Homily of the Day–Pascha

If anyone is devout and a lover of God, let him enjoy this beautiful and radiant festival. If anyone is a wise servant, let him rejoice and enter into the joy of his Lord. If anyone has wearied himself in fasting, let him now receive his recompense. If anyone has labored from the first hour, let him today receive his just reward. If anyone has come at the third hour, with thanksgiving let him keep the feast. If anyone has arrived at the sixth hour, let him have no misgivings; for he shall suffer no loss. If anyone has delayed until the ninth hour, let him draw near without hesitation. If any have arrived even at the eleventh hour, let him not fear on account of his delay. For the Master is gracious and receives the last, even as the first; he gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour, just as to him who has wrought from the first. He has mercy upon the last and cares for the first; to the one he gives, and to the other he is gracious. He both honors the work and praises the intention.

Enter all of you, therefore, into the joy of your Lord, and, whether first or last, receive your reward. O rich and poor, one with another, dance for joy! O you ascetics and you negligent, celebrate the day! You that have fasted and you that have disregarded the fast, rejoice today! The table is rich-laden; feast royally, all of you! The calf is fatted; let no one go forth hungry.

Let all partake of the feast of faith: Let all receive the riches of goodness. Let no one lament his poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed. Let no one mourn his transgressions, for pardon has dawned from the grave. Let no one fear death, for the Savior’s death has set us free.

He that was taken by death has annihilated it. He descended into hades and took hades captive! He embittered it when it tasted his flesh. And anticipating this Isaiah exlaimed, “Hades was embittered when it encountered thee in the lower regions.” It was embittered, for it was abolished! It was embittered, for it was mocked! It was embittered, for it was purged! It was embittered, for it was despoiled! It was embittered, for it was bound in chains!

It took a body, and face to face, met God! It took earth and encountered Heaven! It took what it saw but crumbled before what it had not seen! “O Death, where is thy sting? O Hell, where is thy victory?”

Christ is risen, and you are overthrown! Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen! Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice! Christ is risen, and life reigns!

Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in a tomb!

For Christ, being risen from the dead, has become the first fruits of them that slept.

To Him be glory and might unto ages of ages. Amen.

Paschal Homily Of St. John Chrysostom

The Top Five–Holidays

Since tomorrow is one of my favorite holidays, I thought I’d share a holiday-themed “Top Five” list!

Christmas–Shocking, right? If you’ve followed this blog for any length of time, you know that this is my very favorite of the holidays….an over-the-top birthday party for Jesus! From Advent through Epiphany, the celebration doesn’t stop. Extra time at church, fun family traditions, special music and movies, commemoration days to celebrate, decorations, gift-giving, cooking and baking galore…what’s not to love?
Easter–Easter is the highlight of the church year, and that’s why I love it so much…all the time spent at church, especially during Holy Week, and Easter Sunday itself. I know there was a time we didn’t get to go to two church services, plus enjoy breakfast at church on Easter, but I really can’t remember it, and I don’t want it any other way. Plus, there’s a special family dinner to cap it all off!
St. Patrick’s Day–I’m not even Irish, but I love this holiday. I love that its roots come from church tradition, I love decorating in green and shamrocks, I love our special family traditions that we enjoy on this day every year (including school traditions), and I love the special foods we eat on this holiday.
Thanksgiving–This is a holiday that’s a lot of work for one day, but we’ve still built so many special family traditions around it that I can’t help but love it. From our “Thankful Tree” and special school unit throughout November, to the seven pies I bake every Thanksgiving Eve, to the pie for breakfast the day after Thanksgiving, plus the Christmas Lego building, turkey soup making, and town tree-lighting that same day…it’s just a fantastically fun family day(s)!
Independence Day–And, finally, the holiday that inspired this post…the birthday of our country! I love the patriotic songs (the Fourth of July and Christmas always mean time for the Boston Pops Orchestra!), the red, white, & blue everywhere, the parades and fireworks, and, again, the special foods I make for our family’s celebration. Oh, and the watching of Holiday Inn (firecracker dance, anyone?), and Yankee Doodle Dandy every year on the fourth…it’s so much fun!

What are your family’s favorite holidays?

A Belleville Easter Evening

An Easter Feast

Easter, of course, means a special family dinner!

Our Easter dinner was very similar to what we had last year…lamb (which I think I overcooked this time), red and purple roast potatoes, brussels sprouts, asparagus, and our family’s favorite Jell-O “salad.” The only difference was the lack of carrots this year.

I did make something new for dessert, though…a layered lemon cheesecake thing…it was delicious!

Happy Easter!

Twirly Girl

Blessed Easter!

We had a wonderfully busy morning at church today. We arrived for the Sunrise Service even earlier than usual, because Turkey and Bunny were both playing parts in the outdoor reenactment. (Turkey was the angel who rolled away the stone, and Bunny was one of the women at the tomb.) We then processed into the church for Morning Prayer, including a much appreciated Te Deum, which was followed Easter breakfast (amazing biscuits and sausage gravy are always the highlight!), and then back upstairs for the Divine Service. I even had a new Easter hat for the occasion!