Three ancient codices likewise present this sermon, published by Muratorius: the Turin one with the title 'Likewise on the Pasch, Sermon X'; the Cassinese 305, page 13; and the Ratisbon one of St. Emmeram. In the two latter it is held under words conceived as belonging to St. Maximus's house; but in the Vatican codex 6451, page 21, the same sermon is described, with the author's name omitted. 'On the paschal festivity, most dear brethren, whereon we exult that our Lord has returned from the lower regions, we have a joy common with heaven. For the angels rejoice that the enemy of their Lord, and the tyrant of the heavenly empire, has been destroyed by the power of the lawful and eternal King.'
We mortal and weak men also glory in the gift of the Lord's Passion, that, the shameful servitude of the devil laid aside, we have been recalled to the liberty of living well and to the right of the Father's love. This is assuredly that which blessed David says: 'Let the heavens rejoice and let the earth exult' (Psalm 96). One and the same joy, indeed, has come to pass for heavenly and earthly beings, because one and the same is the Lord who conquered on earth and who reigns in heaven. And again the same says: 'This is the day which the Lord has made; let us exult and be glad in it.' He says thus: 'This is the day which the Lord has made'—as though there were some day which God has not made?
The Lord indeed gave every day, but this one he specially made, which, shining with perpetual light, admits no alternation of darkness. This is the day which, the cloud of crimes dispersed, irradiates the light of perpetuity upon the darkened eyes of mortals. This is the day whereon the Lord of life terrified hell and death, raging and dreadful with the horror of eternal night, by the new and unforeseen brightness of his majesty. 'Let us exult,' says the prophetic word, 'and be glad in it'—as though it did not suffice to have said 'let us exult,' unless he added 'and let us be glad.' But for this reason the prophetic foreknowledge doubles for us the words of spiritual joys, that, all mourning of most grievous death being wiped away, it may proclaim both the gladness of the present life and of that to come.
Let us therefore now exult as redeemed, that afterward we may be able to rejoice as satisfied. Let us exult with the Lord rising again, that we may be able to rejoice with the same one reigning. And rightly shall we rejoice, brethren, if the gifts of true faith, and the redemption already granted, and the promised resurrection make us glad. But why, most beloved, should we waver concerning the benefits of the Almighty? Was man made from woman without cause—he who was incomprehensibly born God of God? Did he will to wail in the cradle in vain—he who by the terrifying voices of his thunders makes earth and heaven tremble? Did he weep to no purpose—he who by the power of his own spittle enriched with new eyes one blind from birth?
Was he given vinegar to drink and fed with gall to no end—he who in the vast desert could furnish streams from the rock to the thirsty and manna from heaven to the hungry? Was his Passion vain—he who in the unsearchable secret of his will descended from the heavenly places to the cross? And therefore, we who by the grossness of a carnal wit are unable to comprehend the mysteries of his Passion, let us hold by the belief of right faith the things which he granted. And we shall hold and receive the gifts of his glory, if faith fortifies our life, and life does not disagree with faith. And just as he willed to please us by dying, so let us be eager not to displease him by living; by his own bestowal, who with the Father, etc.