The Sunday called Sexagesima

 

Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

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

 

The Sunday called Sexagesima
the Second Sunday before Lent
Augustine on Psalm XXXIII

O LORD God, who seest that we put not our trust in any thing that we do; Mercifully grant that by thy power we may be defended against all adversity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Sacramentary of Bishop Gregory of Rome [600 AD]

Isaiah l. 4   Psalm 33, 93 | 139;   ii Corinthians xi. 19   &   St. Luke viii. 4

Homily of Augustine

on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience

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BULLETIN

 

We seek infomormation on Chaplain Dunbar who as the chaplain of Fort Monroe at the Chapel of the Centurion. amd Fort Concho, Texas. Please contact us through the Order.

 

1903-1911 George Ward Dunbar

  

quotation

 

It is quite certain that virtue is the only and the highest good; [as compared with worldly goods]  that it alone richly abounds in the fruit of a blessed life; that a blessed life, by means of which eternal life is won, does not depend on external or corporal benefits, but on virtue only. A blessed life is the fruit of the present, and eternal life is the hope of the future

 

[Ambrose. On the duties of Clergy, Book II, Chapter V ]

 

Calendar

 

The Presentation of CHRIST in the Temple
commonly called
The Purification of Mary the Virgin
-- February 2nd

 

news

 

Robert of New Jersey referred this link to the Order which has the original Latin version of some familiar canticles and prayers.

 http://www.preces-latinae.org/index.htm

 

I came across the Bible software THEOPHILOS^TM  www.theophilos.sk. It comes free with the Authorized Version of the Bible, Matthew's Commentary, and the Eastman Bible Dictionary. It allows the user to append notes and has a great search engine. Simply double clicking a word brings up the dictionary. It is very responsive. Other add-ons are available from the creator (some at a cost). We commend this free version for your studies.

 

The Biblical Archeology Society is offering a free Ebook in pdf format on the Burial of Jesus, a collection of scholarly articles. I could not find it on the main page, but this link appears to work. Interesting.

 

Follow this link to download your FREE copy of The Burial of Jesus.: http://jesustomb.bib-arch.org/?q=jcollectedemails&act_key=47895bf7b017c3.78303442

 

bidding prayers

 

For Tyson - for recovery from chest injuries.

 

commentary

 

Sexagesima is approximately 60 days before Easter.  Originally, the  season of pre-Lent was observed to coordinate the season with the Eastern Church, which followed one of the Ecumenical Councils in observing fasts only Monday-Friday. I understand the Orthodox Lent was eight weeks long (5 days x 8 weeks=40 days).

 

I have heard that the pre-Lent season began in the 6^th Century. In the West, each Sunday of the three weeks of pre-Lent signaled the beginning of fasting for a specific food, in order to wean themselves from dairy products and meat. One item given up on the eve of each Sunday. Likewise, the Church would teach the three theological virtues on these Sundays of Pre-Lent:  Faith, Hope and Charity. 

 

Last week, we considered Faith, and the necessity of having an unfeigned belief in Gospel truths. This week, let us turn and consider at Hope from the words of Augustine from his discourse on Psalm XXXIII, which we feature as today's homily.

 

"Behold, the Eyes of the Lord are upon them that fear Him:" because if thou seek salvation, behold, the love of the Lord is upon them that fear Him. "Upon them that hope in His mercy": that hope not in their own strength, but in His mercy.

 

and,

 

 "Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we have hoped in Thee": let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us; for hope confoundeth not, because we have hoped in Thee.

 

We remember the Centurion at Capernaum chiefly for his faith, which our Lord lauded before the unbelieving Jews. No less important to us is his hope. The Centurion had faith that Jesus had the authority and power to heal his servant; closely tied with that faith was his hope that Jesus would deign to do so. Like the Centurion, humbly, we may hope, with the measure of faith given to each, that our Lord will answer our faithful prayers.  Like all faithful centurions over the ages, joyfully, we may anticipate in devout hope, that we will be numbered with the Centurion of Capernaum and all those who shall  come from the East and the West to sit at the feast with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as our Lord foretold  [Matt viii.5ff].

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Order of Centurions

 

 

Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul [25 Jan]

Friends, new this year on the Order's site is the homily of Chrysostom on the reading from Matthew xix 27 at the link, and also the remarkable painting from the Cerasi Chapel, Santa Maria del Popola, Rome.  Note that Saul is armed and wears body armor. The sword's hilt and blade are like that of a gladius and amour and dress like that of Rome. We remember that at this time Saul was acting in the role of a militant agent of the Chief Priests. 

 

The Lord in glorious in his saints, O come let us adore him.

 

Conversion of Saint Paul
[January 25]
Homily of Chrsystom on Matthew XIX. 27
 

O GOD, who, through the preaching of the blessed Apostle Saint Paul, hast caused the light of the Gospel to shine throughout the world; Grant, we beseech thee, that we, having his wonderful conversion in remembrance, may show forth our thankfulness unto thee for the same, by following the holy doctrine which he taught; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Jeremiah i. 4,   Psalm 67,   Acts ix. 1   &  St. Matthew xix. 27
Homily of Chrisystom on the Reading from Matthew

He fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

[1600-1601; Oil on canvas, cm 230 x 165; Cerasi Chapel, Santa Maria del Popola, Rome ]
 

--
"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

The Sunday called Septuagesima

 

Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

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

 

The Sunday called Septuagesima
the third Sunday before Lent
Augustine on Psalm VIII

O LORD, we beseech thee favourably to hear the prayers of thy people; that we, who are justly punished for our offences, may be mercifully delivered by thy goodness, for the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

Source: Sacramentary of Bishop Gregory of Rome [600 AD]. The collect shows the great stress that Gregory knew from all sorts of calamities and threats - often perceived directly as a result of the sin of the nation. Septuagesima is the pre-Lent Sunday approximately 70 days before Easter. The name comes from the Middle Ages-as do the purple vestments often used in this season.

 

Joshua i:1   Psalms 8, 148 | 104;   1 Corinthians ix. 24   &   St. Matthew xx. 1

Homily of Augustine on Psalm VIII

I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.
Is it not lawful for me to do what will with mine own?

---

 

BULLETIN

 

quotation

 

I cannot pretend to be indifferent about the veracity of the records which profess to reveal him whom I believe to be not only the very Truth but the very Life.

 

[J.B. Lightfoot , English Bishop and a most notable 19^th Century Bible Scholar, commenting on the work of D. F. Stauss that disparaged traditionally held bible truths ]

 

calendar

 

Sebastian, Centurion, Martyr - January 20th [Diocletian's Purge]

The Conversion of Paul -- January 25th

Maximinus, Legionary of the Imperial Guard Antioch, Martyr - January 26^th

 

news

 

 In researching Bishop Lightfoot I came across many of his works here at Internet Archive.  This appears to be an excellent resource.

 

 

commentary

 

This Sunday we begin the season of Pre-Lent. We note the tone in the collect today. It is a reflective period, and one in which we may begin to prepare for the Great Fast of Lent.   As we approach a most sacred day of Ash Wednesday in the Western Church, upon which day we are called to search ourselves deeply with contrition and circumcision of our hearts, I am reminded of the quotation of Bishop Lightfoot above concerning the verity of the Gospel history of our Lord.   I am also reminded too of an absolution in the Common Prayer Book.  At Morning and Evening Prayer in the Anglican tradition, the priest admonishes the congregation with these words:, " [God] pardoneth and absolveth all those who truly repent, and unfeignedly believe his holy Gospel."

 

Now, those of us who have studied the Art of War, and even battles of the Old Testament (of Ai, Judges 8), understand well the meaning of a feint. It is a military term: to make a false show in order to deceive. We, however, are called to believe in truth (in our hearts).  I am disturbed by titular Christians who rehearse our Creed in public worship, but deny it in their hearts, and even upon their lips. They do not believe the historical truth behind the Articles of Faith. Even worse are those who attempt to pervert the Creed with spin, changing the plain meaning of the words, in order to justify their perversion and apostasy. They ought to heed the admonition of Paul (1 ^st Cor 1:18-25) "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise".  God reads our hearts like an open book, and it is through our faith and repentance, known as true or feigned only by him, that opens to us Christ's one perfect sacrifice as the propitiation for our sins.

 

Likewise, we who think we believe unfeignedly ought not to boast, but give earnest thanks, for it is written: But unto them which are called…Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For some folk in this age of science, materialism, and apostasy, the challenge to belief in "His story" is perhaps greater than any preceding era, but there is help for them who are called. We may pray to our Lord in times of uncertainty: "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief."[Mt 9:24] and do as did Bishop Lightfoot in scholarly study.  As we approach the Great Fast, and the seasons of Passion Week, Easter, and Pentecost, we may anticipate hearing again the most amazing story the world has ever known as it unfolds: that God's incarnate Son made the ultimate sacrifice for the salvation of his elect for the cause of love, and God raised him from the dead to be our only Advocate and Mediator and seated him at his right hand, and then sent his Holy Ghost to dwell in our hearts.

 

We continue with Augustine's homilies on Psalm VIII this week.  He touches on the subject of our quotation

 

Thou, our Lord, declaring first by the Apostle, "Except ye believe, ye shall not understand ;" and saying by His own mouth, "Blessed are they that have not seen, and shall believe." "Because of the enemies:" against whom too that is said, "I confess to Thee, O Lord of heaven and earth, because Thou hast hid these things from the wise, and revealed them unto babes." "From the wise," he saith, not the really wise, but those who deem themselves such.[see below] … Although the philosophers too of this world may be well taken as the enemies and defenders: forasmuch as the Son of God is the Power and Wisdom of God by which every one is enlightened who is made wise by the truth : of which they profess themselves to be lovers, whence too their name of philosophers; and therefore they seem to defend it, while they are its enemies, since they cease not to recommend noxious superstitions, that the elements of this world should be worshipped and revered.

 

What "goes around – comes around," Daddy used to say.  Speaking of philosophers, a popular TV personality here in America, whose fans consider a "wise philosopher"  is Oprah Winfrey. She has taken it upon herself this coming season to produce a program for her disciples teaching the tenants of New Age religion, which among other things includes the following: [Orthodox insert: I've suggested a counter to the heretical with an orthodox (right-belief) argument in the brackets]

 

 * "God is in everything I see."  - [Orthodox-God created all things-you shall not worship anything created]
* "The recognition of God is the recognition of yourself." [Orthodox-Man is created in the image of God - they who have seen (know) the Son have seen (know) the Father]
* "The oneness of the Creator and the creation is your wholeness, your sanity and your limitless power ." [Orthodox-You can do all things in Christ Jesus. (Oprah's hawk here sounds like it touches on Hinduism as I recall, where adherents believe ultimately that all are subsumed into the cosmic represented by "OM", like a raindrop in the ocean.]
* "The Atonement is the final lesson he [man] need learn, for it teaches him that, never having sinned, he has no need of salvation." [Orthodox-All have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God; therefore all need Christ's salvation]

 

[See much more of her heretical teachings in this article – and beware of she-wolves.]

 

From all false doctrine, heresy, and schism; from hardness of heart, and contempt of thy Word and Commandment,

     Good Lord, deliver us!

Α ☧ Ω
Order of Centurions

 

First Sunday after the Epiphany

 

Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

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

 

The First Sunday after Epiphany

O LORD, we beseech thee mercifully to receive the prayers of thy people who call upon thee; and grant that they may both perceive and know what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to fulfil the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source Sacramentary of Bishop Gregory of Rome [600 AD]. It is based on James 4:17, John 13:17, and Luke 12:47 -[Barbee and Zahl]

O GOD, who by the leading of a star didst manifest thy only-begotten Son to the Gentiles; Mercifully grant that we, who know thee now by faith, may after this life have the fruition of thy glorious Godhead; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Collect of Epiphany - said in the Octave of Epiphany

 

Isaiah lx. 1, Psalm 47, 48 | 66, 67;   Romans xii. 1   &   St. Luke ii. 41
Homilies

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service

 

 

BULLETIN

  

quotation

 

All killing is not murder…When soldiers came to St. John the Baptist asking him what they should do, he never even remotely suggested that they ought to leave the army: Nor did Christ when he met a Roman sergeant-major—what they called a centurion. What I cannot understand…is the idea that though you have to fight, you ought to do it with long faces and as if you were ashamed of it. It is that feeling that robs a lot of magnificent young Christians in the army of something they have a right to, something which is the natural accompaniment of courage—a kind of gaiety and wholeheartedness.

[C.S. Lewis, the 20^th Century Knight of Oxford: Mere Christianity, p107]

 

calendar

 

Alexander (Akimetes) Centurion, Monk - January 15 [430]

 

commentary

 

I cited the quotation from above from the book: Mere Christianity   concerning the Centurion and afterward noted that it coincided with a portion of Augustine's sermon this week on Psalm XLVIII.  In his commentary on the 9 ^th verse, Augustine reminds his listeners of the story of the Centurion of Capernaum, calling him a "Prince".  Augustine, as a Roman of the 5^th Century, had an excellent understanding of the place of the Centurion in society.

 

"The princes of the peoples are gathered together unto the God of Abraham"…

 

Of these princes was that Centurion too, of whom but now when the Gospel was read ye heard. For he was a Centurion having honour and power among men, he was a prince among the princes of the peoples. Christ coming to him, he sent his friends to meet Him, nay unto Christ truly passing over to him he sent his friends, and asked that He would heal his servant who was dangerously sick. And when the Lord would come, he sent to Him this message: "I am not worthy that Thou shouldest enter under my roof, but say in a word only, and my servant shall be healed." "For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers." See how he kept his rank! first he mentioned that he was under another, and afterwards that another was under him. I am under authority, and I am in authority; both under some I am, and over some I am....As though he said, If I being set under authority command those who are under me, Thou who art set under no man's authority, canst not Thou command Thy creature, since all things were made by Thee, and without Thee was nothing made. "Say," then, said he, "in a word, and my servant shall be healed. For I am not worthy that Thou shouldest enter under my roof."...Admiring at his faith, Jesus reprobates the Jews' misbelief. For sound to themselves they seemed, whereas they were dangerously sick, when their Physician not knowing they slew. Therefore when He reprobated, and repudiated their pride what said he? "I say unto you, that many shall come from the east and west," not belonging to the kindred of Israel: many shall come to whom He said, "O clap your hands, all ye nations;" "and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven."

 

 

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Order of Centurions

 

 

Ancient Epiphany Hymn of Prudentius

Before the ancient hymn of Prudentius, I bid you to pray the Epiphany collect:

O GOD, who by the leading of a star didst manifest thy only-begotten Son to the Gentiles; Mercifully grant that we, we who know thee now by faith, may be brought to the contemplation of thy Majesty through sight; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Aurelius Clemens "Marcus" Prudentius

"Prince of early Christian poets"

for other translations and bio see here

Click here for tune

 

Earth has many a noble city;
Bethlehem, thou dost all excel:
out of thee the Lord from heaven
came to rule his Israel.

Fairer than the sun at morning
was the star that told his birth,
to the world its God announcing
seen in fleshly form on earth.

Eastern sages at his cradle
make oblations rich and rare;
see them give, in deep devotion,
gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Sacred gifts of mystic meaning:
incense doth their God disclose,
gold the King of kings proclaimeth,
myrrh his sepulcher foreshows.

Jesus, whom the Gentiles worshiped
at thy glad epiphany,
unto thee, with God the Father
and the Spirit, glory be.

---

-- trans­lat­ed from La­tin to Eng­lish by Ed­ward Cas­wall, Ly­ra Ca­thol­i­ca, 1849.
"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 OPERAREIUSTITIAM
www.OrderofCenturions.org

Epiphany [6 January]

 

Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

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

 

The Epiphany
or the Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles  

[January 6]
Chrysostom on Ephesians iii.1 ff

O GOD, who by the leading of a star didst manifest thy only-begotten Son to the Gentiles; Mercifully grant that we, who know thee now by faith, may after this life have the fruition of thy glorious Godhead; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel

Ephesians iii. 1 & Matthew ii. 1
Homily of Chrysostom on Ephesians iii. 1ff

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BULLETIN

  

quotation

 

The story of the magi not only a bygone fact in history, but of everyday application to ourselves.

[Leo of Rome]

 

calendar

 

Typasius, Legionary of Tigava, Martyr - January 11th

 

news

 

I pray your Christmas was joyful. A return to special devotions and abstinence on Wednesdays and Fridays is appropriate until the Feast of the Resurrection

 

bidding prayers

 

For our friends in Kenya: for their safety and an end to political strife there-with justice and freedom and recovery of good order.

 

Commentary

 

Our season of Christmastide of 12 days closes as we observe the Feast of the Epiphany today. This is the Second most important feast in the East, where the Baptism of Christ is the major theme. I endorse the readings that Brother Chris has sent from the Orthodox Church for this week, in that regard.

 

The date of 6 January is tied to dates that the early Church in the East, calculated for the birth of Christ based on their estimate of the Passion and corresponding conception of Christ. This article Calculating Christmas is very informative, and credibly dismisses the ideas that any pagan feast of the sun or of the winter solstice   was the basis for Christmas – as I think was proffered by the malicious writings of Dale Brown.  The Western Church later observed 6 January   as well, but looked at the coming of the Wise Men and the showing forth of Christ to the Gentiles, as the Sun of Righteousness, for its theme. In the American prayer book, the American fathers changed the Sunday after the Epiphany to reflect the baptism of Christ – picking up on the ancient Epiphany theme.

 

In that this Sunday is a special Feast day of the Church, I've set aside the study of psalms of Augustine, and rather feature for the first time the homily of Chrysostom on Ephesians. He wrote,

 

"Which in other generations was not made known unto the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed unto His holy Apostles and Prophets in the Spirit." [Eph iii. ]

 

What then, tell me, did not the Prophets know it? How then doth Christ say, that Moses and the Prophets wrote "these things concerning Me?" And again, "If ye believed Moses, ye would believe Me." (John v. 46.) And again, "Ye search the Scriptures, because ye think that in them ye have eternal life, and these are they which bear witness of me." (John v. 39.) His meaning is this, either that it was not revealed unto all men, for he adds, "which in other generations was not made known unto the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed;" or else, that it was not thus made known by the very facts and realities themselves, "as it hath now been revealed unto His holy Apostles and Prophets in the Spirit." For reflect. Peter, had he not been instructed by the Spirit, never would have gone to the Gentiles. For hear what he says, "Then hath God given unto them the Holy Ghost, as well as unto us." (Acts x. 47.) That it was by the Spirit that God chose that they should receive the grace. The Prophets then spoke, yet they knew it not thus perfectly; so far from it, that not even did the Apostles, after they had heard it. So far did it surpass all human calculation, and the common expectation.

 

In reflection on Chrysostom's words above on this Epiphany, I am reminded of a passage I read yesterday as part of the OT History Course from Covenant Seminary (which we encourage this course for study through the Order's Centurion Seminary). V Philips Long reminded readers in the Art of Biblical History of the light that comes forth to the world in God's word in the perspicuity ( or clarity) of Scripture… but also of the "need for the illumination of the Spirit of God … and that some may not be illuminated but, 'darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts' (Eph 4:18, cf Rom 1:21)  Illuminans Altissimus- Abmrose – Epiphany Hymn - Sung on this day in Church history as the feeding of the 5,000 was also remembered (altissimus Latin of a type of oat). Ambrose wrote much of the light coming into the world-God's showing forth of his divinity through his Son, just review the lists of titles here and one may see, click on a link and listen to the modern rendition of the ancient Ambrosian hymns in this season of Epiphany

 

Eternal Glory of the Sky
The Dawn is Sprinkling in the East
The Day Draws on with Golden Light
O Christ Who art the Light of Day
Now that the Daylight Fills the Sky
Now the Sun in Gleaming Bright
Above the Starry Spheres
The Morning Kindles all the Sky
O God of Truth, O Lord of Might
O Splendor of God's Glory Bright

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Order of Centurions

 

 

--
"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

Ruins of Second Temple Discovered

Centurions:
 
Another major find for Israel in December with the identification of the Second Temple that fell to the Romans in AD 70. Read more here, including a comment on how the legions likely raised the structure.  Good photo of digs.
 
"The building was destroyed by dismantling the walls of the large structure, causing the massive stone walls and ceilings from the upper stories to collapse onto the basement. "

"And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down."

[Matt 24:2]

 

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?c=JPArticle&cid=1196847260218&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull