Alleluia! The Lord is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
"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.
—John Chrysostom, bishop of Constantinople; sermon, ca. 400
Death and darkness, get you packing,
Nothing now to man is lacking,
All your triumphs now are ended,
And what Adam marred is mended.
- Henry Vaughan (1621-1695)
Hail thee, festival day!
Blessed day to be hallowed forever;
Day when our Lord was raised,
Breaking the kingdom of death.
Lo, the fair beauty of the earth,
From the death of the winter arising!
Every good gift of the year
Now with its Master returns.
Rise from the grave now, O Lord,
The author of life and creation.
Treading the pathway of death,
New life You give to us all.
Hail thee, festival day!
Blessed day to be hallowed forever;
Day when our Lord was raised,
Breaking the kingdom of death.
--Fortunatus (530-609) translated by Maurice F. Bell
2 comments:
Why is it that Chrysostom always seems to get everything right? I think in seminary--and graduate school for that matter--they should just hand you all of his works and give you about one year or so to read them. Thanks for the quote...
I love Chrysostom. Not sure I could get through him in a year... well, at least not with a three year old in the house. :-) But you're right, he should be required reading, far more than he is!
Glad you enjoyed the quote!
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