Veterans & Remembrance Sunday

 

News of the Order and commentary appear after the Proper Collect, Epistle and Gospel

Veterans & Remembrance Day Sunday

 

O God, our refuge and strength, who art the author of all godliness; Be ready, we beseech thee, to hear the devout prayers of thy Church; and grant that those things which we ask faithfully we may obtain effectually; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

  

O Eternal God, through whose mighty power our fathers won their liberties of old; Grant, we beseech thee, that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain these liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

  

ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, in whose hands are the living and the dead; We give thee thanks for all those thy servants who have laid down their lives in the service of our country. 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.

 

 

How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!

At Matins: Psalm CXLIV & 2Sam i. 19 ;
The Litany;
At the Eucharist: Ecclus. xliv. 1., Psalm XCI, and John xv. 12
BULLETIN

 

 

quotation

 

"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional as to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation"

[General George Washington]

 

 

Calendar

Martin of Tours - November 11th

Mennas, Legionary & Martyr November 11th

Remembrance-Veterans Day - and Lt. Col John McCrae - November 11th

 

commentary

 

We break from our study Psalms for this special Sunday to ponder the Gospel account of Luke, where Jesus said, " Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends " Augustine considers this scripture from the point of view of the martyr's who had fallen for the sake of Christ and his Church Militant. Only some 80 years or so before Christians were yet being thrown to the lions for holding to the faith, when a simple sacrifice to Caesar and turning in their friends to the pagans would have gained their freedom. We note that in his homily he speaks of the tradition of praying for saints that had fallen asleep – as does the third collect presented this day, Grant to them thy mercy and the light of thy presence, that the good work which thou hast begun in them may be perfected… In the coming days let us keep in mind our veterans whose very service calls for them to  be ready to lay down their lives for their fellow citizens freedoms and in support of their sovereign nations.

 

bidding

 

I invite you personally to pause for a moment this day, and to remember your ancestors and others close to you who have served faithfully under arms for us. Speak their names, and they shall not be forgotten. Pray for the safe return for those who serve in harms way this day.  

Salve

msc

The Twenty Second Sunday after Trinity

News of the Order and commentary appear after the Proper Collect, Epistle and Gospel

The Twenty Second Sunday after Trinity   

Augustine on Psalm 123

LORD, we beseech thee to keep thy household the Church in continual godliness; that through thy protection it may be free from all adversities, and devoutly given to serve thee in good works, to the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Sacramentary of Bishop Gregory of Rome [604 AD] The Latin used the word familia, which points to the traditional Roman family that was the basic and most important element of society. It included all in the household, inlcuding slaves, and was headed by the pater familias who was responsible for the welfare of all. This concept of the household is the basis of the Gospel story today. As the Chruch is the bride of Christ, the son of God, we are of his family, and he is that Father of the family

Numbers xx. 14, Psalm: 123, 124, 125, 136, 138;   Philippians i. 3   &  St. Matthew xviii. 21
Homily of Augustine

shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow-servant

---

 

 

BULLETIN

 

 

quotation

 

Ask gladly and heed humbly the sayings of saints, and do not disdain the parables of the ancient fathers, for they were not spoken without great cause

[Thomas á Kempis, The Imitation of Christ, ch. v]

 

Calendar

Joannicus, Legionary, Religious Member, November 4th

Julius - Centurion of the Augustan Cohort - November 8th

news

 

Next week Remembrance-Veterans Day falls on Sunday. We encourage the churches in countries where these days are remembered to include prayers, hymns, psalms, Scripture, and an homily that honors our fallen dead. I hope to send forth a suggested program directly. I have received a letter from Robert of New Jersey concerning veterans in his family, including the Great War, parts of which I hope to share with you next week.

 

commentary

 

If you have never read the historical and geographical analysis of the story in Acts of Centurion Julius, who delivered Paul to Rome, I highly recommend it at the link above. He was not a Christian that we know of, but was certainly Paul's protector according to God's will.

 

Thomas a Kempis is quoted above this week with advice that we take very seriously in the Order of Centurions. I highly commend the Imitation of Christ for your reading list. Other than the Bible, it is probably the most widely read religious book in the world -- "humility and peace"

 

Augustine continues with the theme of ascent in his examination of Psalm 123. I chuckled when I came to this line which our Navy and Marine folk should appreciate: And if thou gavest him a vessel to pilot, he would be shipwrecked with it: yet he wishes to deprive God of the government of this world, and himself to hold the helm of Creation… This is characteristic of Augustine who gave all the glory to God. Can you think of any examples in our day of those who have pretended to take the "helm of Creation" from the hand of  Almighty God? See it all at the link above. 

 

Here is a short piece from Edward Pusey, Church of England (ca 1854) concerning the work of Augustine of Hippo on the psalms, which is our focus for the next three years or so:

 

  His mystical and allegorical interpretation, in spite of occasional

   mistakes, which belong rather to the translation than to himself, will

   be found in general of great value. It is to a considerable extent

   systematic, and the same interpretation of the same symbols is repeated

   throughout the work, and is indeed often common to him with other

   Fathers. The "feet" taken for the affections, "clouds" for the

   Apostles, and many other instances, are of very frequent occurrence.

   And it is evident that a few such general interpretations must be a

   great help to those who wish to make an allegorical use of those

   portions of Holy Scripture which are adapted for it. Nor are they

   adhered to with such strictness as to deprive the reader of the benefit

   of other explanations, where it appears that some other metaphor or

   allegory was intended. Both St. Augustin and St. Gregory acknowledge,

   and at times impress on their readers, that metaphorical language is

   used in Holy Scripture with various meanings under the same symbol…

 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

msc

--
"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

The Twenty First Sunday after Trinity

News of the Order and commentary appear after the Proper Collect, Epistle and Gospel

The Twenty First Sunday after Trinity

 

Grant, we beseech thee merciful Lord, to thy faithful people pardon and peace, that they may be cleansed from all their sins, and serve thee with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Sacrementary of Bishop Gelasius of Rome [494AD].

Isaiah lix. 15b, Psalms: 120, 121, 122 | 133, 134, 135, Ephesians vi. 10   &   St. John iv. 46
Homily of Augustine on Psalm 120

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God

 

 

BULLETIN

 

 

 

calendar

Simon and Jude, Apostles -- October 28th

Fidelis, Exantus, and Carpophorus - October 28th

Marcellus, Centurion - October 30th

Gaianus, Centurion of the Armageddon Chapel - October 31 [ca 225]

All Saints -- November 1st

news

 

Anthony of New York writes: " Salva,  I would like to share this email with you and the rest of our Order. It is stunning what faith in our Lord can do. I hope all can enjoy these photos. Antoninus.... See the photo at the bottom of this post. Someone donated land Amarillo, and a man scultped this scene of  Calvary. Only one photo came through.  

 

commentary

 

Psalm 120 is featured this Sunday. It is the first of fifteen psalms known as psalms (120-134) of degree or songs of ascent. Some have thought this applied to signing these psalms as one "went up" to Jerusalem to worship in the Temple. These psalms form the base of the Great Hallel, to which psalms 135 and 136 are added, which is sung at the Passover. The Hallel is likely what is meant in the Gospel when it says that Jesus and his disciples went out from the Upper Room singing a hymn.

 

In his lesson, Augustine begins saying: " The Psalm which we have just heard chanted, and have responded to with our voices"  In the early church, as in some churches today that follow the early custom, the choir would chant the psalm and the congregation would respond, normally with a verse of the psalm -- often the last verse.

 

I highly commend the lesson of Augustine in his examination of Psalm 120. It is as applicable today as in 400. He speaks of our sojourn on earth and how we ought to aim at "ascending" continually toward God, rather than descending toward the baser things (that descent often led by our smallest member- our tongues.) His call for unity of the Church in the conclusion is one we may all pray for.

 

****************************

Note: I offer for consideration a pattern of worship and reflection in the coming time that we look at the psalms. Each day in your devotion through the week, say or sing the psalm that was featured by Augustine for that week. If you have a study Bible or commentary, read up on it, and if you are very good at memorization, attempt to memorize it, or some verses that are meaningful to you. Perhaps print it off or write it on a card and carry it with you so that throughout the day you may have it with you. Finally, make sure you read the thoughts of Augustine in his allegorical approach to explaining the psalms.

 

Salve,

msc

 

 
--
"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

Agincourt - 25 October

Centurions,

 

I'm indebted to centurions Mike of Texas and James of Wisconsin this day. 

 

About two months ago Mike put me on to the movie Henry V in response to a post of James. I bought the movie, which is  Shakespeare's the Life of King Henry V   and read the history of the Battle of Agincourt and was simply overwhelmed (see footage of Henry's speech here  , and praise  here, ). Today James wrote to friends and reminded us that tomorrow commemorates the Battle of Argincourt - and more.

 

In closing his letter, Mike had used a Latin phrase that I did not know.. but seemed to recognize. It came from a man at the end of the movie singing the Latin hymn Non Nobis  , and in my prayer book, Psalm 115 is labeled in Latin, Non nobis, Domine.... Not unto us, O Lord...

 

After discovering the results of the miraculous victory, Shakespeare has Henry V to say

 

"Do we all holy rites;
Let there be sung 'Non nobis' and 'Te Deum;'
The dead with charity enclosed in clay:
And then to Calais; and to England then:
Where ne'er from France arrived more happy men.
"--

 The actual words to this hymn are:

 

Non nobis Domine non nobis,

     Sed Nomini tuo da gloriam

     Sed Nomini tuo da gloriam.....

 

We know that Non Nobis did not exist as a hymn in Henry's day. There is speculation that the hymn was written for this play (See more here.) What is more important perhaps from a literary and scriptural perspective is the link between the documented Agincourt victory and the inspiration for the hymn... perhaps Psalm 113 where the phrase is seen in verse 9 was the inspiration-the defeat of Egypt at the Red Sea.  What is for certain is that Shakespeare intended to portray Henry as giving credit to God for the Victory, as did many our our centurions of old, including Constantine.

 

"And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by, From this day to the ending of the world, But we in it shall be remember'd; We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother"

[Shakespear's Henry V]

 

 I suggest we pause today and remember Agincourt. We might also contemplate our current struggle, or remember miraculous victories of the past, or perhaps watch the movie Henry V,  read through Shakespeare's play, reflect on an old veteran's thoughts ,  sing Psalm 113 or Psalm 115, or to read  Kipling's Non Nobis - ,

 

But for certain we all should give the Glory to God.

Sed Nomini tuo da gloriam

 

msc

 

--
"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

The Twentieth Sunday after Trinity

The Twentieth Sunday after Trinity

O ALMIGHTY and most merciful God, of thy bountiful goodness keep us, we beseech thee, from all things that may hurt us; that we, being ready both in body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish those things which thou commandest; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Sacramentary of Bishop Gelasius of Rome [494]. Much minor reworking from the Latin. [Barbee and Zalh]

Ephesians v. 15   Psalm 116 &  St. Matthew xxii. 1
Augustine on Psalm CXVI

For many are called, but few are chosen
 

 

 

BULLETIN

 

  

calendar

John of Capistrano - October 23rd

Alfred, King & Warrior - October 26th

Demetrius of Thessolonica - October 26th [Maximian 286-305]

In Hoc Signo Vinces & Saxa Ruba - October 27th

Simon and Jude, Apostles -- October 28th

Fidelis, Exantus, and Carpophorus - October 28th

 

commentary

 

This Sunday Psalm 116 is appointed. In my prayer book it begins as "My delight is in the Lord." I am reminded of David's time in the wilderness, avoiding Saul's wrath (this may have been the time he wrote this psalm.) "Turn again then unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath done good to thee"  When Saul encamped against David, the Lord put a deep sleep on Saul and his men, so that David was able to walk into the camp and take Saul spear, but render him no harm.   I think too of our own centurions in harms way this very day. This psalm must have special meaning to them. The snares (IEDs) of death surround them. Their enemy plot against them. May God in his mercy comfort, help, and preserve them, and may their souls find peace and rest in his presence.

 

 I commend Augustine's exposition of the psalm at the link above.

 

semper fidelis

msc

Constantinian Christian

Centurionum:

 

We got to discussing politics and religion a bit around the coffee pot yesterday. I joked with my comrades about some of the candidates, and then departed characterizing myself as a Constantinian Christian. I don't think I'd ever done that before. I decided to look it up and came upon the interesting page on the history behind it from the Christian History Institute. Gospel net... not too different than the history we have on our Order's pages.

 

http://chi.gospelcom.net/GLIMPSEF/Glimpses/glmps012.shtml

 

and from this page.... on Post-Constantine Christianity a hymn from Spain and art that also appears on our pages 

http://employees.oneonta.edu/farberas/arth/arth212/post_constant_conc_christ.html

    Prudentius, "Hymn for All Hours," Cathemerinon IX (translation from the Loeb Classic series volume of texts by Prudentius) see more on the Order's Hymnal

 

Let me chant in sacred numbers, as I strike each sounding string,
Chant in sweet, melodious anthems, glorious deeds of Christ our King:
He, my Muse, shall be thy story: with His praise my lyre shall ring.

When the king in priestly raiment sang the Christ that was to be,
Voice and lute and clashing cymbal joined in joyous harmony,
While the Spirit, heaven-descended, touched his lips to prophecy....

Of the Father's heart begotten, ere the world from chaos rose,
He is Alpha; from that Fountain all that is and hath been flows:
He is Omega, of all things yet to come the mystic Close.

By His word was all create; He commands and lo! 'tis done;
Earth and sky and boundless ocean, universe of three in one,
All that sees the moon's soft radiance, all that breathes beneath the sun....

But, while God with golden glory floods the murky realms of night,
And upon the startled shadows dawns a day serene and bright,
In the darkened vault of heaven stars forlorn refuse their light.

For the sun in garb of mourning veiled his radiant orb and passed
From his flaming path in sorrow, hiding till mankind aghast
Deemed that o'er a world of chaos Night's eternal pall was cast.

Now, my soul, in liquid measures let the sounding numbers flow;

 

Sing the trophy of His passion, sing the Cross triumphant now;
Sing the ensign of Christ's glory, marked on every faithful brow.

Ah! How wondrous was the fountain flowing from His pierced side,
Whence the blood and water mingled in a strange and sacred tide--
Water, sign of mystic cleansing; blood, the martyr's crown of pride.

In that hour the ancient Serpent saw the holy Victim slain,
Saw, and shed his hate envenomed, all his malice spent in vain;
See! The hissing neck is broken as he writhes in sullen pain.

Christ, our Captain, for a season deigned to dwell in Death's domain,
That the dead, long time imprisoned, might return to life again,
Breaking by His great example ancient sins' enthralling chain....

Then, mankind to life restoring, Death downtrodden 'neath His feet,
Lo! The Victor mounts triumphant to the Father's judgment-seat,
Bringing back to heaven the glory by His passion made complete.

Hail! Thou Judge of souls departed: hail! Of all the living King!
On the Father's right hand throned, through His courts Thy praises ring,
Till at last for all offences righteous judgment Thou shalt bring....

 

**************************

Christ the King emerges as a specific symbol after Constantine. The church is elevated in the eyes of the world. In the Chapel of the Centurion there is a cross with an icon of Christ the King, bearing a crown and in priestly garb. Perhaps this, along with images like Christ Militant, signify the Constantinian Christian.

 

Mark xP

Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity

News of the Order and commentary appear after the Proper Collect, Epistle and Gospel

The Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity

 Augustine on Psalm CIV

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.

Job xxiv. 1, Ephesians iv. 17   &   St. Matthew ix. 1
Psalm cxiv, cxv | cvii
Homily

But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins

   

 

BULLETIN

 

 calendar

Luke the Evangelist -- October 18th

Ouar, Commander of the Tiana Cohorte -- October 19 [Maximian 286-305]

Artemius, Tribune -- 20 Oct [362]

commentary

 

This Sunday Psalm 114 is appointed. This is such a graphic and beautiful poem. I love the verse that asks: What ails you, O sea, that you fled? O Jordan, that you turned back? In his essay, Augustine reminds us that it is by God's grace that we have been adopted as his sons and so are a part of the true Israel, which is ours by our faith; and that we carry within us the LORD's  sanctuary.

 

The Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity

News of the Order and commentary appear after the Proper Collect, Epistle and Gospel

 

The Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity
Augustine on Psalm cxi

Trinity 18 Home

LORD, we beseech thee, grant thy people grace to withstand the devil; and with pure hearts and minds to follow thee, the only God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Source Bishop Gelasians Sacrmentary [494] where appointed for the Sunday before Ember Days in the Autum. Ember days were for penitence, fasting, and the Saturday for ordinations in Rome. The 1662 added temptations of the world, the flesh One is reminded of the Lord's prayer and of 2 Perter 2:9

 

And no man was able to answer him a word,
neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.

Homily of Augustine on Psalm CXI 

BULLETIN

 

Turn we to the Lord God, the Father Almighty, and with pure hearts offer to him, so far as our meanness can, great and true thanks, with all our hearts praying his exceeding kindness, that of his good pleasure he would deign to hear our prayers, that by his power he would drive out the enemy from our deeds and thoughts, that he would increase our faith, guide our understandings, give us spiritual thoughts, and lead us to his bliss, through Jesus Christ his Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with him, in the Unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

[Augustine –which he habitually used after lectures and homilies, and which I hope to append to all of his lectures and homilies on the Order's site.]

calendar

 

Sergios and Bacchus, Centurions - October 7th [Maximian 286-305]

Robert E. Lee, General, Educator -- October 12th [1870]

 

 

commentary

 

In our continuing study of the Psalms, we observe that Augustine takes an allegorical sense in his expositions from a Christian point of view. This is no less than what our Lord did regarding himself in the Psalms. An interesting chapter to read on the allegorical interpretation of the psalms comes from C.S. Lewis in his book Reflection on the Psalms entitled "Second Meanings."

 

In the last verse of Psalm 111 appointed for this day, and which is presented by Augustine in our homily, we read. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all they that do his commandments. This is central to the Order of Centurions, and we believe that in following this mandate to "fear God," we will   receive the good understanding that is required, and which comes from God, to enable us to follow his commands – "and do what is right(eous)."

 

Salve

msc

.org

17th Sunday after Trininty

News of the Order and commentary appear after the Proper Collect, Epistle and Gospel

The Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity
Augustine on Psalm 80
Trinity 17 Home

LORD, we pray thee that thy grace may always prevent and follow us, and make us continually to be given to all good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Bishop Gregory [595]. "Prevent" meaning to come before from the verb prevenient. This calls to my mind Patrick's Breastplate Christ behind me, Christ before me... and Psalm 139 Thou hast beset me before and behind...

Psalm 80, Ephesians iv. 1   &   St. Luke xiv. 1
Homily - Psalm lxxx by Augustin

Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?

 

BULLETIN

 

"Prayer is a great weapon, a rich treasure, a wealth that is never

exhausted, an undisturbed refuge, a cause of tranquility, the root of a

 multitude of blessings, and their source."

 John Chrysostom [Thanks to Alan of the UK ]

 

calendar

 

  Peter Muhlenburg, Pastor, Soldier, Statesman - October 1st

Roman, Soldier, Othordox Monk - October 2nd

Francis, Knight, Religious - October 4th

 

 

commentary

 

As we begin a new year for the Order, we will move from homilies on the proper epistle and Gospel, to a study of the Psalms. We will focus mainly on the work of Augustine, and move through every psalm. These will be covered on the Sunday in which appointed according to our Psalms for Sundays schedule when possible and convenient; hence I'll be changing the appointed psalms on our Lectionary as we progress through the year, and posting Augustin's expositions from his book. This will likely take three years to complete with 150 psalms (and Psalm 119 being so long, but it will be well worth the time I believe for the Order to enter into a serious consideration of the Psalms and Augustine's perspective. We remember that the Psalms were the hymns of the Jewish church and the early Christian church, and were so for all Christians down through the ages until these latter days. A beloved centurion sometimes bemoaned the change we see in the modern church with what he termed 7-11 music... seven words sung eleven times to rock and roll. I am thankful that in our tradition psalms are a part, and an important part, of every service and office. This 1^st Sunday of our Oder's new year we will begin with Psalm lxxx

 

I call your attention to a new centurion on our calendar: General  Peter Muhlenburg  -- Muhlenburg fought for America in her Revolutionary War and was a German Dragoon while attending college and seminary in Germany in his younger days The link to the painting on this page is most rewarding!  

 

 Salve

msc

The Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity

News of the Order and commentary appear after the Proper Collect, Epistle and Gospel

 The Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity
Extract of a Book of Ambrose touching on the Gospel Story

O LORD, we beseech thee, let thy continual pity cleanse and defend thy Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without thy succour, preserve it evermore by thy help and goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source of Collect - Bishop Gelasius' Sacramentary [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

Homily

Young man, I say unto thee, Arise

BULLETIN

calendar

 

Maurice, Centurion, & Theban Legion - September 22nd

Callistratus - September 27th

Michael, Archangel Militant, and all angels - September 29th

and dedication anniversary of the Order and Chapel

 

 News

 

 

Robert of New York sends greetings and commends this book to the centurions: Blessings from the Battlefield,  By Thomas R. O'Brien,  The story of some Roman Catholic chaplians and their experiences on the battlefield. You may read some of the stories at the link.

 

commentary

 

This Sunday's gospel is the story of Jesus raising the son of the widow in the city of Nain. I've found a selection from Ambrose for the homily. Ambrose was bishop of Milan, and baptized Augustine. It is interesting to consider how Ambrose addresses the death of his brother, and I commend this short homily. The full book is available for reading on ccel.org. Speaking of Ambrose, below is a collection of his hymns which we keep in the Centurion Hymnal.

 

He had no need of being raised again for time, for whom the raising again for eternity is waiting.

 

Ambrose of Milan Hymns [390AD]

The Eternal Gifts of Christ the King
Eternal Glory of the Sky
The Dawn is Sprinkling in the East
The Day Draws on with Golden Light
O Christ Who art the Light of Day
Creator of Earth and Sky
Morning
Now that the Daylight Fills the Sky
Now the Sun in Gleaming Bright
Above the Starry Spheres
The Morning Kindles all the Sky
Come Holy Ghost Who Ever One
Jesu, the Virgin's Crown
Come Holy Ghost with God the Son
O Trinity of Blessed Light
O God of Truth, O Lord of Might
O God, Creations Secret Force
O God of All Strength and Power
O Strength and Stay
His Cheering Message from the Grave
O Jesus, Lord of Heavenly Grace
O Splendor of God's Glory Bright
Now that the Daylight Dies Away
Come Thou Redeemer of the Earth
Savior of the Heathen Known
Savior of the Nations Come

 

Salve

--
"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 

Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity

News of the Order and commentary appear after the Proper Collect, Epistle and Gospel

 

The Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity
Homily of Chrysostom on Matthew vi. 24ff

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

Deuteronomy vii. 6-13, Psalm 103, Galatians vi. 11   &   St. Matthew vi. 24

Homilies

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these

 

 

BULLETIN

 

 

calendar

Great Martyr General Placidas Eustachius - September 20th

Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist -- September 21st

Maurice, Centurion, & Theban Legion - September 22nd

 

commentary

 

Recently I was told in a work situation, "No man can serve two masters ." We are often called to serve in situations where we must answer to two separate temporal authorities. Occasionally their goals and desires might conflict. Loyalty is always a key ingredient in this situation, a hierarchy of loyalty that begins from the greatest and highest and extends to the least. In our case it clearly begins with the Captain of the Host. We are to "Fear and God and do what is Right" first and foremost. Hence; we may say we actually serve but one Master.  Having satisfied that loyalty, and where ambiguity may still exist, we must look to such things as the law of the land, regulation, ethical standards of our profession, tradition of service, and last and least, the desires of those humans whom we serve. That is the high road, for if we were to have no standard except loyalty to another person, we should we be in the exact predicament that Christ taught in the lesson today, of serving manna rather than God. In working our way though these predicaments which we all may face, some on a regular basis, we ought do so in prayer, and endeavor to carry out our calling in such manner and with such wisdom and tact that all "good" men may be satisfied, and in all cases we may give the glory to God.

 

This week for the first time we offer the homily of Chrysostom on this passage. As usual his work is most rewarding, and in it he addresses the situation of the soldiers to whom John Baptist addressed in the desert.

 

For the present therefore let us lay aside our excessive sumptuousness, and let us endure moderation, and learn to acquire by honest labor all that we are to have: since even the blessed John, when he was discoursing with those that were employed upon the tribute, and with the soldiery, enjoined them "to be content with their wages." Anxious though he were to lead them on to another, and a higher self-command, yet since they were still unfit for this, he speaks of the lesser things. Because, if he had mentioned what are higher than these, they would have failed to apply themselves to them, and would have fallen from the others.

 

Read it all at the link above.

 

Salve

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Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity

News of the Order and commentary appear after the Proper Collect, Epistle and Gospel

 

The Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity
Chrysostom on a healing  Gospel story of Matthew vii

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 "obdient from the heart" [Barbee and Zahl]

 

Micah vi. 1, Psalm 19, Galatians v. 16   &  St. Luke xvii. 11

Homilies

Master, have mercy on us

 

 

 

 

BULLETIN

 

membership

calendar

 

Captain Leroy Homer and the Martyrs of the Attack on America - September 11 (2001)

Sergeant John R. Cash, Evangelist, September 12 [2003]

Holy Cross Day -- September 14th

 

commentary

 

Featured Quotation

The God of the second Joshua (Jesus), is the God of the first Joshua also. Although now for a time he reaches out to the whole world with the gospel (and commissions his people urgently to carry his offer of peace to all nations), the sword of his judgment waits in the wings—and his second Joshua will wield it ( Rev 19:11-16) [NIV Study Bible, page 290]

 

The psalm selected to go with the readings today is Psalm xix. It has one of the more familiar verses of Scripture, which is one that is appointed in my tradition to be read before Morning and Evening prayer, and one that I often use publicly before an homily. The Authorized Version has it as:

 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be  acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

The verses just before read:

 

Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.

 

Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not

have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be

innocent from the great transgression.

 

Who indeed?  This is a point that Augustine took up against the heresy of Pelagianism:

 

For how great soever ever a man's righteousness may be, he ought to reflect and think, lest there should be found something blameworthy, which has escaped indeed his own notice, when that righteous King shall sit upon His throne, whose cognizance no sins can possibly escape, not even those of which it is said, "Who understandeth his transgressions? (Ps xix. 12) [Philip Shaff: NPNF1-05. St. Augustin: Anti-Pelagian Writings]

 

This lesson is echoed in the words of Chrysostom, whose homily is featured for this 14^th Sunday after Trinity on the Order's site for the first time. It is similar to the passage appointed in Luke as it tells of the healing of a leper.

 

"… the more we advance in virtue, so much the more make ourselves contrite; for indeed this, more than anything else is virtue. Because, as the sharper our sight is, the more thoroughly do we learn how distant we are from the sky; so the more we advance in virtue, so much the more are we instructed in the difference between God and us. And this is no small part of true wisdom, to be able to perceive our own desert. For he best knows himself, who accounts himself to be nothing. Thus we see that both David and Abraham, when they were come up to the highest pitch of virtue, then best fulfilled this; and would call themselves, the one, "earth and ashes," the other, "a worm;" and all the saints too, like these, acknowledge their own wretchedness ." [Chrysostom on Matthew viii. 4ff]

 

Master, have mercy on us

How much are our souls, in their naked view to God, like the skin of the lepers? Who is it that needs not the hand of our Master to heal their spiritual disease? Read it all at the link above.

 

pax Christi

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