If any man be devout and loveth God, let him enjoy this fair and radiant triumphal feast. If any man bee a wise servant, let him rejoicing enter into the joy of his Lord. If any have labored long in fasting, let him ow receive his recompense. If any have wrought from the first hour, let him today receive his just reward. If any have come at the third hour, let him with thankfulness keep the feast. If any have arrived at the sixth hour, let him have no misgivings: because he shall in no way be deprived therefore. If any have delayed unto the ninth hour, let him draw near fearing nothing. If any have tarried even until the eleventh hour, let him, also be not alarmed at his tardiness; for the Lord, who is jealous of his honor, will accept the last even as the first; He giveth rest unto him who cometh at the eleventh hour, even as unto him who hath wrought from the first hour. And He showeth mercy upon the last, and careth for the first; and to the one He giveth, and up the other He bestoweth gifts. And He both accepteth the deeds and welcometh the intention; and honoreth the acts and praises the offering. Wherefore, enter ye all into the joy of your Lord; and receiveth your reward, both the first, and likewise the second. You rich an poor together, hold high festival. You sober and you heedless, honor the day. Rejoice today, both you who have fasted and you who have disregarded the fast. The table is full laden; feast ye all sumptiously. The calf is fatted; let no one go hungry away. Enjoy ye all the feast of faith. Receive ye all the riches of loving kindness. Let no one weep for his iniquities, for pardon has shown forth from the grave. Let no one fear death, for the Savior's death has set us free. He that was held prisoner of it has annilhillated it. By descending into Hell, He made hell captive. He embittered it when it tasted His flesh. And Isaiah, foretelling this did cry: Hell, said he, 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 slain. It was embittered for it was overthrown. It was embittered, for it was fettered in chains. It took a body, and met God face to face. It took earth, and encountered Heaven. It took that which was seen, and fell upon the unseen. Oh Death, where is thy sting? Oh hell, where is thy victory? Christ is risen, and thou art overthrown. Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen. Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice. Christ is risen and life reigns.
From “The Sermon of St. John Chrysostom”.
P.S. And there are those that think that the feast, life, is all about them and only for them. And if it isn't, and if they can't have it all, they intend to destroy it all with a Sampson option. They will remain in the hell of their presumption, separated from the feast. Their Sampson option will only close the doors of their hell on themselves, and remain separated from the feast. They won't be missed.
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