Homily on the Sunday of the Lord’s Holy and Glorious Pascha.
Christ is Risen from the dead/ Trampling down death by His mortal death/ and upon those in the tombs He bestows life! Troparion of Christ’s Holy and Glorious Pascha.
It is accomplished! The Lord God of Hosts has saved His people from the sting of death! Death/evil no longer has power over God’s creation. We are no longer bound by the shackles of death! The Son of man has ransomed us with His very blood via His voluntary passion and suffering upon the wood of the cross.
The symbol of torture and death has now become the symbol of Love, Mercy, Compassion, Salvation and eternal life in the Kingdom of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit: The All-Holy-Trinity One in essence and Undivided; to whom is due all Glory, Honor and worship unto the ages of ages Amen.
Therefore, in honoring and celebrating this Glorious Victory, we the body of Christ His Church gather together partake of the true presence of Jesus in the All-Holy Mystery of Mysteries – Holy Communion, remembering His Hallowed word’s: whomsoever partakes of my body and partakes of my blood shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day! Jh 6:54
I would like to share with you the first paragraph taken from the homily of our Father amongst the Saint’s, Saint John Chrysostom Archbishop of Constantinople. (modern day Istanbul Turkey.)
If any man be devout and love God, let him enjoy this fair and radiant triumphal feast. If any man be a wise servant, let him rejoicing enter into the joy of his Lord. If any have labored long in fasting, let him now receive his recompense. If any have wrought from the first hour, let him today receive his just reward. If any have come at the third hour, let him with thankfulness keep the feast. If any have arrived at the sixth hour, let him have no misgivings; because he shall in nowise be deprived thereof. If any have delayed until the ninth hour, let him draw near, fearing nothing. If any have tarried even until the eleventh hour, let him, also, be not alarmed at his tardiness; for the Lord, who is jealous of his honor, will accept the last even as the first; He gives rest unto him who comes at the eleventh hour, even as unto him who has wrought from the first hour. (www.oca.org/fs/sermons/the-paschal-sermon)
Therefore, it is never too late to approach Christ in all aspects of life, whether it be at the celebration of a Divine Service, the Mystery of confession or even on one's death bed!
We as humans are measurable beings, meaning that the love we have is measurable, the forgiveness we show unto others is measurable our mortal lives are measurable and all that we do is measurable.
However, in God there is no measure because He is the Eternal and Infinite One; thus, making His love for all, His mercy in reaching out onto all and His forgiveness for all immeasurable, infinite and eternal!
Hence, time and time again our Lord reminds us within Holy Scripture; To Not Be Afraid! Further stating: Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Mt 11:29-30
Furthermore, in the parable of the prodigal son, we hear the youngest son ask his father for the portion of his inheritance and leaves his father along with the family business, to pursue the pleasures of the material world or like the old saying goes; sex, drugs and rock n’ roll!
Therefore, after the young son had lost everything and came to his senses. He realized that the pleasures of this material world are short lived and are only a mere fantasy. He thus returned to his fathers house at which the father seeing his son, runs out to meet him half way and embraces him with tremendous joy in his heart; forgetting all the hurt the son had caused at his previous departure.
The son asks his father if he could return not as his son, but rather as a servant - to live out his life in service of his father for the mistakes he had made, for he felt immense regret and sorrow for his actions.
However, what did the father do? He ordered that the servants prepare a grand banquet because his son has returned to his rightful place in his father's house.
Having stated thus, this is exactly what happens when one of God’s children strays but then wants to return due to the realization of their mistakes and what it is like living in the absence of God! (A living hell as the expression goes)
It is NEVER too late to approach the Lord and ask him to live with and in him. Like we see in Holy Icons and even statues. Our Lord hangs upon the wood of the cross with His arms outstretched; awaiting to embarrass us as His children for He is the Father Pantocrator, the Great I AM, the one who sculpted us from the dust of the earth and breathed life into our mortal frame!
Hence, let us rejoice this day for our salvation has come to us! The Lord Jesus Christ has come to restore our dignity that was lost in the Garden of Eden via complying to the ancient rebellions suggestion to disobey God’s command! For He (Jesus) is the new Adam, born of Eve (Mariam Theotokos). Let us give thanks and worship onto Christ our King and God!
On behalf of this Holy Metropolis consecrated to the Holy Apostles, the clergy would like to extend the Lord's Paschal blessings onto you and your families. May this Holy Pascha touch your hearts in way that will bring joy to you and to those around you.
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth! Phil 2:10
Let God Arise, let His enemies be scattered, let those who hate Him flee from before His face:
Christ is risen from the dead/ trampling down death by His mortal death/ and upon those in the tombs He bestows life!
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