“EASTER 2023 A.D.”
Saint Mark 16: 1-8
The Resurrection of our Lord: 9 April Anno Domini 2023
Saint John Chrysostom (with minor additions from Fr. Jay Watson, SSP)
One conundrum, i.e., one struggle pastors have in preaching on Easter is the question “does there have to be Law preached—on the Resurrection of Christ from the dead?” Yes. For life is not appreciated until one is dead. Release is only a joy to one who has suffered in prison. But you have all experienced the full counsel of God’s Word this past week during the Holy Masses on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.
The only Law you need this morning is what the Reformer gives in his Christian questions and answers for those intending to go to The Sacrament:
Do you not hear both the command and promise of Christ The Lord concerning the benefits of The Pure Gospel in The Sacrament? Does no trouble lie heavy on you?
- Put your hand into your bosom. Do you still have flesh and blood. Remember what Scripture says about sinful flesh/fallen man!
- Look around at the world. Read and listen to what is happening all around you. Note well what Scripture says about your decaying earth and where the only solution is given.
- Remember who seeks to devour you—your lying and murdering old ancient foe, the devil.
The Lamb of God comes to you now since He has vanquished the serpent and crushed his head.
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.
“Let us then return from the [Communion] table like lions breathing fire, having become terrible to the devil; thinking on our Head [Christ] and on the love that He has shown for us.… Our Lord says: ‘I feed you with My own Flesh, desiring that you all be nobly born, and holding forth good hopes for your future.… I have willed to become your Brother. For your sake, I shared in flesh and blood, and, in turn, I give you The Flesh and The Blood by which I became your kinsman.’ This blood causes the image of our King to be fresh within us. It produces beauty unspeakable and prevents the nobleness of our souls from wasting away.… It nourishes our souls and works in them a mighty power. This blood, if rightly taken, drives away devils, and keeps them far from us, while it calls the angels and the Lord of angels to us. For wherever they see the Lord’s blood, devils flee, and angels run together.”
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!
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