Jesus Lives! Jesus is Lord!
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 labor 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.
No more fears of your dying:
Isaiah knew this would happen, and he cried:
Death swallowed a body, and met God face to face.
It took earth and encountered heaven.
It took earth and encountered heaven.
O Death, where is your sting?
Christ is risen and evil has fallen.