Love bade me welcome
by the Revd Canon Dr William Lamb
Love bade me welcome
In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, the faithful listen every Easter Day to a sermon preached by John Chrysostom, the great fourth century preacher of Constantinople. His homily is characterised by two things: hospitality and joy. These are important characteristics of our Easter celebrations at St Mary’s. As we gather on Easter Day, we welcome people to join us to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord, and our worship is filled with joy.
The beautiful thing about Chrysostom's words is he reminds us that our Lord is generous and welcomes the last just as he does the first. The table is full. No one is to go away hungry. All are to enjoy this wealth of goodness. 'No one is to lament their poverty, for the kingdom belongs to everybody. No one is to bewail their shortcomings, for mercy rose up from the tomb.'
Reading the poetry of George Herbert, I am struck by the echoes of Chrysostom’s Paschal Homily in his poem ‘Love’,
LOVE bade me welcome; yet my soul drew back,
Guilty of dust and sin.
But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack
From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning
If I lack’d anything.
‘A guest,’ I answer’d, ‘worthy to be here:’
Love said, ‘You shall be he.’
‘I, the unkind, ungrateful? Ah, my dear,
I cannot look on Thee.’
Love took my hand and smiling did reply,
‘Who made the eyes but I?’
‘Truth, Lord; but I have marr’d them: let my shame
Go where it doth deserve.’
‘And know you not,’ says Love, ‘Who bore the blame?’
‘My dear, then I will serve.’
‘You must sit down,’ says Love, ‘and taste my meat.’
So I did sit and eat.
George Herbert (1593 - 1633)
As we gather for the Eucharist tomorrow, let us celebrate the hospitality of God and enjoy what Chrysostom describes as ’this beautiful and radiant festival’.
Happy Easter!
