First Sunday after Easter

 

Alleluia, He is risen, O come, Let us adore him! Alleluia

 

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

 

The First Sunday after Easter

ALMIGHTY Father, who hast given thine only Son to die for our sins, and to rise again for our justification; Grant us so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness, that we may always serve thee in pureness of living and truth; through the merits of the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source of Collect: Archbishop Cranmer [1549 AD]. This was originally used for the second communion, if any, on Easter. Lost in the 1552 revision, and restored in 1662. From 1 Cor v. 8 "Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." [Barbee and Zahl]

ALMIGHTY God, who through thine only-begotten Son Jesus Christ hast overcome death, and opened unto us the gate of everlasting life; We humbly beseech thee that, as by thy special grace preventing us thou dost put into our minds good desires, so by thy continual help we may bring the same to good effect; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

1 St. John v. 4.; Psalms 110, 111 | 2, 57; John xx19

Homily of Augustine on Psalm CX

Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

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BULLETIN

 

 

calendar

 

Annunciation – [Transferred to 1 April]

Joshua - Warrior and Judge of Israel - April 1

Deborah - Prophetess and Judge of Israel - April 3rd

Sampson - Warrior and Judge of Israel - April 5th

quotation

 

 

When we were baptized into Christ and clothed ourselves in him, we were transformed into the likeness of the Son of God. Having destined us to be his adopted sons, God gave us a likeness to Christ in his glory, and living as we do in communion with Christ, God's anointed, we ourselves are rightly called "the anointed ones". When he said: Do not touch my anointed ones, God was speaking of us. We became "the anointed ones" when we received the sign of the Holy Spirit. Indeed, everything took place in us by means of images, because we ourselves are images of Christ. Christ bathed in the river Jordan, imparting to its waters the fragrance of his divinity, and when he came up from them the Holy Spirit descended upon him, like resting upon like. So we also, after coming up from the sacred waters of baptism, were anointed with chrism, which signifies the Holy Spirit, by whom Christ was anointed and of whom blessed Isaiah prophesied in the name of the Lord: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me. He has sent me to preach good news to the poor.

 

see it all at the link below

 

[Cyril, the Friday in Easter Week, on Confirmation which was given on the Vigil of Easter immediately following baptism]

 

 

 

bidding prayer

 

In thanksgiving for the Resurrection, his promise, our hope, and renewal in answered prayers and new opportunities.

 

commentary

 

Augustine speaks of the Resurrection in his examination of Psalm CX this week:

 

"The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand"

 

We know that Christ sitteth at the right hand of the Father, since His resurrection from the dead, and ascent into heaven. It is already done: we saw not it, but we have believed it: we have read it in the Scripture, have heard it preached, and hold it by faith. So that by the very circumstance that Christ was David's Son, He became His Lord also. For That which was born of the seed of David was so honoured, that It was also the Lord of David. Thou wonderest at this, as if the same did not happen in human affairs. For if it should happen, that the son of any private person be made a king, will he not be his father's lord? What is yet more wonderful may happen, not only that the son of a private person, by being made a king, may become his father's lord; but that the son of a layman, by being made a Bishop, may become his father's father. So that in this very circumstance, that Christ took upon Him the flesh, that He died in the flesh, that He rose again in the same flesh, that in the same He ascended into Heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of His Father, in this same flesh so honoured, so brightened, so changed into a heavenly garb, He is both David's Son, and David's Lord....

 

Read it all at the link above.

 

Augustine has a very strong message here on the physical Resurrection of Jesus. That is our belief as stated in the Creed. We don't equivocate with rationalizations and twisting of the words to deny his physical Ressurection. On Easter Sunday I preached to a allied congregation, under a fellow centurion, that to be a Christian one must believe in the physical Resurrection of Christ -  and the ultimate physical resurrection all Christians in Glory. For proof, I quoted Paul in Romans 10, if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved and cited 1^st Cor 15:14ff: if Christ be not risen, … your faith is also vain. Here is a very good article on this subject from Albert Mohler, where he digs into scripture and identifies some of the false prophets of today who teach various heredical beliefs. Beware!

 

 

  

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Order of Centurions

 

 

 

Easter Day

 

He is risen, the Lord is risen indeed!

 

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

 

EASTER DAY

Augustine on Psalm LVII

CHRIST our Passover is sacrificed for us: * therefore let us keep the feast, Not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; * but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 1 Cor. v. 7.

CHRIST being raised from the dead dieth no more; * death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: * but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, * but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom. vi. 9.

CHRIST is risen from the dead, * and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, * by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, * even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 1 Cor. xv. 20

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ALMIGHTY God, who through thine only-begotten Son Jesus Christ hast overcome death, and opened unto us the gate of everlasting life; We humbly beseech thee that, as by thy special grace preventing us thou dost put into our minds good desires, so by thy continual help we may bring the same to good effect; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

Source of Collect: Sacramentary of Gelasius [ca 494 AD]. This was changed to reflect the churches fight against the teachings of Pelagain, and English monk who traveled and taught that people could do good withouth God's help.

Isaiah xxv. 1-9, Psalm 2, 57, 111 | 113, 116, 117, Colossians iii. 1. St. John xx. 1.
Homilies

 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

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BULLETIN

 

 

calendar

 

Holy Days in the Octave of Easter

 

Monday in Easter Week 

Tuesday in Easter Week

 

 

quotation

 

To sum up in few words: By the unanimous judgment of all, it has been decided that the most holy festival of Easter should be everywhere celebrated on one and the same day, and it is not seemly that in so holy a thing there should be any division. As this is the state of the case, accept joyfully the divine favour, and this truly divine command; for all which takes place in assemblies of the bishops ought to be regarded as proceeding from the will of God. Make known to your brethren what has been decreed, keep this most holy day according to the prescribed mode; we can thus celebrate this holy Easter day at the same time, if it is granted me, as I desire, to unite myself with you; we can rejoice together, seeing that the divine power has made use of our instrumentality for destroying the evil designs of the devil, and thus causing faith, peace, and unity to flourish amongst us. May God graciously protect you, my beloved brethren.

 

[Constantine in a letter to the churches after the Council of Nicea, Eusebius]

 

 

news

 

An interesting story of a Fourth Century pilgrim "Egeria" who recorded her visit to the Holy Land and Holy Week events in Jerusalem is featured here on Christian History and Biography

 

bidding prayer

 

Please give thanksgiving to God for the promise of the Resurrection. Pray for unity of the Body of Christ according to God's will and purpose, and for Charity amongst all Christians.

 

commentary

 

In the quotation today, Constantine speaks of the decision in the First Council that directed a unified day celebrate the Resurrection. The Council decreed the Resurrection should be celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox.  Christendom is divided today with observances based on different calculations between East and West.  Let us pray that in our day we will see Christians move to a common date and ultimately achieve a closer walk in Chirst.

 

Please note today the Icon of the empty tomb and angel above.  Note the linens. Now, the linens had been placed on Jesus along with an hundred pounds of burial spices [Gospel of John]. Jewish burial custom was to wrap strips of cloth around the body. The face was not wrapped, but rather the deceased's prayer shaw was folded and laid across the face. In three days,  kin were to return to the tomb to check the corpse; it was written that one man was found alive and lived over 20 more years bearing more children. Chrysostom said that the spice mixture with the linen strips became like iron. We can associate this with a modern-day cast. We hear in the Gospel that Peter and John looked in and were amazed, and believed. Amazed at what, a sheet folded? I think not. This Icon, unlike so many modern empty-tomb renditions, conveys for me the true sense and disposition of the burial cloths, which formed a cocoon about Jesus that was not torn asunder.  The folded cloth was not carefully folded by God or Jesus or an angel, but by Nicodemus and Joseph or those with them. It correctly interprets the custom of the 1^st Century Jew and the Gospel account.

 

The featured Psalm for this week is Psalm LVII.  Augustine's homily today reflects on the Easter story as he considers David's plight. David, the shepherd turned warrior, hid in concealment in a cave from the threat of Saul -- until he should come forth in the fullness of time to assume that position of temporal kingship under God for which he was chosen and christened. The capitalization of "Anointed" in Coverdale's translation shows how this psalm pre-figures the Passion and Resurrection of Christ, and his ascension to Everlasting Kingship at the right hand of God. Augustine's translation prefaced the psalm with these words,  "At the end, corrupt not, for David himself, for the inscription of the title; when he fled from the face of Saul into a cavern," to which Augustine comments:

 

We referring to holy Scripture, do find indeed how holy David, that king of Israel, from whom too the Psalter of David hath received the name thereof, had suffered for persecutor Saul the king of his own people, as many of you know that have either read or have heard the Scriptures. King David had then for persecutor Saul: and whereas the one was most gentle, the other most ferocious: the one mild, the other envious; the one patient, the other cruel; the one beneficent, the other ungrateful: he endured him with so much mildness, that when he had gotten him into his hands him he touched not, hurt not....What reference hath this to Christ? If all things which then were being done, were figures of things future, we find there Christ, and by far in the greatest degree. For this, "corrupt not for the inscription of the title," I see not how it belongeth to that David. For not any "title" was inscribed over David himself which Saul would "corrupt." But we see in the Passion of the Lord that there had been written a title, "King of the Jews:"  in order that this title might put to the blush these very men, seeing that from their King they withheld not their hands. For in them Saul was, in Christ David was. For Christ, as saith the Apostolic Gospel, is, as we know, as we confess, of the seed of David after the flesh;  for after the Godhead He is above David, above all men, above heaven and earth, above angels, above all things visible and invisible....And because already it had been sung through the Holy Spirit, "Unto the end, corrupt not, for the inscription of the title:" Pilate answered them, "What I have written, I have written:" why do ye suggest to me falsehood? I corrupt not truth.

 

 

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Order of Centurions

 

 

Easter Even

Easter Even

GRANT, O Lord, that as we are baptized into the death of thy blessed Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, so by continual mortifying our corrupt affections we may be buried with him; and that through the grave, and gate of death, we may pass to our joyful resurrection; for his merits, who died, and was buried, and rose again for us, the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Job xiv.1,   Psalm 16,  , Peter iii. 17,   Matthew xxvii. 57.
Homilies

Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can

 

Good Friday

Good Friday

ALMIGHTY God, we beseech thee graciously to behold this thy family, for which our Lord Jesus Christ was contented to be betrayed, and given up into the hands of wicked men, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified; Receive our supplications and prayers, which we offer before thee for all estates of men in thy holy Church, that every member of the same, in his vocation and ministry, may truly and godly serve thee; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

O MERCIFUL God, who hast made all men, and hatest nothing that thou hast made, nor desirest the death of a sinner, but rather that he should be converted and live; Have mercy upon all who know thee not as thou art revealed in the Gospel of thy Son. Take from them all ignorance, hardness of heart, and contempt of thy Word; and so fetch them home, blessed Lord, to thy fold, that they may be made one flock under one shepherd, Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

First Collect Source: For Morning Prayer: Sarum Liturgy for Wednesday in Holy Week as a post-communion collect. Related to Mark xiv.10 and the betrayal
Second Collect: Sarum.
Third Collect: Reformational. Changed to present state in 1662. Former one asked for mercy on Jews, Turks, Infidels, and heretics, where it now says "who know thee not as thou..."

Genisis xxii. 1,   Psalm 22,   Hebrews x. 1., & St John xix. 1
Homilies

What is truth?

Maundy Thursday

Thursday before Easter, commonly called

Maundy Thursday

ALMIGHTY Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, did institute the Sacrament of his Body and Blood; Mercifully grant that we may thankfully receive the same in remembrance of him, who in these holy mysteries giveth us a pledge of life eternal; the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who now liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who, of thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility; Mercifully grant, that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

1 Corinthians xi. 23.   St. John 15:12-17

Homilies

"If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me"

.org

Wednesday before Easter

ASSIST us mercifully with thy help, O Lord God of our salvation; that we may enter with joy upon the meditation of those mighty acts, whereby thou hast given unto us life and immortality; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who, of thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility; Mercifully grant, that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hebrews ix. 16   St. Luke xxii. 1.
Homilies

I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer

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Tuesday before Easter

Tuesday before Easter

O LORD God, whose blessed Son, our Saviour, gave his back to the smiters and hid not his face from shame; Grant us grace to take joyfully the sufferings of the present time, in full assurance of the glory that shall be revealed; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who, of thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility; Mercifully grant, that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Isaiah l:5     Mark xv. 1.
Homilies

they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns,
and put it about his head, and began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews

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"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

Monday before Easter

 

The Monday before Easter

ALMIGHTY God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified; Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who, of thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility; Mercifully grant, that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

She hath done what she could:
she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying

Isaiah lxiii. 1. St. Mark xiv.
Homilies

 

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"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

Palm Sunday

Hosanna, Hosanna filio David.

Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini.

Hosanna, Hosanna in excelsis.

Amen.

 

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

 

Palm Sunday

Augustine on Psalm CXVII
Palm Sunday Home

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who, of thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility; Mercifully grant, that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

To be said daily, after the Collect appointed for othe day, until Good Friday

Source: Sacramentary of Galesius, Bishop of Rome [494 AD]. "Palms" were carried by people on this Sunday in remembrance of Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem.

Zechariah ix. 9, Psalm 97, 110 | 22, 23 , Philippians ii. 5.     St. Matthew xxvii. 1.
Homilies

when he was accused of the chief priests and elders,
he answered nothing

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BULLETIN

 

 

 

calendar

 

 

HOLY DAYS OF THE WEEK BEFORE EASTER

 

Monday Before
Tuesday Before

Wednesday Before

Maundy Thursday

Good Friday

Easter Even

 

Scripture quotation

 

Josiah..put down the idolatrous priests..brake down the houses of the sodomites..brake in pieces the images and cut down the groves…slew the priests of the high places…and commanded all the people… Keep the Passover.. surely there was not holden such a Passover from the days of he judges…

 

[ 2 Kings 23 ]

 bidding prayer

 

For centurions in harms way. For a just peace in our day. For a holy and reverent week of devotion and preparation for all centurions and their families.

 

commentary

 

We are entering the last week of Passiontide.  It is the most solemn week of the Christian year as one notes in the calendar above. Every day in the West's old calendar is a Holy day. I hope to forward the collects and lessons to the listserve day-by-day. It is a time for final preparation before the feast of the Resurrection. We are reminded in the quotation above of how the good King Josiah cleansed Judah and the Temple of the evil that pervaded it before the greatest Passover of the Old Testament. We remember how Jesus cleansed the Temple in his last days before the greatest Passover the world knew or will ever know. We are called upon to cleanse our houses also, for "If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are" [1Cor3:17]

 

In that regard, we recall that our Lord said that those who did what he said were of his flock, and those who did not were no part of his [Matthew 7:13ff, John 14:23, etc.]. Peter made this same observation in Acts concerning Cornelius and his family.  Augustine cites this story below as he looks at verse 8 of our appointed and featured psalm for this week: Psalm 97.

 

11. "Sion heard of it, and rejoiced" (ver. 8). What did Sion hear? That all His Angels worship Him....For the Church was not as yet among the Gentiles; in Judaea the Jews had some of them believed, and the very Jews who believed thought that they only belonged to Christ: the Apostles were sent to the Gentiles, Cornelius was preached to; Cornelius believed, was baptized, and they who were with Cornelius were also baptized. But ye know what happened, that they might be baptized: the reader indeed hath not reached this point, but, nevertheless, some recollect; and let those who do not recollect, hear briefly from me. The Angel was sent to Cornelius: the Angel sent Cornelius to Peter; Peter came to Cornelius. And because Cornelius and his household were Gentiles, and uncircumcised: lest they might hesitate to give the Gospel to the uncircumcised: before Cornelius and his household were baptized, the Holy Spirit came, and filled them, and they began to speak with tongues. Now the Holy Spirit had not fallen upon any one who had not been baptized: but upon these It fell before baptism. For Peter might hesitate whether he might baptize the uncircumcised: the Holy Spirit came, they began to speak with tongues; the invisible gift was given, and took away all doubt about the visible Sacrament; they were all baptized....What did Sion hear, and rejoice at? That the Gentiles also had received the word of God. One wall had come, but the corner existed not as yet. The name Sion is here peculiarly given to the Church which was in Judaea. "Sion heard of it, and rejoiced: and the daughters of Judah were glad." Thus it is written, "The apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard." See if the daughters of Judaea rejoiced not. What did they hear? "That the Gentiles had also received the word of God."...Therefore, "The daughters of Judah rejoiced because of Thy judgments, O Lord." What is, because of Thy judgments? Because in any nation, and in any people, he that serveth Him is accepted of Him: for He is not the God of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles.

 

Note Augustine's conclusion and apex of this paragraph (emboldened). It echoes Peter's statement – and the model for the Motto of the Order. Let us serve the Lord.

 

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Order of Centurions

 

 

Longinus, Centurion, [15 March]

Longinus, Centurion,
[March 15 - 1st Century]

Almighty God, our sovereign Lord, who didst inspire the Centurion at Calvary to glorify thy Son; strengthen us in our faith that we might follow his example to glorify thee as faithful members of the Church Militant, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Truly this man was the Son of God

By tradition, the soldier who pierced the side of Jesus on Calvary was a centurion. He is called "Longinus" in the Gospel of Nicodemus / Atcts of Pilate ( probably derived from the Greek 'longche', meaning "lance".)

He is one of the three Centurions of the New Testament we salute, and he confessed Jesus as the Son of God - a Righteous Man. Tradition says later he was a deacon of the church, preached the Gospel, and was martyred.

John 19:32 The soldiers therefore came, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other that was crucified with him: but when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: howbeit one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and straightway there came out blood and water. And he that hath seen hath borne witness, and his witness is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye also may believe. For these things came to pass, that the scripture might be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.

Mark 15:39 And when the centurion, who stood by over against him, saw that he so gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God....And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead. And when he learned it of the centurion, he granted the corpse to Joseph.

Luke 23:47 And when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man

The Centurion is sometimes known as Gaius Cassius Longinus. There was such a person, a Roman General, who plotted against Julius Caesar who was assassinated on the Ides of March - the Feast Day of the Centurion of Calvary

Medeival Golden Legend of Longinus | Holy Lance Commentary | The Word of a Warrior | St Longinus

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Order of Centurions

Passion Sunday

 

Judge me, O God

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

 

Passion Sunday
The Fifth Sunday in Lent
Passiontide

Homily of Augustine on Psalm XLII

WE beseech thee, Almighty God, mercifully to look upon thy people; that by thy great goodness they may be governed and preserved evermore, both in body and soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Source: Sacramentary of Gregory, Bishop of Rome [600 AD]. The people here was familia in Latin.  

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.

Isaiah i. 10, Psalm 42, 43 | 119:145–176 , Hebrews ix. 11, St. John viii. 46.
Homily of Augustine on Psalm XLII

Which of you convinceth me of sin?

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BULLETIN

 

 

quotation

 

This was the water for which the soul of David thirsted. The hart desires the fountain of these waters, not thirsting for the poison of serpents. For the water of the grace of the Spirit is living, that it may purify the inner parts of the mind, and wash away every sin of the soul, and purify the transgression of hidden faults.

 

[Ambrose, referring to Living Waters and Psalm XLII, in Ch XV, Book 1, to the Emperor Gratian]

news

Vatican rules out 'feminist' baptism formula . Another heresy suppressed.

"Was Jesus in a Sexual Relationship with the Beloved Disciple?"  by Robert Gagnon professor of NT at Pittsburg Theological Seminary. A good and short apology against this recent attack against the Church.

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Praying in the name of Jesus in Tulsa.   The Tulsa City Council has lifted its ban on "sectarian" prayers;  [Jn 15:16]

Early Christian Writers – Links to works chronologically arranged. Very good resource for the student of the Early Church.

commentary

 

Passiontide is the short season that marks the last two weeks of the Lenten Fast.  It begins on Passion Sunday.

 

This Sunday is also know as Judica Sunday (Judge me, O God) for the intoit from Psalm 43 that is traditionally said on this Sunday and was not appointed to be said again on any day until after Easter. The Sarum Rite of the middle ages signified the season with crimson-colored vestments.

 

This week we examine Psalm 42. The quotation of Ambrose addresses it, as does Augustine's homily. His comment, on verse 6, is especially appropriate  in this season of Lent.

 

 "My soul is disquieted on account of myself"

 

 Is it disquieted on account of God? It is on my own account it is disquieted. By the Unchangeable it was revived; it is by the changeable it is disquieted. I know that the righteousness of God remaineth; whether my own will remain stedfast, I know not. For I am alarmed by the Apostle's saying, "Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall." [1 Cor. x. 12] Therefore since "there is no soundness in me for myself," there is no hope either for me of myself. "My soul is disquieted on account of myself."..."Therefore I remember Thee, O Lord, from the land of Jordan, and from the little hill of Hermon." From whence did I remember thee? From the "little hill," and from the "land of Jordan." Perhaps from Baptism, where the remission of sins is given. For no one runs to the remission of sins, except he who is dissatisfied with himself; no one runs to the remission of sins, but he who confesses himself a sinner; no one confesses himself a sinner, except by humbling himself before God. Therefore it is from "the land of Jordan I have remembered thee, and from the hill;" observe, not "of the great hill," that thou mayest make of the "little hill" a great one: for "whoso exalteth himself shall be abased, and whoso humbleth himself shall be exalted." If you would also ask the meanings of the names, Jordan means "their descent." Descend then, that thou mayest be "lifted up:" be not lifted up, lest thou be cast down. "And the little hill of Hermon." Hermon means "anathematizing." Anathematize thyself, by being displeased with thyself; for if thou art pleased with thyself, God will be displeased with thee. Because then God gives us all good things, because He Himself is good, not because we are worthy of it; because He is merciful, not because we have in anything deserved it; it is from "the land of Jordan, and from Hermon," that I remember thee. And because he so remembers with humility, he shall earn his exaltation to fruition, for he is not "exalted" in himself, who "glories in the Lord."

 

 

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Order of Centurions

Fourth Sunday in Lent

 

Rejoice, O Jerusalem: and come together all you that love her: rejoice with joy, you that have been in sorrow:

that you may exult, and be filled from the breasts of your consolation. (Psalm)

I  rejoiced at the things that were said to me: we shall go into the house of the Lord.

 

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

The Fourth Sunday in Lent

Mothering Sunday / Laetera (Rejoice) Sunday

Homily of Augustine on Psalm CXLII

GRANT, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that we, who for our evil deeds do worthily deserve to be punished, by the comfort of thy grace may mercifully be relieved; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Source: Sacramentary of Gregory, Bishop of Rome [600 AD]. This Sunday was sometimes known as "Refreshment Sunday" for "be releived" from the Latin resperimus and the Gospel where Jesus relieved the multitude of their hunger. Sometimes known as "Mothering Sunday" as Paul says in the Gospel, "the Jerusalem above is the mother of us all"

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.

Ezekiel xxxix. 21,   Psalm 142, 143 | 119:105–144   Galatians iv. 21. St. John vi. 1.
Homily of Augustine on Psalm CXLII

There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes:
but what are they among so many?

---

 

 

 

BULLETIN

 

 

quotation

 

[Lent] is a season during which the Church demands more than ordinary devotion from her children. Her services are increased--are of a more solemn character-- are such as are best adapted to lead our thoughts away from the things of this world, to contemplate the mysteries of Redemption. Every day she would have her children prostrate themselves in God's house, and pray that He would "create and make within them new and contrite hearts." The services of the Church keep two facts prominently before our minds: our sinfulness, Christ's holiness; our need, Christ's sufficiency.

 

[Chaplain Charles Todd Quintard, 1861, Later Bishop of Tennessee ]

 

calendar

Emeterius and Chelidonius, Legionaries of Calahorra, Spain - March 3rd

Adrian - Roman Officer & Martyr March 4th [304]

news

Seal of Jezebel – The most recent edition of the Biblical Archeological Review is online, and there is a very interesting article concerning a seal dated to the ninth century BC with the name "Jezebel."  The entire issue of BAR is online this month.

Earlier this week I bid your thanksgiving prayers for the life of William F. Buckley.  I've put together a little web page to mark the departure of this brother in arms, and have placed a link to it in the Order's historical section. 

commentary

 

In today's quotation a centurion of 19^th Century reminds his readers in a Lenten Tract that their primary devotion in Lent is not abstinence, but rather contrition, and reform [see Isaiah 58], but yet, fasting and abstinence are not to be neglected.

 

In the old tradition the 4^th Sunday in Lent is known as  Laetare Sunday for the traditional introit, and Mothering Sunday for the epistle in today's readings [Galatians 4:22-31.] and in England it is "Mothers Day".  Laetare Sunday and the golden the procession of the Bishop of Rome with the Golden Rose was credited as being an "ancient custom" by Leo IX in 1054. You might even find pink vestments in church this Sunday

 

The homily of Augustine today looks at Psalm 142. In reading over this psalm in the Coverdale translation, I thought of feelings of despondency, desperation, and forlornness. I thought of despair and as though there was  no place to turn. Nowhere -- except to the One who has revealed himself to each of his elect through the gift of his Holy Spirit. We cry to him in prayers of intercession and supplication. Scripture tells us that we do not pray alone, for our guardian angel stands before God making supplication, and the Holy Spirit prays on our behalf with groans that we cannot know.

 

Augustine puts it this way:

 

With my voice have I cried unto the Lord" (ver. 1). It were enough to say, "with voice:" not for nothing perhaps has "my" been added. For many cry unto the Lord, not with their own voice, but with the voice of their body. Let the "inner man" then, in whom "Christ" hath begun to "dwell by faith," cry unto the Lord, not with the din of his lips, but with the affection of his heart. God heareth not, where man heareth: unless thou criest with the voice of lungs and side and tongue, man heareth thee not: thy thought is thy cry to the Lord. "With my voice have I prayed unto the Lord." What he meant by, "I have cried," he explained when he said, "I have prayed." For they too who blaspheme, cry unto the Lord. In the former part he set down his crying, in the latter he explained what it was. As though it were demanded, With what cry hast thou cried unto the Lord? Unto the Lord, saith he, I have prayed. My cry is my prayer, not reviling, not murmuring, not blaspheming.  

 

A great homily, read it all at the link above.

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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

William F. Buckley, Jr. [27 February]

William F. Buckley, Jr.
Lieutenant, US Army, WWII, Journalist & Apologist
[27 February 2008]

Almighty God, we yield unto thee most high praise and hearty thanks for the wonderful grace and virtue declared in William F. Buckley, Jr. and all thy saints, who have been the choice vessels of thy grace and the lights of the world in their several generations. May we have grace to direct our lives after their good examples, that this life ended, we may be made partakers with them of the glorious resurrection, and the life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

This I believe: that it is intellectually easier to credit a divine intelligence
than to submit dumbly to felicitous congeries about nature.

---

William F Buckley was commissioned a Lieutenant in 1943 but did not see combat. He was part of the honor guard for President Roosevelt near the end of the war. After the war, he graduated from Yale University where he found a state of apostasy in a school formed on the basis of Christian belief, and wrote his first book, God & Man at Yale

After a brief stint with the Central Intelligence Agency he turned to journalism. A few years later he founded the National Review as a conservative journal. He hosted the television show "Firing Line" from 1966 to 1999.

Buckley was a light in his generation and a prophetic voice against the threat of atheistic communism. His influence through his activities and by providing a forum for conservative thought had a significant impact on many who are credited with the fall of Communism. He was recognized for his contributions with America's highest award for a civilian, the Presidential Medal of Freedom

Let us hear his own voice now.

"I will not cede more power to the state. I will not willingly cede more power to anyone... I will hoard my power like a miser, resisting every effort to drain it away from me. I will then use my power, as I see fit. I mean to live my life an obedient man, but obedient to God, subservient to the wisdom of my ancestors; never to the authority of political truths arrived at yesterday at the voting booth."
[ William F. Buckley Jr., in Up From Liberalism]

The quotation above embodies that which we hold sacred: to Fear God and do what is right. May William rest in peace, and may his example encourage Christians to stand firm in defense of the faith, truth, and right.

---

I highly encourage the reader to listen to Buckley and read his apology for belief in God in: How is it possible to believe in God?
an interview on NPR in 2005 This I Believe


and from a Christian leader and friend on Buckley:

"What a loss this is. Conservatives owe a tremendous debt to this brilliant man, full of grace and possessing a great sense of humor in addition to his keen insight. He was a true patriot and an American hero. His faith was foremost in his life and it showed. May God's light perpetually shine upon him. Grace and peace in Christ to his family and friends.

[Bettylee Payne of Kentucky on Stand Firm Blog, 2008]