The Second Sunday after Easter

 

 Homily of Augustine on Psalm 117

ALMIGHTY God, who hast given thine only Son to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin, and also an ensample of godly life; Give us grace that we may always most thankfully receive that his inestimable benefit, and also daily endeavour ourselves to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source of Collect: Archbishop Cranmer [1549], The Collect calls forth the idea of a lamb in saying that Jesus became a sacrifice for us; and complements the image in the Gospel by following the steps of the Good Shepherd. In those days sheep were not driven; they followed [Barbee and Zahl}

O PRAISE the LORD, all ye nations; praise him, all ye peoples. For his merciful kindness is ever more and more toward us; and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise the LORD.

Jer xvi. 19, Psalm 21, 23 | 116, 117; 1 St. Peter ii. 19. St. John x. 11.

Homily of Augustine on Psalm CXVII

Grace be unto you, and peace from God the Father and the Risen Lord Jesus Christ.

We enter the second week of our Easter season with the collect that reflects the Gospel of the Good Shepherd,

Jesus said,

Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one flock, and one shepherd.

Today we shall examine Psalm 113. It the shortest psalm of the psalter, and the shortest chapter of the Bible, and is quoted in its entirety above.

 I have selected Jeremiah xvi to accompany this psalm. He wrote

 "Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit"

Augustine wrote of Psalm 117

"O praise the Lord, all ye heathen: praise Him, all ye nations" (ver. 1). These are the courts of the Lord's house, this all His people, this the true Jerusalem. Let those rather listen who have refused to be the children of this city, since they have cut themselves off from the communion of all nations. [5099] "For His merciful kindness is ever more and more towards us: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever" (ver. 2). These are those two things, loving-kindness and truth, which in the CXV^th Psalm I admonished you should be committed to memory. But "the merciful kindness of the Lord is ever more and more towards us," since the furious tongues of hostile nations have yielded to His Name, through which we have been freed: "and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever," whether in those things which He promised to the righteous, or in those which He hath threatened to the ungodly.

 Christ had told all that he would become the new Temple, established in the hearts of the faithful. That promise was not for the Hebrews alone, but for all who would come to follow our Lord, and to believe on him and confess him as Lord. These would be the other sheep of his fold.

Likewise, note that Augustine speaks of the opposite condition, of those who know not the Risen Christ, the ungodly who shall know the strength of God's wrath threatened in the last days. 

I am disheartened by many of the post-modern churches whose key clerics deny the uniqueness of Christ for salvation. They do not serve our Lord. They disobey his direct command. They preach "lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit" They hold up a golden Buddha next to the Risen Christ and say that both can convey salvation. Lie! They say a man does not need Christ to come to God. They even claim a man has the power within himself to realize the god in him. Vanity! Finally, they imply works of this world deserving of salvation.. No Profit!

Remember the words of our Lord how he said,

He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. [1Jn 5:12]

What shall we say of them? What did Jeremiah say? "Shall a man make gods unto himself, and they are no gods? Therefore, behold, I will this once cause them to know, I will cause them to know mine hand and my might; and they shall know that my name is The LORD"

Amen. Come Lord Jesus!

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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]

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The First Sunday after Easter

 Augustine on the Gospel

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]

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

Homily of Augustine on the Gospel

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

Comment

 

Today we look at the worlds of Augustine on the Gospel. He wrote,

 

 "As the Father hath sent me," He adds, "even so send I you." We know the Son to be equal to the Father; but here we recognize the words of the Mediator. For He exhibits Himself as occupying a middle position when He says, He me, and I you. "And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost." By breathing on them He signified that the Holy Spirit was the Spirit, not of the Father alone, but likewise His own. "Whose so-ever sins," He continues, "ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever ye retain, they are retained." The Church's love, which is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, discharges the sins of all who are partakers with itself, but retains the sins of those who have no participation therein. Therefore it is, that after saying "Receive ye the Holy Ghost," He straightway added this regarding the remission and retention of sins.

There was an interesting discussion going on amongst some folk concerning the question, "Why do Calvinists evangelize? " It keyed off of a discussion with  John Piper and a You Tube video called The Sovereignty of God and Human Responsibility. One response that is often heard is: because Jesus commanded it; and he will work through our efforts to accomplish his purposes.

 

In our Gospel reading today we certainly see that command as it is quoted above. Jesus sent forth his disciples into the world to preach the Gospel.  Ultimately, today, we preach the Gospel because our Lord commanded us to do so, any other reason in my mind is secondary to his command.  

 

 

At the end of Piper's interview, he said in so many words what the Orthodox often preach: the Mystery. God's ways are not always known to us, and that which may appear contradictory is nevertheless true and beyond our comprehension.

 

Prayers for mission: 1914 Book of Occasional Services

O God, our heavenly Father, who didst manifest Thy love by sending Thine only begotten Son into the world that all may live through Him: Pour Thy Spirit upon Thy Church that it may fulfil His command to preach the Gospel to every creature; send forth, we beseech Thee, laborers into Thy harvest; defend them in all dangers and temptations and hasten the time when the fulness of the Gentiles shall be gathered in, and all Israel shall be saved; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 O Lord Jesus Christ, who didst charge Thine Apostles that they should preach the Gospel to every nation; Make us to show our gratitude for Thy benefits by earnestness in fulfilling Thy command. Prosper all missions, both at home and abroad, with an increase of sanctity, that they may win many to the acknowledgement of Thy truth (especially those in ——), and give them all things needful for their work, making them to be centres of spiritual life, to the quickening of many souls, and the glory of Thy Holy Name, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen

finis
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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]

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The Feast of the Resurrection - Easter Day

 

Augustine on Psalm CXIII
Easter Home

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 church's fight against the teachings of Pelagius, and monk who traveled and taught that people could do good without God's help.

I Sam ii. 6, Psalm 2, 57, 111 | 113, 116, 117, Colossians iii. 1. St. John xx. 1.
Homily of Augustine on Psalm CXIII

He taketh up the simple out of the dust, and lifteth the poor out of the mire; That he may set him with the princes, even with the princes of his people

 

Grace be unto you, and peace from God the Father and the Risen Lord Jesus Christ.

This is the Feast of the Resurrection, the most important day on the Church calendar. The Resurrection is the foundation and the basis of our faith. As Paul said, if Christ not be raised, your faith is in vain [1 Cor 15:17]

The promise is for the body of Christ too, for all those in Christ shall be raised up on the last day.

Today psalm 113 is examined, and the 7th and 8th verses suggest the resurrection. I have selected for the Old Testament lesson 1st Sam ii. 6ff, which echos these words.

Augustine has treated the verse as referring to our Lord's Resurrection: He wrote

He taketh up the destitute out of the dust, and lifteth the poor out of the mire" (ver. 7); "that He may set Him with the princes, even with the princes of His people" (ver. 8). Let not then the heads of the exalted disdain to be humble, beneath the Lord's right hand. For though the faithful steward of the Lord's money be placed together with the princes of the people of God, although he be destined to sit on the twelve seats, and even to judge angels;  yet he is taken up destitute from the dust, and lifted from out of the mire. Was not he possibly lifted up from the mire, who "served divers lusts and pleasures"?...

However, we may see in this verse our own promise of resurrection. Those in Christ who have been faithful in this life, sacrificing self for the sake of Christ, shall be taken up, lifted from the out of their graves and exalted with the princes of heaven, Our Lord, Archangels, Apostles, and all the saints together in the Kingdom of God.

Alleluia, Christ is Risen, O come let us adore him! Alleluia

Finis
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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]

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Palm Sunday

The Sunday next before Easter

Palm Sunday
Augustine on Psalm XXII
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 the 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.

  Isaiah 53, Psalm 97, 110 | 22, 23 , Philippians ii. 5.     St. Matthew xxvii. 1.
Homilies

 

For many dogs are come about me, and the council of the wicked layeth siege against me. They pierced my hands and my feet: I may tell all my bones: they stand staring and looking upon me. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture. But be not thou far from me, O LORD; thou art my succour, haste thee to help me.

 

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Lent 6 Commentary

 

 

Palm Sunday, Western Calendar, since the observed in this holy week since the 6th century, as a day when the folk carried psalms in remembrance of Jesus' triumphant and joyful entry into Jerusalem, and the beginning of his passion.

 

 

This week we will meditate on Psalm 22. No other psalm is so prophetic as to the circumstances of the passion of Christ. The descriptions in the quotation match the Gospel account. The Gospel writer made reference to the psalm. We see in Matthew 27 and in John 19. The book of Hebrews as well (Heb 2:12). It is the most quoted psalm of the New Testament.  I have chosen the 17-21st verses, as they most graphically point to the crucifixion.

 

 

On Good Friday, Augustine preached concerning these verses

 

 

  "For many dogs came about Me". For many came about Me barking, not for truth, but for custom. "The council of the malignant came about Me." The council of the malignant besieged Me. "They pierced My hands and feet." They pierced with nails My hands and feet. "They numbered distinctly all My bones". They numbered distinctly all My bones, while extended on the wood of the Cross. "Yea, these same regarded, and beheld Me." Yea, these same, that is, unchanged, regarded and beheld Me. "They divided My garments for themselves, and cast the lot upon My vesture".  "But Thou, O Lord, withhold not Thy help far from Me". But Thou, O Lord, raise Me up again, not as the rest of men, at the end of the world, but immediately. "Look to My defence." "Look," that they in no wise hurt Me. "Deliver My soul from the sword." "Deliver My soul" from the tongue of dissension. "And My only One from the hand of the dog". And from the power of the people, barking after their custom, deliver My Church. "

 

 

The Old Testament lesson that I have selected for this Sunday to accompany Psalm 22, is the 53rd Chapter of Isaiah: The Suffering Servant. It too clearly points to the crucifixion events.

 

 

The allusions in the psalm are so vivid they do not require any interpretation or clarification to any Christian familiar with the events of Good Friday. We may ponder the prophetic nature of David's psalm, and how God put into his heart to compose these words which pointed to the Son of David, the everlasting King of Israel. Christ was aware of what faced him when he entered Jerusalem on that Palm Sunday. He was aware that his fate was envisioned in this psalm and in the prophetic voice of Isaiah. He was aware that all must be fulfilled as prophesied to enable him to fulfill his mission as the Messiah. Only by death, accompanied with great humiliation and suffering, could he defeat death, and bring everlasting life to his chosen people. Thanks be to God.


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Legio Christi-Ecclesia Militans
"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]

* ORDO CENTURIONUM * IN HOC SIGNO VINCES * TIME DEUM ET OPERARE IUSTITIAM