Fwd: Septuagisma Sunday

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From: Legio Christi <primus.pilus@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, Jan 30, 2010 at 8:58 AM
Subject: Septuagisma Sunday
To: Centurions ListServe <order-of-centurions@googlegroups.com>

The Sunday called Septuagesima
the third Sunday before Lent

Septuagesima Home

O LORD, we beseech thee favourably to hear the prayers of thy people; that we which are justly punished for our offences, may be mercifully delivered by thy goodness, for the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

Source: Sacramentary of Bishop Gregory of Rome [600 AD]. The collect shows the great stress that Gregory knew from all sorts of calamities and threats - often perceived directly as a result of the sin of the nation. Note the penitent tone of the collect in this somber season. This pre-Lenten season of three Sundays was instituted in about 700. Septuagesima is the pre-Lent Sunday approximately 70 days before Easter.

Gen 1   Psalms 8, 148 | 104;   1 Corinthians ix. 24   &   St. Matthew xx. 1

Homily of Augustine on the Gospel

Comment

Today at the link one may read Augustine's homily on the parable of the Householder and the Laborers. Before he addresses the parable, he writes of God the Good Husbandman:

 "God cultivateth us." For that we cultivate God, there is no need to be proved to you. For all men have this on their tongue, that men cultivate God, but the hearer feels a kind of awe, when he hears that God cultivates man; because it is not after the ordinary usage of men to say, that God cultivateth men, but that men cultivate God. We ought therefore to prove to you, that God also doth cultivate men; lest perchance we be thought to have spoken a word contrary to sound doctrine,  and men dispute in their heart against us, and as not knowing our meaning, find fault with us. I have determined therefore to show you, that God doth also cultivate us; but as I have said already, as a field, that He may make us better. Thus the Lord saith in the Gospel, "I am the Vine, ye are the branches, My Father is the Husbandman." What doth the Husbandman do? I ask you who are husbandmen. I suppose he cultivates his field. If then God the Father be a Husbandman, He hath a field; and His field He cultivateth, and from it He expecteth fruit. 

I recall Paul's words to the Corinthians in his first epistle: 

 "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.  So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase .... ye are God's husbandry... 

We remember that in the physical church militant there coexists God's wheat and Satan's tares together [Matt xiii. 18]. We may consider Augustine's words and watch for those who "have spoken a word contrary to sound doctrine" in our day.  Test every strange doctrine against the only true rule we have, and that is the unchangeable Word of God. Beware of those who claim they have a Word from the Holy Spirit to lead them -- and not the doctrine of the Church based on scripture. Look for the good fruits of God's husbandry in the lives of his saints, but for the hand of Satan in those hypocrites, frauds, and snake-oil salesmen who rob the flock [1Cor vi.10]

Finis

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"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]

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The Third Sunday after the Epiphany

Augustine on Psalm XXVII
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 XXVII

 

  quit thyself like a man

Comment

Augustine wrote of Psalm 27, in the last verse,

 "Wait on the Lord, quit thyself like a man: and let thy heart be strong, yea wait on the Lord" (ver. 14). But when shall this be? It is arduous for a mortal, it is slow to a lover: but listen to the voice, that deceiveth not, of him that saith, "Wait on the Lord." Endure the burning of the reins manfully, and the burning of the heart stoutly. Think not that what thou dost not as yet receive is denied thee. That thou faint not in despair, see how it is said, "Wait on the Lord."

The King James Version, based on the Masoretic text reads: Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

The Orthodox Study Bible, based upon the LXX is similar: Wait upon the Lord, be courageous, and strengthen your heart, and wait upon the Lord.

 This psalms has the title: "Of David, before he was anointed"  The Orthodox Study Bible says the first verse is used before the epistle in the sacrament of Baptism, when the faithful declare war against Satan and his minions. 

We are called upon to be courageous, to not faint when confronted with temptations and threats, but to take heart, call and wait upon the Lord, and march forward.  

Paul wrote, Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. [1 Cor 16:13]

This call to manhood has been a part of being a Christian Soldier for as long as there have been those who followed Jesus.  Stephen, and the early martyrs that we read of week by week, set a standard of courage in the face of persecution and certain death that should inspire one to "quit thyself like a man". So did John and Peter when confronted with the council and persecution. Jesus gave fair warning to his disciples of what was to come, and gave them his example in his passion of how to confront it.

Examples: 

This very week, one of our warrior centurions reminded me of Martin of Tours (whose name means the brave, the courageous). Martin had been called as a youth to Christ, and in his adulthood followed the footsteps of his father, who was a tribune, and entered the heavy cavalry. After his military service, he formed a monastery  and led a campaign against pagan worship and heretics.  Luther was named after him and baptized on his day, 11 November. Martin is the patron saint of the Army Quartermaster Corps.

Another centurion this week reminded me of that famous statement that the martyr Latimer made to Ridley as they awaited the fires of the stake to consume them; he said, Play the man, Master Ridley; we shall this day light such a candle, by God's grace, in England, as I trust shall never be put out. ...

In an article by Dennis Prager entitled "Is America Still Making Men",  Prager sees in a post-modern culture of a confused growing segment of the population  who generally do not measure up to this standard of manhood, shirk responsibility, and fear commitment.

I am reminded of history and this old saying when James I ascended to the throne of England: Rex fuit Elizabeth: nunc est regina Jacobus

Therefore men, keep watch,  guard yourself, follow the examples we have in the Church tradition and scriptures of true Christian men. Ladies, support your men and challenge them to rise to that standard of manhood established in scripture.

May Almighty God mercifully look upon the infirmities of our culture and stretch forth his mighty arm to protect, guide, and embolden his elect to stand firm in the faith and to quit themselves like men.

 Rise up, O men of God!

Rise up, O men of God

Have done with lesser things.

Give heart and mind and soul and strength

To serve the King of kings.

Rise up, O men of God!

The kingdom tarries long.

Bring in the day of brotherhood

And end the night of wrong.

Rise up, O men of God!

The church for you doth wait,

Her strength unequal to her task;

Rise up and make her great!

Lift high the cross of Christ!

Tread where His feet have trod.

As brothers of the Son of Man,

Rise up, O men of God!

finis

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"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]

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The Second Sunday after the Epiphany

The Baptism of Christ 
Homily of Augustine on Psalm XCVII
Home -- Second Sunday after Epiphany

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who dost govern all things in heaven and earth; Mercifully hear the supplications of thy people, and grant us thy peace all the days of our life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Archbishop Cranmer translated this from Latin. Originally a prayer for outward peace.

In the Early Church, the birth of Christ, the Magi visit, and Baptism were all celebrated on the 6th. The Protestant Episcopal Church moved the baptism Gospel to the 2nd Sunday after Epiphany, to remember this event during Epiphanytide and so we have it today. The Lutheran Church remembers the Baptism on Third Sunday after Christmas. The Latin Church remembers it on the First Sunday after Epiphany. The Orthodox Church continues to celebrate the Baptism on the Theophany, 6 January, with the visit of the Magi. Theophany literally means "Manifestation of God".

Psalms 96, 97| 45, 46,   Romans xii. 6  &   St. Mark i. 1 
Homily of Augustine on Psalm XCVII

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 COMMENT

This Sunday in the American 1928 Prayer Book the Holy Baptism of our Lord is remembered as part of the Epiphany Season. This remembrance is anciently observed by the Orthodox church on the Epiphany of 6 January. Baptism, and membership in the Body of Christ, has become a issue as some heretofore orthodox churches begin to ignore its importance and meaning. In one recent service in an Episcopal Church the baptismal vows were changed to remove reverences to a one belief and salvation in Christ,to  which an atheist godfather vowed to guide the child. In other instances the ancient custom of requiring baptism before communion has be tossed aside, again by those who claim a catholic base. These trends are troublesome to any orthodox  Christian who recognizes Baptism and Communion as the two key sacraments for the Christian community: those ordained by our Lord. They are even more so to one who ascribes to the early Church Fathers traditions.

Let us turn now to one of the appointed psalms, 97, and hear what good Bishop Augustine had to say as he touches on the matter of baptism,

"Sion heard of it, and rejoiced"

What did Sion hear? That all His Angels worship Him....For the Church was not as yet among the Gentiles; in Judaea the Jews had some of them believed, and the very Jews who believed thought that they only belonged to Christ: the Apostles were sent to the Gentiles, Cornelius was preached to; Cornelius believed, was baptized, and they who were with Cornelius were also baptized. But ye know what happened, that they might be baptized: the reader indeed hath not reached this point, but, nevertheless, some recollect; and let those who do not recollect, hear briefly from me. The Angel was sent to Cornelius: the Angel sent Cornelius to Peter; Peter came to Cornelius. And because Cornelius and his household were Gentiles, and uncircumcised: lest they might hesitate to give the Gospel to the uncircumcised: before Cornelius and his household were baptized, the Holy Spirit came, and filled them, and they began to speak with tongues. Now the Holy Spirit had not fallen upon any one who had not been baptized: but upon these It fell before baptism. For Peter might hesitate whether he might baptize the uncircumcised: the Holy Spirit came, they began to speak with tongues; the invisible gift was given, and took away all doubt about the visible Sacrament; they were all baptized....What did Sion hear, and rejoice at? That the Gentiles also had received the word of God. One wall had come, but the corner existed not as yet. The name Sion is here peculiarly given to the Church which was in Judaea. "Sion heard of it, and rejoiced: and the daughters of Judah were glad." Thus it is written, "The apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard." See if the daughters of Judaea rejoiced not. What did they hear? "That the Gentiles had also received the word of God."...Therefore, "The daughters of Judah rejoiced because of Thy judgments, O Lord." What is, because of Thy judgments? Because in any nation, and in any people, he that serveth Him is accepted of Him: for He is not the God of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles.

Augustine rightly recognizes the great importance of  baptism as he recounts the story of Centurion Cornelius, and how God had sent his Holy Spirit upon the Cornelius household as a sign to Peter and his fellows. Based upon this sacrament of Baptism, these Gentiles were accepted into the physical, visible, body of Christ, which is the Church and into full fellowship with the disciples. Based on the will and sovereignty of God, they were chosen and baptized in the Spirit. 

Let us not follow the folly of those who cast aside the traditions and symbols of our faith for the sake of some imagined "inclusion". Let us stand firmly grounded in our appreciation for the great work God is doing in the elect according to his unfathomable will. Let us stand in awe of his continuing work in the Church through these great sacraments and approach them with rejoicing and reverent fear instead of indifference and apathy--or worse. Finally, let us proclaim the Gospel to all, and receive all faithful called by God into the fellowship of the Church according to the ancient sacraments.

Historical note: Augustine says "The reader has not yet reached this point". In the church of the age and place of Augustine, lectio coninua was the rule for daily readings in the church. I take from this, that the reader is the office of the lesser ministers who were appointed to read from the Epistles. They were known as Epistlers in some churches and subdeacons today (which we have at least one in the Order) The Deacon read the Gospel, and the cantor led the singing of psalms. Other readers would read from the OT Law and Prophets.

Finis

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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]

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The First Sunday after the Epiphany

Augustine on Psalm XLVIII
Sunday after Epiphany Home

O LORD, we beseech thee mercifully to receive the prayers of thy people who call upon thee; and grant that they may both perceive and know what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to fulfil the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source Sacramentary of Bishop Gregory of Rome [600 AD]. It is based on James 4:17, John 13:17, and Luke 12:47 -[Barbee and Zahl]

O GOD, who by the leading of a star didst manifest thy only-begotten Son to the Gentiles; Mercifully grant that we, who know thee now by faith, may after this life have the fruition of thy glorious Godhead; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Isaiah lx. 1, Psalm 47, 48 | 66, 67;   Romans xii. 1   &   St. Luke ii. 41 
Homilies

Comment

Today, we continue to celebrate the Epiphany, remembering the visitation of our Lord by the wise men following the star.  We also examine psalm 48 through the understanding of  Augustine. The psalm reads,

 For lo, the kings of the earth were gathered, and gone by together. They marvelled to see such things; they were astonished,

Augustine commented,

. "For, lo, the kings of the earth are gathered together" (ver. 3). Behold now those sides of the North, see how they come, see how they say, "Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord: and He will teach us His way, and we will walk in it." "And have come together in one." In what one, but that "corner-stone"? "They saw it, and so they marvelled" (ver. 4). After their marvelling at the miracles and glory of Christ, what followed? "They were troubled, they were moved" (ver. 5), "trembling took hold upon them." Whence took trembling hold upon them, but from the consciousness of sins? Let them run then, king after a king; kings, let them acknowledge the King. Therefore saith He elsewhere, "Yet have I been set by Him a King upon His holy hill of Sion."  ...A King then was heard of, set up in Sion, to Him were delivered possessions even to the uttermost parts of the earth. Kings behoved to fear lest they should lose the kingdom, lest the kingdom be taken from them. As wretched Herod feared, and for the Child slew the children. But fearing to lose his kingdom, he deserved not to know the King. Would that he too had adored the King with the Magi: not by ill-seeking the kingdom, slain the Innocents, and perished guilty. For as concerning him, he destroyed the Innocents: but as for Christ, even a Child, the children dying for Him did He crown. Therefore behoved kings to fear when it was said, "Yet have I been set a King by Him upon His holy hill of Sion," and inheritance to the uttermost parts of the earth shall He give Him, who set Him up King....Thence also this is said to them, "Understand now therefore, O ye kings; be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice unto Him with trembling."

This verse and paragraph strike me as prophetic of kings who would come to know Christ as Sovereign. I am reminded of  great Christian regents who were notable defenders of the faith and examples to their subjects such as Roman Emperor Saint Constantine the Great, Roman Emperor Justinian the Great, King Albert the Great of England, King Saint Louis of France, Queen Saint Margaret of Scotland, and a host of others.  

As today's appointed collect states so well, God grant our latter-day regents such wisdom fear God and to seek Jesus in prayer as Sovereign, to know the good they ought to do, and the power to do what is right.

Finis
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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]

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The Second Sunday after Christmas

 
Augustine on Psalm CX
Christmas 2 Home

ALMIGHTY God, who hast poured upon us the new light of thine incarnate Word; Grant that the same light enkindled in our hearts may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Isaiah lxi. 1, Psalms LXXXV, LXXXVII | XC, XCI   &  St. Matthew ii. 19 
Homilies

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Make Thy right hand so well known 

Psalm 90

Today we examine Augustine's treatment of Psalm 90. This Psalm had a title indicating it was of Moses, but Augustine rightly points out that it was not written by Moses, but merely reminded the editors of some attributes of Moses.  Augustine weaves together the Old Testament and the New Testament as he considers the role of Moses as the lawgiver and prophet of our Lord.  This is a fairly lengthy sermon; I'd like to focus today on the 12th verse and Augustine's insights; he wrote:

 "Make Thy right hand so well known"  This is the reading of most of the Greek copies: not of some in Latin, which is thus, "Make Thy right hand well known to me." What is, "Thy right hand," but Thy Christ, of whom it is said, And to whom is the Arm of the Lord revealed?  Make Him so well known, that Thy faithful may learn in Him to ask and to hope for those things rather of Thee as rewards of their faith, which do not appear in the Old Testament, but are revealed in the New: that they may not imagine that the happiness derived from earthly and temporal blessings is to be highly esteemed, desired, or loved, and thus their feet slip,  when they see it in men who honour Thee not: that their steps may not give way, while they know not how to number Thine anger. Finally, in accordance with this prayer of the Man that is His, He has made His Christ so well known as to show by His sufferings that not these rewards which seem so highly prized in the Old Testament, where they are shadows of things to come, but things eternal, are to be desired. The right hand of God may also be understood in this sense, as that by which He will separate His saints from the wicked: because that hand becomes well known, when it scourgeth every son whom He receiveth, and suffers him not, in greater anger, to prosper in his sins, but in His mercy scourgeth him with the left, that He may place him purified on His right hand. The reading of most copies, "make Thy right hand well known to me," may be referred either to Christ, or to eternal happiness: for God has not a right hand in bodily shape, as He has not that anger which is aroused into violent passion. 

The meaning of "Right Hand" and "Right Arm" in scripture and in ancient language is of militant action and authority, as the right hand wields the sword and executes the will of the sovereign. The allusion of Christ as the right hand of God points to his role in the Trinity as the actor when God wills.  It was Christ Militant  through whom all things were made. It was Christ Militant who led the people out of Egypt as a flame. It was Christ Militant who was at Jericho standing outside of the gate with sword. It was Christ Militant with the Holy Ghost who went forth from the tent of Abram and destroyed the Sodomites in fire and brimstone. It was Christ Militant who was Lord to David and  led him through the valley of the shadow of death. It is Christ Militant who came into the world and destroyed death for his sheep. It is Christ Militant who sits at the RIGHT HAND of GOD, and it shall be Christ Militant who comes again in power and might to judge the earth and to finally crush the head of Satan, put all things under his feet, and offer them to God the Father.  The elect know Christ, for God has called them as his sheep and has revealed to them his Son; they know his voice and follow him as the Body of Christ, the action arm of God here on earth, the Church Militant. 

Augustine wrote elsewhere: "By the expression 'right hand,' understand the power which this Man, chosen of God received, that He might come to judge, who before had come to bejudged."

[see Thomas Aquinas on this expression]

Finis 

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Released by Primus Pilus
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