I was all set to preach on a somewhat strident poem by John Updike, "Seven Stanzas at Easter." It’s good. And challenging. Updike, of course, is probably best known as a novelist, but he wrote poetry as well. He died a few years back.
Undoubtedly that poem will show up in a sermon in the near future, but along the way I got sidetracked from the twenty-first century to the fourth century.
Episcopal Café recently published a contemporary remix of John Chrysostom’s Easter sermon (you can read it here.) I realized the original was one of those many things I had heard about for years, but didn't know. So I looked it up.
Chryostom was patriarch of Constantinople in the late fourth century. He was born around 354 in Antioch, Syria. After ordination to the priesthood, became patriarch in 397. "Chrysostom" is an English version of a Greek word that means “golden mouthed." Of course, it was not actually his mouth that was golden, but his words.
Many Episcopalians know his name from the prayer in the Book of Common Prayer that begins, "Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you..." But well beyond that prayer, he is considered one of the church’s greatest preachers. His sermons are eloquent and show a surprisingly contemporary sensitivity to the situations and concerns of people in the pew.
In at least one parish I know of, it is the custom to read his Easter sermon every year at the Easter vigil. At least for now, it is not my intent to adopt that custom, but it is too good not to be shared this year.
So hear the golden words of John Chrysostom, much cheerier than Updikes’ I assure you. Written around the year 400.
Are there any who are devout lovers of God?
Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival!
Are there any who are grateful servants?
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 Hell 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 Hell, 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!
