handed over for our transgressions, and rose again for our justification (Rom
SERMON 229D
ON THE HOLY DAY OF EASTER
Date: before 4101
Christ suffered, let us die to sin; Christ rose again, let us live for God
1. You should never forget, of course, brothers and sisters, that Christ was handed over for our transgressions, and rose again for our justification (Rom 4:25). More particularly, though, are we reminded of this by these days of such marvelous grace, in which by celebrating solemnly every year what happened once and for all, we are not allowed to forget it. So then, informed by faith, confirmed by hope, on fire with charity, let us solemnly celebrate these temporal festivities, while unceasingly longing for the eternal ones. If God, after all, did not spare his own Son, but handed him over for us all, how can he not also have bestowed on us all things together with him? (Rom 8:32).
Christ suffered, let us die to sin; Christ rose again, let us live for God. Christ passed over from this world to the Father; don't let our hearts stick here below, but rather follow to the realms above. Our head hung on the tree, let us crucify the lust of the flesh. He lay in the tomb; buried with him, let us forget the past. He is seated in heaven, let us transfer our desires to sublime realities. He is going to come as judge, let us not bear the yoke with unbelievers.2 He is also going to resuscitate the corpses of the dead; let us deserve this transfiguration of the body by a transformation of our minds. He is going to set the bad on his left, the good on his right; let us choose our place with good works. His kingdom will have no end; let us fear the end of this life not a whit. All the instruction of our peace is in him, by whose bruises we have been healed (Is 53:5).
Keep this passing feast joyfully, and think about the coming kingdom that will last for ever
2. Therefore, dearly beloved, let us make constant reflection on all these things our daily celebration of the Pasch, of Easter. What I mean is that we shouldn't treat these days as extra specially important, in such a way that we neglect the memory of the Lord's passion and resurrection at other times, while we have his body and blood as our daily banquet; this festival, rather, is intended