O GOD, forasmuch as without thee we are not able to please thee; Mercifully grant that thy Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Source: Sacramentary of Bishop Gelasius of Rome [494]. Cranmer in 1549 reversed the order of mercy and our inability. [Barbee and Zahl] One is reminded again of our Lord's promise send the Comforter to direct us, and of Isaiah 64:6 we are all as an unclean thing... our righteousness is as a filthy rag.... We, of and by ourselves, are not worthy to stand before God - not even to see him, until we are perfected by his grace. For he is "of purer eyes to behold iniquity" [Hab 1:13]
Psalm cxiv, cxv cvii
Homily of Augustine on Psalm CXV
Ezra and the rebuiding and dedication of the Temple
WEEKLY BULLETIN
calendar
Michael, Archangel Militant, and all angels - September 29th
Anniversary of the Order of Centurions - September 29th
Ursus and Victory, Soldier of Theban Legion, Martyrs - September 30th
Peter Muhlenburg, Pastor, Soldier, Statesman - October 1st
Roman, Soldier, Othrodox Monk - October 2nd
Francis, Knight, Religious - October 4th
news & views
Andrea Mrozek: Abortion, in plain English
Vatican warns of growing "Christianophobia"
commentary
The NIV Study Bible states that many believe today’s Psalm 115 was composed as a litany of praise for use at the dedication of the Second Temple. [Ezra 6] It has a structure that indicates a leader with responses by the people.
Augustine writes:
"Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy Name give the praise" For that grace of the water that gushed from the rock ("now that rock was Christ"), was not given on the score of works that had gone before, but of His mercy "that justifieth the ungodly." For "Christ died for sinners," that men might not seek any glory of their own, but in the Lord's Name. "For Thy loving mercy, and for Thy truth's sake" Observe how often these two qualities, loving mercy and truth, are joined together in the holy Scriptures. For in His loving mercy He called sinners, and in His truth He judgeth those who when called refused to come. "That the heathen may not say, Where is now their God?" For at the last, His loving mercy and truth will shine forth, when "the sign of the Son of man shall appear in heaven, and then shall all tribes of the earth cry woe;" nor shall they then say, "Where is their God?" when He is no longer preached unto them to be believed in, but displayed before them to be trembled at.
Augustine rightly identifies two natures of God: He judges, and he loves and shows mercy. Our faith tells us that God’s mercy functions through his Son’s sacrifice and those who have answered his call, so that the sin of those in Christ is hidden, cleansed, is white as snow, and there is no more sin in those who are in Christ.
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. [1John 1:7]
Likewise, those who have refused Christ in word, or in deed, shall tremble at the presence of Almighty God on that last great day; even them that pretend to feast with us at the Lord’s Board. Hear what the Apostle teaches us.
The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: [2 Pe 2:9ff]
Finis
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