In His Image

Please enjoy this beautiful Easter homily by St. John Chrysostom. There is no one who would not be moved upon reflection of these inspired words!

An Easter Sermon

A re 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!

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.

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 lament persistent failings,
for forgiveness has risen from the grave.

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.

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.

If you wish to see God close your eyes and open your heart. It is there you will find Him; for He came in love to offer the gift of Himself, which is all love--pure and powerful and all-embracing: To see Him become like Him!

We must be mirrors to allow others to see Christ through us. In so doing, we reflect the life-giving Light, nourishing others that they, too, may grow in holiness.

I Am Here

And who comforts you?
Who reaches to grasp your hand,
I wonder, when your tears appear

Rife as rain, falling
From the tortured sky
Into which we blindly gaze
With prayerful pleas.

What more can you offer,
What signs strategically placed
Along the paths we travel
Can make us even begin

To understand the wind
Is your gasp of pain,
Your heart-rending cry,
The thunder, its distant echo.

When the rocks we aim
At each other strike your heart,
When the pain becomes unbearable,
Who comforts you, my Lord,
Who comforts you?

The Icon's Meaning:

Every picture tells a story. Every Icon proclaims a message.

This Icon proclaims the message that Mary, able to comfort

Christ in His suffings, is able to comforts us in ours.

Christ is the Redeemer whose sorrow is perpetually present to us.

The Icon proclaims Mary as Mother of God, - the Greek letters near

Mary's Crown mean, "Mother of God." The Icon also proclaims the

place of Angels in Redemption. The Greek letters near the Angel

with the lance, reed and sponge mean, "Archangel Michael."

Those near the Angel with the Crossand nails mean, "Archangel Gabriel."

Beside Our Lord are the Greek initials for "Jesus Christ".

Jesus, disturbed by a Vision of His future death, runs to His Mother's

arms for help. He is shown in a state of agitation. Mary is shown in

a state of calm. Jesus is so agitated He turns His Head from side to

side, only to realise that on each side is the inescapable Vision of Calvary

presented in a dignified yet frightening way by the Angels of Redemption,

Michael and Gabriel.

Jesus begins to tremble, and the trembling loosens the strap of His sandal,

which remains attached to His foot by a single strand. Placing His hands

in Mary's, He clings to her, reminding us that a soul shaken by fear or temptation

can be saved from despair by the single strand of confidence in Mary.

Our Lady's eyes look, not at the Cross or nails, but at us. Her EYES speak

and say, "I give my Child for your Redemption. Do not be afraid.

Place your hands, as Jesus does, in mine. He and I are with you always.

He has made me His Mother that I may be YOUR mother of PERPETUAL Help.

My Icon is the place on earth where I meet you in every need.

How can you ever fear?"

How can we expect to have our fill when there are those who suffer impoverishment. . .

How can we take comfort in our freedom as long as there are those who suffer the throes of oppression. ..

What promise can there be of tomorrow, when today, we focus our efforts on finding new and more efficient means of destruction. . .

What hope for life do we have when we, without remorse, kill our unborn. . .

* Background Music by Parma Byzantine Diocesan Choir, Michael E. Stinich, Director ("Let Thy Holy Spirit)