The Ninth Sunday after Trinity - 2015

The Ninth Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119.65-72

Bonitatem fecisti

O LORD, thou hast dealt graciously with thy servant : according unto thy word.

66. O learn me true understanding and knowledge : for I have believed thy commandments.

67. Before I was troubled, I went wrong : but now I have kept thy word.

68. Thou art good and gracious : O teach me thy statutes.

69. The proud have imagined a lie against me : but I will keep thy commandments with my whole heart.

70. Their heart is as fat as brawn : but my delight hath been in thy law.

71. It is good for me that I have been in trouble : that I may learn thy statutes.

72. The law of thy mouth is dearer unto me : than thousands of gold and silver.

The Collect.

GRANT to us, Lord, we beseech thee, the spirit to think and do always such things as be rightful; 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.

Old Testament Reading: 1 Kings 10.1-25

Psalter: Psalm 46, 47 | 44, 45

Epistle Reading: 1 Corinthians 10.1-13

Gospel Reading: St. Luke 16.1-9

Homily: http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/trinity9.html#homily

The Eighth Sunday after Trinity - 2015

The Eighth Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119.57-64

Portio mea, Domine

THOU art my portion, O Lord : I have promised to keep thy law.

58. I made my humble petition in thy presence with my whole heart : O be merciful unto me, according to thy word.

59. I called mine own ways to remembrance : and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.

60. I made haste, and prolonged not the time : to keep thy commandments.

61. The congregations of the ungodly have robbed me : but I have not forgotten thy law.

62. At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee : because of thy righteous judgements.

63. I am a companion of all them that fear thee : and keep thy commandments.

64. The earth, O Lord, is full of thy mercy : O teach me thy statutes.

The Collect.

O GOD, whose never-failing providence ordereth all things both in heaven and earth; We humbly beseech thee to put away from us all hurtful things, and to give us those things which be profitable for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Old Testament Reading: Zechariah 4.1-10

Psalter: Psalm 39, 41 | 37

Epistle Reading: Romans 8.12-17

Gospel Reading: St. Matthew 7.15-21

Homily:  http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/trinity8.html#homily

The Seventh Sunday after Trinity - 2015

The Seventh Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119.49-56

Memor esto servi tui

O THINK upon thy servant, as concerning thy world : wherein thou hast caused me to put my trust.

50. The same is my comfort in my trouble : for thy word hath quickened me.

51. The proud have had me exceedingly in derision : yet have I not shrinked from thy law.

52. For I remembered thine everlasting judgements, O Lord : and received comfort.

53. I am horribly afraid : for the ungodly that forsake thy law.

54. Thy statutes have been my songs : in the house of my pilgrimage.

55. I have thought upon thy Name, O Lord, in the night-season : and have kept thy law.

56. This I had : because I kept thy commandments.

The Collect.

LORD of all power and might, who art the author and giver of all good things; Graft in our hearts the love of thy Name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and of thy great mercy keep us in the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Old Testament Reading: Hosea 14.1-9

Psalter: Psalm 32, 36 | 33, 34

Epistle Reading: Romans 6.19-23

Gospel Reading: St. Mark 8.1-9

Homily: http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/trinity7.html#homily

The Sixth Sunday after Trinity - 2015

The Sixth Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119.41-48

Et veniat super me

LET thy loving mercy come also unto me, O Lord : even thy salvation, according unto thy word.

42. So shall I make answer unto my blasphemers : for my trust is in thy word.

43. O take not the word of thy truth utterly out of my mouth : for my hope is in thy judgements.

44. So shall I alway keep thy law : yea, for ever and ever.

45. And I will walk at liberty : for I seek thy commandments.

46. I will speak of thy testimonies also, even before kings : and will not be ashamed.

47. And my delight shall be in thy commandments : which I have loved.

48. My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved : and my study shall be in thy statutes.

The Collect.

O GOD, who hast prepared for them that love thee such good things as pass man’s understanding; Pour into our hearts such love toward thee, that we, loving thee above all things, may obtain thy promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 57.13b-19

Psalter: Psalm 28, 29 | 30, 31

Epistle Reading: Romans 6.3-11

Gospel Reading: St. Matthew 5.20-26

Homily: http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/trinity6.html#homily

Fifth Sunday after Trinity - 2015

The Fifth Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119.33-40

Legem pone

TEACH me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes : and I shall keep it unto the end.

34. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law : yea, I shall keep it with my whole heart.

35. Make me to go in the path of thy commandments : for therein is my desire.

36. Incline my heart unto thy testimonies : and not to covetousness.

37. O turn away mine eyes, lest they behold vanity : and quicken thou me in thy way.

38. O stablish thy word in thy servant : that I may fear thee.

39. Take away the rebuke that I am afraid of : for thy judgements are good.

40. Behold, my delight is in thy commandments : O quicken me in thy righteousness.

The Collect.

GRANT, O Lord, we beseech thee, that the course of this world may be so peaceably ordered by thy governance, that thy Church may joyfully serve thee in all godly quietness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Old Testament Reading: Ecclesiastes 2.1-23

Psalter: Psalm 21, 23 | 26, 27

Epistle Reading: 1 Peter 3.8-15a (15b-16)

Gospel Reading: St. Luke 5.1-11

Homily: http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/trinity5.html#homily

Personal reflection: This Collect is a very timely prayer in light of recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions, but also one that encompasses the situation of many of our fellow believers in other places who are in hot and hostile environments. Let us band together to pray for them and for us.

I would like to recommend a book that I think is appropriate for our present situation in the United States, and several European countries; and goes along with the emphasis of this week’s Gospel reading, “Compassion without Compromise”. Here is my review: http://mphilliber.blogspot.com/2015/06/compassion-without-compromise-by-adam.html

Fourth Sunday after Trinity and St. Peter the Apostle - 2015

The Fourth Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119.25-32

Adhaesit pavimento

MY SOUL cleaveth to the dust : O quicken thou me, according to thy word.

26. I have acknowledged my ways, and thou heardest me : O teach me thy statutes.

27. Make me to understand the way of thy commandments : and so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.

28. My soul melteth away for very heaviness : comfort thou me according unto thy word.

29. Take from me the way of lying : and cause thou me to make much of thy law.

30. I have chosen the way of truth : and thy judgements have I laid before me.

31. I have stuck unto thy testimonies : O Lord, confound me not.

32. I will run the way of thy commandments : when thou hast set my heart at liberty..

The Collect.

O GOD, the protector of all that trust in thee, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy; Increase and multiply upon us thy mercy; that, thou being our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we finally lose not the things eternal: Grant this, O heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake our Lord. Amen.

Old Testament Reading: Lamentations 3.22-33

Psalter: Psalm 19, 20 | 24, 25

Epistle Reading: Romans 8.18-23

Gospel Reading: St. Luke 6.36-42

Personal Reflections on the Gospel Reading: http://mphilliber.blogspot.com/2013/09/brief-reflection-luke-637-38.html

Homily: http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/trinity4.html#homily

C.S. Lewis: “Not long ago when I was using the collect for the fourth Sunday after Trinity in my private prayers I found that I had made a slip of the tongue. I had meant to pray that I might so pass through things temporal that I finally lost not the things eternal; I found I had prayed so to pass through things eternal that I finally lost not the things temporal. Of course, I don't think that a slip of the tongue is a sin. I am not sure that I am even a strict enough Freudian to believe that all such slips, without exception, are deeply significant. But I think some of them are significant, and I thought this was one of that sort. I thought that what I had inadvertently said very nearly expressed something I had really wished. Very nearly; not, of course, precisely. I had never been quite stupid enough to think that the eternal could, strictly, be ‘passed through.’ What I had wanted to pass through without prejudice to my things temporal was those hours or moments in which I attended to the eternal, in which I exposed myself to it. I mean this sort of thing. I say my prayers, I read my book of devotion, I prepare for, or receive, the Sacrament. But while I do these things, there is, so to speak, a voice inside me that urges caution. It tells me to be careful, to keep my head, not to go to far, not to burn my boats. I come into the presence of God with a great fear lest anything should happen to me within that presence which will prove too intolerably inconvenient when I have come out again into my “ordinary” life. I don’t want to be carried away into any resolution which I shall afterwards regret” (“A Slip of the Tongue,” The Weight of Glory, 184-6).

Saint Peter the Apostle (29 June)

Psalm 144

Benedictus Dominus

BLESSED be the Lord my strength : who teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight.

2. My hope and my fortress, my castle and deliverer, my defender in whom I trust : who subdueth my people that is under me.

3. Lord, what is man, that thou hast such respect unto him : or the son of man, that thou so regardest him?

4. Man is like a thing of nought : his time passeth away like a shadow.

5. Bow thy heavens, O Lord, and come down : touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.

6. Cast forth thy lightning, and tear them : shoot out thine arrows, and consume them.

7. Send down thine hand from above : deliver me, and take me out of the great waters, from the hand of strange children.

8. Whose mouth talketh of vanity : and their right hand is a right hand of wickedness.

9. I will sing a new song unto thee, O God : and sing praises unto thee upon a ten-stringed lute.

10. Thou hast given victory unto kings : and hast delivered David thy servant from the peril of the sword.

11. Save me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children : whose mouth talketh of vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of iniquity.

12. That our sons may grow up as the young plants : and that our daughters may be as the polished corners of the temple.

13. That our garners may be full and plenteous with all manner of store : that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets.

14. That our oxen may be strong to labour, that there be no decay : no leading into captivity, and no complaining in our streets.

15. Happy are the people that are in such a case : yea, blessed are the people who have the Lord for their God.

The Collect

O almighty God, who by thy Son Jesus Christ didst give to thy Apostle Saint Peter many excellent gifts, and commandedst him earnestly to feed thy flock: Make, we beseech thee, all Bishops and Pastors diligently to preach thy holy Word, and the people obediently to follow the same, that they may receive the crown of everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Epistle Reading: Acts 12.1-11

Gospel Reading: Matthew 16.13-19

Homily: http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/peter.html#homily

Saint John Baptist - 24 June 2015

Saint John Baptist’s Day

Psalm 98

Cantate Domino

O SING unto the Lord a new song : for he hath done marvellous things.

2. With his own right hand, and with his holy arm : hath he gotten himself the victory.

3. The Lord declared his salvation : his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.

4. He hath remembered his mercy and truth toward the house of Israel : and all the ends of the world have seen the salvation of our God.

5. Shew yourselves joyful unto the Lord, all ye lands : sing, rejoice, and give thanks.

6. Praise the Lord upon the harp : sing to the harp with a psalm of thanksgiving.

7. With trumpets also and shawms : O shew yourselves joyful before the Lord the King.

8. Let the sea make a noise, and all that therein is : the round world, and they that dwell therein.

9. Let the floods clap their hands, and let the hills be joyful together before the Lord : for he is come to judge the earth.

10. With righteousness shall he judge the world : and the people with equity.

The Collect

Almighty God, by whose providence thy servant John Baptist was wonderfully born, and sent to prepare the way of thy Son our Saviour, by preaching of repentance: Make us so to follow his doctrine and holy life, that we may truly repent according to his preaching, and after his example constantly speak the truth, boldly rebuke vice, and patiently suffer for the truth’s sake; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Old Testament Reading (For the Epistle): Isaiah 40.1-11

Gospel Reading: Luke 1.57-80

Homily: http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/baptist.html#homily

Third Sunday after Trinity

The Third Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119.17-24

Retribue servo tuo

O DO well unto thy servant : that I may live, and keep thy word.

18. Open thou mine eyes : that I may see the wondrous things of thy law.

19. I am a stranger upon earth : O hide not thy commandments from me.

20. My soul breaketh out for the very fervent desire : that it hath alway unto thy judgements.

21. Thou hast rebuked the proud : and cursed are they that do err from thy commandments.

22. O turn from me shame and rebuke : for I have kept thy testimonies.

23. Princes also did sit and speak against me : but thy servant is occupied in thy statutes.

24. For thy testimonies are my delight : and my counsellors.

The Collect.

O LORD, we beseech thee mercifully to hear us; and grant that we, to whom though hast given an hearty desire to pray, may be comforted in all dangers and adversities; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 31.1-14

Psalter: Psalm 16, 17 | 18

Epistle Reading: 1 Peter 5.5-11

Gospel Reading: St. Luke 15.1-10

Homily: http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/trinity3.html#homily

The Second Sunday after Trinity - 2015

The Second Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119.9-16

In quo corriget?

WHEREWITHAL shall a young man cleanse his way : even by ruling himself after thy word.

10. With my whole heart have I sought thee : O let me not go wrong out of thy commandments.

11. Thy words have I hid within my heart : that I should not sin against thee.

12. Blessed art thou, O Lord : O teach me thy statutes.

13. With my lips have I been telling : of all the judgements of thy mouth.

14. I have had as great delight in the way of thy testimonies : as in all manner of riches.

15. I will talk of thy commandments : and have respect unto thy ways.

16. My delight shall be in thy statutes : and I will not forget thy word.

The Collect.

O LORD, who never failest to help and govern them who thou dost bring up in thy stedfast fear and love; Keep us, we beseech thee, under the protection of thy good providence, and make us to have a perpetual fear and love of thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Old Testament Reading: Genesis 6.5-18

Psalter: Psalm 12, 13 | 10, 11

Epistle Reading: 1 John 3.13-24

Gospel Reading: St. Luke 14.[15]16-24

Homily: http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/trinity2.html#homily

St Barnabas - 11 June 2015

Saint Barnabas the Apostle

(11 June)

Psalm 1

Beatus vir, qui non abiit, &c.

1. BLESSED is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stood in the way of sinners : and hath not sat in the seat of the scornful.

2. But his delight is in the law of the Lord : and in his law will he exercise himself day and night.

3. And he shall be like a tree planted by the water-side : that will bring forth his fruit in due season.

4. His leaf also shall not wither : and look, whatsoever he doeth, it shall prosper.

5. As for the ungodly, it is not so with them : but they are like the chaff, which the wind scattereth away from the face of the earth.

6. Therefore the ungodly shall not be able to stand in the judgement : neither the sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

7. But the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous : and the way of the ungodly shall perish.

The Collect

O Lord God Almighty, who didst endue thy holy Apostle Barnabas with singular gifts of the Holy Ghost; Leave us not, we beseech thee, destitute of thy manifold gifts, nor yet of grace to use them alway to thy honour and glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Epistle Reading: Acts 11.22-30

Gospel Reading: John 15.12-16

Homily: http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/barnabas.html#homily

The First Sunday after Trinity - 2015

The First Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119

Beati immaculati

BLESSED are those that are undefiled in the way : and walk in the law of the Lord.

2. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies : and seek him with their whole heart.

3. For they who do no wickedness : walk in his ways.

4. Thou hast charged : that we shall diligently keep thy commandments.

5. O that my ways were made so direct : that I might keep thy statutes!

6. So shall I not be confounded : while I have respect unto all thy commandments.

7. I will thank thee with an unfeigned heart : when I shall have learned the judgements of thy righteousness.

8. I will keep thy ceremonies : O forsake me not utterly.

The Collect.

O GOD, the strength of all them that put their trust in thee, mercifully accept our prayers; and because through the weakness of our mortal nature we can do no good thing without thee, grant us the help of thy grace, that in keeping of thy commandments we may please thee, both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 23.23-32

Psalter: Psalm 1, 5 | 2, 3, 4

Epistle Reading: 1 John 4.7-21

Gospel Reading: St. Luke 16.19-31

Homily: http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/trinity1.html#homily

Trinity Sunday - 2015

Trinity-Sunday.

Psalm 67

Deus misereatur

GOD be merciful unto us, and bless us : and shew us the light of his countenance, and be merciful unto us:

2. That thy way may be known upon earth : thy saving health among all nations.

3. Let the people praise thee, O God : yea, let all the people praise thee.

4. O let the nations rejoice and be glad : for thou shalt judge the folk righteously, and govern the nations upon earth.

5. Let the people praise thee, O God : let all the people praise thee.

6. Then shall the earth bring forth her increase : and God, even our own God, shall give us his blessing.

7. God shall bless us : and all the ends of the world shall fear him.

The Collect.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hast given unto us thy servants grace, by the confession of a true faith to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of thy Divine Majesty to worship the Unity; We beseech thee, that thou wouldst keep us steadfast in this faith, and evermore defend us from all adversities, who livest and reignest, one God, world without end. Amen.

Old Testament Reading: Numbers 21.4-9

Psalter: Psalm 29, 33 | 93, 97, 150

Epistle Reading: Revelation 4.1-11

Gospel Reading: St. John 3.1-15

THE CREED OF ST. ATHANASIUS

At Morning Prayer.

{Upon these Feasts; Christmas Day, the Epiphany, Saint Matthias, Easter Day, Ascension Day, Whitsunday, Saint John Baptist, Saint James, Saint Bartholomew, Saint Matthew, Saint Simon and Saint Jude, Saint Andrew, and upon Trinity Sunday, shall be sung or said at Morning Prayer, instead of the Apostles’ Creed, this Confession of our Christian Faith, commonly called the Creed of Athanasius, by the Minister and people standing.}

Quicunque vult.

WHOSOEVER will be saved : before all things it is necessary that he hold the Catholick Faith.

Which Faith except every one do keep whole and undefiled : without doubt he shall perish everlastingly.

And the Catholick Faith is this: That we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity;

Neither confounding the Persons : nor dividing the Substance.

For there is one Person of the Father, another of the Son : and another of the Holy Ghost.

But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one : the Glory equal, the Majesty co-eternal.

Such as the Father is, such is the Son : and such is the Holy Ghost.

The Father uncreate, the Son uncreate : and the Holy Ghost uncreate.

The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible : and the Holy Ghost incomprehensible.

The Father eternal, the Son eternal : and the Holy Ghost eternal.

And yet they are not three eternals : but one eternal.

As also there are not three incomprehensibles, nor three uncreated : but one uncreated, and one incomprehensible.

So likewise the Father is Almighty, the Son Almighty : and the Holy Ghost Almighty.

And yet they are not three Almighties : but one Almighty.

So the Father is God, the Son is God : and the Holy Ghost is God.

And yet they are not three Gods : but one God.

So likewise the Father is Lord, the Son Lord : and the Holy Ghost Lord.

And yet not three Lords : but one Lord.

For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity to acknowledge every Person by himself to be both God and Lord;

So are we forbidden by the Catholick Religion : to say, There be three Gods, or three Lords.

The Father is made of none : neither created, nor begotten.

The Son is of the Father alone : not made, nor created, but begotten.

The Holy Ghost is of the Father and of the Son : neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding.

So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons : one Holy Ghost, not three Holy Ghosts.

And in this Trinity none is afore, or after other : none is greater, or less than another;

But the whole three Persons are co-eternal together : and co-equal.

So that in all things, as is aforesaid : the Unity in Trinity and the Trinity in Unity is to be worshipped.

He therefore that will be saved : must think thus of the Trinity.

Furthermore, it is necessary to everlasting salvation : that he also believe rightly the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

For the right Faith is, that we believe and confess : that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and Man;

God, of the substance of the Father, begotten before the worlds : and Man of the substance of his Mother, born in the world;

Perfect God and perfect Man : of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting. 

Equal to the Father, as touching his Godhead : and inferior to the Father, as touching his manhood;

Who, although he be God and Man : yet he is not two, but one Christ;

One, not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh : but by taking of the Manhood into God;

One altogether; not by confusion of Substance : but by unity of Person.

For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man : so God and Man is one Christ;

Who suffered for our salvation : descended into hell, rose again the third day from the dead.

He ascended into heaven, he sitteth at the right hand of the Father, God Almighty : from whence he will come to judge the quick and the dead.

At whose coming all men will rise again with their bodies : and shall give account for their own works.

And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting : and they that have done evil into everlasting fire.

This is the Catholick Faith : which except a man believe faithfully, he cannot be saved.

Glory be to the Father, &c.

As it was in the beginning, &c.

Homily: http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/trinity.html#homily