Saint Matthias [24 February] Transferred

Saint Matthias
[February 24]

O ALMIGHTY God, who into the place of the traitor Judas didst choose thy faithful servant Matthias to be of the number of the twelve Apostles; Grant that thy Church, being alway preserved from false Apostles, may be ordered and guided by faithful and true pastors; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

1 Sam ii. 27, Ps 15, Acts i. 15 and Matthew xi. 25
Homilies

Other Readings:
Eve Ps 33, 1 Sam 16:1-13, 1 John 2:15ff
Morning Ps 15,24; 1 Sam 2:27-35; Matt 7:15-27
Evening Ps 145, 1 Sam 12:1-5, Acts 20:17-35

and the lot fell upon Matthias;
and he was numbered with the eleven apostles

Matthias just, today his dignity we own
In that the Apostles' lot gave him the vacant throne;
Last chosen of the Twelve, hear him, O Lord of love,
That throned in light and bliss, we too may reign above.

The Third Sunday in Lent

The Third Sunday in Lent

Homily of Augustine on Psalm LVI

WE beseech thee, Almighty God, look upon the hearty desires of thy humble servants, and stretch forth the right hand of thy Majesty, to be our defence against all our enemies; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Saramentary of Gregory, Bishop of Rome [600 AD] In the Gospel today Jesus heals a man possesed, stretching forth his had

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent; Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

[Collect of Ash Wednesday said daily until Palm Sunday]

Deut vi.,   Psalm 56, 86 | 119:73–104 ,   Ephesians v. 1. St. Luke xi. 14.

Homily of Augustine on Psalm LVI

Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

BULLETIN

 

quotation

 

"If a man loves righteousness, her labours are virtues; for she teacheth temperance and prudence, justice and fortitude, which are such things as man can have nothing more profitable in their life."

 [Wisdom of Solomon 8, 7]

 

news

Web sites for consideration:

Biblical Hermeneutics.  Many web resources are listed, and some journals looked interesting. The webmaster's Short Guide to Biblical Interpretation is good and short reading.

CrossMarks - For our preachers, an interesting exegetical site with notes on readings for the Revised Common Lectionary, or listed by book, chapter, and verses

Biblical Words Pronunciation Guide - For our readers/lectors

commentary

 

Psalm 56 is  appointed for this Sunday. It is certainly one that a centurion can embrace to guide them.  I think now of our fellow centurions who are in harms way, and this portion of David's psalm:

 

Be merciful unto me, O God, for man goeth about to devour

me; he is daily fighting, and troubling me. Mine enemies

are daily at hand to swallow me up; for they be many

that fight against me, O thou Most Highest. Nevertheless,

though I am sometimes afraid, yet put I my trust in thee

 

I have often heard men speak of the natural fear they encounter when in danger, and their ability to continue their mission with a quiet spirit in spite of that very natural fear – we call that courage, and those who muster that strength, "the brave".  Fortitude is one of the four cardinal virtues listed in today's quotation from Wisdom.  For a Christian, the trust that his eternal destiny rests in God's providence is an aid in time of danger and threat, and well equips him to carry on with that which is before him in the face of adversity.

 

"My religious belief teaches me that I am as safe in battle as in bed.  God has fixed the time of my death.  I do not concern myself about that, but to always be ready, no matter when it may overtake me.  That is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave"

[Lt. Gen. Thomas J. Jackson]

 

Α☧Ω
Order of Centurions

George Washington, General, Churchman [Washington's Birthday Observance]

Centurions, Greetings

 

Today in the United States, our American brothers celebrate the birth of a great Christian centurion of the 18th Century, George Washington. We have added him to our calendar on the day he joined our Lord, Dec 14th, and also recognize him on this holiday with our American centurions.

 

General George Washington

Soldier and Churchman
[B. February 22nd , D. December 17th]

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

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Psalm 44:1-8

We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old. How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out. For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them. Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob. Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us. For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me. But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us. In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah.

Romans 4: 1-3

What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

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Colonel Washington was a regular churchman and member of Truo Church (Church of England) in Virginia, where he served as Warden in 1767; he regularly took communion there. General Washington, as commander of the Colonial Army in the War of Independence, respected all faiths, and worshipped with several denominations. This ecumenical charity continued in his role as the first President of the Republic and its first Commander in Chief.

His quotations below speak most clearly of his beliefs.

"May that being, who is powerful to save, and in whose hands is the fate of nations, look down with an eye of tender pity and compassion upon the whole of the United Colonies; may He continue to smile upon their counsels and arms, and crown them with success, whilst employed in the cause of virtue and mankind.

"
[1776 Address to the Massachusetts Legislature]

"….should providence be pleased to crown our Arms in the course of the Campaign, with one more fortunate stroke, I think we shall have no great cause for anxiety respecting the future designs of Britain. I trust all will be well in his good time."

[Letter to Israel Putnam, October 19, 1777]

"…the General hopes and trusts, that, every officer and man, will endeavour so to live, and act, as becomes a Christian Soldier defending the dearest Right and Liberties of his country."

[July 9, 1776, General Orders of the Day]

"If we make Freedom our choice, we now determine to be enslaved or free. If we make Freedom our choice, we must obtain it, by the Blessing of Heaven on our United and Vigorous Efforts."

[To his officers and soldiers of the Pennsylvania Associators, August 8, 1776.]

"...it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor."

[Thanksgiving Proclamation, October 3, 1789]"George Washington and Religion

FAITH OF OUR FATHERS

 Note: The Order salutes all the members whose ancestors fought under General Washington on this holiday. For example, Centurion Zetta of Kentucky had two ancestors who were long-time friends with Washington from the time when he was a youth surveying the Western lands, and they served under him in the French and Indian War and the War of Independence: Valentine Crawford (her 4th great grandfather) who died in an accident during the war, and his brother William who was burned by Indians at the stake during the war. Here is the Washington-Crawford Letters Collection  that gives a good glimpse of Washington the commander.

 

The Second Sunday in Lent

 

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 Second Sunday in Lent 

ALMIGHTY God, who seest that we have no power of ourselves to help ourselves; Keep us both outwardly in our bodies, and inwardly in our souls; that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Sacrementary of Gregory - Bishop of Rome. [600 AD] The petition is not only for assualts from without, but also from within.

 

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent; Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

1 Kings viii. 37 Psalm 6, 38 | 119:33–72   1 Thessalonians iv. 1. & St. Matthew xv. 21

Homily of Augustine on Psalm VI

And her daughter was made whole from that very hour

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 commentary 

We who preach and write books, we write in a manner altogether different from the manner in which the canon of the Scriptures has been written. We write while we make progress. We learn something new every day. We dictate at the same time as we explore. We speak as we still knock for understanding . . . I urge your Charity, on my behalf and in my own case, that you should not take any previous book or preaching of mine as Holy Scripture . . . If anyone criticizes me when I have said what is right, he does me an injustice. But I would be more angry with the one who praises me and takes what I have written for Gospel truth (canonicum) than I would be with the one who criticizes me unfairly.

 

[Augustine]

 

The quotation from Augustine is as true today as it was in 400 AD. I echo the words of Augustine to the Order:  "I urge your Charity, on my behalf and in my own case." I call on our brothers who are scholars to help us to keep within the bounds of Scripture, and early orthodoxy and catholic faith (approximately the first five centuries).

 

This is the Second Sunday of Lent and our featured scripture in Psalm VI. It is one of the Seven Penitential Psalms. In the rubric for this Psalm in the version from which Augustine read in his homily today, it was written "in the hymns of the eighth"  In our Chapel, we cite eight hymns, and so this might relate to that set of eight.

 

I've added a rendering of  Psalm VI  based on Coverdale's Translation into English  out of the Latin Vulgate (primarily). The Vulgate would have been a source for Augustine as he was a contemporary in the West with Jerome. He also had available the Septuagint Greek to which he refers in his homily today.

 

Augustine interprets the opening verses of this psalm with an Early Church understanding of the scriptures concerning the Lord's healing of the saints before their glorification:

 

"Reprove me not, O Lord, in Thine anger. Nor in Thy rage chasten me."

 

But they are amended, that is, purged, who "upon this foundation build wood, hay, stubble. For they shall suffer loss, but shall be saved, as by fire." [1 Cor. iii. 11, 12, 13, 15] What then does he pray, who would not be either reproved or amended in the anger of the Lord? what else but that he may be healed? For where sound health is, neither death is to be dreaded, nor the physician's hand with caustics or the knife.

 

We as humans will  add stubble to the Church's strong foundation. That is a just fact we cannot escape. Yet, the stubble will not prevail; not even the gates of Hell can prevail. Through recognition of our fallen human nature and our acts of commission and omission, confession, contrition, and amendment of life, we may look with assurance for our Father's healing hand rather than his wrath.

 

"Make me whole," he says, "for Thy pity's sake." He knows that it is not of his own merits that he is healed: for to him sinning, and transgressing a given command, was just condemnation due. Heal me therefore, he says, not for my merit's sake, but for Thy pity's sake.

 

Specifically, for our Saviour's sake, whose one meritorious sacrifice is sufficient for our sins, and not ours alone, but also for the sins of the whole world [1 John ii.2]

 

 Augustine continues through his homily to develop the theme of the redemption of the saints in the Last Day, as opposed to the utter loss and destruction of unrepentant sinners.  I highly commend his homily on Psalm VI in this season of Lent.

 

 

Α☧Ω
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

Ember Days

 

Ember Days
Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at the Four Seasons

O ALMIGHTY God, who hast committed to the hands of men the ministry of reconciliation; We humbly beseech thee, by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, to put it into the hearts of many to offer themselves for this ministry; that thereby mankind may be drawn to thy blessed kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

In Advent, Lent, and Whitsuntide this collect is followed with the seasonal collect    

Isaiah lxi. 1, Acts xiii. 44   &   St. Luke iv. 16
Daily Readings for the Four Seasons
Collects, Litany & Hymns
History & Meaning

Bio on Polycarp

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me

The First Sunday in Lent

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 in Lent

O LORD, who for our sake didst fast forty days and forty nights; Give us grace to use such abstinence, that, our flesh being subdued to the Spirit we may ever obey thy godly motions in righteousness, and true holiness, to thy honour and glory, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent; Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Admonition and Exhortation for Communion

Isaiah 58   Psalm 51, 54 | 119:1â€"32   2 Corinthians vi. 1   &   St. Matthew iv. 1

Homily of Augustine on Psalm LI

It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God

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 BULLETIN

 

 

quotation

 

"O Lord, who knowest thy creation and that which thou hast willed for it; may thy will also be fulfilled in me, a sinner, for thou art blessed forevermore."

[St. John Chrysostom]

 

 

calendar

 

"Brother Lawrence" Nicholas Herman Soldier then Monk - February 12 [1691]

Lew Wallace, General, Evangelist - February 15

news

This Article on an ancient church in Iraq is interesting, it was large: 75 meters by 15 meters facing eastward.

 

commentary

 

Thanks to a fellow centurion for today's quotation from Chrysostom. It reminds us in this season that true saints have a very realistic appraisal of themselves.  Chrysostom calls himself "a sinner", and realizes his great need for his Savior. Our Centurion Litany opens with the most appropriate suffrage:, Lord, give us knowledge of ourselves.  Anselm of Canterbury said, "You have not yet considered how great your sin is."  [Cur Dues Homo ch21]

  

Quadragesima is the old name for this Sunday.  It is about 40 days before Easter and at one time marked the beginning of the Great Fast of Lent as indicated by the ancient collect at the beginning of this letter.

 

This is a time when we ought to look forward, in preparation, to the most important feast day of the Church year, the Resurrection.   I commend to all on this First Sunday in Lent an Admonition and Exhortation as a Lenten devotional exercise.

 

Perhaps one of the greatest stories in the Old Testament surrounds the Life of King David, and of his sin of adultery and murder.  After being called into account by Nathan, David repented and in contrition wrote Psalm 51, the topic of Augustine's homily today.  In the paragraph below, Augustine addresses an important aspect of David's confession and penitence:

 

"A clean heart create in me, O God" . "Create"--he meant to say, "as it were begin something new." But, because repentant he was praying after what manner he hath said "create" he showeth." And a right spirit renew in my inner parts." By my doing, he saith, the uprightness of my spirit hath been made old and bowed"

 

As we acknowledge our weakness before God this season, let us also pray for his Holy Spirit to heal and renew us.

 

Our society today has many ills.  Some are carried from generation to generation from a very long history of mankind's sinful acts. God is merciful to forgive, and yet, there are consequences :

 

For even to David himself, to whom it had been already said by the Prophet, "Thy sin is put away," there happened certain things which God had threatened for that very sin. For his son Abessalom against him waged bloody war, and many ways humbled his father.  He was walking in grief, in the tribulation of his humiliation, so resigned to God, that, ascribing to Him all that was just, he confessed that he was suffering nothing undeservedly, having now an heart upright, to which God was not displeasing.

 

Can you think of an example of evil consequences of acts in our times? How about the generations of children slayed in the womb: 928,978,112 children and their millions of descendants lost for all time to the posterity. Sadly, in the US it is the poor in our larger metropolitan areas who suffer most by this holocaust; there is no end in sight.

 

"You have not yet considered how great your sin is." 

 

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Order of Centurions

 

Ash Wednesday

 

Ash Wednesday
the first day of Lent

A Litany
A Penitential Office
for use with the devotional office of readings and collect and, or with the Litany

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent; Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

This Collect may be said every day in Lent, after the Collect appointed for the day, until Palm Sunday.

Source Archbishop Cranmer of Canterbury 1549. Replaced a collect that emphasized fasting, with this one that emphasizes repentence

Joel ii. 12   Psalm 51   &   St. Matthew vi. 16

Homily

--
"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

--
"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

Cornelius, Centurion [4 February]

 

CORNELIUS
Centurion and Bishop
[4 February]
First Baptized Gentile of the Church and by tradition Bishop of Caesarea

Almighty God, our Sovereign Lord, who didst call Cornelius the Centurion to be the first baptized Christian amongst the Gentiles; send your Spirit to strengthen us so that we might follow his example of faith, charity, piety, and devout service; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Holy Ghost, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

[On this day the Order of Centurions recognizes its veterans as of Honorary Tribunes]

Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

1 Kings viii, Acts x. Psalm XL, John xiv. 15.
Homily

 

It was meet that God should first show that He worketh by the ministry of men; but afterwards by Himself, lest men should think, as Simon thought, that it was man's gift, and not God's. Though the disciples themselves knew this well already. For there were one hundred and twenty men collected together, when without the imposition of any hand the Holy Ghost came upon them. For who had laid hands on them at that time? And yet He came, and filled them first...

Again, another more wonderful example. Peter came to Cornelius the centurion, to a Gentile man, uncircumcised: he began to preach Christ Jesus both to him, and to those who were with him. "While Peter was yet speaking," I do not say, when as yet he had not laid on his hands, but when he had not even yet baptized them, and when they who were with Peter were in doubt whether the uncircumcised ought to be baptized (for there had arisen an offence between the Jews who believed, and those who had been brought to the faith from among the Gentiles, between the Jews, that is, and the Christians who were baptized though uncircumcised), that God might take away this question, "while Peter was speaking, the Holy Ghost came," filled Cornelius, filled them who were with him. And by this very attestation of so great a thing, as it were a loud voice came to Peter, "Why dost thou doubt of water? Already I am here."

 

 

[Augustine]

Quinquagesima Sunday

 

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 Quinquagesima
the Sunday before Lent
Augustine on Psalm xv 

O LORD, who hast taught us that all our doings without charity are nothing worth; Send thy Holy Ghost, and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of charity, the very bond of peace and of all virtues, without which whosoever liveth is counted dead before thee. Grant this for thine only Son Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

Quinquagesima is 50 days before Easter. Source of collect, Archbishop Thomas Cranmer [1549]. Reflects 1 Cor 13 on Charity. Replaced a Medieval prayer used on Shrove Tuesday, when penitents were shriven, that is absolved, of their sins

Deut x. 12   Psalm 15, 16 | 111, 112;   1 Corinthians xiii. 1.   &   St. Luke xviii. 31
Homily of Augustine on Psalm XV

Thou son of David, have mercy on me
 

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BULLETIN

  

quotation

 

We must love both God and our neighbour, and "our neighbour" must be interpreted in its widest sense.… not only those who are connected with us by friendship or neighbourhood, but absolutely all men, with whom we have a common nature, whether they be foes or allies, slaves or free.  For the One Maker fashioned us, the One Creator breathed life into us; we all enjoy the same sky and air, the same days and nights, and, though some be good, others bad, some righteous, others unrighteous, yet God is bountiful to all, kind to all…

 

[Leo, Bishop of Rome, Preached on the Fast of the 10^th Month..Advent Sermon XII]

 

calendar

 

Ash Wednesday and Lent - 40 days of fasting

Chaplains of the USAT Dorchester February 3rd

Cornelius, Centurion at Caesarea, Bishop - February 4th

news

Mere Christianity now online. Read the commentary for link -- also linked in the Centurion Seminary.

  

The US services need chaplains! This program is especially attractive to those who are in their senior year of undergraduate training, and would like to attend Seminary as a reserve commissioned officer and Chaplain Candidate. You may receive up to $4,500 each year in tuition assistance in addition to your reserve pay and allowances. Please contact me through the Order if you or someone you know is interested. There are opportunities for both active duty and reserve. 

  

commentary

 

Quinquagesima is exactly 50 days before Easter.  Lent begins on Ash Wednesday for 40 days of fasting and six Sunday feast days. We have a small service at the link above that you may wish to use if your church does not have Ash Wednesday services. If ashes are used, it is traditional to use  ashes made from palms leaves left over from Palm Sunday last year.

 

Last week, we considered Hope. This week, we turn to the last of the three theological virtues, what called Paul the most important of the three: Love.  Our collect for this day was written by Thomas Cranmer after careful consideration of  1 Cor 13 concerning Love. Leo addressed the crux of this virtue in our featured quotation above.

 

Jesus commanded us to love all men. We need not particularly like them, but we must love them -- all. This is not an easy thing, but it is absolutely required. The word used in the New Testament Greek is agape, and it has been defined as a gift love that is not merited, but given freely, just as God loved us sinners and gave his Son for our salvation. [John iii.16]. It is not by any means a sentimental, touchy-feely, group-hug, love as some would have us believe. It has nothing to do with how we "feel" about another or their actions, but is rather a matter of will, intent, and conduct. It has little to do with the "niceness" as defined by modern culture, but certainly embodies those actions listed by Paul in 1st Cor 13. As Christ's soldiers we have our Lord's last command, given on Commandment (Maundy)Thursday at the Last Supper, "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.".  This is not new, as shown in our appointed Old Testament Lesson is Deut xii, were it is written: "Love ye therefore the stranger."  Let us consider this to be the "Commander's Intent" of our Operations Order for this Church Militant. May it guide us in our brief sojourn in this in all circumstances, all contingencies.

 

Psalm XV which is featured this Sunday in Augustine's homily touches on our call to love our neighbors. C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity counseled that when you find it hard to feel love, begin by acting as a Christian with your neighbor, and you will begin to grow to become the Christian God wants you to be (see quotation at the end). Augustine's exegesis says much the same:

 

"Who sweareth unto his neighbour, and deceiveth him not." "Who hath not given his money upon usury, and hath not taken rewards against the innocent" (Psalm xv. 5).

 

These are no great things: but he who is not able to do even this, much less able is he to speak the truth in his heart, and to practise no deceit in his tongue, but as the truth is in the heart…and to do no evil to his neighbour, that is, to any man; and to entertain no slander against his neighbour: all which are the virtues of the perfect, in whose sight the malicious one hath been brought to nought. Yet he concludes even these lesser things thus, "Whoso doeth these things shall not be moved for ever:" that is, he shall attain unto those greater things, wherein is great and unshaken stability.

 

See the entire homily here. This is a short one.

 

 

The rule for all of us is perfectly simple. Do not waste time bothering  whether you "love" your neighbour; act as if  you did. As soon as we do this we find one of the great secrets. When you are behaving  as if you loved someone, you will presently  come to love him.

 

[ C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity]

Α☧Ω
Order of Centurions

 

 

The Presentation of Christ in the Temple [2 February]

New for this year... Chrysostom on Galations. 

The Presentation of Christ in the Temple
commonly called
The Purification of Mary the Virgin
[February 2]
Chrysostom on Galatians i
Presentation Home

ALMIGHTY and everliving God, we humbly beseech thy Majesty, that, as thy only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple in substance of our flesh, so we may be presented unto thee with pure and clean hearts, by the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Malachi iii. 1, Galatians 1, Psalm 84,   &   St. Luke ii. 22
Homilies

a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel

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