Easter draws near - an Easter sermon or magazine article

Dear friends,

Happy Easter! God bless you this Eastertide.
You can read the vicar's blog and follow him on twitter - www.darringtonchurch.com ; www.wentbridgechurch.co.uk or www.smeatonchurch.co.uk

There's a lovely parable where Jesus tells of workers who started at different times in the day but at the end of the day each got the same reward - a full day's pay. Those who had worked the full day were grumbling because those who had only worked an hour or two got the same as them. St John Chrysostom in his Easter sermon wrote about the wonder of the Easter message:

If any have toiled from the first hour,
let them receive their reward.

If any have come after the third hour,
let them with gratitude join in the feast!

Those who arrived after the sixth hour,
let them not doubt; for they shall not be short-changed.

Those who have tarried until the ninth hour,
let them not hesitate; but let them come too.

And those who arrived only at the eleventh hour,
let them not be afraid by reason of their delay.

For the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first.
The Lord gives rest to those who come at the eleventh hour,
even as to those who toiled from the beginning.

To one and all the Lord gives generously.
The Lord accepts the offering of every work.
The Lord honours every deed and commends their intention.

Let us all enter into the joy of the Lord!

We can all celebrate the day - 'conscientious and lazy' as he puts it. On Easter day we recognise no differences between Christians, church-goers or not, those who do much, and those who do little, all are welcome in God's kingdom as 'forgiveness has risen from the grave'. What a wonderful message.
However you celebrate Easter may God bless you, and I hope that you will join us in church.
with best wishes your friend and vicar
Adrian