An Easter Meditation From the Third Century

Indulge me please, this evening, and allow me to refer to my own spiritual roots.

Being a Planetary Pilgrim means that I am able to drink deeply from every stream of faith and comfort. Yet, I was brought up in the Easter tradition. Therefore at this time of the year my spirit soars with the promise of hope and life, with the certainty that justice can overcome injustice, and that righteousness must overcome homelessness and despair. I inherited a tradition that says that there is immorality in allowing poverty, hunger and greed to ruin our life on this planet.

To all who read this, whether you have been brought up in this tradition or not, I offer this meditation as a reminder that we are Planetary Pilgrims, all of us. We all are invited to live in hope, and to work and struggle for hope.

My thoughts today are not about whether the man Jesus rose from a physical death or not, but rather whether we accept the belief that injustice will not forever stand in the way of justice. We are called to proclaim that hatred cannot win over love, ever.

St. John Chrysostom's (347-407)   Easter Homily:

"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 from fasting? Let them now receive their due!


If any have toiled from the first hour, let them receive their reward.


If any have come after the third hour, let them with gratitude join in the feast!


Those who arrived after the sixth hour, let them not doubt; for they shall not be short-changed.


Those who have tarried until the ninth hour, let them not hesitate; but let them come too.


And those who arrived only at the eleventh hour, let them not be afraid by reason of their delay.


For the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first. The Lord gives rest to those who come at the eleventh hour, even as to those who toiled from the beginning.


To one and all the Lord gives generously. The Lord accepts the offering of every work.


The Lord honours every deed and commends their intention. Let us all enter into the joy of the Lord! First and last alike, receive your reward. Rich and poor, rejoice together! Conscientious and lazy, celebrate the day!


You who have kept the fast, and you who have not, rejoice, this day, for the table is bountifully spread! Feast royally, for the calf is fatted. Let no one go away hungry. Partake, all, of the banquet of faith. Enjoy the bounty of the Lord's goodness! Let no one grieve being poor, for the universal reign has been revealed. Let no one lament persistent failings, for forgiveness has risen from the grave. Let no one fear death, for the death of our Saviour has set us free.

The Lord has destroyed death by enduring it. The Lord vanquished hell when he descended into it.The Lord put hell in turmoil even as it tasted of his flesh. Isaiah foretold this when he said,
"You, O Hell, were placed in turmoil when he encountering you below."


Hell was in turmoil having been eclipsed. Hell was in turmoil having been mocked. Hell was in turmoil having been destroyed. Hell was in turmoil having been abolished. Hell was in turmoil having been made captive.


Hell grasped a corpse, and met God. Hell seized earth, and encountered heaven. Hell took what it saw, and was overcome by what it could not see. O death, where is your sting? O hell, where is your victory?


Christ is risen, and you are cast down! Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen! Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice! Christ is risen, and life is set free! 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 God be glory and power forever and ever. Amen! "


Our blog will return during this week, for regularly scheduled posts regarding my new encounter with chemotherapy this coming Thursday.