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2012/04/28

Third Sunday after Easter MMXII


Almighty God, who showest to them that be in error the light of thy truth, to the intent that they may return into the way of righteousness: Grant unto all them that are admitted into the fellowship of Christ's religion, that they may eschew those things that are contrary to their profession, and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same; through

[Book of Common Prayer and Lutheran Service Book'

Latin:
Deus errantes in via posse redire, veritatis lumen ostendis: da cunctis, qui Christiana professione censentur, et illa respuere, quae huic inimica sunt nomini, et ea quae sunt apta sectari,  Per
--Leonine Sacramentary

Introit: Make a joyful noise unto God…
Ps: Say unto God, how terrible art thou in thy works…
Epistle:  …1st Peter 2:11-20. Dearly beloved, I beseech you...
Gradual:  Hallelujah. Hallelujah the Lord hath sent redemption
Gospel:  …John 16:16-32. A little while, and ye shall see me
See it all here
http://www.archive.org/stream/commonserviceb00unknuoft#page/n90/mode/2up

This Sunday's prayer is ancient indeed. It was recorded in the sacramentary of Leo. He died in 450, and so it is one of the oldest we shall review here. The prayer tells us a lot about the season and the events that had transpired at this time in the church calendar. Let us begin:

Almighty God, who showest to them that be in error the light of thy truth

This is an intercessory prayer. The prayer is for others. Those who had walked in darkness and in error have been enlightened.  Who did this work?  Did they see the light of Christ by their own works and merit?  Shall we give credit to the preacher?  No! rather God has acted to reveal to them his truth.  I recall  the words of the Song of Simeon "Through the tender mercy of our God,  whereby the day spring from on high hath visited us; to give light to them that sit in darkness, and  in the shadow of death" [Luke 2:29-32]  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nunc_dimittis.

 Certainly the preacher carries the word and men come to hear that word, but as Paul wrote, "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. [1 Corinthians 3:6]. Glory be to God.

Grant unto all them that are admitted into the fellowship of Christ's religion

This portion of the prayer points specifically to those who had been baptized on Easter Even and had taken their first Communion Easter Morn as a member of the church-the fellowship of all those who are Christ's own. This identifies for whom the congregation prayed. Not the whole world, but exclusively for those Christ had called and enlightened through grace and who had partaken of the sacraments as an outward sign of a inward spiritual truth.  The communion was not open to the unbaptized, or those who had been excommunicated. They were dismissed before the prayer of consecration.  Only those who had made the sacred promises, were baptized, and who continued in the holy fellowship in an acceptable state of living were welcomed to the feast.

That they may eschew those things that are contrary to their profession, and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same;

What is their profession? Christians!  They professed to believe in the words of the ancient baptismal creed (Forma Romana Vitus http://www.orderofcenturions.org/creed.html), which is the basis of the Apostles Creed which many folk say twice daily (Augustine). They also took an oath to turn from the Evil one. We know from reading Paul's epistle this Sunday that they were not always obedient to that oath. Many may have fallen away, not completely if they were Christ's own, but they may have forgotten God in their daily pursuits - or failed to be faithful in the disciplines expected by the fellowship. Now those who are Christ's own, he will chastise and send a spirit of contrition, and urge to return [Luke 22:32].  Not only Jesus and the Holy Spirit play a role here, but we too; just as our Lord charged Peter, he charges us:  pray, encourage, and to strengthen the fellowship as the whole body of Christ -- beseeching God to call back the wayward, and bidding them to follow in his way, and that God would keep them (us) and bless them (us) in his mercy that they (we) fall not.

In a way the folk not only prayed for the newly baptized, but for each and every member of  the fellowship too. We are all subject to the wiles of the devil and the temptations of this life, and there is none of us who might not slip, miss the target, and fall away.  Well you say, they should try harder and then they would be justified. Often that is the very problem, because they try too hard by their own feeble efforts. They depend on their own merit to earn their salvation rather than simply fully relying on God's Grace and the work of the Holy Spirit to bring them to perfection.   

In closing, I am reminded of one of the most famous of hymns in the English speaking realms of our Kingdom on earth, Amazing Grace. You might like to read of the amazing story behind the hymn here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazing_Grace . The hymn not only speaks to the grace we recognized when we first believed, but the same grace that brought us through the many snares. Compare this doctrine in the hymn to the ancient writing of the Doctor of the Church - Augustine.

Listen to it here as you contemplate the articles of today's collect. In that this ancient prayer was carried over into the Book of Common Prayer for this Sunday that Newton used in his ministry.  I would not be surprised to learn that the words of Leo had some influence on Newton in its composition. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHDNuAw-VeE

For this Sunday's devotion, you might enjoy this from Augustine on the Gospel
http://www.orderofcenturions.org/documents/easter3_07.html 
.


Finis

(Portions were paraphrased and passages cited from The Collect of the Day, by Paul Zeller Strodach, 1939, The United Lutheran Press, Philadelphia)  http://www.cyberhymnal.org/bio/s/t/r/strodach_pz.htm

The Ancient Collect: Its history and form
http://orderofcenturions.org/collect-form.html

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

2012/04/20

The Second Sunday after Easter MMXII


God, who by the humiliation of thy Son, didst raise up the fallen world; grant unto thy faithful ones perpetual gladness, and those whom thou hast delivered from the danger of everlasting death, do thou make partakers of eternal joys; through..

Latin:
Deus, qui in Filii tui humilitate jacentem mundum erexisti; (fidelibus tuis perpetuam) laetitiam concede:et quos perpetua mortis eripuisti casibus, guadiis (facias) sempiternis perfrui. Per
--Gelesian Sacramentary


Introit: The earth is full of the goodness of the LORD: by the Word of the LORD were the heavens made…
Ps: Rejoice in the Lord: O ye righteous…
Epistle:  …1st Peter 2:21-25
Gradual:  Hallelujah. Then was the Lord Jesus know of the disciples…
Gospel:  …John 10:11-16  I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep…

See it all here

Deus, qui in Filii tui humilitate jacentem mundum erexisti

This Sunday's collect looks beyond the Resurrection of Jesus to the resurrection God wrought for mankind; all accomplished through the humiliation of his Son on the cross.

(fidelibus tuis perpetuam)

The collect recognizes that this gift is not for all, but is reserved for God's faithful ones.

laetitiam concede :et quos perpetua mortis eripuisti casibus guadiis (facias) sempiternis perfrui. 

Grant us happiness and eternal joy when we pass over from this life O Lord. Jesus said, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. " [Matthew 25:21]

Many folk leave this world in great doubt. They do not have any personal assurance that they will be welcomed into the Lord's Sabbath, and into his joy. For many, I believe they depend on their own inadequate work to justify their entry into that peace- and can find none. On the other hand, there are those who depart this life with anticipation of the felicity which shall follow, and are glad to shed this mortal shell with the assurance of rest and peace as they sleep in Christ and the ultimate resurrection of their body into the new heaven and earth. They rely not on their inadequate works, but rather on the finished work of Christ and their membership in his body.  Thomas Jackson was such a man. In Juy 1861 he said to Captain John D. Imboden. "My religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter when it may overtake me. That is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave". [Stonewall Jackson As Military Commander (2000) by John Selby]

Jackson was indeed ready. He had contracted pneumonia and knew he would die. He was glad when his surgeon told him he would pass from this life on a Sunday.  Jackson's surgeon recorded his passing in his diary, and some years later published this account, "A few moments before he died he cried out in his delirium, 'Order A.P. Hill to prepare for action! Pass the infantry to the front rapidly! Tell Major Hawks'—then stopped, leaving the sentence unfinished. Presently a smile of ineffable sweetness spread itself over his pale face, and he said quietly, and with an expression, as if of relief, 'Let us cross over the river, and rest under the shade of the trees.' [McGuire, Dr. Hunter. "Death of Stonewall Jackson". Southern Historical Society Papers 14 (1886)]

And Jesus said to his disciples, and to all his chosen, "Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world"  [John 16:33].  In the Gospel he gives us this assurance, "I am the good shepherd; and know my sheep, and am known of mine, even as the Father knoweth me, and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one flock, and one shepherd." [John 10:11-16]; and he shall not suffer one of his sheep to be lost [John 10:28]

See an homily by Chrysostom on the Gospel 
  
Finis

(Portions were paraphrased and passages cited from The Collect of the Day, by Paul Zeller Strodach, 1939, The United Lutheran Press, Philadelphia)  http://www.cyberhymnal.org/bio/s/t/r/strodach_pz.htm
 
The Ancient Collect: Its history and form
--
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

2012/04/14

First Sunday after Easter MMXII

Sunday after Easter

Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God that we who have celebrated the solemnities of the Lord's Resurrection, may, by the help of thy grace, bring forth the fruits thereof in our life and conversation; through…

Latin:
Praesta, quaesummus omnipotens Deus, ut qui paschalia festa peregimus, heac te largiente moribus et vita teneamus, per...
--Gelesian Sacramentary

Introit: As newborn babes: desire the sincere milk of the word.
Ps: …Sing aloud unto God on strength: make a joyful noise …
Epistle:  …1 John 5:4-12  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world..
Gradual:  …Hallelujah. Hallelujah. The angel of the Lord descended from heaven…
Gospel:  John 20: 12-31  Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week…

See it all here

A literal translation: 
Grant, we beg You, Almighty God, that we who have carried through the paschal feasts may, you bestowing it, hold to them in morals and in life.

This Sunday marks the octave of the great feast of the Resurrection.  We shall continue the season of Eastertide until the Feast of the Ascension.

ut qui paschalia festa peregimus

The collect emphasizes the idea of a completion of the Easter octave, as it recalls the solemnities that the faithful have observed in connection with the remembrance of the Resurrection. Including Palm Sunday, there have been 10 holy days.

heac te largiente moribus et vita teneamus, 

The petition follows:  that by God's grace we might live out our experience of this season in our life and behaviors.  

I am reminded of one of the collects that was appointed for ending of ante-communion in my tradition, and echoes this same theme and may have be derived from this very collect.

GRANT, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that the words which we have heard this day with our outward ears, may, through thy grace, be so grafted inwardly in our hearts, that they may bring forth in us the fruit of good living, to the honour and praise of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Week by week we have seen that the collects in the Latin end with "per" - meaning through, but that the last part is left off. It was often, but not always: "through Jesus Christ", and then one of the many forms that included the Father and the Holy Ghost -- such as: "through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end. Amen."

It is interesting that today's historic appointed epistle is the subject of a translation controversy.  The traditional interpretation includes the verse of 1 John 5:7ff which specifically points to the Trinity, and reads, "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, *the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one." One will find this transaltion in the King James Version, the Vulgate, and the modern Orthodox bible. It is missing from many ancient Eastern texts. However, the revisers have removed it from modern translations as well (Such as the NRSV).  I endorse this website that presents a very good discussion on supporting the verse as true original.


See an homily by Chrysostom on the Gospel

Finis

(Portions were paraphrased and passages cited from The Collect of the Day, by Paul Zeller Strodach, 1939, The United Lutheran Press, Philadelphia)  http://www.cyberhymnal.org/bio/s/t/r/strodach_pz.htm
 
The Ancient Collect: Its history and form
 
-- 
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

2012/04/06

The Feast of the Resurrection MMXII

O God, who on this day through thine only-begotten Son hast, by his having vanquished death, unlocked for us the gate of eternity, grant us, we beseech thee, that through the renewal of the Holy Spirit, we may rise from death of soul.

[The Hermeneutic of Continuity…]
...
Latin:
Deus, qui hodierna die, per Unigenitum tuum, aeternitatis nobis aditum, devicta morte, reserasti, da nobis, quaesumus, ut qui resurrectionis dominicae sollemnia colimus, per innovationem tui Spiritus a morte animae resurgamus.
--Gelesian Sacramentary

Introit:  When I awake I am still with thee. Hallelujah.…
Ps:  O Lord thou hast searched me and known me…
Epistle:  1 Corinthians 5:6-8  Your glorying is not good…
Gradual:  This is the day that the Lord hath made…
Gospel:  Mark 16:1-8  And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene…

See it all here

Anglican version based on a later Latin collect

ALMIGHTY God, who through thine only-begotten Son Jesus Christ hast overcome death, and opened unto us the gate of everlasting life; We humbly beseech thee that, as by thy special grace preventing us thou dost put into our minds good desires, so by thy continual help we may bring the same to good effect; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

The collect makes a point of specfying a specific day, O God, Who on this day" (qui hodierna die). This is the day the Resurrection is celebrated.  Paul wrote, "Even as Christ our passover is sacrificed for us, let us keep the feast" [1 Corinthians 5:7].  Indeed! Let us keep this Feast!  

The Feast of the Resurrection is undoubtedly the oldest on the Church calendar. It was the effort of Constantine and the bishops to try to keep it on one specific day throughout the Empire, and so it was observed for centuries after until the Gregorian calendar separated the East and the West.  

These regulations of the First Ecumenical Council are as follows:
 
"That Easter must always be celebrated on a Sunday."
"That Easter must never be celebrated on the same day as the Jewish Passover."
"That Easter should never be celebrated on or before the vernal equinox of any year."
and that the Church at Alexandria should inform the broader church through Rome of its date - year by year.
 
Sunday-by-Sunday: There are actually 52 celebrations of the Resurrection, as each Sunday is intended as a remembrance that "Christ died for thee" and was raised from the dead. We hear this message repeated in the divine liturgy week by week. But is is on this specific Feast of the Resurrection that the world as the ancients knew was changed for ever. It was on this day that God sealed his promise of old with the Resurrection of his Son and the scriptures were fulfilled. It is on this day that we celebrate the high feast of our faith.

The collect speaks of the great victory when Christ vanquished death (devicta morte). Jesus said, "I have overcome the world"  [John 16:33] and again, "Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out." [John 12:31]   Paul wrote, "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." [1 Corinthians 15:57] and again, "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?"  [1 Corinthians 15:55]

To what end? What has this victory done for those in Christ? The collect tells us. The approach (way) to eternal life (aeternitatis nobis aditum has been opened to us. That is our victory; that is our hope; that is our faith.  Paul was very specific in what belief was required of man to secure this great victory; he wrote, "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."  

There are many in this day that would identify themselves as "christians" and yet will boldly deny both of these precepts. They are lost sheep with lost shepherds.  

Do you believe -- in truth?  It is natural in this day with all the world speaking against miracles that doubts and questions might be raised in your mind. God can and will help those who come to him in humble confession of  those doubts.  Remember the conversation between Jesus and the man with the possessed child? "Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." [Mark 9:23-24]  What did he tell Peter before his crucifixion? " Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.Why? why did he not just leave Peter to fall into the hands of Satan? Because Peter was his. The Father had given him to his Son.  He prays from his seat of glory in heaven for each of his own that our strength may be such to resist evil and to believe in his holy Gospel [John 17]. We know that  "things which are impossible with men are possible with God." [Luke 18:27], and that our belief is a gift of God,  Take heart brothers; before his death and resurrection he made a promise to his disciples, and all that would come to believe through them.  He said, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand." [John 10:27-30]. It is his purpose to bring his own into the great Victory over Satan and to share in his joy, and with no saint left behind!

 Finally, in the collect we have the scriptural formula for the Victory.  Is it by dead works? No!  Is it by pious religious acts and sacrifies? No! Well then, it must by the denomination you have membership in and your station in the denomination. No! What saith scripture? What saith our collect? that we may "rise again from the death of the soul through the renewing of your Spirit." (per innovationem tui Spiritus a morte animae resurgamus.). Jesus said,  I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you" [John 14:16] .  

Thank you God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen

Praise the LORD!    The Lord is risen; he is risen indeed!     Praise the LORD!


Finis

(Portions were paraphrased and passages cited from The Collect of the Day, by Paul Zeller Strodach, 1939, The United Lutheran Press, Philadelphia)  http://www.cyberhymnal.org/bio/s/t/r/strodach_pz.htm
 
The Ancient Collect: Its history and form
 

--
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