Ninth Sunday after Trinity

 

The Ninth Sunday after Trinity
Homily of Clement of Alexandria

GRANT to us, Lord, we beseech thee, the spirit to think and do always such things as are right; that we, may by thee be enabled to live according to thy will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
[1552 BCP]

1 Corinthians x. 1   &   St. Luke xv. 11
Homilies

His father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him

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BULLETIN

 

calendar

 

King Oswald & Aidan August 5 [642]

Transfiguration -- August 6th

 

  

commentary

 

The Homily for this Sunday is from the Clement of Alexandria. It is published on the Order's site for the first time and concerns the appointed Gospel of the Prodigal Son. The conclusion to this fragment is a powerful call to Christians who have "fallen away" from the devout life:

 

But whom Christ finds lost, after sin committed since baptism, those Novatus, enemy of God, resigns to destruction. Do not let us then reckon any fault if we repent; guarding against falling, let us, if we have fallen, retrace our steps. And while dreading to offend, let us, after offending, avoid despair, and be eager to be confirmed; and on sinking, let us haste to rise up again. Let us obey the Lord, who calls to us, "Come unto Me, all ye that labour, and I will give you rest," [Mt. 11:28]. Let us employ the gift of reason for actions of prudence. Let us learn now abstinence from what is wicked, that we may not be forced to learn in the future. Let us employ life as a training school for what is good; and let us be roused to the hatred of sin. Let us bear about a deep love for the Creator; let us cleave to Him with our whole heart; let us not wickedly waste the substance of reason, like the prodigal. Let us obtain the joy laid up, in which Paul exulting, exclaimed, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? " [Rm. 8:35]. To Him belongs glory and honour, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen.