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***<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Rebecca Reynolds Lambert<\/a> wrote the Interpreter Foundation\u2019s Easter message for this year.\u00a0 It appeared earlier today in Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship<\/em>:<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cOur Faithful Lord: Passover to Easter\u201d<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Abstract:\u00a0<\/strong>Studying the origins and traditions of Passover enriches our understanding of Easter. We can deepen our own worship and expand our ritual memory by an acquaintance with these traditions. Latter-day Saints possess unique understandings that further illuminate the constancy and plenitude of the Lord\u2019s covenantal relationship with us.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Our dear longtime friend George L. Mitton \u2014 a supporter of and sometime contributor to Interpreter<\/em> who is now, I believe, in his ninety-fifth year \u2014 wrote this piece, which appeared just a few days ago in Meridian Magazine<\/em>:<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe Crucifixion as a Mockery of the Judgment\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n And here\u2019s something related to Easter that I myself recently wrote for Meridian<\/em>:<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cAn Ancient Witness of the Savior We Don\u2019t Often Hear About\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n You might perhaps find these two articles appropriately thought-provoking as we move into Easter weekend:<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe Hope Resurrection Provides Here and Now: Talk of resurrection usually hearkens to a day far off into the future when all will be made right\u2014with little reference to the fears and despairs crowding us right now.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cAs Ramadan, Passover and Easter converge, an interfaith trolley rolls out: The rare alignment of major Christian, Muslim and Jewish holidays is fueling a flurry of interfaith celebrations across the nation this month\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n ***<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n In my immediately previous blog post<\/a>, I mentioned the approaching premiere of the documentary film Remembering Heaven<\/em>.\u00a0 You can watch the trailer for the film in several places, including here:<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Remembering Heaven<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n ***<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n For very nearly twenty centuries, two thousand years, Christians have rested their hopes on the atonement and resurrection of Jesus Christ.\u00a0 And sometimes it doesn\u2019t hurt to consider what some of them had to say on the subject.\u00a0 For example, St. John Chrysostom (ca. AD 349-407), archbishop of Constantinople, delivered this Easter sermon around AD 400:<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Are there any who are devout lovers of God?<\/span> Are there any who are grateful servants?<\/span> Are there any weary with fasting?<\/span> If any have toiled from the first hour,<\/span> To this one He gives, and upon another He bestows.<\/span> First and last alike receive your reward;<\/span> Feast royally on it, the calf is a fatted one.<\/span> Let no one grieve at his poverty,<\/span> Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again;<\/span> Let no one fear death, for the Death of our Savior has set us free.<\/span> Isaiah foretold this when he said,<\/span> Hell took a body, and discovered God.<\/span> O death, where is thy sting?<\/span> Christ is Risen, and you, o death, are annihilated!<\/span> Christ is Risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead;<\/span> To Him be Glory and Power forever and ever. Amen!<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n This is a standard translation of the sermon, widely available online. \u00a0The original Greek text is available at https:\/\/www.earlychurchtexts.com\/main\/johnchrysostom\/paschal_sermon.shtml<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n
\nLet them enjoy this beautiful bright festival!<\/span><\/p>\n
\nLet them rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord!<\/span><\/p>\n
\nLet them now receive their wages!<\/span><\/p>\n
\nlet them receive their due reward;<\/span>
\nIf any have come after the third hour,<\/span>
\nlet him with gratitude join in the Feast!<\/span>
\nAnd he that arrived after the sixth hour,<\/span>
\nlet him not doubt; for he too shall sustain no loss.<\/span>
\nAnd if any delayed until the ninth hour,<\/span>
\nlet him not hesitate; but let him come too.<\/span>
\nAnd he who arrived only at the eleventh hour,<\/span>
\nlet him not be afraid by reason of his delay.<\/span>
\nFor the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first.<\/span>
\nHe gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour,<\/span>
\nas well as to him that toiled from the first.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nHe accepts the works as He greets the endeavor.<\/span>
\nThe deed He honors and the intention He commends.<\/span>
\nLet us all enter into the joy of the Lord!<\/span><\/p>\n
\nrich and poor, rejoice together!<\/span>
\nSober and slothful, celebrate the day!<\/span>
\nYou that have kept the fast, and you that have not,<\/span>
\nrejoice today for the Table is richly laden!<\/span><\/p>\n
\nLet no one go away hungry. Partake, all, of the cup of faith.<\/span>
\nEnjoy all the riches of His goodness!<\/span><\/p>\n
\nfor the universal kingdom has been revealed.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nfor forgiveness has risen from the grave.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nHe has destroyed it by enduring it.<\/span>
\nHe destroyed Hell when He descended into it.<\/span>
\nHe put it into an uproar even as it tasted of His flesh.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n\u201cYou, O Hell, have been troubled by encountering Him below.\u201d<\/span>
\nHell was in an uproar because it was done away with.<\/span>
\nIt was in an uproar because it is mocked.<\/span>
\nIt was in an uproar, for it is destroyed.<\/span>
\nIt is in an uproar, for it is annihilated.<\/span>
\nIt is in an uproar, for it is now made captive.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nIt took earth, and encountered Heaven.<\/span>
\nIt took what it saw, and was overcome by what it did not see.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nO Hell, where is thy victory?<\/span><\/p>\n
\nChrist is Risen, and the evil ones are cast down!<\/span>
\nChrist is Risen, and the angels rejoice!<\/span>
\nChrist is Risen, and life is liberated!<\/span><\/p>\n
\nfor Christ having risen from the dead,<\/span>
\nis become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.<\/span><\/p>\n