Eighth Sunday after Trinity

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

 

The Eighth Sunday after Trinity
Chrysostom on the Gospel
Trinity Eight Home

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 are profitable for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Romans viii. 12   &   St. Matthew vii. 15

Homily

Ye shall know them by their fruits 

 

 

 

BULLETIN

Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ

 

calendar

 

Ignatius of Loyola - July 31st

 

 

news

 

I've added a quotation from one of the "centurions" we remember on our calendar, C.S. Lewis, in a letter to a correspondent with some Advice on Writing. I've linked it to the Member Publications page.

 

 

commentary

 

The Homily for this Eighth Sunday after Trinity is from Chrysostom on the Gospel at the link above. If one studies the writings of Augustine and Chrysostom, one may discern a different understanding of the condition of the faithful. Can one of God's elect fall away, or do the true elect persevere? Augustine would have certainly affirmed election and perseverance, but I think that Chrysostom would have said that nothing is assured for the saints, and they may indeed fall away unless they persevere in producing good fruits. Chrysostom writes beautifully in this homily excerpt appearing for the first time on Order this year. Here is a sample below,

 

For why dost thou pride thyself, O man? Because thou art borne on high in a chariot? Because a yoke of mules is drawing thee? And what is this? Why, this one may see befalling mere logs of wood and stones. Is it that thou art clothed with beautiful garments? But look at him that is clad with virtue for garments, and thou wilt see thyself to be like withering hay, but him like a tree that bears marvellous fruit, and affords much delight to the beholders. For thou art bearing about food for worms and moths, who, if they should set upon thee, will quickly strip thee bare of this adorning (for truly garments and gold and silver, are the one, the spinning of worms; the other earth and dust, and again become earth and nothing more): but he that is clothed with virtue hath such raiment, as not only worms cannot hurt, but not even death itself. And very naturally; for these virtues of the soul have not their origin from the earth, but are a fruit of the Spirit; wherefore neither are they subject to the mouths of worms. Nay, for these garments are woven in Heaven, where is neither moth, nor worm, nor any other such thing.

 

Finally, I commend a short study of Ignatius of Loyola on our calendar this week, who founded the Jesuits. While recuperating from a serious battle wound that would hamper him through his life, he had a vision of Mary and Jesus, and a realization of the very things that Chrysostom preaches upon in his sermon. Recognizing the gravity of his sin and former life, he turned his life to one of service to God.

 

 

 pax Christi,

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

--
"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

James [25 July]

 

Saint James
[July 25th]

GRANT, O merciful God, that, as thine holy Apostle Saint James, leaving his father and all that he had, without delay was obedient unto the calling of thy Son Jesus Christ, and followed him; so we, forsaking all worldly and carnal affections, may be evermore ready to follow thy holy commandments; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

James Bar-Zebedee "the Major", brother of John, slain by Herod Agrippa I in about 42 AD [Acts xi.]. This collect recalls Matthew iv. 21-22 when Jesus called James and John from their work as fishermen to leave their ship and their father and follow him

Jeremiah xlv   Psalm 34   Acts xi. 27   &   St. Matthew xx. 20
Homilies

but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister

--
"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

Seventh Sunday after Trinity

Seventh Sunday after Trinity
Leo, Bishop, touching on the Gospel
Seventh Sunday after Trinity Home

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.

I have compassion on the multitude

Romans vi. 19   &  St. Mark viii. 1

 

Bulletin

 

Calendar

  James (Bar-Zebedee) the Apostle -- July 25th
 

 

Commentary

 

This Sunday's homily comes from a writing of Leo the Great, Bishop of Rome [440-461]. Leo uses the story in the Gospel as he teaches on the two natures of Christ.

 

To set food before the hungry denotes human kindness and a philanthropic spirit: but with five loaves and two fishes to satisfy 5,000 men, besides women and children, who would dare deny that to be the work of Deity? a Deity which, by the co-operation of the functions of true flesh, showed not only itself in Manhood, but also Manhood in itself; for the old, original wounds in man's nature could not be healed, except by the Word of God taking to Himself flesh from the Virgin's womb, whereby in one and the same Person flesh and the Word co-existed.

 

In Leo's time, the Church was challenged by many heresies to the orthodox faith. It was at the council Chalcedon that the true orthodox understanding of Christ's nature was expounded and adopted by the catholic church. I commend this page for a review of some of the heresies the Church faced concerning Christ's nature, heresies which are again emerging. We cite the statement of faith declared at Chalceldon on our Belief page. Here it is again: 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christology

 

The main heresy today is the idea that Christ was not divine. As an extreme example of this, the Episcopal Church has a Moslem who was ordained to the priesthood, and who professes Christ as the Koran teaches - a prophet but not divine and not the only begotten Son of God.

Chalcedonian Creed

Following, then, the holy fathers, we unite in teaching all men to confess the one and only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. This selfsame one is perfect both in deity and in humanness; this selfsame one is also actually God and actually man, with a rational soul and a body. He is consubstantial with the Father as far as his deity is concerned and consubstantial with us as far as his humanness is concerned; thus like us in all respects, sin only excepted. Before time began he was begotten of the Father, in respect of his deity, and now in these "last days," for us and behalf of our salvation, this selfsame one was born of Mary the virgin, who is God-bearer in respect of his humanness.

We also teach that we apprehend this one and only Christ-Son, Lord, only-begotten - in two natures; and we do this without confusing the two natures, without transmuting one nature into the other, without dividing them into two separate categories, without contrasting them according to area or function. The distinctiveness of each nature is not nullified by the union. Instead, the "properties" of each nature are conserved and both natures concur in one "person" and in one subsistence. They are not divided or cut into two persons, but are together the one and only and only-begotten Word of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus have the prophets of old testified; thus the Lord Jesus Christ himself taught us; thus the Symbol of Fathers has handed down to us.

pax Christi

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

--
"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

Sixth Sunday after Trinity

The Sixth Sunday after Trinity
Chrysostom on Romans
Home of the Sixth Sunday after Trinity

O GOD, who hast prepared for those who 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.

Isaiah lvii. 13b, Psalm 16, Romans vi. 3   & St. Matthew v. 20

Homily of Chrysostom on Romans

We also should walk in newness of life

---

 

BULLETIN

 

Calendar

 

Philippian Jailer, Veteran, - 19 July [ca 50AD]
and law enforcement officers who are members of the Order

 

 

 

Commentary:

 

Today's homily is newly posted from Chrysostom on the appointed reading from Romans. The key is Paul's admonition that as we are baptized into the death and resurrection of Christ, we ought walk in a new life of righteous behavior. Chrysostom calls on those who have drifted into vice to return to virtue, and suggests this method:

 

" And how am I to go back again? one may say. Do but put a beginning upon the business, and the whole is done. Stay from vice, and go no farther into it, and thou hast laid hold of the whole already. For as in the case of the sick, being no worse may be a beginning of getting better, so is the case with vice also. Go no further, and then your deeds of wickedness will have an end. And if you do so for two days, you will keep off on the third day more easily; and after three days you will add ten, then twenty, then an hundred, then your whole life."

 

Read the entire homily extract at the link above.

 

This week the Order pauses to remember the Jailer at Philippi. Although not named a Centurion, he was very likely a retired veteran, and certainly was an officer of the state -- This is a fitting time on our calendar also to remember those several members of the Order who serve the state in uniform in their various police forces and are recognized as veterans by the Order. We thank you for your service to protect and defend the citizens and their right to live in peace. We have appointed a collect, epistile and gospel lesson for this day.

 

Pax Christi,

 

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

--
"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

Fifth Sunday after Trinity

The Fifth Sunday after Trinity
Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, on Courtesy

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.

1 St. Peter iii. 8   &  St. Luke v. 1

Reading from Ambrose

be courteous: not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

---

  

BULLETIN

 

calendar

 

Christopher of Antioch -- July 10th

Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar, "El Cid Campeador" - July 10th

William the Silent - July 10th [1584]

Camillus of Lellis, Soldier, Religious - July 14th

 

commentary

   

Ambrose on the Epistle: I am excited about the selection for this Sunday's Homily. It is from Ambrose, and newly posted on the Order's site. It touches on the Epistle of Peter that is appointed for this Sunday in the propers.   I most highly encourage it to all those in the Order, and especially for clergy for whom Ambrose wrote in the 5^th Century. Ambrose's admonitions for courtesy are so appropriate for us as a guideline, that I've added them to our forum mail policy, along with Paul's admonition which stands at the bottom of every official post from the Legion.

 

Listen to the words of Ambrose here:

 

Our language should be mild and quiet, and full of kindness and courtesy and free from insult. Let there be no obstinate disputes in our familiar conversations, for they are wont only to bring up useless subjects, rather than to supply anything useful. Let there be discussion without wrath, urbanity without bitterness, warning without sharpness, advice without giving offence. And as in every action of our life we ought to take heed to this, in order that no overpowering impulse of our mind may ever shut out reason (let us always keep a place for counsel), so, too, ought we to observe that rule in our language, so that neither wrath nor hatred may be aroused, and that we may not show any signs of our greed or sloth.

 

Let today's collect be our cry to God for peace in the world, and let us follow the last Commandment our Lord gave his disciples before his death, as evidenced by our conduct and language with fellow Christians:

 

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. [Jn xiii. 34-35]

         

 

"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

American Independence [4 July]

Greetings to all American Centurions on the eve of the commemoration of the Declaration of Independence..

 

The words of that document continue to inspire a nation toward justice, freedom, and fraternity, as was always intended by our Creator.

 

I extend a special salute to those who stand in the breech to defend that freedom. 

"And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the fence, and stand in the breach before me for the land ..." Ezekiel 22:30 [DBY]

 

 A good day to read the Declaration.. see the link below: 

United States of America
Independence Day
[July 4]
Appointed Collect, Epistle and Gospel

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.

Deuteronomy x. 17   &   St. Matthew v. 43

Devotions:
Eve of Independence Day: Psalm xxxiv, Isa xlix. 14-21, II John
Morning: Psalm xviii:1-20, Isa xxvi, Jn viii. 31-36
Evening Psalm cxxi, cxxii, Deut iv. 1-14, Gal iv. 26-v.1.
Declaration of Independence

Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve

"[Independence Day] ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other from this time forward forever more."
[John Adams]

--
"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