Just a few things:
1. Holy Pascha: Paschal Matins: 5:15 a.m., Divine Liturgy to follow. We will be breaking the fast after the Divine Liturgy in the multi-purpose room at St. Andrew’s College. You are all invited to join us.
2. Agape Vespers: April 4th, 4:00 p.m. at Holy Trinity Metropolitan’s Cathedral.
3. Usually this is where I try and share some inspired words of wisdom with you. I am going old school on this one letting St. John Chrysostom take this one:
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 therefor. 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.
And he shows mercy upon the last, and cares for the first; and to the one he gives, and upon the other he bestows gifts. And he both accepts the deeds, and welcomes the intention, and honors the acts and praises the offering. Wherefore, enter you all into the joy of your Lord; and receive your reward, both the first, and likewise the second. You rich and poor together, hold high festival. You sober and you heedless, honor the day. Rejoice today, both you who have fasted and you who have disregarded the fast. The table is full-laden; feast ye all sumptuously. The calf is fatted; let no one go hungry away.
Enjoy ye all the feast of faith: Receive ye all the riches of loving-kindness. let no one bewail his poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed. Let no one weep for his iniquities, for pardon has shown forth from the grave. Let no one fear death, for the Savior’s death has set us free. He that was held prisoner of it has annihilated it. By descending into Hell, He made Hell captive. He embittered it when it tasted of His flesh. And Isaiah, foretelling this, did cry: Hell, said he, 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 slain. It was embittered, for it was overthrown. It was embittered, for it was fettered in chains. It took a body, and met God face to face. It took earth, and encountered Heaven. It took that which was seen, and fell upon the unseen.
O Death, where is your sting? O Hell, where is your 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 the grave. For Christ, being risen from the dead, is become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. To Him be glory and dominion unto ages of ages. Amen.
4. To all the members and friends of Holy Cross, to all of you that read these bulletins, I greet you with the joy of this day. The feast of feasts. The triumph of our Lord and Saviour. The victory of life over death, of truth over deceit, of love and forgiveness over anger.
If someone were to ask me what I want for my parish, for the members, their families, the friends of Holy Cross, it is just one thing: Carry the joy of Holy Pascha with you in your heart. It is my hope and prayer that you will carry the joy of today with you every day.
Answer to last week’s question:
What are the final words of Jesus, as recorded in the Book of Acts?
“You will be My witnesses…to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:7-8)
This week’s question:
Complete the sixth Beatitude, “Blessed are the pur in heart…”
See you in church! www.holycrosswpg.ca
In Christ,
Fr. Evan
My favourite homily, and possibly St. John’s shortest!!