our thoughts on the bright radiance of Easter. I have no better offering, nor indeed can there be a better offering, on this occasion than the:
Paschal Homily of St John Chrysostom(+407CE)
Whosoever is a devout lover of God, let him enjoy this beautiful bright Festival. And whosoever is a grateful servant, let him joyously enter into the joy of his Lord. And if any be weary with fasting, let him now receive his reward. If any has toiled form the first hour let him receive his just debt. If any came after the third let him gratefully celebrate. If any arrived after the sixth, let him not doubt; for he too shall sustain no loss. If any have delayed to the ninth, let him come without hesitation. If any arrived only at the eleventh hour, let him not be afraid by reason of his delay; for the Master is gracious and receives the last, even as the first. He gives rest to him who arrives at the eleventh hour, as well as him, who has laboured from the first. He is merciful to the one who delays and nourishes the first. He gives also to the one, and to the other He is gracious. He accepts the works, as He greets the endeavour, He honours the deed, and the intent He commends.
Let all of you then enter into the joy of your Lord. The first and second enjoy your reward. You rich and poor, rejoice together. You temperate and you heedless, honour the day. You who fasted, and you who did not, rejoice today. The table is richly laden. All of you, fare sumptuously on it. The Calf is a fatted one; let no one go away hungry. All of you enjoy the banquet of faith. All of you enjoy the riches of His goodness. Let no one grieve poverty; for the universal Kingdom has been revealed.
Let no one grieve over sins; for forgiveness has dawned from the tomb. Let no one fear death; for the Death of our Saviour has set us free. He has destroyed it by enduring it. He despoiled Hades, when He descended thereto. He embittered it, having tasted of His flesh. Isaiah foretold this when he cried out: “You, O Hades, have been embittered by encountering Him below.” It was embittered, for it was abolished. It was embittered, for it was mocked. It was embittered, for it was slain. It was embittered, for it was annihilated. It was embittered, for it is now made captive. It took a body, and, lo, it discovered God. It took earth and, behold! It encountered Heaven. It took what it saw, and was overcome by what it could not see. O death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? Christ is risen, and you are annihilated. Christ is risen, and the demons have fallen. Christ is risen, and the Angels rejoice. Christ is risen, and life is liberated. Christ is risen, and the tomb is emptied of the dead; for Christ, having risen from the dead, has become the first fruits of those that who fall asleep. To Him be the glory and the dominion to the Ages of Ages.
Amen.
Till next time.
In Christ
Father John Athanasiou 0411 061 554
PS: no Bible studies or catechism classes this week
Write a comment: