At the Lamb's high feast we sing

At the Lamb's high feast we sing

Words: Ad regias Agni dapes -- Anonymous Latin, Robert Campbell (1814-1868)
Tune: Salzburg

At the Lamb's high feast we sing
praise to our victorious King,
who hath washed us in the tide
flowing from his piercèd side;
praise we him, whose love divine
gives his sacred blood for wine,
gives his body for the feast,
Christ the victim, Christ the priest.

Where the paschal blood is poured,
death's dark angel sheathes his sword;
Israel's hosts triumphant go
through the wave that drowns the foe.
Praise we Christ, whose blood was shed,
paschal victim, paschal bread;
with sincerity and love
eat we manna from above.

Mighty victim from the sky,
hell's fierce powers beneath thee lie;
thou hast conquered in the fight,
thou has brought us life and light.
Now no more can death appall,
now no more the grave enthrall:
thou has opened Paradise,
and in thee thy saints shall rise.

Easter triumph, Easter joy,
sin alone can this destroy;
from sin's power do thou set free
souls new-born, O Lord, in thee.
Hymns of glory and of praise,
risen Lord, to thee we raise;
holy Father, praise to thee,
with the Spirit, ever be.

Alleluia!

The reality of Easter

God consuming our consequences

A quote that goes to the heart of Easter meaning:

"Fulfillment is found in Christ. In Him are contained all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. The point is that the salvation He offers doesn’t come through signs and wonders, though they may be appended to it, but from a turning to Him in the acknowledgment of His preeminence and lordship, and as the medium through which total release can be known… Jesus doesn’t simply show us the way, or the truth. He is the way, the truth. He’s not another guru, or preceptor, or avatar, or holy man, or prophet. He’s God stepped down in human flesh to die, consuming within Himself the consequences of our decision to turn away from God, thus breaking the momentum of our eternal entrapment. In this way we are reconciled to God and enjoy free and open access to Him. The Christian revelation is the end of the game.”

A quote from Michael Graham, who spent 28 years in search of truth, immersing himself in the best of Eastern mysticism, a personal student of Swami Muktananda Paramahansa [Siddha Yoga]. Michael's journey led him to a personal encounter with Christ, and a 180 degree turn from his former journey. It is a compelling story. His account is worth reading: "The Experience of Ultimate Truth."

Indeed. He is right: Jesus Christ is the One who consumes within himself the consequences of our decision to turn from God, thus breaking the momentum of our eternal entrapment. Jesus is the Suffering Servant of Isaiah, whose pain has brought us peace -- bearing in himself our wounds, that we might be healed.

And Easter is the sign of that cosmic victory...

Happy Easter, all!

Easter green in gathering snow

Here is a picturesque patch of field that remains green during a sudden Easter snow. The rest of the scenery is covered in a couple inches of snow [and falling], and yet this field remains green! It only adds to the scene... :-) p.s. can anyone guess why the mystery field remains green? :-)