Augustine on Psalm XXXV
Eighth Sunday after Trinity Home
O GOD, whose Providence in ordering that which is his own, is not decieved; We implore thee as suppliants that thou wouldst remove out of our way everything hurtful, and grant to us all things which will do us good; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Historical Note: Source Gelasian [ca 494]. Both the 1549 and 1662 PB versions deviated from the Latin, this translation was offered by Edward Goulburn, 1883
Homily of Augustine on Psalm XXXV
Augustine wrote of the first verses of Psalm 35,
"Judge Thou, O Lord" (saith he), "them that hurt me, and fight Thou against them that fight against me" (ver. 1). "If God be for us, who can be against us?" And whereby doth God this for us? "Take hold" (saith he) "of arms and shield, and rise up to my help" (ver. 2). A great spectacle is it, to see God armed for thee. And what is His Shield, what are His Arms? "Lord," in another place saith the man who here also speaketh, "as with the shield of Thy good-will hast Thou compassed us." But His Arms, wherewith He may not only us defend, but also strike His enemies, if we have well profited, shall we ourselves be. For as we from Him have this, that we be armed, so is He armed from us. But He is armed from those whom He hath made, we are armed with those things which we have received from Him who made us. These our arms the Apostle in a certain place calleth, "The shield of Faith, the helmet of Salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God." He hath armed us with such arms as ye have heard, arms admirable, and unconquered, insuperable and shining; spiritual truly and invisible, because we have to fight also against invisible enemies. If thou seest thine enemy, let thine arms be seen. We are armed with faith in those things which we see not, and we overthrow enemies whom we see not....
God grant each reader the will and means to defend the Holy Church Militant against all her enemies. Those means are spiritual, and are effective against her enemies: Satan, his dark angles, and those minions in human vesture that work to tear her down at his bidding. Our response must be like the saints of old, to courageously witness our faith in the face of threats, ridicule, hatred, and slander; and to return good for evil. We must remain strong before of an increasing hostile environment throughout the world. Old allies have become accusers. Safe havens are disappearing. Our predicament is becoming increasingly like that of the very early church when it was confronted with adversaries -- without and within. The state in some instances has turned hostile to our aims and beliefs--like old Rome. A culture of hedonism, guided by new gods and goddesses, envelopes western society. None are safe, and many of the church are led astray by the Spirit of the World (as evidenced by immoral acts, divorce, abortion, vice, greed, etc.) (1 Cor 2:12ff)
As Augustine says, "If thou seest thine enemy, let thine arms be seen"; and as Galasius said, "God... grant to us all things which will do us good".
God be with us.
Read it all at the link.
Finis
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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