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The Paschal Homily of St. John Chrysostom (Read Each Year at Pascha)
Is there anyone who is a devout lover of God? Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival! Is there anyone who is a grateful servant? Let them rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord!
Are there any weary with fasting? Let them now receive their wages! If any have toiled from the first hour, let them receive their due reward; If any have come after the third hour, let him with gratitude join in the Feast! And he that arrived after the sixth hour, let him not doubt; for he too shall sustain no loss. And if any delayed until the ninth hour, let him not hesitate; but let him come too. And he who arrived only at the eleventh hour, let him not be afraid by reason of his delay.
For the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first. He gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour, as well as to him that toiled from the first. To this one He gives, and upon another He bestows. He accepts the works as He greets the endeavor. The deed He honors and the intention He commends.
Let us all enter into the joy of the Lord! First and last alike receive your reward; rich and poor, rejoice together! Sober and slothful, celebrate the day!
You that have kept the fast, and you that have not, rejoice today for the Table is richly laden! Feast royally on it, the calf is a fatted one. Let no one go away hungry. Partake, all, of the cup of faith. Enjoy all the riches of His goodness!
Let no one grieve at his poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed. Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again; for forgiveness has risen from the grave. Let no one fear death, for the Death of our Savior has set us free.
He has destroyed it by enduring it.
He destroyed Hades when He descended into it. He put it into an uproar even as it tasted of His flesh. Isaiah foretold this when he said, “You, O Hell, have been troubled by encountering Him below.”
Hell was in an uproar because it was done away with. It was in an uproar because it is mocked. It was in an uproar, for it is destroyed. It is in an uproar, for it is annihilated. It is in an uproar, for it is now made captive. Hell took a body, and discovered God. It took earth, and encountered Heaven. It took what it saw, and was overcome by what it did not see.
O death, where is thy sting? O Hades, where is thy victory?
Christ is Risen, and you, O death, are annihilated! Christ is Risen, and the evil ones are cast down! Christ is Risen, and the angels rejoice! Christ is Risen, and life is liberated! Christ is Risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead; for Christ having risen from the dead, is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
To Him be Glory and Power forever and ever. Amen!
Deacon,
Greetings and Blessings on this wonderful Sunday! I was thinking today about the history and the future of the PNCC. I recently did a presentation on the PNCC for my American Religious History course, and I took a look at the power point presentation on BVMC.org. After my presentation I answered some questions that my classmates had. The one question that really got my mind churning and a great discussion going was the future relationship of the PNCC and the Roman Church. As I am still new to the PNCC and my only exposure to this issue was the book “Journeying Together in Christ”, given to me most graciously by the Prime Bishop, i was wondering what the clergy feels about the relationship. I can probably guess that with most major issues in any church there are those who want to continue the journey and others who want nothing to do with Rome and the Pope. Is this true? Do you know what the future goals are of the dialogue? Do you know if the meetings are open to PNCC members or only those who are on the commitees? Thanks for your time. God’s Peace!
Adam,
As you know, I do not speak for the Church. I can only speak in a general way about how I perceive things with my limited knowledge.
I think that you are right. I am sure there are those who want to continue the journey and others who want nothing to do with Rome and the Pope.
The problem is that that sort of thinking is not constructive. Those who are at extremes have a poor understanding of the purpose of dialog. They tend to see things from a perspective of fear.
I’ve heard some advocates of simply ‘joining Rome’ say that it is necessary. They see it as a power of the masses (money, power, etc.) and miss the power of the Holy Spirit in the Church. Some may even long for the ‘American’ R.C. way of doing things.
Others who decry dialog miss the need for just that – dialog.
Issues crop up from time to time and we need to be at the table to address our concerns (R.C. priests who refuse the sacraments to PNCC members – they don’t read the back of their own missalettes; R.C. clergy who think we answer to some prelate in the Vatican 😯 and send scathing letters to parishes threatening to ‘report’ us 😕 ).
Being at the table is a two way street. It does not represent agreement on everything. Instead it represents a sincere effort at understanding through honest discussion.
In my opinion such dialog is necessary and fruitful. We all have to strive to live up to our Lord’s expectation and prayer – that we all be one. Living up to that is a two way street as well.
“R.C. clergy who think we answer to some prelate in the Vatican and send scathing letters to parishes threatening to ‘report’ us ). ”
I almost cried I was laughing so hard when I read this! That is funny and also rediculous.
I have had two experiences with RC-PNCC relations. The first (all parties shall remain nameless) was a PNCC priest who was told he was not welcomed at an ecumenical service of the local Catholic (Roman, Byzantine, Anglican, Orthodox) churches. This was a request via the RC Bishop of that particular diocese.
The other, was a RC priest (the pastor of the RCC my inlaws attend) who was very upset that I was studying for orders in the Episcopal Church was happy to hear that I want to study at the PNCC seminary and hopes that my inlaws and I can grow in faith together in the PNCC.
So I can see how these talks are an emotional and historical roller coaster. I feel that union between the two Churches can only benefit both. Many RC’s are not happy in their parishes for many reasons but feel they have no where to turn. If Rome recognizes the PNCC fully, then there is an option. Also, I have seen some PNC’s who are very anti-Rome and I feel this dialogue can heal historical wounds. But, I am just a seminarian, I will leave this up to the big boys of the Churches.