Christ is Risen!

Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

In researching the origins of joyous Easter greeting and response that I have heard Lutherans use, I stumbled upon the Paschal homily or sermon of St. John Chrysostom (c.347– c.407). The homily is read aloud in every Orthodox Christian church on the morning of Pascha (a.k.a "Easter" in the West).

The Homily

BEGIN: Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

If anyone is devout and a lover of God, let him enjoy this beautiful and radiant festival.

If anyone is a wise servant, let him, rejoicing, enter into the joy of his Lord.

If anyone has wearied himself in fasting, let him now receive his recompense.

If anyone has labored from the first hour, let him today receive his just reward. If anyone has come at the third hour, with thanksgiving let him keep the feast. If anyone has arrived at the sixth hour, let him have no misgivings; for he shall suffer no loss. If anyone has delayed until the ninth hour, let him draw near without hesitation. If anyone has arrived even at the eleventh hour, let him not fear on account 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, just as to him who has labored from the first. 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 our Lord, and, whether first or last, receive your reward. O rich and poor, one with another, dance for joy! O you ascetics and you negligent, celebrate the day! You that have fasted and you that have disregarded the fast, rejoice today! The table is rich-laden; feast royally, all of you! The calf is fatted; let no one go forth hungry!

Let all partake of the feast of faith. Let all receive the riches of goodness.

Let no one lament his poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed.

Let no one mourn his transgressions, for pardon has dawned from the grave.

Let no one fear death, for the Saviour's death has set us free.

He that was taken by death has annihilated it! He descended into hades and took hades captive! He embittered it when it tasted his flesh! And anticipating this Isaiah exclaimed, "Hades was embittered when it encountered thee in the lower regions." It was embittered, for it was abolished! It was embittered, for it was mocked! It was embittered, for it was purged! It was embittered, for it was despoiled! It was embittered, for it was bound in chains!

It took a body and, face to face, met God! It took earth and encountered heaven! It took what it saw but crumbled before what it had not seen!

"O death, where is thy sting? O hades, where is thy 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 reigns!

Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in a tomb!

For Christ, being raised from the dead, has become the First-fruits of them that slept.

To him be glory and might unto ages of ages. Amen.

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Wow… that sermon is no less powerful today than it was sixteen hundred years ago!

This week’s question: What church tradition awakens, or stirs, the Holy Spirit in your soul?

Your brother in Christ, Dave

What does it mean?

Alive in the Spirit... just what does that mean? Are we talking about casting out demons... healing by the laying on of hands... or speaking in tongues? Certainly, those are spiritual gifts, but we're not talking about the "shock and awe" types of spiritual gifts, we're just talking about being alive. Take your spiritual pulse, and see how alive you are.

Are you breathing in God's Word on a regular basis? Are you in regular study in the Bible? Are you supporting, and giving support to a Bible Study group? Are you being held accountable? Are you honoring your commitment to others? Do you find yourself wishing you knew more of the Bible, but only rarely really getting into God's Word?

How's the color of your prayer life? Perhaps a bit pale? Do you set aside a regular time for prayer? Are you praying with, and for others? Is your prayer life on life support provided by the pastor on Sunday morning?

What are your fellowship levels? Are you involved in any groups, teams, or committees? Are you suffering from fellowship anemia? Do you slide into worship late, and then just slip out early? Is that fellowship? How can we worship without fellowship?

And how big is your capacity for giving? You are probably not outgiving God. How's your tithe? How much of yourself are you giving, for that matter? Are you planting seed for future harvests, or just waiting for someone else to make bread for you?

Finally, how's your spiritual strength? Are you so busy holding tight to the things of the world that you have no way to hold onto any spiritual power. If we want to pick up something, we need to lay down whatever we are currently holding fast to. How can there be any room for God's Spirit in us, when we are so full of earthly things?

So, for this week, post how you feel alive in God's Spirit... or add your perspective to what I've written.

Your Brother in Christ, Dave