The Fifth Sunday after Easter

 

Rogation Sunday
Augustine on Pslam CXLVII
Rogation Sunday Home

O LORD, from whom all good things do come; Grant to us thy humble servants, that by thy holy inspiration we may think those things that are good, and by thy merciful guiding may perform the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Source: Sacramentary of Gelasius [ca 464 AD]. The collect refers to James 1:17 which is appointed for the 4th Sunday after Easter. Known as Rogation Sunday for the Latin "Rogare" means to ask, (earnestly petition), and the Gospel says, "ask, and ye shall receive." The three days following this Sunday are Rogation Days with prayer and fasting good crops and industry. This Sunday in latter times was also when folk in England would go out in procession around the parish boundaries and pray for protection.

, Psalm 146, 147 | 132, 133, 134; St. James i. 22, St. John xvi. 23

Homily of Augustine on Psalm CXLVII


The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.

 

This is rogation Sunday, the Sunday before Ascension Day. Please join the traditional church this year in prayers to God for favorable weather and good crops in your land. There will be days later this week on the traditional calendar for such prayers

 

 

I selected the 12th chapter of Ecclesiastes today to accompany  Psalm 147. Solomon wrote,

 

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

Is this not like our motto of Fear God and do what is right. One who loves Christ and has the law written in his heart, and endeavors to follow that spiritual law will fulfil the whole duty of man.

 

 Augustine wrote,

 

"The Lord will delight in them that fear Him, and in them that hope in His mercy" . A robber is feared, and a wild beast is feared, and an unjust and powerful man is much feared. "The Lord will delight in them that hope in His mercy." Behold, Judas, who betrayed our Lord, feared, but he did not hope in His mercy....It is well indeed that thou hast feared, but only if thou trustedst in His mercy, whom thou hast feared. He in despair "went and hanged himself." In such wise then fear the Lord, that thou trust in His mercy....

 

Augustine here speaks of the righteous fear a man has for God, his creator, sustainer, and ultimately judge. Counted within this fear, this awe of God's majesty, is a trust of the LORD which is reckoned as a dependence and hope on his love, his mercy, his promise to the elect. Remember the words of our Lord, how he said even the devils believe and tremble in fear, yet they are not saved but are cast down.  Many others share this same fate. The are bound in some sort of sin, some perversion of God's created order and intent, and recognize several things: God is sovereign, they are in sin, and they are doomed. Some do not care, they have made their pact with the Devil. Others care but can find no way to escape the bonds of sin and they are in great distress. They may know the calling, the invitation, but seem helpless to answer. All will perish  if they have not Christ as their savior--conversely, all in whom Christ abides are saved. Those who reject the commandments of God, and declare sin a blessing, do blaspheme God and their course is perilous. Let he who has ears hear.

Salvation assurancehas not changed for 2,000 years. It is that personal faith, and personal relationship with Jesus that can set one free from whatever binds him. It is the amazing grace and power of the Holy Spirit that will break the chains of sin with the power of Christ, and create the communion between the faithful and the Godhead that is unburdened with sin so that we may pray "Abba" in truth and in spirit.

 

Finis

 

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Released by Primus Pilus
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