Third Sunday after Easter

The Third Sunday after Easter
News of the Order and commentary appear after the Proper Collect, Epistle and Gospel

 

Alleluia The Lord is Risen, O come let us adore him. Alleluia

  

ALMIGHTY God, who showest to them that are in error the light of thy truth, to the intent that they may return into the way of righteousness; Grant unto all those who are admitted into the fellowship of Christ's Religion, that they may avoid those things that are contrary to their profession, and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Source of Collect: Sacramentary of Leo, Bishop of Rome [440-461AD]. The Vigil of Easter was the traditional time for Baptism, and this collect speaks to the newly baptized "all those who are admitted into the fellowship". One had to be baptized to be present during the Eucharist. Christiana professione censentor

1 Samuel ii. 1b, Psalm 113, 1 St. Peter ii. 11. St. John xvi. 16.

Homily of Augustine

A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.  

 

Calendar

 

Philip and James, Apostles May 1st

Luigi Lorenzi - May 4th

 

commentary

 

This Sunday is the Third after Easter, we are in the midst of Eastertide, the season in the traditional calendar that begins with Easter Day until Ascension Day. We recall that it was in this period that Jesus appeared many times to his disciples.  There have been changes in modern churches since the 1960s in the calendar. Personally, I think it important to keep Eastertide as a firm reminder of the 40-days between the Resurrection and the Ascension, and a specific time of rejoicing as we remember when the Risen Christ walked amongst us, and as we look for the day when he shall do so again in all his glory and we shall be raised to share in that glory, and perhaps to join in his Last Battle. The Early Church observed Eastertide. In the First Ecumenical Council under S. Constantine in about 326, it was decided that there was to be no fasting on any day in this festive season, or during the following Ascensiontide till after Pentecost, nor any kneeling on any day of the season.

 

Our collect speaks of one of the marks of the true church... that of discipline. Christ will discipline those that are his, teaching them his ways. Before we point the finger at a brother with a sage "aha," we recall that there are three fingers pointing back at us and there are none in this life who walk perfectly before God, who earn their salvation, but rather all have erred and gone astray. That does not mean the visible church need indulge reprobate sinners in its midst. It certainly should not (1Cor 5:12-13)

 

Christ's discipline is one of the promises of Scripture for those who are baptised into his Church. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, will find us, his elect who have erred and strayed from his way like lost sheep, following too much the devices and desires of our hearts, and through his sanctifying grace will lead us back (Luke 15:4). He will not permit the evil one to snatch us from his hand (John 10:29) 

 

This collect compliments nicely the collect for the Second Sunday after Easter and for Gospel of the Good Shepherd and the one flock that is the Church Militant for us mortals. In the end he will clean burn away any dross that we carry with us so that we are pure, as we must be, to appear before the Almighty in the Church Triumphant (1Cor3:15).  

 

And finally, if you have not already done so, I invite you to read the short homily of Augustine on the Gospel following:

 

 

Augustine on the Gospel

 

 

This Little While is the whole duration of this present world. In the same sense this same Evangelist saith in his Epistle : It is the last time. The words : Because I go to the Father : refer to the first clause of the text, thus : A little while and ye shall not see me, because I go to the Father. Hence we should not connect them with this latter clause : And again a little while, and ye shall see me. For his going to the Father was about to bring to pass this, namely, that they should see him no more. And on this account he is not to be understood as saying that he was about to die, and that, until he should rise again, he would be withdrawn from their sight ; but rather, that he was going to the Father ; which same he did when (after he had risen, and had manifested himself to them for forty days), he ascended up into heaven.

It was therefore to them which were then looking on him in the flesh that he said : A little while, and ye shall not see me. A little while, and they would no longer see him as mortal man, such as they saw him to be whilst thus speaking, because he was about to go to the Father. But he added : And again a little while, and ye shall see me : and these words are a promise to the Universal Church, just as are those others : Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Our Lord delayeth not his promised coming. Yea, again a little while, and we shall see him. Yea, and when we thus shall see him, then shall we ask for nothing more ; for no desire will be unsatisfied, and no riddle unsolved.

This Little While seemeth a very long while to us now, while as yet it is still going on, but when it is ended, we shall realize what a little while it was. Let not our joy, then, be like that of the world, whereof it is said : The world shall rejoice. A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, and yet, while, as hitherto, our gladness is still coming to the birth through throes of sorrow, let us not be altogether sorrowful, but as the Apostle hath it : Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation. A woman, when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come ; but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. And so will it be with us. And with that let me end my sermon. ...

 

Mark - Evangelist 25 April

 

Saint Mark the Evangelist
[25 April]

O ALMIGHTY God, who hast instructed thy holy Church with the heavenly doctrine of thy Evangelist Saint Mark; Give us grace that, being not like children carried away with every blast of vain doctrine, we may be established in the truth of thy holy Gospel; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Ephesians iv. 7. St. John xv. 1.
Homily

Abide in Me

George [23 April]

 

Geogre,Tribune, Martyr
[23 April]

O Almighty God, who didst give to thy servant George boldness to confess the Name of our Savior Jesus Christ before the rulers of this world, and courage to die for this faith: Grant that we may always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us, and to suffer gladly for the sake of the same our Lord Jesus Christ; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Patron Saint of England. The cry in the Crusades was, "God for Harry, George, and England". George was a Tribune who suffered at Lydda (Diospolis) in Palestine. The English wore his red cross on their Tunics in the Crusades. The Golden Legend of 1256 featured a story of George slaying a dragon and credited him with saving a damsel. His cross is visible on the Brittish Flag, and was on the first American flag as part of the Union.

Here is David Wood's excellent site on George from his Military Martyrs:

Commentary

We often look for Centuions, like the ledgendary George, who come forth to valiantly to save the weaker of our society from Evil. That is the meaning of George's symbol and myth, for the dragon represents that old Serpent whose intent is to bring evil upon mankind.  I shared the appointed Gospel for the Sunday with my dear aunt, a retired college professor. She wrote back and reminded me that Jesus said the Good Shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. She told me that this week we witnessed such a good shepherd:  Professor Liviu Librescu of Virginia Tech barracaded the door of his classroom as his students escaped through the windows while the evil gunman stormed against the door bent on killing as many as he could.  See more here. http://www.isrealli.org/virginia-tech-tragedy-prof-liviu-librescu-among-the-victims/

 

/msc

Second Sunday After Easter

 

SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EASTER

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

 

ALMIGHTY God, who hast given thine only Son to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin, and also an ensample of godly life; Give us grace that we may always most thankfully receive that his inestimable benefit, and also daily endeavour ourselves to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Isaih xl. 1, Psalm 23, 1 St. Peter ii. 19. St. John x. 11.

Homily

I am the good shepherd:
the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep

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HOMILY
Augustine
Tractate XLVI


1. The Lord Jesus is speaking to His sheep—to those already so, and to those yet to become such—who were then present; for in the place where they were, there were those who were already His sheep, as well as those who were afterwards to become so: and He likewise shows to those then present and those to come, both to them and to us, and to as many also after us as shall yet be His sheep, who it is that had been sent to them. All, therefore, hear the voice of their Shepherd saying, "I am the good Shepherd." He would not add "good," were there not bad shepherds. But the bad shepherds are those who are thieves and robbers, or certainly hirelings at the best. For we ought to examine into, to distinguish, and to know, all the characters whom He has here depicted. The Lord has already unfolded two points, which He had previously set forth in a kind of covert form: we already know that He is Himself the door, and we know that He is Himself the Shepherd. Who the thieves and robbers are, was made clear in yesterday's lesson; and to-day we have heard of the hireling, as we have heard also of the wolf. Yesterday the porter was also introduced by name. Among the good, therefore, are the door, the doorkeeper, the shepherd, and the sheep: among the bad, the thieves and robbers, the hirelings, and the wolf.

Read more at the link to the homily...

 

 

 

calendar

 

George, Centurion, Martyr - April 23rd

Sabas Stratilatus, Martyr Aurelian -- April 24 [270-275]

Mark, Evangelist -- 25 April

 

 

 

commentary

Some of the Centurions have exchanged thoughts and prayers with one another this week for the victims and their families here in America at Virginia Tech University. It is good to see such and for the saints of the Order to comfort and encourage one another.

 It is a time for all to ponder what evil there is that leads a man to do such harm to his fellows. It is a solemn reminder that the prince of darkness continues to act in our world and all should be wary. Those who ignore such do so at their peril. That, in part, is the topic of today's homily. It is a newly posted homily from Augustine of Hippo from the fourth  century, who was a Doctor of the Western Church. He speaks of satan and those who come to kill the sheep. I commend it to you.

There are lessons to be learned from this tragedy at Virginia Tech; I, like some fellow centurions, fear often that people think in terms of fixing or treating a problem  with  good intentions, but the wrong medicine.  Recently  some have criticized the  airing of such violence and the  video of the vain  ruminations of the perpetrator of  this heinous act. News programming in the past decade has used the technology of television and media to turn these tragedies into a form of  entertainment that goes well beyond news reporting; meanwhile many remain silent  concerning the  very real problem of  violence for violence sake as a form of entertainment that permeates Hollywood.  It reminds me of the entertainment that the masses flocked to in the arena in the days that Augustine wrote.

Let us endeavor, as our collect this day says, to follow rather in the footsteps of  our Lord and be an example of Light and Peace in this dark world. In a society that often gloats as it feasts on the macabre and the dark side,  let us be very aware of the good shepherds, and the bad, and to whom we listen, and after whom we should follow

pax Christi

Tuesday in Easter Week

Tuesday in Easter Week

GRANT, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that we who celebrate with reverence the Paschal feast, may be found worthy to attain to everlasting joys; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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

Acts xiii. 26. -- St. Luke xxiv. 36.
Homilies

by Jesus all that believe are justified

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Easter Monday

Monday in Easter Week
Ambrose on the Holy Spirit Guiding the Church and Cornelius
Easter Monday Home

O GOD, whose blessed Son did manifest himself to his disciples in the breaking of bread; Open, we pray thee, the eyes of our faith, that we may behold thee in all thy works; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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

God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him

Acts x. 34 -- St. Luke xxiv. 13

Homily of Ambrose
"Peter Baptizing Cornelius

 

--
"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

Easter Day

 

Easter Day

CHRIST our Passover is sacrificed for us: * therefore let us keep the feast, Not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; * but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 1 Cor. v. 7.

CHRIST being raised from the dead dieth no more; * death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: * but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, * but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom. vi. 9.

CHRIST is risen from the dead, * and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, * by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, * even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 1 Cor. xv. 20

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

Source of Collect: Sacramentary of Gelasius [ca 494 AD]. This was changed to reflect the churches fight against the teachings of Pelagain, and English monk who traveled and taught that people could do good withouth God's help.

Isaiah xxv. 1-9, Psalm 93, Colossians iii. 1. St. John xx. 1.
Homilies

They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre,
and we know not where they have laid him.

 

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.org

Easter Even

Easter Even

GRANT, O Lord, that as we are baptized into the death of thy blessed Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, so by continual mortifying our corrupt affections we may be buried with him; and that through the grave, and gate of death, we may pass to our joyful resurrection; for his merits, who died, and was buried, and rose again for us, the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Job xiv.1,   Psalm 16,  , Peter iii. 17,   Matthew xxvii. 57.
Homilies

Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can

Good Friday

 

Good Friday

 

ALMIGHTY God, we beseech thee graciously to behold this thy family, for which our Lord Jesus Christ was contented to be betrayed, and given up into the hands of wicked men, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified; Receive our supplications and prayers, which we offer before thee for all estates of men in thy holy Church, that every member of the same, in his vocation and ministry, may truly and godly serve thee; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

O MERCIFUL God, who hast made all men, and hatest nothing that thou hast made, nor desirest the death of a sinner, but rather that he should be converted and live; Have mercy upon all who know thee not as thou art revealed in the Gospel of thy Son. Take from them all ignorance, hardness of heart, and contempt of thy Word; and so fetch them home, blessed Lord, to thy fold, that they may be made one flock under one shepherd, Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

 

First Collect Source: For Morning Prayer: Sarum Liturgy for Wednesday in Holy Week as a post-communion collect. Related to Mark xiv.10 and the betrayal
Second Collect: Sarum.
Third Collect: Reformational. Changed to present state in 1662. Former one asked for mercy on Jews, Turks, Infidels, and heretics, where it now says "who know thee not as thou..."

Genisis xxii. 1,   Psalm 22,   Hebrews x. 1., & St John xix. 1
Homilies

 

What is truth?

 

Maundy Thrusday

Thursday before Easter, commonly called

Maundy Thursday

ALMIGHTY Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, did institute the Sacrament of his Body and Blood; Mercifully grant that we may thankfully receive the same in remembrance of him, who in these holy mysteries giveth us a pledge of life eternal; the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who now liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who, of thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility; Mercifully grant, that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

1 Corinthians xi. 23.   St. John 15:12-17

Homilies

"If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me"

Wedmesday before Easter

 

Wednesday before Easter
Chrysostom on the Homily
Wednesday before Easter Home

ASSIST us mercifully with thy help, O Lord God of our salvation; that we may enter with joy upon the meditation of those mighty acts, whereby thou hast given unto us life and immortality; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who, of thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility; Mercifully grant, that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hebrews ix. 16
Homilies

For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

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 excerpt of the homily

 

If then we are heavenly, and have obtained such a sacrifice, let us fear. Let us no longer continue on the earth; for even now it is possible for him that wishes it, not to be on the earth. For to be and not to be on the earth is the effect of moral disposition and choice. For instance; God is said to be in Heaven. Wherefore? not because He is confined by space, far from it, nor as having left the earth destitute of His presence, but by His relation to and intimacy with the Angels. If then we also are near to God, we are in Heaven. For what care I about Heaven when I see the Lord of Heaven, when I myself am become a Heaven? "For," He says, "We will come," I and the Father, "and will make our abode with him." ( John xiv. 23 .)

Let us then make our soul a Heaven. The heaven is naturally bright; for not even in a storm does it become black, for it does not itself change its appearance, but the clouds run together and cover it. Heaven has the Sun; we also have the Sun of Righteousness. I said it is possible to become a Heaven; and I see that it is possible to become even better than Heaven. How? when we have the Lord of the Sun. Heaven is throughout pure and without spot; it changes not either in a storm or in the night. Neither let us then be so influenced either by tribulations or by "the wiles of the devil" ( Eph. vi. 11 ), but let us continue spotless and pure. Heaven is high and far from the earth. Let us also effect this [as regards ourselves]; let us withdraw ourselves from the earth, and exalt ourselves to that height, and remove ourselves far from the earth. Heaven is higher than the rains and the storms, and is reached by none of them. This we also can do, if we will.

It does appear to be, but is not really so affected. Neither then let us be affected, even if we appear to be so. For as in a storm, most men know not the beauty of [heaven,] but think that it is changed, while philosophers know that it is not affected at all, so with regard to ourselves also in afflictions; most men think that we are changed with them, and that affliction has touched our very heart, but philosophers know that it has not touched us.

 

Tuesday before Easter

Tuesday before Easter

O LORD God, whose blessed Son, our Saviour, gave his back to the smiters and hid not his face from shame; Grant us grace to take joyfully the sufferings of the present time, in full assurance of the glory that shall be revealed; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who, of thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility; Mercifully grant, that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Isaiah i:5     Mark xv. 1.
Homilies

they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns,
and put it about his head, and began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews

 

Monday before Easter

 

The Monday before Easter

ALMIGHTY God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified; Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who, of thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility; Mercifully grant, that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

She hath done what she could:
she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying

Isaiah lxiii. 1. St. Mark xiv.
Homilies