Third Sunday in Lent
WE beseech thee, Almighty God, look upon the hearty desires of thy humble servants, and stretch forth the right hand of thy Majesty, to be our defence against all our enemies; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Deut vi., Psalm 25, Ephesians v. 1. St. Luke xi. 14.
HEAR O ISREAL: In today's Old Testament lesson from Deuteronomy we again hear the first sentence of the Shema, the Creed of our Lord which was said morning and evening. "Hear Isreal, J@HOVAH is God, J@HOVAH is One. You shall love J@HOVAH your God with all your heart, soul, and strength" It is also the first part of the Summary of the Law that Jesus taught. We in the Order of Centurions have adopted this as a part of our Rule and Vow . God tells us that we must keep his statues in our hearts. We are to teach them to our children, and live by them day-by-day. We are to talk of them in every occupation of life. They are to be to us the most important precept and guide for us. Following this, God tells us Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God and do that which is right and good in the sight of the LORD. These two clauses are contained within the Order's motto: Fear God and do what is Right
See art, lessons, and the rest of the homily here....http://www.orderofcenturions.org/documents/lent3_05.html
Visit the Order at www.OrderofCenturions.org
2005/02/27
2005/02/26
Martyr Soldiers Article
This article by an anonymous author signing under “V.R.” appeared in Russian in a special issue of the student newsletter of the St. Sergius Theological Institute in Paris dedicated to the Russian Veteran’s Association of St. George in 1929.
Not one group of the inhabitants of the Roman Empire, except, of course, the clergy, have done so much in the course of the first, even the first four centuries of Christianity for its spreading, as the army. This is particularly true for the inhabitants of the countryside and for the Barbarians of the North. They lived their closed lives, and new spiritual movements penetrated their regions to a significant degree only through the caserns and the army camps… See the rest here:
Martyr Soldiers
Visit the Order at www.OrderofCenturions.org
This article by an anonymous author signing under “V.R.” appeared in Russian in a special issue of the student newsletter of the St. Sergius Theological Institute in Paris dedicated to the Russian Veteran’s Association of St. George in 1929.
Not one group of the inhabitants of the Roman Empire, except, of course, the clergy, have done so much in the course of the first, even the first four centuries of Christianity for its spreading, as the army. This is particularly true for the inhabitants of the countryside and for the Barbarians of the North. They lived their closed lives, and new spiritual movements penetrated their regions to a significant degree only through the caserns and the army camps… See the rest here:
Martyr Soldiers
Visit the Order at www.OrderofCenturions.org
2005/02/21
The Second Sunday in Lent
ALMIGHTY God, who seest that we have no power of ourselves to help ourselves; Keep us both outwardly in our bodies, and inwardly in our souls; that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
1 Kings viii. 37 Psalm 86 1 Thessalonians iv. 1. & St. Matthew xv. 21
St. John Chrysostom [ca. 400] (published on OC site 2005) An extract from his Homilies on the Gospel of Matthew HOMILY LII.
MATT. XV. 21, 22. "And Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto Him,saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, Thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil."
BUT Mark saith, that "He could not behid,"though He had entered into the house. And why did He go at all into these parts? When He had set them free from the observance of meats, then to the Gentiles also He goes on to open a door, proceeding in due course; even as Peter, having been first directed to annul this law, is sent to Cornelius. see the rest here............
http://www.orderofcenturions.org/documents/lent2_05.html
Visit the Order at www.OrderofCenturions.org
2005/02/15
Lewis Wallace, Army General, Evangelical Novelist
[February 15, 1905]
O Almighty God, who inspired thy servant Lewis to write the novel Ben Hurr, and thus help bring the Gospel story to men and draw them to thy Kingdom, grant that we might likewise confess and witness our faith before all men. We ask this for the sake of Jesus Christ, in whom all our intercessions are acceptable through the Spirit, and who liveth and reigneth for ever and ever. Amen.
Lewis "Lew" Wallace, the Militant Romantic, was born on April 10, 1827. As the son of the Governor of Indiana, and great-great nephew of the American Revolutionary War hero John Paul Jones, he had a heritage of Christian soldiers and statesmen in his family line. His Uncle was a Major in the Army and his father a Colonel of Militia.
Lieutenant Wallace raised a company for the Mexican American War, but did not see action. In 1861 he raised a regiment of volunteers at the beginning of the American War Between the States. He distinguished himself and was promoted to the rank of Major General. He was known as the "Savior of Cincinnati" for his defense of that city, and many would credit him for saving Washington DC, and perhaps the Union, with his delaying actions at the Monocacy River north of the city when it was threatened by a major Confederate force. After the war, Wallace facilitated the Mexican Revolution, and then was appointed Governor of the New Mexico Territory. After that he was Ambassador to Turkey.
Wallace became know throughout the world, however, for his Christian novel "Ben Hurr" He had been interested in writing from youth. At age 15 he wrote a novel about chivalry in the Crusades. After the war while on a train trip, he had a discussion with an agnostic who questioned his faith. In response, he began a study of the ancient Jews. He determined to write a novel to penetrate the mysteries of the Nativity, Magi, and life of Christ.
On November 12, 1880, while Governor of New Mexico Territory, he submitted his novel "Ben Hurr" to publishers and to his dying day considered it his most important achievement. The success of the novel was remarkable. In 1893 it received a rating of 83% for popularity by libraries. By the end of the decade, with sales of 400,000, it was a standard in schools. It was the most illustrated novel ever published with almost 1,000 illustrations. It was indorsed by Christian around the world, and for many Protestant Evangelical homes, Ben Hurr was the first novel to be allowed in the household. Sears and Roebuck ordered one million copies in 1933. It has been translated into many languages. It had a dramatic influence on The Rev Lloyd C Douglas who wrote the Robe in 1942, which became the second best-selling Christian novel. The book has never been out of print. It has been performed on the stage and screen, and is a perennial favorite. Wallace died on February 15, 1905.
The Rev. Mark Carroll, OC, 2005
2005/02/13
The First Sunday in Lent
O LORD, who for our sake didst fast forty days and forty nights; Give us grace to use such abstinence, that, our flesh being subdued to the Spirit we may ever obey thy godly motions in righteousness, and true holiness, to thy honour and glory, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.
Also shall be said the collect from Ash Wednedsay
Isaiah 58 Psalm 50 2 Corinthians vi. 1 & St. Matthew iv. 1
It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God
Today's Gospel is the story of Jesus' fast in the wilderness for 40 days and his temptation by Satan. Jesus used the word of God to respond to every temptation. But notice that Satan used Scripture as well to try to get Jesus to turn to him. He still does use Scripture with us, so one must beware! How can we help to keep ourselves from the wiles of Satan? by knowing the Word of God and maintaining an active Spiritual defense through prayer. During this fast of Lent I recommend a discipline of structured Bible study. You may wish to begin with Lesson One of a free Bible Study Course offered by our praefectus castrorum legio Christi.
Read the rest of the homily here:http://www.orderofcenturions.org/documents/lent1.html
O LORD, who for our sake didst fast forty days and forty nights; Give us grace to use such abstinence, that, our flesh being subdued to the Spirit we may ever obey thy godly motions in righteousness, and true holiness, to thy honour and glory, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.
Also shall be said the collect from Ash Wednedsay
Isaiah 58 Psalm 50 2 Corinthians vi. 1 & St. Matthew iv. 1
It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God
Today's Gospel is the story of Jesus' fast in the wilderness for 40 days and his temptation by Satan. Jesus used the word of God to respond to every temptation. But notice that Satan used Scripture as well to try to get Jesus to turn to him. He still does use Scripture with us, so one must beware! How can we help to keep ourselves from the wiles of Satan? by knowing the Word of God and maintaining an active Spiritual defense through prayer. During this fast of Lent I recommend a discipline of structured Bible study. You may wish to begin with Lesson One of a free Bible Study Course offered by our praefectus castrorum legio Christi.
Read the rest of the homily here:http://www.orderofcenturions.org/documents/lent1.html
2005/02/12
Ecumenical Councils of War
On Nov 9, I recommended to the Order an interview with Chaplain Webster of the Virginia National Guard http://www.orthodoxytoday.org/articles4/AgainWebster.shtml
In follow-up, I commend to you this critical review of Webster & Cole’s book “The Virtue of War” by David Hart. Mr. Hart is an Orthodox Christian who is well versed in the topic of “just war”. Mr. Hart says
It is one thing to turn the other cheek against insult and casual abuse, or even to accept martyrdom, but another thing altogether to permit oneself simply to be murdered to no good end. To love charitably—selflessly—requires that love of self be ordered towards the love of God; to do this, one must learn to love oneself under the rule of justice, and to fail to do so is no less a sin than refusing to defend one’s neighbor. Indeed, defending oneself against unjust violence is one of the few times that one can most assuredly subsume self-love under the law of charity, without egoism or spite intruding at all.
[I am reminded of the actions of the angels in Sodom & Gomorrah to defend against the assaults on them, and Lot, in Gen 19 that I cited a few days ago]
See the article here
http://www.touchstonemag.com/archives/article.php?id=17-09-040-f
On Nov 9, I recommended to the Order an interview with Chaplain Webster of the Virginia National Guard http://www.orthodoxytoday.org/articles4/AgainWebster.shtml
In follow-up, I commend to you this critical review of Webster & Cole’s book “The Virtue of War” by David Hart. Mr. Hart is an Orthodox Christian who is well versed in the topic of “just war”. Mr. Hart says
It is one thing to turn the other cheek against insult and casual abuse, or even to accept martyrdom, but another thing altogether to permit oneself simply to be murdered to no good end. To love charitably—selflessly—requires that love of self be ordered towards the love of God; to do this, one must learn to love oneself under the rule of justice, and to fail to do so is no less a sin than refusing to defend one’s neighbor. Indeed, defending oneself against unjust violence is one of the few times that one can most assuredly subsume self-love under the law of charity, without egoism or spite intruding at all.
[I am reminded of the actions of the angels in Sodom & Gomorrah to defend against the assaults on them, and Lot, in Gen 19 that I cited a few days ago]
See the article here
http://www.touchstonemag.com/archives/article.php?id=17-09-040-f
Ecumenical Councils of War
On Nov 9, I recommended to the Order an interview with Chaplain Webster of the Virginia National Guard http://www.orthodoxytoday.org/articles4/AgainWebster.shtml
In follow-up, I commend to you this critical review of Webster & Cole’s book “The Virtue of War” by David Hart. Mr. Hart is an Orthodox Christian who is well versed in the topic of “just war”. Mr. Hart says
It is one thing to turn the other cheek against insult and casual abuse, or even to accept martyrdom, but another thing altogether to permit oneself simply to be murdered to no good end. To love charitably—selflessly—requires that love of self be ordered towards the love of God; to do this, one must learn to love oneself under the rule of justice, and to fail to do so is no less a sin than refusing to defend one’s neighbor. Indeed, defending oneself against unjust violence is one of the few times that one can most assuredly subsume self-love under the law of charity, without egoism or spite intruding at all.
[I am reminded of the actions of the angels in Sodom & Gomorrah to defend against the assaults on them, and Lot, in Gen 19 that I cited a few days ago]
See the article here
http://www.touchstonemag.com/archives/article.php?id=17-09-040-f
Visit the Order at www.OrderofCenturions.org
2005/02/10
Sodom & Gomorrah versus Nineveh
Thursday, 2nd Day of Lent
On this second day of Lent, I wanted to share with you two recent readings from the Anglican lectionary that stand in stark contrast to one another and are specifically meaningful for Lent and our times as well.
Yesterday, on the eve of Ash Wednesday the first lesson was from the 3rd and 4th chapters of Jonah http://www.commonprayer.org/offices/cal_b_n.cfm and relate to Jonah’s mission to prophesy to the city of Nineveh before God destroyed it for its sin.
This morning, the reading beginning in the 19th chapter of Genesis where God destroys Sodom and Gomorrah http://www.commonprayer.org/offices/cal_b_n.cfm
On the one hand, we see that God repented of his evil that he planned against the city of Nineveh when the king and all the people, in great remorse, contrition, and repentance, fasted, and the king dressed in sackcloth and sat in ashes. (Which upset Jonah to no end)
On the other had we a city that God told Abram he would spare if there were only to be found ten righteous men. A city that God utterly destroyed because of the wickedness within it.
Do these reading say anything about cultures and the consequences of corporate sin and immorality to you?
They speak to me about the consequences of cultures that depart from the moral ways established by God and known to men not only from Scripture that give us his Word, but from the moral laws that all men know in their hearts – what CS Lewis called the Tao in his book The Abolition of Man. It speaks to me of God’s desire that all cultures may flourish and his love for them as their creator. It speaks to me of the consequences to cultures when morality is disregarded.
A few days ago I posted a comment on article that was a review of the effect of amoral thought and action on Nazi Germany. I was stationed there for a tour of three years and saw the pictures of the near total destruction that they endured. I cannot help recall those visions as I think of Sodom and Gomorrah.
I pray my community and yours may not depart from morality. I pray that the trends that I see toward immorality, what has been coined the "slippery slope", might stop. I pray for communities, families, and all people might turn to God's Way.
Visit the Order at www.OrderofCenturions.org
Thursday, 2nd Day of Lent
On this second day of Lent, I wanted to share with you two recent readings from the Anglican lectionary that stand in stark contrast to one another and are specifically meaningful for Lent and our times as well.
Yesterday, on the eve of Ash Wednesday the first lesson was from the 3rd and 4th chapters of Jonah http://www.commonprayer.org/offices/cal_b_n.cfm and relate to Jonah’s mission to prophesy to the city of Nineveh before God destroyed it for its sin.
This morning, the reading beginning in the 19th chapter of Genesis where God destroys Sodom and Gomorrah http://www.commonprayer.org/offices/cal_b_n.cfm
On the one hand, we see that God repented of his evil that he planned against the city of Nineveh when the king and all the people, in great remorse, contrition, and repentance, fasted, and the king dressed in sackcloth and sat in ashes. (Which upset Jonah to no end)
On the other had we a city that God told Abram he would spare if there were only to be found ten righteous men. A city that God utterly destroyed because of the wickedness within it.
Do these reading say anything about cultures and the consequences of corporate sin and immorality to you?
They speak to me about the consequences of cultures that depart from the moral ways established by God and known to men not only from Scripture that give us his Word, but from the moral laws that all men know in their hearts – what CS Lewis called the Tao in his book The Abolition of Man. It speaks to me of God’s desire that all cultures may flourish and his love for them as their creator. It speaks to me of the consequences to cultures when morality is disregarded.
A few days ago I posted a comment on article that was a review of the effect of amoral thought and action on Nazi Germany. I was stationed there for a tour of three years and saw the pictures of the near total destruction that they endured. I cannot help recall those visions as I think of Sodom and Gomorrah.
I pray my community and yours may not depart from morality. I pray that the trends that I see toward immorality, what has been coined the "slippery slope", might stop. I pray for communities, families, and all people might turn to God's Way.
Visit the Order at www.OrderofCenturions.org
2005/02/09
Ash Wednesday
the first day of Lent
Penitential Office for use with the devotional office of readings and collect and, or with the Litany
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent; Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
This Collect is to be said every day in Lent, after the Collect appointed for the day, until Palm Sunday.
Joel ii. 12 Psalm 51 & St. Matthew vi. 16
rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the liturgical season of Lent. In many churches you will see the liturgical color of purple displayed -- being the color for penitential seasons. In these seasons there has traditionally been an emphasis on confession, contrition, and penance for our sinfulness. In the coming days, the Church asks you to closely examine yourself, and to exercise self-discipline in the weeks ahead as a form of preparation for the Feast of The Resurrection on Easter Morning – the feast that reminds us that Christ died for us for the remission of our sins.
read the rest of the homily here http://www.orderofcenturions.org/documents/ashwednesday.html
Visit the Order at www.OrderofCenturions.org
the first day of Lent
Penitential Office for use with the devotional office of readings and collect and, or with the Litany
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent; Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
This Collect is to be said every day in Lent, after the Collect appointed for the day, until Palm Sunday.
Joel ii. 12 Psalm 51 & St. Matthew vi. 16
rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the liturgical season of Lent. In many churches you will see the liturgical color of purple displayed -- being the color for penitential seasons. In these seasons there has traditionally been an emphasis on confession, contrition, and penance for our sinfulness. In the coming days, the Church asks you to closely examine yourself, and to exercise self-discipline in the weeks ahead as a form of preparation for the Feast of The Resurrection on Easter Morning – the feast that reminds us that Christ died for us for the remission of our sins.
read the rest of the homily here http://www.orderofcenturions.org/documents/ashwednesday.html
Visit the Order at www.OrderofCenturions.org
2005/02/08
Fat Tuesday
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
The Christian religion has from the earliest days kept times of feasts and fasts. Beginning tomorrow, in the Western Church, is the great fast of Lent ending in the Great Vigil and the Feast of the Resurrection.
Today is not a Church feast day, but rather the last day before Holy Lent. It is known as Mardi Gras in France and New Orleans and Fashings in Germany. In the Anglican tradition today is known as Shrove Tuesday.
The word shrove comes from shrive, to make confession. Shrove Tuesday has come to mean something quite different today. It is a time when the Anglicans eat lots of pancakes (I have been invited to an annual pancake dinner this evening). You see, during lent the people gave up dairy products, eggs, and meats. This has been going on since the earliest days, and councils established canons governing the observance of Lent (see below) that the Sabbath (Saturday) and Lord’s Day (Sunday) should not be days of fasting in the great Lent, but the entire period of Lent should be days of abstinence from these foods. In England the people would clean out their cupboards of these food items, mix them up as pancakes, and consume them before the Lent began.
So eat hardy today for the morrow brings the Great Fast.
THE CANONS OF THE COUNCIL IN TRULLO; (which were incorporated into the 7th Ecumenical Council)
CANON LVI.
WE have likewise learned that in the regions of Armenia and in other places certain people eat eggs and cheese on the Sabbaths and Lord's days of the holy lent. It seems good therefore that the whole Church of God which is in all the world should follow one rule and keep the fast perfectly, and as they abstain from everything which is killed, so also should they from eggs and cheese, which are the fruit and produce of those animals from which we abstain. But if any shall not observe this law, if they be clerics, let them be deposed; but if laymen, let them be cut off.
Note: During Lent, the fast was not observed on Sabbath or Lord’s Day, but abstinence of these items was observed throughout Lent.
Visit the Order at www.OrderofCenturions.org
2005/02/07
Theodore, General, Martyr 319 [7 Feb]
In truth enlisted with the King of the Heavens, thou didst become for Him a noble commander, O trophy-bearer and Great Martyr Theodore. With the weaponry of faith didst thou arm thyself wisely and didst utterly destroy all the hordes of the demons, as a triumphant athlete of the Lord; wherefore we ever do faithfully call thee blest.
*******************
A Roman General (stratelates) martyred under Emporer Lucinius in 319. Also known as Theodore of Heraclea.
Read story and second tome here: http://www.goarch.org/en/Chapel/saints.asp?contentid=419
This saint is highly venerated in the Orthocox Church. He is one of four soldiers honored by the greeks as a GREAT MARTYR considered equal to the Apostles
Icons of Theodorehttp://www.oca.org/pages/dwp/large.asp?saintid=100462http://www.novgorod.ru/eng/hist/icongall/i065.htm
Visit the Order at www.OrderofCenturions.org
In truth enlisted with the King of the Heavens, thou didst become for Him a noble commander, O trophy-bearer and Great Martyr Theodore. With the weaponry of faith didst thou arm thyself wisely and didst utterly destroy all the hordes of the demons, as a triumphant athlete of the Lord; wherefore we ever do faithfully call thee blest.
*******************
A Roman General (stratelates) martyred under Emporer Lucinius in 319. Also known as Theodore of Heraclea.
Read story and second tome here: http://www.goarch.org/en/Chapel/saints.asp?contentid=419
This saint is highly venerated in the Orthocox Church. He is one of four soldiers honored by the greeks as a GREAT MARTYR considered equal to the Apostles
Icons of Theodorehttp://www.oca.org/pages/dwp/large.asp?saintid=100462http://www.novgorod.ru/eng/hist/icongall/i065.htm
Visit the Order at www.OrderofCenturions.org
2005/02/06
The Sunday called Quinqugesima
the Sunday before Lent
O LORD, who hast taught us that all our doings without charity are nothing worth; Send thy Holy Ghost, and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of charity, the very bond of peace and of all virtues, without which whosoever liveth is counted dead before thee. Grant this for thine only Son Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
Deut x. 12 Psalm 23 1 Corinthians xiii. 1. & St. Luke xviii. 31
Today's readings and collect are all about love. Taken as a whole, they amplify the Summary of the Law, one of the Rules of the Order of Centurions. Love is the major theme of God's Word that begins in the first verse of Genesis with creation, and continues through the Bible to the last chapter of Revelations with the redemption of mankind and restoration of all things under God.
see the rest of the homily, lessons, and art here:
http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/quinquagesima.html
Visit the Order at www.OrderofCenturions.org
2005/02/04
Darwin to Hitler
The Order's belief is in the ancient creeds, the Forma Roma is featured on our web site, but any of the creeds or confessions that contain the essentials are acceptable. Our cohort uses the Apostles Creed and Nicene-Constantinople Creed that affirms the belief that God created the heavens and the earth, of all things visible and invisible
A world view that holds these beliefs is critical - I wonder if that's why God put it as the very first thing in the Bible?
What can happen when man begins to believe that he is is the result of some chemical accident rather than a created being - created in God's image? The German Nietzche undoubtedly had Darwin's theory of the origin of man in mind when he declared that there was no God, no right or wrong. The idea of social evolution was generalized out of the biological theory of evolution... that is, we get socially "better" as time goes on (whatever better might mean to you, or perhaps to Hitler, Pol Pot, or Bin Laden, or to millions of unborn who never see the light of day)
I commend this book review by the Rev. Jacobse for a summary of Richard Weikart's book
From Darwin to Hitler: Evolutionary Ethics, Eugenics, and Racism in Germany
http://www.orthodoxytoday.org/articles5/JacobseDarHitlerEssay.shtml
"Never Forget, Never Again"
Visit the Order at www.OrderofCenturions.org
Centurio Epistula Cornelius, Centurion, Bishop
O GOD, who by thy spirit didst call Cornelius the Centurion to be the first Christian among the Gentiles: Grant to thy Church in every nation a ready mind and will to proclaim thy love to all who turn to thee with unfeigned hope and faith; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit ever, one God, world without end. Amen.
http://www.westernorthodox.com/kalendar/0203c.htm
Acts 11, John 4:4
Visit the Order at www.OrderofCenturions.org
2005/02/01
St Brigid [ 1 Feb ]
Everliving God, we rejoice today in the fellowship of your blessed servant Brigid, and give you thanks for her life of devoted service. Inspire us with life and light, and give us perseverance to serve you all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Corinthians 1:26-31 Matthew 6:25-33 Psalm 138 or Psalm 1
Centurions: I know that Brigid (Ffraid) is not on our calendar - nor a centurion, but as an Irishman I couldn't help but remember her this day and the celebration of Irish Spring. I hope you'll indulge me as I share this wee bit with you.
"While there is an ancient Christian tradition of the Purification of Jesus on 2nd February, there is also an ancient Irish tradition of the beginning of Spring on 1st February, the feast of St Brigid. The start of Spring is a time of possibilities, of risky ventures, of blessed mistakes. That is the mood of St Brigid’s feast. At the ceremony of her final vows, Saint Patrick mistakenly used the form for ordaining priests. When told of it he replied, "So be it, my son, she is destined for great things." There is a prayer attributed to her which ends: I would like cheerfulness to preside over all. I would like a great lake of beer for the King of Kings. I would like to be watching Heaven's family drinking it through all eternity." [Sacred Space}
This vision brings a smile to the face of this old Irishman. See her bio and the full prayer here
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintb03.htm
Visit the Order at www.OrderofCenturions.org
Everliving God, we rejoice today in the fellowship of your blessed servant Brigid, and give you thanks for her life of devoted service. Inspire us with life and light, and give us perseverance to serve you all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Corinthians 1:26-31 Matthew 6:25-33 Psalm 138 or Psalm 1
Centurions: I know that Brigid (Ffraid) is not on our calendar - nor a centurion, but as an Irishman I couldn't help but remember her this day and the celebration of Irish Spring. I hope you'll indulge me as I share this wee bit with you.
"While there is an ancient Christian tradition of the Purification of Jesus on 2nd February, there is also an ancient Irish tradition of the beginning of Spring on 1st February, the feast of St Brigid. The start of Spring is a time of possibilities, of risky ventures, of blessed mistakes. That is the mood of St Brigid’s feast. At the ceremony of her final vows, Saint Patrick mistakenly used the form for ordaining priests. When told of it he replied, "So be it, my son, she is destined for great things." There is a prayer attributed to her which ends: I would like cheerfulness to preside over all. I would like a great lake of beer for the King of Kings. I would like to be watching Heaven's family drinking it through all eternity." [Sacred Space}
This vision brings a smile to the face of this old Irishman. See her bio and the full prayer here
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintb03.htm
Visit the Order at www.OrderofCenturions.org
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