When I was in college, I took a
friend with me to mass one Sunday morning, and when we entered the church, he
took one look at the crucifix and groaned “Awe, man. It is too early in the morning for
that.” Which insulted me at first, until
I realized that, without faith, all one sees in a crucifix is a man being
tortured to death. But Christians spend their
lives meditating on the holy cross…because it isn’t just an instrument of torture.
If it were merely that, then we the followers of Christ would truly be
the most miserable of all creatures. No,
the cross is not merely the tree upon which our savior died. Through the lens of the resurrection, we
perceive that the cross itself, the crown of thorns, the whips and scourges and
nails are Christ’s trophies of victory.
In his resurrection, Jesus has become the Lord of the Kingdom of the Living,
and has revealed himself as the Author of Life—the center, cornerstone, alpha
and omega of God’s new plan for humanity.
And so we sing Alleluia, which means “Praise God!” or, if you prefer to
sound more evangelical, “Praise the Lord!”
Early
in the 5th Century, Saint John Chrysostom delivered a sermon on
Easter Sunday. So wonderful was this
sermon, that, in the Eastern Catholic Church, it has been read every year for
the last sixteen hundred years on Easter Sunday at the start of the Divine
Liturgy.
If there are any pious people here
today who love God, let them enjoy this splendid and radiant Feast. If any of
them have been wise servants, let them blissfully enter into the joy of their
Lord. If any of them have worked hard at fasting, let them now receive their
reward. If any have toiled from the very first hour, let them now receive their
just wage.
But if any people showed up late
for this feast. If anyone came at the
third hour…well…let them join in the Feast.
In fact, if anyone waited until the sixth hour…they should not be
afraid, for they will not be deprived of anything. But…if any of them
procrastinated and dallied until the eleventh hour, they shouldn’t worry. For
the Master loves to grant honors and will receive the last just as the first.
He gives rest to the one who came at the eleventh hour, just as He does to the
one who toiled from the first. To the
one He gives; on the other, He showers gifts. He accepts good works, but he
also accepts good intentions. He honors labors and praises resolutions.
And so, let everyone enter into
the joy of their Lord, and let the first as well as the last receive the
reward. Let the rich and the poor celebrate together. Let the hard workers and
the lazy workers honor this Day. Let
those who fasted rejoice on this day…and those who did not fast…oh, let them rejoice too. The Table is overflowing with
food; let all be satisfied. The Calf is fattened; let no one go away hungry.
Let everyone enjoy the Cup of Faith. Let everyone receive the richness of
Grace. Let none grieve at their poverty, for the Kingdom that belongs to all
people has been revealed. Let none weep for their sins, for forgiveness shines
forth from the Tomb. Let no one fear Death, for the Savior's death has set us
free.
The One Whom Death imprisoned has
extinguished Death. The One Who descended into Hell made Hell his prisoner. He caused it anguish when it tasted His Flesh.
When Isaiah foresaw this, he exclaimed: "Hell was all distressed by
encountering You in the underworld." It was distressed because it was
abolished. It was distressed because it was mocked. It was distressed because
it was slain. It was distressed because it was overthrown. It was distressed
because it was chained. It seized a Body but discovered…God! It grabbed hold of
the Earthly but encountered…the Heavenly! It seized the Visible but was conquered
by the Invisible. O Death, where is your sting? O Hell, where is your victory?
Christ is risen, and you are abolished! Christ is risen, and the demons are
cast down! Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice! Christ is risen, and Life
now reigns! Christ is risen, and the Tomb is emptied of the dead! For in rising
from the dead, Christ became the First-Fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
To Him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. Alleluia!
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