Pascha – The Feast of the Resurrection of our Lord God and Saviour, Jesus Christ;
Acts 1:1-8; John 1:1-17
Read John 1:1-17
Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen!
Our Pascha Gospel today is the beginning of the Gospel of John. This Gospel is considered high Christology, meaning that the divinity of Jesus is more emphasized. It is also considered high theology because it is very deep and heavenly. That is why the symbol associated with the Evangelist John is an eagle. He soars high in the sky. This Gospel is also probably the most difficult to understand.
The first words of today’s Gospel are the words “In the beginning” which should remind us of the first words of the Book of Genesis, “In the beginning.” There is a reason why the Gospel writer makes a connection to the Book of Genesis. The Book of Genesis describes God’s creation of the universe. The whole Gospel of John is telling us that Jesus, who is the Son of God and the Word of God (Logos), has come to re-create the universe through His Resurrection. When Jesus resurrects from the dead He takes on a resurrected body and He is the first-born of this new resurrected creation. At the end of time, there will be a new Heaven and a new Earth, but only because Jesus set all of this in motion with His Resurrection. Alleluia!
The Paschal Homily of John Chrysostom
Is there anyone who is a devout lover of God?
Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival!
Is there anyone who is a grateful servant?
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 endeavour.
The deed He honours 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 Saviour has set us free.
He has destroyed it by enduring it.
He destroyed Hades 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 your sting?
O Hades, where is your 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!
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Christ is risen! Христос воскрес!
Nothing more really needs to be said. Nothing in the history of this world has had such an impact or effect as the Death and Resurrection of our Lord. We cry one to another now: Brother! Sister! And we embrace each other because of the joy of the resurrection.
And it is in this joy of the resurrection that we wish to thank you for being subscribers to these daily Scripture readings and reflections. We really do hope that they have had some meaning and impact in your lives. We also wish to thank our writers from this past year: Fr. Mike Bombak, Fr. Michael Winn, Fr. Tom Hrywna, Fr. Roman Planchak, Fr. Michael Hayes, Fr. Andrew Summerson, and Fr. Deacon Andrew Bennett.
Starting today and going through until Great and Holy Saturday in 2022, we will offer reflections on the Gospel reading of the day, and through the Great Fast, on the prescribed readings from Proverbs. Our writers for this year will be: Fr. Bohdan Choly, Fr. Mykhailo Ozorovych, Alex Bricki, Fr. Michael Winn, Fr. Roman Planchak, Fr. Deacon Andrew Bennett, and Fr. Mike Bombak.
May we all know and experience the joy of Pascha—indeed, through all the days of our lives as we, together, journey home to the Kingdom of our God.
Christ is risen! Христос воскрес!