is the wondrous Paschal Homily of St. John Chrysostom. It is the sermon we use at Easter Vigil. Feast on the whole thing, but here is the soaring conclusion:
Christ is risen, and you [hell] 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 remains in the grave.
For Christ, being risen from the dead, has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
To Him be glory and dominion unto ages of ages. Amen.
4 comments:
I decided yesterday that I need to find where this is in Migne because I want to translate it on my own. I'm sure the available translations are great, but Chrysostom sings in the Greek!
Interesting that it would fail the sermon diagnostic from Issues Etc.
Trent,
Are you sure?
Let me ditto Pr. Lehmann here. It passes the diagnostic with flying colors, it seems to me.
Here's the diagnostic:
1. How often is Jesus mentioned? Keep a simple running tally. It’s a problem if He is mentioned only a few times, or tucked in at the beginning or the end.
He is mentioned in this homily from start to finish, note all the "your Lord" and "He" and "Savior's" and the triumphant "Christ is risen" repeatedly at the end.
Is Jesus the subject of the verbs, the one doing the action?
He accepts the last even as the first.
He gives rest.
He shows mercy.
He cares.
He accepts the deeds and honors the intentions.
He reveals the universal kingdom.
He is pardon shone forth from the grave.
His death sets free.
He annihilates hell.
He is risen, and hell is overthrown.
He is risen, and the demons are fallen.
He is risen, and life reigns.
He is risen and not one dead remains in the grave.
He is risen and become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
What are the verbs? What is the preacher telling you what Jesus did, does, and will do for you? Is the Jesus that is presented one of pop therapeutic deism, who helps, inspires and gives examples? Or is He instead the Jesus of Scripture who lives, suffers, dies and rises again, all for you?
Clearly the later.
Trent, the sermon passes the diagnostic with flying colors!
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