The Twenty First Sunday after Trinity

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

The Twenty First Sunday after Trinity

 

Grant, we beseech thee merciful Lord, to thy faithful people pardon and peace, that they may be cleansed from all their sins, and serve thee with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Sacrementary of Bishop Gelasius of Rome [494AD].

Isaiah lix. 15b, Psalms: 120, 121, 122 | 133, 134, 135, Ephesians vi. 10   &   St. John iv. 46
Homily of Augustine on Psalm 120

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God

 

 

BULLETIN

 

 

 

calendar

Simon and Jude, Apostles -- October 28th

Fidelis, Exantus, and Carpophorus - October 28th

Marcellus, Centurion - October 30th

Gaianus, Centurion of the Armageddon Chapel - October 31 [ca 225]

All Saints -- November 1st

news

 

Anthony of New York writes: " Salva,  I would like to share this email with you and the rest of our Order. It is stunning what faith in our Lord can do. I hope all can enjoy these photos. Antoninus.... See the photo at the bottom of this post. Someone donated land Amarillo, and a man scultped this scene of  Calvary. Only one photo came through.  

 

commentary

 

Psalm 120 is featured this Sunday. It is the first of fifteen psalms known as psalms (120-134) of degree or songs of ascent. Some have thought this applied to signing these psalms as one "went up" to Jerusalem to worship in the Temple. These psalms form the base of the Great Hallel, to which psalms 135 and 136 are added, which is sung at the Passover. The Hallel is likely what is meant in the Gospel when it says that Jesus and his disciples went out from the Upper Room singing a hymn.

 

In his lesson, Augustine begins saying: " The Psalm which we have just heard chanted, and have responded to with our voices"  In the early church, as in some churches today that follow the early custom, the choir would chant the psalm and the congregation would respond, normally with a verse of the psalm -- often the last verse.

 

I highly commend the lesson of Augustine in his examination of Psalm 120. It is as applicable today as in 400. He speaks of our sojourn on earth and how we ought to aim at "ascending" continually toward God, rather than descending toward the baser things (that descent often led by our smallest member- our tongues.) His call for unity of the Church in the conclusion is one we may all pray for.

 

****************************

Note: I offer for consideration a pattern of worship and reflection in the coming time that we look at the psalms. Each day in your devotion through the week, say or sing the psalm that was featured by Augustine for that week. If you have a study Bible or commentary, read up on it, and if you are very good at memorization, attempt to memorize it, or some verses that are meaningful to you. Perhaps print it off or write it on a card and carry it with you so that throughout the day you may have it with you. Finally, make sure you read the thoughts of Augustine in his allegorical approach to explaining the psalms.

 

Salve,

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

Agincourt - 25 October

Centurions,

 

I'm indebted to centurions Mike of Texas and James of Wisconsin this day. 

 

About two months ago Mike put me on to the movie Henry V in response to a post of James. I bought the movie, which is  Shakespeare's the Life of King Henry V   and read the history of the Battle of Agincourt and was simply overwhelmed (see footage of Henry's speech here  , and praise  here, ). Today James wrote to friends and reminded us that tomorrow commemorates the Battle of Argincourt - and more.

 

In closing his letter, Mike had used a Latin phrase that I did not know.. but seemed to recognize. It came from a man at the end of the movie singing the Latin hymn Non Nobis  , and in my prayer book, Psalm 115 is labeled in Latin, Non nobis, Domine.... Not unto us, O Lord...

 

After discovering the results of the miraculous victory, Shakespeare has Henry V to say

 

"Do we all holy rites;
Let there be sung 'Non nobis' and 'Te Deum;'
The dead with charity enclosed in clay:
And then to Calais; and to England then:
Where ne'er from France arrived more happy men.
"--

 The actual words to this hymn are:

 

Non nobis Domine non nobis,

     Sed Nomini tuo da gloriam

     Sed Nomini tuo da gloriam.....

 

We know that Non Nobis did not exist as a hymn in Henry's day. There is speculation that the hymn was written for this play (See more here.) What is more important perhaps from a literary and scriptural perspective is the link between the documented Agincourt victory and the inspiration for the hymn... perhaps Psalm 113 where the phrase is seen in verse 9 was the inspiration-the defeat of Egypt at the Red Sea.  What is for certain is that Shakespeare intended to portray Henry as giving credit to God for the Victory, as did many our our centurions of old, including Constantine.

 

"And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by, From this day to the ending of the world, But we in it shall be remember'd; We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother"

[Shakespear's Henry V]

 

 I suggest we pause today and remember Agincourt. We might also contemplate our current struggle, or remember miraculous victories of the past, or perhaps watch the movie Henry V,  read through Shakespeare's play, reflect on an old veteran's thoughts ,  sing Psalm 113 or Psalm 115, or to read  Kipling's Non Nobis - ,

 

But for certain we all should give the Glory to God.

Sed Nomini tuo da gloriam

 

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

The Twentieth Sunday after Trinity

The Twentieth Sunday after Trinity

O ALMIGHTY and most merciful God, of thy bountiful goodness keep us, we beseech thee, from all things that may hurt us; that we, being ready both in body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish those things which thou commandest; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Sacramentary of Bishop Gelasius of Rome [494]. Much minor reworking from the Latin. [Barbee and Zalh]

Ephesians v. 15   Psalm 116 &  St. Matthew xxii. 1
Augustine on Psalm CXVI

For many are called, but few are chosen
 

 

 

BULLETIN

 

  

calendar

John of Capistrano - October 23rd

Alfred, King & Warrior - October 26th

Demetrius of Thessolonica - October 26th [Maximian 286-305]

In Hoc Signo Vinces & Saxa Ruba - October 27th

Simon and Jude, Apostles -- October 28th

Fidelis, Exantus, and Carpophorus - October 28th

 

commentary

 

This Sunday Psalm 116 is appointed. In my prayer book it begins as "My delight is in the Lord." I am reminded of David's time in the wilderness, avoiding Saul's wrath (this may have been the time he wrote this psalm.) "Turn again then unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath done good to thee"  When Saul encamped against David, the Lord put a deep sleep on Saul and his men, so that David was able to walk into the camp and take Saul spear, but render him no harm.   I think too of our own centurions in harms way this very day. This psalm must have special meaning to them. The snares (IEDs) of death surround them. Their enemy plot against them. May God in his mercy comfort, help, and preserve them, and may their souls find peace and rest in his presence.

 

 I commend Augustine's exposition of the psalm at the link above.

 

semper fidelis

msc

Constantinian Christian

Centurionum:

 

We got to discussing politics and religion a bit around the coffee pot yesterday. I joked with my comrades about some of the candidates, and then departed characterizing myself as a Constantinian Christian. I don't think I'd ever done that before. I decided to look it up and came upon the interesting page on the history behind it from the Christian History Institute. Gospel net... not too different than the history we have on our Order's pages.

 

http://chi.gospelcom.net/GLIMPSEF/Glimpses/glmps012.shtml

 

and from this page.... on Post-Constantine Christianity a hymn from Spain and art that also appears on our pages 

http://employees.oneonta.edu/farberas/arth/arth212/post_constant_conc_christ.html

    Prudentius, "Hymn for All Hours," Cathemerinon IX (translation from the Loeb Classic series volume of texts by Prudentius) see more on the Order's Hymnal

 

Let me chant in sacred numbers, as I strike each sounding string,
Chant in sweet, melodious anthems, glorious deeds of Christ our King:
He, my Muse, shall be thy story: with His praise my lyre shall ring.

When the king in priestly raiment sang the Christ that was to be,
Voice and lute and clashing cymbal joined in joyous harmony,
While the Spirit, heaven-descended, touched his lips to prophecy....

Of the Father's heart begotten, ere the world from chaos rose,
He is Alpha; from that Fountain all that is and hath been flows:
He is Omega, of all things yet to come the mystic Close.

By His word was all create; He commands and lo! 'tis done;
Earth and sky and boundless ocean, universe of three in one,
All that sees the moon's soft radiance, all that breathes beneath the sun....

But, while God with golden glory floods the murky realms of night,
And upon the startled shadows dawns a day serene and bright,
In the darkened vault of heaven stars forlorn refuse their light.

For the sun in garb of mourning veiled his radiant orb and passed
From his flaming path in sorrow, hiding till mankind aghast
Deemed that o'er a world of chaos Night's eternal pall was cast.

Now, my soul, in liquid measures let the sounding numbers flow;

 

Sing the trophy of His passion, sing the Cross triumphant now;
Sing the ensign of Christ's glory, marked on every faithful brow.

Ah! How wondrous was the fountain flowing from His pierced side,
Whence the blood and water mingled in a strange and sacred tide--
Water, sign of mystic cleansing; blood, the martyr's crown of pride.

In that hour the ancient Serpent saw the holy Victim slain,
Saw, and shed his hate envenomed, all his malice spent in vain;
See! The hissing neck is broken as he writhes in sullen pain.

Christ, our Captain, for a season deigned to dwell in Death's domain,
That the dead, long time imprisoned, might return to life again,
Breaking by His great example ancient sins' enthralling chain....

Then, mankind to life restoring, Death downtrodden 'neath His feet,
Lo! The Victor mounts triumphant to the Father's judgment-seat,
Bringing back to heaven the glory by His passion made complete.

Hail! Thou Judge of souls departed: hail! Of all the living King!
On the Father's right hand throned, through His courts Thy praises ring,
Till at last for all offences righteous judgment Thou shalt bring....

 

**************************

Christ the King emerges as a specific symbol after Constantine. The church is elevated in the eyes of the world. In the Chapel of the Centurion there is a cross with an icon of Christ the King, bearing a crown and in priestly garb. Perhaps this, along with images like Christ Militant, signify the Constantinian Christian.

 

Mark xP

Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity

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

The Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity

 Augustine on Psalm CIV

O GOD, forasmuch as without thee we are not able to please thee; Mercifully grant that thy Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Job xxiv. 1, Ephesians iv. 17   &   St. Matthew ix. 1
Psalm cxiv, cxv | cvii
Homily

But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins

   

 

BULLETIN

 

 calendar

Luke the Evangelist -- October 18th

Ouar, Commander of the Tiana Cohorte -- October 19 [Maximian 286-305]

Artemius, Tribune -- 20 Oct [362]

commentary

 

This Sunday Psalm 114 is appointed. This is such a graphic and beautiful poem. I love the verse that asks: What ails you, O sea, that you fled? O Jordan, that you turned back? In his essay, Augustine reminds us that it is by God's grace that we have been adopted as his sons and so are a part of the true Israel, which is ours by our faith; and that we carry within us the LORD's  sanctuary.

 

The Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity

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

 

The Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity
Augustine on Psalm cxi

Trinity 18 Home

LORD, we beseech thee, grant thy people grace to withstand the devil; and with pure hearts and minds to follow thee, the only God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Source Bishop Gelasians Sacrmentary [494] where appointed for the Sunday before Ember Days in the Autum. Ember days were for penitence, fasting, and the Saturday for ordinations in Rome. The 1662 added temptations of the world, the flesh One is reminded of the Lord's prayer and of 2 Perter 2:9

 

And no man was able to answer him a word,
neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.

Homily of Augustine on Psalm CXI 

BULLETIN

 

Turn we to the Lord God, the Father Almighty, and with pure hearts offer to him, so far as our meanness can, great and true thanks, with all our hearts praying his exceeding kindness, that of his good pleasure he would deign to hear our prayers, that by his power he would drive out the enemy from our deeds and thoughts, that he would increase our faith, guide our understandings, give us spiritual thoughts, and lead us to his bliss, through Jesus Christ his Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with him, in the Unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

[Augustine –which he habitually used after lectures and homilies, and which I hope to append to all of his lectures and homilies on the Order's site.]

calendar

 

Sergios and Bacchus, Centurions - October 7th [Maximian 286-305]

Robert E. Lee, General, Educator -- October 12th [1870]

 

 

commentary

 

In our continuing study of the Psalms, we observe that Augustine takes an allegorical sense in his expositions from a Christian point of view. This is no less than what our Lord did regarding himself in the Psalms. An interesting chapter to read on the allegorical interpretation of the psalms comes from C.S. Lewis in his book Reflection on the Psalms entitled "Second Meanings."

 

In the last verse of Psalm 111 appointed for this day, and which is presented by Augustine in our homily, we read. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all they that do his commandments. This is central to the Order of Centurions, and we believe that in following this mandate to "fear God," we will   receive the good understanding that is required, and which comes from God, to enable us to follow his commands – "and do what is right(eous)."

 

Salve

msc

.org