Yesterday was Easter Sunday in the Orthodox Church.  The following is part of an Easter homily from the fourth century.

 

Join, then all of you, join in our Master’s rejoicing.

You who were the first to come, you who came after,

come and collect now your wages.

The rich and the poor, sing and dance together.

You that are hard on yourselves, you that are easy,

Honor this day.

You that have fasted and you that have not,

Make merry today.

 

The meal is ready: come and enjoy it.

The calf is a fat one; you will not go hungry away.

There’s kindness for all to partake of and kindness

To spare.

 

Away with pleading poverty:

The kingdom belongs to us all.

Away with bewailing failings:

Forgiveness has come from the grave.

Away with your fears of dying:

The death of our Savior has freed us from fear.

Death played the master: the Master has mastered death.