The Third Sunday after the Epiphany

 

Augustine on Psalm XX
Home of the Third Sunday after Epiphany

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our infirmities, and in all our dangers and necessities stretch forth thy right hand to help and defend us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Originally related to the epistle appointed for this Sunday of Matthew 8:1-13 where Jesus put forth his hand

2 Ch 20:1-19, Psalms 20, 21 | 27, 29   Romans xii. 16   &   St. John ii. 1
Homily of Augustine on Psalm XX

Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed;
he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.

_______________________

Grace be unto you and Peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

This Sunday some churches are celebrating the Feast of St. Paul. If so you might like to view the homily of Chrysostom appearing for the first time here. I hope to post it for Monday.

http://www.geocities.com/orderofcenturions/documents/paul_conversion_09.html

Today's selected scripture is Psalm 20. My study bible calls it a litany prayer of the king before battle. It is a prayer of David, and one that is suitable for any of the Order's warriors before a mission or battle. 

An great example of prayer before battle in Scripture is found in 2nd Chronicles 20:1-30.  King Jehoshaphat called the people together in a true fast and solemn prayer, and Judah was delivered.

Augustine writes:

"Now have I known that the Lord hath saved his Christ"[Anointed]. Now hath it been shown to me in prophecy, that the Lord will raise up His Christ again. "He will hear Him from His holy heaven." He will hear Him not from earth only, where He prayed to be glorified;  but from heaven also, where interceding for us at the Right Hand of the Father,  He hath from thence shed abroad the Holy Spirit on them that believe on Him. "In strength is the safety of His right hand." Our strength is in the safety of His favour, when even out of tribulation He giveth help, that "when we are weak, then we may be strong."  "For vain is" that "safety of man,"  which comes not of His right hand but of His left: for thereby are they lifted up to great pride, whosoever in their sins have secured a temporal safety.

This is a wonderful excerpt from Augustine, for it holds the essence of the Christian doctrine of hope. Just as God has saved his Anointed, who overcame the sting of death, so has he saved all of his children who have been adopted by faith and anointed with his Holy Ghost. Our hope is not in our strength, but in his grace. He has crushed the Enemy's head; death is defeated, and we are sealed as Christ's own unto the day of redemption.

--
Released by Primus Pilus
HQ, Legio Christi-Ecclesia Militans
"Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another" [St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans 14:19]

* ORDO CENTURIONUM * IN HOC SIGNO VINCES * TIME DEUM ET OPERARE IUSTITIAM