Pascal Feast!

For Christians, Easter is surely the most joyous of occasions, and worthy of the very best of celebrations. With this in mind, John and Judy Robinson set about arranging a pre-service celebration to delight both body and soul!

The event started with a reading of the Pascal Sermon of St Hippolitus of Rome - a fourth century call to join God's celebration of his Son's victory over death. In case you haven't read it before, John Robinson has kindly supplied us with a copy which we've reproduced below - do take a while to read it - it is VERY difficult not to be moved by it's truly infectious spirit of celebration.

The magnificent food and drink which followed (see photo) included special home-baked breads, cold meats, smoked salmon, fresh fruit, cakes, sparkling wine (methode champenoise!) and fruit juices...

Pascal Sermon - HIPPOLYTUS of Rome

Are you God's friend and lover?
rejoice in this glorious feast of feasts!
Are you God's servant, knowing God's wishes?
be glad with your Master, share his rejoicing!
Are you worn down with the labour of fasting?
now is your payday!

Have you been working since early morning?
you will be paid fair and square.
Have you been here since the third hour?
you can be thankful, you will be pleased.
If you came at the sixth hour,
come up without fear, you will lose nothing.
Did you linger till the ninth hour?
come forward without hesitation.
Even if you came at the eleventh hour?
have no fear; it is not too late.

God is a generous employer,
treating the last to come as he treats the first arrival.
God gives to the one and gives to the other:
honours the deed and praises the intention.

Join, then, all of you, join in our Master's rejoicing.
You who were the first to come, you who came after,
come now and collect your wages.
Rich and poor, sing and dance together.
You that are hard on yourselves, you that are easy,
celebrate 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 away hungry.
There's hospitality for all, and to spare.
No more apologizing for your poverty:
the kingdom belongs to us all.
No more bewailing your failings:
forgiveness has come from the grave.
No more fears of your dying:
the death of our Saviour has freed us from fear.
Death played the Master: but He has mastered death

Isaiah knew this would happen, and he cried:
"Death was angered when it met you in the pit."
It was angered, for it was defeated.
It was angered, for it was mocked.
It was angered, for it was abolished.
It was angered, for it was overthrown.
It was angered, for it was bound in chains.

Death swallowed a body, and met God face to face.
It took earth and encountered heaven.
It took what is seen and fell upon the unseen.

O Death, where is your sting?
O Grave, where is your victory?
Christ is risen and you are overthrown.
Christ is risen and evil has fallen.
Christ is risen and the angels rejoice.
Christ is risen and life reigns.
Christ is risen and not one dead remains in the tomb.

Christ is risen indeed from the dead,
the first of all who had fallen asleep.

Glory and power to him for ever and ever!

Christ is risen!       HE IS RISEN INDEED!
Christ is risen!       HE IS RISEN INDEED!
Christ is risen!       HE IS RISEN INDEED!

Date 28th March 2005

Source: John & Judy Robinson

News Index