Psalm 116,3.8-9.12-13; 1. Peter 2,2. Quasimodogeniti

✠ One Message: Christ crucified and risen for you ✠

The Word of the Lord Endures Forever 

se cwide þæs béaggiefan ábireþ ferhþ

Psalm 116,3.8-9.12-13; 1. Peter 2,2 2617

Quasimodogeniti (1. Sonntag nach Ostern)  036  weiß 

George, Martyr 303

Adalbert, Bishop of Prague, Martyr 997

23. April 2017 

1. О Lord God, Heavenly Father, we thank You, that of Your, ineffable grace, for the sake of Your Son, You have given us the holy gospel, and have instituted the Holy Sacraments, so that through the same we may have comfort and forgiveness of sin: We beseech You, grant us Your Holy Spirit, so that we may heartily believe Your Word; and through the Holy Sacraments day by day establish our faith, until we at last obtain salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One True God, world without end.  Amen. (Veit Dietrich for the Quasimodogeniti). 

2. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up to salvation. The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of the grave laid hold on me; You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling; I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living. What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the Name of the Lord. 

  3. Our Introit begins with a verse from the 2. Epistle of St. Peter: »Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up to salvation.« On that first Easter Sunday, the apostles were like newborn infants. They had heard the testimony from the women who said the tomb was empty and Jesus had risen from the dead. Peter and John went and saw the empty tomb with their own eyes. Yet, it was a revelation that needed time to be fully comprehended. In fact, the enormity and the glory of the women’s testimony did not fully sink in until Jesus Himself had appeared to them and they had seen His hands and side to realize that He was not a ghost or a spirit but the real McCoy (John 20,20); Jesus had arisen as a living, breathing person with a physical body. They were now beginning to grow up to their salvation. 

4. The Introit reminds us what we all know too well: »The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of the grave laid hold on me.« We’ve seen friends and family die; we’ve been in a funeral home; we’ve stood at a grave. Death and the grave are the sad, mournful existence of our fallen human nature. The dead cannot reveal any secrets (Thomas Becon, 1560), and dead men tell no tales. Dead men certainly don’t rise from their graves. 

5. Nor do souls escape the bonds of Hades until the Lord makes it so: »O Lord, You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.« The Holy Scriptures give us about a dozen examples of such an event occurring by the Divine power of the Lord. There are 3 Old Testament resurrections, 4 when you count Isaac as a type of resurrection: Elijah raised the son of Zarephath’s widow (1. Kings 17,17-24), Elisha raised the son of the Shunammite woman (2. Kings 4,35) and when burying a dead man his corpse brushed against the bones of Elisha in the tomb and the man was resurrected (2. Kings 13,21). Abraham clearly expected the Lord to resurrect Isaac from the dead (Genesis 22,5), and the Epistle to the Hebrews says as much: »Abraham considered that God was able even to raise Isaac from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back« (Hebrews 11,19). There are 7 New Testament resurrections: Jesus raised the widow’s son at Main, Jairus’ daughter and Lazarus (Luke 7,13-5; Matthew 9,25; John 11,43-44), many saints were resurrected at Jesus’ crucifixion (Matthew 27,52-53), Jesus Himself rose on Easter, Peter raised Tabitha and Paul raised Eutychus (Acts 9,36-42; 20,9-12). 

7. The resurrection of Jesus is a declaration of victory and triumph over Death and Hades. »What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the Name of the Lord.« This is what Thomas did when he saw His risen Lord, and proclaimed: „My Lord and my God!“ (John 20,28) Thomas made a confession of faith that stated Jesus was alive and salvation is at hand, His Divine hand. Paul says it too in his Epistle to the Corinthians: »Now I would remind you, brothers and sisters, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures« (1. Corinthians 15,1-4). 

8. »The Lord hears the needy and does not despise His own people who are prisoners.« Again St. Paul: »There is a resurrection of the dead, for Christ has been raised. Christ has been raised,  and your faith is certain and you sins are forgiven. Those who have fallen asleep in Christ have not perished. Christ has been raised from the dead; He is the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by Adam came death, by Christ has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. Then comes the end on the last day, when Jesus delivers the reign to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.« (1. Corinthians 15,13.17-18.20-22.24). 

9. Jesus said to Thomas: »Have you believed because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed« (John 20,29). We are those who believe in Jesus’ resurrection but we have not seen Him with our own eyes. We believe the testimony of the apostles who truly did see the resurrected Jesus. This is a great gift given to us by our Lord. 

10.„ Enter all of you, therefore, into the joy of our Lord, and, whether first or last, receive your reward. Let all partake of the feast of faith. Let all receive the riches of goodness. Let no one mourn their 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 exclaimed: Hades was embittered when it encountered Thee in the lower regions (Isaiah 14,9). Hades beneath was stirred up to meet Christ when He arrived; Hades roused the shades to greet Him, all who were leaders of the earth; Hades raised from their thrones all who were kings of the nations. Jesus preached in hades: Death, you have lost your sting; Hades I have conquered you. „For Christ, being raised from the dead, has become the First-fruits of them who have slept. To Him be glory and might unto the ages of ages“ (Chrysostom).  

11. This is the gospel that the apostles preached, yes, that Thomas preached, beginning in Jerusalem and throughout the world, so that in believing we may have life in the name of Jesus. Thus, we believe as Thomas believes, and we confess as he confesses: Jesus, You are my Lord and my God!  Amen and Amen. 

12. Let us pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, Thou has done a great thing for us in rising from the grave, so that believing in Your resurrection from the dead we hope in our own resurrection by Your hand on the last day.  Amen. 

To God alone be the Glory 

Gode ealdore sy se cyneþrymm

✠

All Scriptural quotations are translations done by The Rev. Peter A. Bauernfeind using the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia, 4. Edition © 1990 by the Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart, and the Novum Testamentum Graece, Nestle-Aland 27. Edition © 1993 by Deutsch Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart. 

ELKB. Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche in Bayern. www.bayern-evangelisch.de/www/index.php. Copyright © 2013 Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche in Bayern. 

Chrysostom, John. Paschal Homily. ad 400. 

VELKD. Vereinigte Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche Deutschlands. www.velkd.de. Copyright © 2013 Vereinigte Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche Deutschlands. 

Easter Monday

That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” 25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them.30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together,34 saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread. (Luke 24,13-35) 

Antiphon

℣ We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord  and His might,  

℟ and the wonders that He has done. 

Collect of the Day

O God, in the paschal feast You restore all creation. Continue to send Your heavenly gifts upon Your people so that they may walk in perfect freedom and receive eternal life; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord  who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.  Amen. 

Psalm 118,15-17.22-24; Luke 24,6.34. Easter

✠ One Message: Christ crucified and risen for you ✠

The Word of the Lord Endures Forever

Verbum Domini Manet in Aeternum

Psalm 118,15-17.22-24; Luke 24,6.34 2517

Ostersonntag  034  

Aaron, high priest, brother of Moses 

16. April 2017 

1. O Christ Jesus, This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever!  Amen. (Gradual). 

2. Hallelujah! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Hallelujah! Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous: „The right hand of the Lord does valiantly, the right hand of the Lord exalts, the right hand of the Lord does valiantly!“ I will not die, but I will live, and recount the deeds of the Lord. The Stone that the builders rejected has become the Cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. 

  3. Perhaps the oldest Christian confession is: »Christ is risen!«, and another Early Christian confession based on it is: »Hallelujah! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!« This confession is the confession of Easter, the Four Gospels and the Epistles. 

4. The Psalmist beautifully typifies our Easter confession 1000 years before the actual event. »Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous.« Easter is a Church feast of salvation and righteousness. The somber moods of Maundy Thursday and Karfreitag yield to the anticipation of the Holy Saturday vigil and the joyous songs of praise we gladly sing this day. The Gospel according to Mark tells us that the women left Christ’s empty tomb trembling and astonished, but it did not take them long, lead by Mary Magdalene, to proclaim to the apostles what they had seen and heard: »His tomb is empty; Jesus is risen!« But what does this mean? A: Paul began his Epistle to the Romans, writing: »Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by His resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ« (Romans 1,1-6). St. Paul tells us that grace and faith are received through Jesus’ resurrection. Paul then tells us that faith reveals that God declares us righteous. »The righteous shall live by faith« (Romans 1,17). 

5. »The right hand of the Lord does valiantly, the right hand of the Lord exalts, the right hand of the Lord does valiantly!« The right side is considered to be a position of power, favor and authority. Remember how James and John asked to be seated at Jesus’ right and left in His glory. They wanted to be chief among the apostles as the first and second in command under Jesus’ reign. We confess in the Nicene Creed that Jesus ascended and now is seated at the right hand of His Father. What Jesus says is the same as what His Father says; such is the authority to be at the right hand of someone. And with this great authority is the power that Jesus Himself exercised when He rose from the dead. Jesus tells John in a vision that the authority of His resurrection is »Fear not, I am the First and the Last, and the Living One. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades« (Revelation 1,17-18). 

6. Thus the Introit: »I will not die, but I will live, and recount the deeds of the Lord.« Jesus has authority over Death and Hades. Those two are mankind’s oldest and indefatigable foes. We cannot cheat death forever, and many fear they will be separated from God after they have died. Jesus comforts us by saying: Don’t be afraid; do not fear Death and Hades. I have died. I have been to hades. I returned. I am the Living One. You will live, too. You will live forever in My Father’s glorious presence. You see, this is what makes the gospel so extraordinary: We had severed our fellowship with God through our sin; we cast our lot to dwell apart from Him. Other religions then say: you must earn your way back to God. You must merit your own righteousness by being a good person and doing what God commands. Jesus entered our world and turned religion on its head. You do not need to do anything to merit yourself into My good graces; I will do something for you and in doing so declare you righteous. I will become your vicarious sacrifice; I will take your place under the law and suffer your punishment on the cross as payment for your sins; I will die and even travel to hades where I will proclaim My gospel and release all bonging to see My Father. I will return from hades, rise from the dead and ascend into heaven where I will now prepare your place in My eternal presence. 

7. »The Stone that the builders rejected has become the Cornerstone.« Many in Jesus’ day rejected Him and His gospel; many today reject Him too. But the rejected Stone is the Cornerstone of salvation, and the cornerstone of our Christian faith is: Christ was raised on the third day; His tomb is empty (1. Corinthians 1,4; Mark 16,6). Easter Sunday is the cornerstone of our faith. Christ has been raised, and on the last day He will raise all the dead (1. Corinthians 15,14).  »This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.« 

8. The Four Gospels give us a complete picture of the events that first Easter morning. Everyone believes Jesus is dead. The women find the tomb empty. They are astonished at this news. They tell the disciples who don’t believe Jesus has risen. Jesus starts appearing to the women and the disciples and unbelief yields to faith: Jesus has surely risen from the dead! 

9. Easter »is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.« Let us continue the proclamation of the women, and tell others that Jesus is risen, sin has been forgiven and salvation has been secured. Jesus is the Greater Jonah (Matthew 12,40); Jesus is the Greater Temple (John 2,19).  

10. Our faith is not in vain. Jesus’ tomb is empty. Christ is risen. Our sins are forgiven. The Gospel according to Mark is so compelling and powerful to us because in Mark 16 the women did not see the risen Jesus. The only evidence they have for His resurrection is that the tomb is empty and the angel (a young man) proclaims to them that Jesus is risen. Like those dear women, we are seated here this morning hearing that Jesus is risen. We have no tangible evidence before us save the 1984-year old empty tomb, the testimony of the women and the proclamation from the Gospels. The pastor preaches it. And like the women, you hear the gospel message and believe that Jesus is risen. Christianity grew from the words of three Jewish women: The tomb is empty; Jesus is risen. May that gospel console you and strengthen your faith. The risen Christ and His empty tomb proclaim that Jesus has triumphed over death. Sin and the devil have also been conquered. Hell hath no fury for those who are in Christ Jesus. Believe it, and share the gospel.  Amen. 

13. Let us pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, Thou risen Savior, You hold the keys of Death and Hades so that we may fear death no more nor tremble at the thought of hades for You have redeemed us from both and given us eternal life in heaven.  Amen. 

To God alone be the Glory 

Soli Deo Gloria

✠

All Scriptural quotations are translations done by The Rev. Peter A. Bauernfeind using the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia, 4^th Edition © 1990 by the Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart, and the Novum Testamentum Graece, Nestle-Aland 27^th Edition © 1993 by Deutsch Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart.  

All quotations from the Book of Concord are translations done by The Rev. Peter A. Bauernfeind using Die Bekenntnisschriften der evangelisch-lutherischen Kirche, 12. Edition © 1998 by Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht

Christ is Risen! Hallelujah!

Χριστός ἀνέστη! Ἀληθῶς ἀνέστη!

Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed. Hallelujah!

그리스도는 부활합니다! 그는 실제로 증가하고 있습니다! 

Cristo ha resucitado! Él ha resucitado!  

»Death is swallowed up in victory. O Death, where is your victory? O Death, where is your sting? [Hosea 13,14] The sting of Death is sin, and the power of sin is the law, but thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!« (1. Corinthians 15,54-56) 

Paschal Homily of St. John Chrysostom, AD 400

If anyone is devout and a lover of God, let them enjoy this beautiful and radiant festival.

If anyone is a grateful servant, let them, rejoicing, enter into the joy of his Lord.

If anyone has wearied themselves in fasting, let them now receive recompense.

If anyone has labored from the first hour, let them today receive the just reward.

If anyone has come at the third hour, with thanksgiving let them feast.

If anyone has arrived at the sixth hour, let them have no misgivings; for they shall suffer no loss.

If anyone has delayed until the ninth hour, let them draw near without hesitation.

If anyone has arrived even at the eleventh hour, let them not fear on account of tardiness.

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 labored 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 our 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 their poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed.

Let no one mourn their 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 exclaimed: Hades was embittered when it encountered Thee in the lower regions [1] (Isaiah 14,9). 

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 came upon God!

It took earth and encountered Ηeaven!

It took what it saw, but crumbled before what it had not seen!

O death, where is thy sting?

O Hades, where is thy victory? [2] 

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 raised from the dead, has become the first-fruits of them that have slept.

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

Amen. 

[1]  Sheol beneath is stirred up to meet you when you come; it rouses the shades to greet you, all who were leaders of the earth; it raises from their thrones all who were kings of the nations (esv). 

[2]  Shall I ransom them from the power of Sheol? Shall I redeem them from Death? O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting? (Hosea 13,14). 

The Paschal homily or sermon (also known in Greek as Hieratikon or as the Catechetical Homily) of St John Chrysostom (died 407 CE) is read aloud on the morning of Pascha (Easter in the West), called "the Great and Holy Pascha of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ" in the Eastern Orthodox Church and in the Eastern Catholic Churches of the Byzantine rite. According to the Tradition of the Church, no one sits during the reading of the Paschal homily. Portions of it are often done with the interactive participation of the congregation.

Holy Saturday homily. Bishop Melito of Sardis

An ancient Holy Saturday homily.

Bishop Melito of Sardis ✠ 180

2. Century

http://www.stjosephcath.org/ancient-homily-of-holy-saturday

1. Something strange is happening﹣there is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness. The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and He has raised up all who have slept since the world began. God has died in the flesh and hell trembles with fear. 

2. He has gone to search for our first parent, as for a lost sheep. Greatly desiring to visit those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, He has gone to free from sorrow the captives Adam and Eve, He who is both God and the son of Eve. The Lord approached them bearing the cross, the weapon that had won Him the victory. At the sight of him, Adam, the first man he had created, struck his breast in terror and cried out to everyone: „My Lord be with you all.“ Christ answered him: „And with your spirit.“ He took him by the hand and raised him up, saying: „Awake, O sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will give you light. 

3. „I am your God, who for your sake have become your son. Out of love for you and for your descendants I now by My own authority command all who are held in bondage to come forth, all who are in darkness to be enlightened, all who are sleeping to arise. I order you, O sleeper, to awake. I did not create you to be held a prisoner in hell. Rise from the dead, for I am the Life of the dead. Rise up, work of My hands, you who were created in My image. Rise, let us leave this place, for your are in Me and I am in you; together we form only one person and we cannot be separated. 

4. „For your sake, I, your God, became your son; I, the Lord, took the form of a slave; I, whose home is above the heavens, descended to the earth and beneath the earth. For your sake, for the sake of man, I became like a man without help, free among the dead. For the sake of you, who left a garden, I was betrayed to the Jews in a garden, and I was crucified in a garden.

5. „See on My face the spittle I received in order to restore to you the life I once breathed into you. See there the marks of the blows I received in order to refashion your warped nature in My image. On My back see the marks of the scourging I endured to remove the burden of sin that weighs upon your back. See My hands, nailed firmly to a tree, for you who once wickedly stretched out your hand to a tree.

6. „I slept on the cross and a sword pierced My side for you who slept in paradise and brought forth Eve from your side. My side has healed the pain in yours. My sleep will rouse you from sleep in Hell. The sword that pierced Me has sheathed the sword that was turned against you.

7. „Rise, let us leave this place. The enemy led you out of the earthly paradise. I will not restore you to that paradise, but I will enthrone you in heaven. I forbade you the tree that was only a symbol of life, but see, I who am Life itself am now one with you. I appointed cherubim to guard you as slaves are guarded, but now I make them worship you as God. The throne formed by cherubim awaits you, its bearers swift and eager. The bridal chamber is adorned, the banquet is ready, the eternal dwelling places are prepared, the treasure houses of all good things lie open. The reign of heaven has been prepared for you from all eternity.“ 

Psalm 88,3. Holy Saturday Vigil

✠ One Message: Christ crucified and risen for you ✠

Let no one mourn their transgressions, 

Psalm 88,3 2417

Osternacht  033 

Anastasia and Basilissa, Martyrs under Nero 66  

15. April 2017 

1. »For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Hades.« Such is the lament of the Psalmist, for hades awaits those who die. Death stings, and Hades is victorious. Such was the fate of man, thus even Jesus died and descended into hades. 

2. Saint Mark tells us that Jesus rested from His labors on the seventh day (Mark 15,46). Hades received a visitor shortly after the stone had been rolled in place, and Hades trembled when Christ knocked upon its gates. Jesus had promised: »The gates of Hades shall not prevail against the confession of the Name of Jesus« (Matthew 16,18). Hades was now in fear. 

3. St. John Chrysostom in his famous Paschal homily of ad 400 proclaims: „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 exclaimed: Hades was embittered when it encountered Thee in the lower regions (Isaiah 14,9). Hades 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 came upon God! It took earth and encountered Ηeaven! It took what it saw, but crumbled before what it had not seen!“

4. Hades assumed Jesus would be passive, but Jesus entered hades to go on the offensive. Jesus entered hades not to be judged by Hades but to judge Hades. Jesus descended into hades to preach to those imprisoned there (1. Peter 3,19). In the Old Testament, »Samson lay till midnight, and at midnight he arose and took hold of the doors of the gate of the city of Gaza and the two posts, and pulled them up, bar and all, and put them on his shoulders and carried them to the top of the hill that is in front of Hebron« (Judges 16,3). In the New Testament, the Greater Samson unlocked and torn open the gates of Hades whereupon Christ carried upon His shoulders the twisted gates of Hades. 

5. „Our Shepherd, the Source of the Water of Life, has died. The sun was darkened when He passed away. But now man’s captor is made captive. This is the day when our Savior broke through the gates of death. He has destroyed the barricades of hades, overthrown the sovereignty of the devil. This is the day when our Savior broke through the gates of death“ (Holy Saturday Responsory). 

6. Saint Paul thus mockingly asks: »O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?« O Death, Christ has stung you! O Hades, Christ has conquered you! Death now dies, and Hades is imprisoned. Jesus now holds the keys of Death and Hades (Revelation 1,18); He has the power to bind and loose (Matthew 16,19). 

7. Karfreitag ends with the Son of God buried in a tomb and the darkness of sunset across the land. Easter morn shall soon dawn with the rising of the Bright Morning Star, and Jesus will shine forth as the Resurrected Light of the world! Do not fear Death or Hades, for your Savior has conquered His foes. 

8. Hear what Irenaeus says in ad 180 concerning Holy Saturday: „The Lord descended in to the regions beneath the earth, announcing there the gospel of His advent and of the forgiveness of sins conferred upon those who believe in Him“ (Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Book 5, Chapter 31, Paragraph 2). Cyril of Jerusalem taught his catechumens in 350: Christ descended into the subterranean regions so that He might ransom from there the just David, Samuel, all the Prophets and even John the Baptizer  (St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures, 4,11). 

9. Therefore, lift up your heads, for your Sleeper has awakened (Isaiah 60,1-3; Ephesians 5,14). Christ has risen and He brings with Him a train of captives set free from sin, death and the devil. We confess with the Psalmist: »For with You, O Lord, is the fountain of life; in Your Light do we see light« (Psalm 36,9). The Easter Vigil is almost over, and our single candle flame shall be surpassed by the Glory of the Light of the Risen Christ.  Amen. 

10. We pray: O Almighty, Ever-living God, whose Only-begotten Son descended to the realm of the dead, and rose from there to glory, grant that Your faithful people, who were buried with Him in Holy Baptism, may, by His resurrection, obtain eternal life.  Amen. (Holy Saturday Collect)

for pardon has dawned from the grave.

To God alone be the Glory 

Soli Deo Gloria

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