Source of Collect - Bishop Gelasius' Sacrementary [494AD].One is reminded of Psalm 51 purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean and Rev 7:14, washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb
Isaiah xii, Psalm 116, Ephesians iii. 13 & St. Luke vii. 11
Feasts, Memorials, and Fasts
Roman, Soldier, Othrodox Monk - October 2nd
Francis, Knight, Religious - October 4th
O EVERLASTING God, who hast ordained and constituted the services of Angels and men in a wonderful order; Mercifully grant that, as thy holy Angels always do thee service in heaven, so, by thy appointment, they may succour and defend us on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Daniel xii. 1, Revelation xii. 7 & St. Matthew xviii. 1
Homilies
The Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity
KEEP, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy Church with thy perpetual mercy; and, because the frailty of man without thee cannot but fall, keep us ever by thy help from all things hurtful, and lead us to all things profitable to our salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Source: Bishop Gelasius [494]. Jesus promised us the help of the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide us [Jn 14:26]. In 1 Corinthians 13 Paul tells us it is charity that is profitable. [Barbee & Zahl]
Deuteronomy vii. 6-13, Psalm 103, Galatians vi. 11 & St. Matthew vi. 24
Homilies
Announcements for the week beginning
23 September 06
Michael, Archangel Militant, and all angels - September 29th
Third Anniversary of the Order of Centurions - September 29th
Ursus and Victory, Soldier of Theban Legion, Martyrs - September 30th
Bidding Prayer
Pray for:
Centurions in harms way
Peace in the Mideast
--
"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]
IN HOC SIGNO VINCES - TIME DEUM ET OPERARE IUSTITIAM
www.OrderofCenturions.org
Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist
[September 21]
O ALMIGHTY God, who by thy blessed Son didst call Matthew from the receipt of custom to be an Apostle and Evangelist; Grant us grace to forsake all covetous desires, and inordinate love of riches, and to follow the same thy Son Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.
Proverbs iii. 1, 2 Corinthians iv. 1 & St. Matthew ix. 9
Homilies
Ember Days
Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at the Four Seasons
O ALMIGHTY God, who hast committed to the hands of men the ministry of reconciliation; We humbly beseech thee, by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, to put it into the hearts of many to offer themselves for this ministry; that thereby mankind may be drawn to thy blessed kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Isaiah lxi. 1, Acts xiii. 44 & St. Luke iv. 16
Daily Readings for the Four Seasons
Collects, Litany & Hymns
History & Meaning
Homilies
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, give unto us the increase of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain that which thou dost promise, make us to love that which thou dost command; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Source of Collect: Very earliest of the Sacramentaries [440]. 1 Corinthans 13:13 "now abideth faith, hope, and charity... There are two petitions, to give us increase, and secondly to make us to love reminds us of Romans 6:17... being "obdeient from the heart" [Barbee and Zahl]
Micah vi. 1, Psalm 19, Galatians v. 16 & St. Luke xvii. 11
News: A site dedicated to the US Army Chapel of the Centurion, Fort Monroe, Virginia,
Holy Cross Day
14 September
History of Feast
Eusibuius on Helena and Constantine
O GOD, who dost gladden us upon this day by the festival of the Holy Cross : grant that we who have acknowledged the mystery of redemption here on earth, may rejoice in the everlasting fruits therof in heaven. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
John R. Cash
Sergeant, USAF, Gospel Evangelist
[12 September 2003]
Almighty God, who hast called thy servants to spread the Gospel into the ends of the earth; we remember the work of thy servant Johnny Cash, who served his country as a Non Commissioned Officer during the Korean war, and served his fans throughout his lifetime, using his personal failings and weakness as examples to encourage others to repentance, faith, salvation, trust, and peace in Christ. Grant us courage and strength to examine and renew our lives, so that we might see thee more clearly, follow thee more nearly, and love thee more dearly. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen
"For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live."
[Romans 8:13, Cash's favorite verse]
No one is better known in Country Music than Johnny Cash, "The Man in Black." John R. Cash was born in Arkansas on February 26, 1932, the son of a sharecropper. He grew up helping his father with a small farm. A Baptist, he made a public confession of his faith in Christ at age 12. He went to Michigan to work in the Automotive Industry, and when the Korean War started, he joined the Air Force to help defend his country. He was assigned to Germany working in coding, and was promoted to Sergeant before his discharge. While in the Air Force, he began his musical career and was one of the "Tops in Blue".
When Cash got an interview at Sam Phillips's Sun Records in 1955, he told the Phillips he was a gospel singer. "You know, I love gospel music," said Phillips. "But unless you're Mahalia Jackson, or somebody that established, you can't even cover the cost of the recording."
By 1957 he had made quite an impression on the Country Music scene. In 1958 he wanted to record a Gospel Album, but his label would not allow it, so he left and signed with another company. His success continued, but the rigorous schedule affected his marriage and life... resulting in divorce and addictions.
Cash wrote that by 1967, "there was nothing left of me - I had drifted so far away from God and every stabilizing force in my life that I felt there was no hope." He crawled into a cave to die. "The absolute lack of light was appropriate... My separation from Him, the deepest and most ravaging of the various kinds of loneliness I'd felt over the years, seemed finally complete... It wasn't. I thought I'd left Him, but He hadn't left me. I felt something very powerful start to happen to me, a sensation of utter peace, clarity, and sobriety -Then my mind started focusing on God. He didn't speak to me - He never has, and I'll be surprised if He ever does - but ... I became conscious of a very clear, simple idea: I was not in charge of my own destiny. I was not in charge of my own death."
[compare Jer 23:23-24]Fortunately for Cash, he met, worked with, and latter married June Carter who helped him to overcome his addiction and was a force in his religious life. Johnny and June became more active in social and religious activities in the early '70s, and worked often with the Evangelist Reverend Billy Graham. They worked as missionaries in the Montego Bay area of Jamaica making it their second home.
He frequently confessed his faith in Christ on stage, and was warned by his producer to stop. "You're producing the wrong man here, because gospel music is part of what I am and part of what I do," Cash replied. "If you don't like it, you can always edit it." They did not edit it, but Cash paid the price for his witness. He later wrote, "The worldly consequences of my declaration were severe, not just in lost record sales but also in some of the reactions from religious people." He had several Gospel albums by then, but none came easy. He said, "My record company would rather I'd be in prison than in church."
In 1993, Cash released the Album "Redemption," he sang, "The blood gave life to the branches of the tree. And the blood was the price that set the captives free. And the numbers that came through the fire and flood. Clung to the tree and were redeemed by the blood." Cash wrote a novel about faith entitled Man in White - the story of Cash's hero, Saint Paul. He also wrote an autobiography in which he spoke of his addictions and struggles and healing through God's grace in Cash.
In 1994 he wrote, "I am not obsessed with death; I'm obsessed with living...The battle against the dark one and the clinging to the right one is what my life is about."
Billy Graham told him, "Don't apologize for who you are and what you've done in the past...Be who you are and do what you do." In 2000, Cash said of his addiction, "To put myself in such a low state that I couldn't communicate with God, there's no lonelier place to be. I was separated from God, and I wasn't even trying to call on him. I knew that there was no line of communication."
Cash worked through the troubled years. He said, "The greatest joy of my life was that I no longer felt separated from Him. Now he is my Counselor, my Rock of Ages to stand upon." For another impression of his life and devotion to Christ see this article Keep on Pushing
In 2002, Cash released American IV: The Man Comes Around. The first song went, "There's a man going 'round taking names. And he decides who to free and who to blame. Everybody won't be treated all the same. There'll be a golden ladder reaching down. When the Man comes around." The album sold 500,000 copies before Cash died.
Sergeant Cash loved his country, and it came out in his work. Listen now to Johnny, and read the words to this narrative he wrote Ragged Old Flag . Veterans will enjoy it.
John R. Cash died on September 12, 2003. His wife of 36 years, June Carter, had died just four months earlier on May 18th. John's daughter, Rosanne Cash said her father had lost "his dearest companion, his musical counterpart, his soul mate and his best friend."
I commend this article, Real Hard Cash by Russell D. Moore, Dean of Theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, concerning Cash's appeal to young folk because he refused to saccharine-coat the Gospel.. Cash, and his message, was real, hard, and from the heart.
The Far Side Banks of Jordan
Sung at June's Funeral, written by Johnny and June and recorded in 1970s.
Sergeant Cash in Germany in the 50s
Cash once said, "I believe what I say, but that don't necessarily make me right. There's nothing hypocritical about it. There is a spiritual side to me that goes real deep, but I confess right up front that I'm the biggest sinner of them all."
In contemplating this confession of faith, I think of this passage by Paul in his epistle to the Romans. For me it epitomizes the life of Sergeant Cash, his faith in Christ as Savior, and his victory in Jesus to eternal life.
For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
[Saint Paul in Romans beginning at 7:14]Sources: Christianity Today http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2003/011/4.60.html
First Sunday after Easter MMVI
The Reverend Mark Carroll, LGOC
Thanks to Centurion Joseph of Indiana
.
Captain LeRoy Wilton Homer, Jr
US Air Force Reserve
"A gentle man and a gentleman. Gone too soon"
and the
Martyrs of the Attack on America
September 11, 2001
ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, in whose hands are the living and the dead; We give thee thanks for Captain Leroy Homer, all those thy servants who have laid down their lives in the service of their country in the Attack on America. Grant to them thy mercy and the light of thy presence, that the good work which thou hast begun in them may be perfected; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. Amen
John xv. 12-13.
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
First Officer Leroy Homer was a Captain in the US Air Force Reserve, a combat veteran of Desert Storm, and a Christian. On September 11, 2001, he was at his civilian job, flying Co-Pilot of United Airline Flight 93. Captain Homer, like many Air Force Reserve officers, was continuing to serve his countrymen by providing safe air transportation.
In flight that morning, a group of Moslem Terrorist hijacked the plane and set its course toward Washington. They had a trained pilot in the terrorist cell who took over the controls. They sought to join their fellow cowards who had already completed their attacks that would take approximately 2,977 innocent lives and which destroyed the Twin Towers and a section of the Pentagon.
However, the brave men and women of Flight 93 learned of the terrorist's plan, and of the destruction that had already been accomplished that morning. Homer resisted, and the terrorists mortally wounded him and Captain Jeffery Dahl and killed another passenger. "The 9-11 Commission's official report states that pilot LeRoy Homer, flight attendants CeeCee Lyles and Sandra Bradshaw and passengers Todd Beamer, Mark Bingham, Tom Burnett, Andrew Garcia, Jeremy Glick, and Richard Guadagno, among others, fought back against the hijackers." We'll never fully know what happened that day on Flight 93, but the outcome of their valiant effort was that this plane, intended as a missile, was instead flown into the ground near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. All 33 passengers, and the seven crew members were killed, but no doubt their courageous actions saved many more.
Meanwhile on the ground in New York and Washington, survivors courageously helped their fellows to escape the towering infernos, while uniformed police, rescue, and fireman battled against the attack to help save innocent citizens, many, many giving their lives in the process.
Captain Homer was a US Air Force Academy graduate. He was a churchman and a dedicated family man. "He loved his job. He loved his family," said Martin Hnatov, a friend. Homer was an Air Force reservist and a recruiter for the Air Force Academy.
"LeRoy, a Plainview, New York, native, graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1987. A C-141 Starlifter pilot at McGuire Air Force Base in Trenton, New Jersey, he was an Air Force reservist who recruited students. LeRoy was also an active participant in the Mount Holly Seventh-day Adventist Church in New Jersey, where his wife, Melodie, attends.
"LeRoy and Melodie met through a mutual friend in August 1995, while Melodie was working at Loma Linda University Medical Center. Although LeRoy was living in New Jersey, a relationship ensued. After a long-distance romance that spanned several months, Melodie relocated to New Jersey. Within a few months the two were engaged, and they married a year later in 1998. While LeRoy was not a member of the Mount Holly Church, he faithfully attended services with Melodie and Laurel (their 1-year-old daughter). "He was very much a part of our church," recalls Melodie. She remembers LeRoy as being even-tempered and soft-spoken, yet not shy. "He had a way of putting people at ease and a good sense of humor. We were always on the go. LeRoy enjoyed picnics, walks in the park, and museums," she says. "We had lots of hopes and plans for Laurel. I will continue to honor his legacy by fulfilling his dreams for our daughter. I can't wait to see him again." (Columbia Union Visitor, December 2001)
Captain Homer stands as an example for us, in the Order of Centurions, and a symbol of all those on Flight 93, in New York, and in Washington, who were martyred that fateful day. Search for other martyrs here here. See more on Flight 93.
www.admin.mtu.edu/urel/ breaking/2002/911_mem.htmlTributes
A gentle man and a gentleman. Gone too soon.
Nancy LaCasse, friendTo us you are a hero, and we wish you peace with the Lord in heaven. God bless you.
Don Leblanc and Marcelle Leblanc, friends of sister-in-lawI pray that I will live life as well as LeRoy has. What a very special person he is.
Tanja Brownle, family friendRemember "We have this hope..." May the love of Jesus Christ be with your family at this time.
Amy French, fellow SDA church memberYou fought and gave your all and you saved thousands. You are an American hero. May you rest in peace.
Mark Michelson
Fear God and Do What is Right
Order of Centurions
ALMIGHTY and merciful God, of whose only gift it cometh that thy faithful people do unto thee true and laudable service; Grant, we beseech thee, that we may so faithfully serve thee in this life, that we fail not finally to attain thy heavenly promises; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Psalm 20, 2 Sam. xviii, Acts 16:16–34 & Homily
Announcements for the week beginning
10 September 06
Feasts, Memorials, and Fasts
Sergeant John R. Cash, Evangelist, September 12 [2003]
Holy Cross Day -- September 14th
News
Lapel pins with the medal of the Order are available to Registered Centurions for a donation to the Order of $10 or more. Details are in the new Camp Store (Armorum Castrorum)
Bidding Prayer
Pray for:
Centurions in harms way
Peace in the Mideast
The Twelfth Sunday after Trinity
Ambrose - Chapter One of his Treastise on the Mysteries on the Gospel Lesson
Twelfth Sunday after Trinity Home
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who art always more ready to hear than we to pray, and art wont to give more than either we desire or deserve; Pour down upon us the abundance of thy mercy; forgiving us those things whereof our conscience is afraid, and giving unto us that that our prayer dare not presume to ask, through Jesus Christ our Lorde.
Amen.
2 Corinthians iii. 4 & St. Mark vii. 31
Chapter 1 - Treatise of Ambrose
Announcements for the week beginning
3 September 06
We welcome our newest registered members
James of Colorado - Rockies Cohort, Benard & Max of Tanzania, Anthony of Pudua Cohort
Almighty God, we entrust these centurions to your never-failing care and love, for this life and the life to come; knowing that you are doing for them better things than we can desire or pray for; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Please hold all centurions in your prayers this week. You may like to use this Centurion's Daily Litany
Feasts, Memorials, and Fasts
The Eleventh Sunday after Trinity
O GOD, who declarest thy almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity; Mercifully grant unto us such a measure of thy grace, that we may obtain thy gracious promises, and be made partakers of thy heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Source: Gelasius [492-496]. The Collect's emphasis on Grace, compliments the story of the Pharisee and the Publican praying in today's Gospel story from Luke.
Isaiah xxvi. 12, Psalm 125, 1 Corinthians xv. 1 St. Luke xviii. 9
Homily
The Tenth Sunday after Trinity
John Chrysostom on Parallel Gospel of Matthew
LET thy merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the prayers of thy humble servants; and, that they may obtain their petitions, make them to ask such things as shall please thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Announcements for the week beginning
20 August 06
Bartholomew the Apostle -- August 24th
Andrew, Tribune, Martyr and his Men
August 19
Almighty God, whose martyrs Andrew Startalas and his men, in their courageous contest for thee received as the prize the crowns of incorruption and life, Grant us thy strength, that we, like they, may cast down the tyrants and wholly destroy the demons' strengthless presumption. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth ever, One God, world without end. Amen
"Andrew was an officer, a tribune, in the Roman army during the reign of Emperor Maximian. He was a Syrian by birth and served in Syria. When the Persians menaced the Roman Empire with there military, Andrew was entrusted with the army to battle against the enemy. During this occasion, Andrew was promoted as a commander - Stratelates. Secretly a Christian, even though he was not baptized, Andrew trusted in the living God and, of the many soldiers, he chose only the best and entered into battle. He said to his soldiers before the battle that if they would call upon the help of the one, true God, Christ the Lord, their enemies will scatter as dust before them. Truly, all the soldiers filled with enthusiasm at Andrew and his faith invoked Christ for assistance and made an assault. The Persian army was utterly destroyed. When the victorious Andrew returned to Antioch some, who were envious, accused Andrew of being a Christian and the imperial deputy summoned him to court. Andrew openly confessed his unwavering faith in Christ. After bitter tortures, the deputy threw Andrew into prison and wrote to the emperor in Rome. Knowing Andrew's respect among the people and in the army, the emperor ordered the deputy to free Andrew to freedom and to seek another opportunity and another reason (not his faith) and then to kill him. Through God's revelation, Andrew learned of the emperor's command and, taking with him his faithful soldiers, 2593 in number, departed with them to Tarsus in Cilicia and there, all were baptized by Bishop Peter. Persecuted even there by the imperial authorities, Andrew with his detachment withdrew farther into the Armenian mountain Tavros. Here, in a ravine while they were at prayer, the Roman army caught up with them and all to the last one were beheaded. Not one of them even wanted to defend themselves but all were desirous of a martyr's death for Christ...."
The Ninth Sunday after Trinity
GRANT to us, Lord, we beseech thee, the spirit to think and do always such things as are right; that we, who cannot do any thing that is good without thee, may by thee be enabled to live according to thy will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Source Leonine [440-461] taken in the Gelasian Sacramentary [492-496]. The 1662 Prayer Book revision added "who cannot do anything that is is good". One is reminded of Paul's Epistle to Phelimon vs 1:6 "That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus." The Collect clearly points to God's grace and the work of the Holy Spirit in aiding us to do good. This theme was made a canon in the ecumenical councils and is part of the Order's vow. Today's Gospel story of the Prodigal Son reminds us of our innate nature and weakness and God's mercy and strength, as does the Epistle, that God will help us in the day of temptation..
1 Corinthians x. 1 & St. Luke xv. 11
Homilies
Ursakios, Tribune, Martyr -- August 14 [286-305]
Andrew Stratilatus, Martyr -- August 19 [286-305]
News
The Order has received its 1-inch diameter pin Medals. These will be available for shipment on September 1st for a donation to the Order of $10 or more. Details are in the new Camp Store (Armorum Castrorum)
August 6
O GOD, who on the mount didst reveal to chosen witnesses thine only-begotten Son wonderfully transfigured, in raiment white and glistering; Mercifully grant that we, being delivered from the disquietude of this world, may be permitted to behold the King in his beauty, who with thee, O Father, and thee, O Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen.
2 St. Peter i. 13 St. Luke ix. 28
The hall of the headquarters building was rebuilt under Constantius or Constantine and a statue of Constantine is likely to have been placed there. There are also still standing the monumental remains of the corner-tower of the fortress with its connecting curtain wall, which fronted the river. The magnificence and sheer scale of this frontage when complete suggest that it was built with imperial backing, suitable for the high status of York and its position as a place where emperors resided and major events took place.
