Homily of Augustin on Psalm LXVIII
Whitsun Home
O GOD, who as at this time didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people, by sending to them the light of thy Holy Spirit; Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen
Psalms 48, 68 | 104, 145
Homily of Augustine on Psalm CIV
This Sunday we have published the very long homily of Augustine on Psalm 68 at the link above. Psalm 68 is a processional liturgy of celebration for God's victory.
The early church interpreted this psalm as foreshadowing Christ's resurrection and victory over death. Coverdale translated verses 19-20 as follows:
Praised be the Lord daily, even the God who helpeth us, and poureth his benefits upon us. He is our God, even the God of whom cometh salvation: GOD is the Lord, by whom we escape death.
In verse 8 the psalmist wrote:
The earth shook, and the heavens dropped at the presence of God;
Augustine wrote:
May then the Lord open to us that knock; and may the secret things of His mysteries, as far as Himself vouchsafeth, be disclosed. For in order that the earth might be moved to the Truth when into the desert of the Gentiles the Gospel was passing, "the Heavens dropped from the face of God." These are the Heavens, whereof in another Psalm is sung, "The Heavens are telling forth the glory of God." ... So here also, "the Heavens dropped;" but "from the face of God." For even these very persons have been "saved through faith, and this not of themselves, but God's gift it is, not of works, lest perchance any man should be lifted up. For of Himself we are the workmanship," "that maketh men of one mood to dwell in a house."
It was by the grace of God on that Pentecost day that Jesus sent the Paraclete, the Comforter, to the Apostles in the Upper Room, and not on account of their works. It was that same grace that enabled some of the multitude gathered for the feast that day to hear and receive the Gospel that the Apostles preached, even in their own language, about 3,000 of them, while others who were not called only heard gibberish. It is that same grace that has sustained the true church through the millenia wherein the elect are protected by God the Father, in accordance with the petition of our Lord, who prayed, "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word" [John 17:20]. On Pentecost Sunday Peter said, "For the promise is to unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call" [Acts 2:39] Finally, years later, Paul wrote to the Galatians, "Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your heats, crying Abba, Father" [Gal 4:6.]
Alleluia, the Spirit of the Lord fills the world; O come, let us adore him. Alleluia.
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
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