Palm Sunday MMXII

Almighty and everlasting God, who hast sent thy Son, our Savior 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...

[Lutheran Service Book]

...

Latin original Collect:

Dues, qui humano generi ad imitandum humilitatis exemplum, Salvatorem nostem et carnem sumere, et Crucem subire fecisti: concede propitius, ut et patientiae eius havere documentum, et resurrectionis eius consortia mereamur Christi Domini mostri, Qui tecum.

--Gelesian Sacramentary

http://archive.org/stream/gelasiansacrame00gelagoog/gelasiansacrame00gelagoog_djvu.txt

Introit:  Be thou not far from me O Lord, O my strength…

Ps:  My God, my God, why has thou forsaken me …

Epistle:  Philippians 2:5-11.  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Jesus Christ …

Gradual:  Thou hast holden me by my right hand: thou shalt guide me…

Gospel:  Matthew 21:1-9  And when they drew neigh unto Jerusalem...

  

See it all here

 http://www.archive.org/stream/commonserviceb00unknuoft#page/n81/mode/2up

Also:

O almighty and everlasting God, who didst cause our Saviour to take upon Him our flesh, and to undergo the cross, for an example of humility to be imitated by mankind: mercifully grant that we may deserve to possess not only the lessons of His patience, but also the fellowship of His Resurrection. Through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.

[RCC -- Liturgy Explorer]

http://www.airmaria.com/Liturgy/explr/litrgyexplr.php?ms_ID=70

Dues, qui humano generi ad imitandum humilitatis exemplum 

God, in his sovereign will, came down to us in the person of his Son, and deigned to take upon himself the vulnerable human vesture in all humility.  Paul speaks of this in the appointed epistle this Sunday. I have little doubt that this passage was key in the mind of the author of this ancient collect.  Paul wrote: "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation" [Philippians 2:4-7"]  In so doing, the Father gave us an example of what he calls his elect to become.  The prophet's call years before had established this rule to be the faithful service to God.  "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? [Micah 6:8]. This is precisely what Jesus did, and we are called to imitate his example.  I am reminded of a book from the middle ages that I commend to all: The Imitation of Christ 

http://www.ccel.org/ccel/kempis/imitation.html

Salvatorem nostem et carnem sumere,

Jesus is God incarnate; God with us. The Father sent his only Son to assume our human form. Paul wrote, "and took upon him to form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of man."  [Philippians 2:7].  To what end did God do this? The answer follows in the collect: 

et Crucem subire fecisti 

Scripture points continuously to our Lord's coming sacrifice as the Lamb of God, and the necessity that he be of human nature to suffice for the sins of humanity [Isaiah 53].  Isaac was a type of Christ figure. Recall when Abraham took Isaac and had him bear the quantity of firewood (that would consume a human body) on his shoulders. Abraham proceeded on this mission with every intent to sacrifice his son in obedience to God's will.  When Isaac asked about the lamb, Abraham replied, "God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering"  There is no indication that Isaac ever resisted; but rather he was obedient to his father, trusted in him, and submitted to the altar. Tradition has placed Isaac's age at about 20-30

(http://www.apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=11&article=1272 ).  God interceded and provided a substitutionary sacrifice. In the same way, the Father provided his only Son as a perfect, obedient, and willing sacrifice who submitted to the Cross.  John wrote, "And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. [1 John 2:2] 

concede propitius ut et patientiae eius havere documentum, et resurrectionis eius consortia mereamur

Finally we come to the petition.  We ask that we may fellowship in Christ's victory over death by resurrection, while we endure in patience as he taught us so to do.  Paul wrote, "I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." [Romans 8:18]  and "For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end;" [Hebrews 3:14]

I dare not leave this small study without commenting on the importance of Paul's concluding words in the Epistle: He wrote,  "God also hath exalted Him, and hath given Him a Name which is above all names:  that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father."  It is by the name of  Christ alone that one may be saved; all else is in vain.  Let us be mindful of this confession as we enter the most holy of weeks in the Church year and look forward to the Feast of the Resurrection on the Sunday next.

Read more: 

See an homily by Chrysostom on the Epistle http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/ lent_palm_07.html 

Finis

(Portions were paraphrased and passages cited from The Collect of the Day, by Paul Zeller Strodach, 1939, The United Lutheran Press, Philadelphia)  http://www.cyberhymnal.org/bio/s/t/r/strodach_pz.htm

 

The Ancient Collect: Its history and form

http://orderofcenturions.org/collect-form.html

 

--
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

Passion Sunday - The Fifth Sunday of Lent MMXII

Keep, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy household in thine unceasing goodness that, as it leans only upon the hope of thy heavenly grace, so it may be always defended by thy protection; through the Lord...

[Liturgy Explorer]

...

Latin original Collect:

Familium tuam, quaesumus Domine, continua pietate custodi: ut quae in sola spe gratiae coelestis innititur, tua semper protectione muniatur, per Dominum

--Gelesian Sacramentary

Introit:  Judge me O God: and plead my cause against an ungodly man.

Ps:  O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me: …

Epistle:  Hebrews 9:11-15 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come…

Gradual:  Deliver me O Lord from mine enemies: teach me to do thy will.

Gospel:  John 8:46-59  Which of you convinceth me of sin?...

See it all here: http://www.archive.org/stream/commonserviceb00unknuoft#page/n80/mode/2up 

This Sunday is known also as Judica for the opening of the Latin introit: "Judge"

 

The Anglican Prayer Book did not use the Latin collect, and the Lutherans adopted the BCP collect. 

Familium tuam, quaesumus Domine

--Your family, we beseech thee Lord

We are family. We are of the household of God. When we were baptized into Christ, we were raised up as sons of God the Father, and brothers of Christ.  Make no mistake about the relation scripture teaches. God the Father is the first person of the family of the Trinity, and we are adopted into that family. Listen to the words of the Gospel today, "I honor my Father", and "He that is of God heareth God's words".  Does the scripture speak to your heart? Know that it does not so speak to all men. Yet, God has called out from all mankind those whom he has chosen as his own, and has given them to Christ, and they hear his voice, and know him as the Son of God, and follow him, and he will lose none of them -- for they are family [John 17]

continua pietate custodi

--Keep in continual godliness

Our first petition. How shall the Father keep his family of saints in godliness? By his Spirit who dwells in us and leads us into all righteousness. By the Blood of Christ; Paul asks in the epistle, "How much more shall the Blood of Christ…purge you from dead works to serve the living God?" [Hebrews 9:14].  He disciplines his children when they stumble to help to keep them in goodness; "But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world." [1 Corinthians 11:32]."

ut quae in sola spe gratiae coelestis innititur

which is based solely in the hope of heavenly grace

Our walk with Christ, as adopted sons of God the Father, is based solely upon the heavenly grace of God – It is through that grace that we become a member of that holy family, live in godliness, continue in the family, fall asleep in Christ, and shall finally come into his heavenly kingdom… not by "dead" works, but by grace alone.

tua semper protectione muniatur

May we always be defended by the protection of the Lord

Our second petition. I am reminded of the Breastplate of Patrick often recited on his feast day of 17 March--just passed, and how his prayer to the Lord was to bind himself to the Trinity. Patrick did not rely on his perceived merit to protect him, but only upon the Trinity family and his relation to God, and in Christ who abided with him and went before, behind, above and with him to keep him from every evil. 

http://orderofsaintpatrick.org/breastplate.htm

Read more: 

See an homily by Chrysostom on the Epistle http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/lent5_07.html#homily

Finis

(Portions were paraphrased and passages cited from The Collect of the Day, by Paul Zeller Strodach, 1939, The United Lutheran Press, Philadelphia)  http://www.cyberhymnal.org/bio/s/t/r/strodach_pz.htm

 

The Ancient Collect: Its history and form

http://orderofcenturions.org/collect-form.html

--
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

The Fourth Sunday in Lent MMXII

O God,  thou knowest that we who are in the midst of such danger canst not stand because of our human weakness; grant to us health of mind and body, so that those things which we suffereth for our sins, thou mayest overcome, through…

Latin original Collect:

Deus, qui nos in tantis periculis constitutos, pro humana scis fragilitate non posse subsistere: do nobis salutem mentis et corporis; ut ea, quae pro peccatis nostris patimur, te adjuvante vincamus, per

--Gelesian Sacramentary

Introit:  Rejoice, ye with Jerusalem and be glad with her.…

Ps:  I was glad when they said unto me: Let us go into the house of the LORD…

Epistle:  Galatians 4:21-31  Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law…

Gradual:  I was glad when they said unto me: Let us go into the house of the LORD

Gospel:  John 6:1-15  After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee…

See it all here

http://www.archive.org/stream/commonserviceb00unknuoft#page/n79/mode/2up 

another translation

Almighty God, who knowest us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers, that by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright: Grant to us such strength and carry us through all temptations; through…

[Lutheran Service Book]

This Sunday is known also as Leatare for the opening of the Latin introit: "Rejoice":  The introit relates to today's Epistle and our mother, the heavenly Jerusalem.  For the same reason it is Mothering Sunday.  Last week, the Third Sunday in Lent, is known as Oculi for the introit that begins with that word in Latin and means "eyes" from the English opening Mine eyes...

The Anglican Prayer Book did not use the Latin collect, but reflected some of its elements.  The Lutheran Service Book faithfully translated the original prayer from the Latin. 

Deus, qui nos in tantis periculis constitutos, pro humana scis fragilitate non posse subsistere: 

-- O God,  you know that we who are amid such dangers cannot stand because of our human weakness

The prayer begins by establishing our situation.  We are forever in this world set in the midst of some form of struggle – some danger.  We struggle to be born. We struggle to survive. We fight against diseases and defects. We labor to feed ourselves by the sweat of our brow. We covet other's wealth, or others covet ours. We must fend off adversaries who would deprive us of life, liberty, and property. We fight against the many moral evils that are common to man and threaten his spiritual and physical health. We all face certain bodily death in this world, and often suffer as we die.  Given all that we face, we are frail compared with those grand ideals we hold. We fear the unknown. We fear pain and suffering. We fear loss of employment and the consequences of deprivation of wealth.  We fear death. We are human.  

George Patton, one of history greatest Christian generals said, "All men are afraid in battle. The coward is the one who lets his fear overcome his sense of duty."

The author of this prayer recognized this truth. This prayer may have originally be written in the persecution of the Empire before the fourth century, or perhaps composed later in the sixth century when Rome faced the hordes at their gates, whether early or late, it likely refers to a real danger to the church that caused the saints much trepidation.

do nobis salutem mentis et corporis; 

--Give to us health of mind and body

This is our petition to God.  Health of mind so that the fears we have of the dangers and temptations surrounding us do not drag us down into being pitiful weaklings - "men without chests".  Health of body so that we may continue in this life free of the evils of disease with strong, sound, and fit bodies that reflect the state God had first ordained for our species.  Together, mind, body, and also spirit, we pray for wellbeing, fortitude, confidence, and courage.

ut ea, quae pro peccatis nostris patimur

--So that those things we suffer for our sins.  

What is this? Are our sufferings the result of our sins?  Yes, ultimately.  The bible teaches us that original sin was the beginning of suffering for our kind. Adam and Eve were ejected from the Garden of Eden for their disobedience, and God cursed man with labor and woman with pain in childbirth as signs, and all humanity with physical death.  So, we believe that in the end times sin will be completely abolished, and with it Paradise restored in a new heaven and earth.  

te adjuvante vincamus

-- you [God] may overcome

I am reminded of the words of our Lord in the parable of the young rich man who went away sad at the thought of giving his riches to the poor and becoming a disciple.  Jesus taught that those encumbered by their earthly wealth could not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. They are yoked to their wealth.  "When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."  [Matthew 19:24-26]. God can overcome our passions, addictions, bondage, missteps, shortfalls, and failures by his Grace alone.

Martin Luther wrote of a parallel truth in Bondage of the Will.  He reintroduced concepts from the Scripture and the theology of Augustine. The overwhelming power of sin on a person inhibits his very ability to stand firm and to choose between right and the wrong. Luther allowed the way of escape from this bondage to sin; it is by binding ourselves to Jesus; thereby, our wills may be in bondage to his perfect will and we may be free to choose the right way.  Jesus promised his elect peace and freedom, and we may be free indeed as we abide with him.  Paul also touched on this truth in the appointed epistle today when he reminded and encouraged the Galatian Church that they were no longer under bondage but were free [Galatians 4:21-31], and in the verse following he wrote, "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." [Galatians 5:1]  

See an homily by Chrysostom on the Epistle  http://www.orderofcenturions.org/documents/lent4_06.html#homily

Finis

(Portions were paraphrased and passages cited from The Collect of the Day, by Paul Zeller Strodach, 1939, The United Lutheran Press, Philadelphia)  http://www.cyberhymnal.org/bio/s/t/r/strodach_pz.htm

 

The Ancient Collect: Its history and form

http://orderofcenturions.org/collect-form.html

 

--
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

The Third Sunday in Lent MMXII

We beseech thee, Almighty God, remember the vows of thy lowly ones, and stretch forth the right hand of thy majesty to be our defense; through the Lord..

Latin original Collect:

Quaesumus onimipotens Deus, vota humillum respice atque ad defensionim nostram dexteram tuae maiestatis extende, per Dominum.

--Gelesian Sacramentary

Introit: Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord: for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.…

Ps: Unto thee O Lord, do I lift up my soul…

Epistle:  Ephesians 5:1-9  Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children…

Gradual:  Arise O Lord; let not man prevail…

Gospel:  Luke 11:14-28  And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb…

See it all here

http://www.archive.org/stream/commonserviceb00unknuoft#page/n77/mode/2up

another translation

We beseech thee, almighty God, look upon the hearty desires of thy humble servants, and stretch forth the right hand of thy majesty to be our defense against all our enemies; through Jesus Christ our Lord

[Cranmer, 1549]

The English translation first appeared in the Anglican Prayer Book.  We are informed by Strodash that it does not convey all the meaning one might have inferred from hearing the Latin, and adds more to it.

respice

-- Look upon

 There are other meanings that may have been understood: "Look back upon" or "remember".  Look back at what-- our hearty desires? What were our hearty desires from the past?  They were our vows (vota) we made when we professed our faith.  These were made in all humility.  They were humble desires from the many lowly ones (humillium).  These vows were generally made on Easter for the candidates for baptism. The lessons and training that lead up to the day for vows were taught in the period we now call Lent. We hear in the Psalm, "Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared" [Psalm 76:11]

dexteram tuae maiestatis extende,

-- Extend the right hand of thy majesty

Regard favorably the heartfelt, ardent, hungering petitions of thy lowly ones.  Imagine if you can a humble supplicant approaching the throne of the most powerful and divine regent. He makes his humble petition, and the regent extends his right hand as a sign that he may approach and is received.  This is more than simply granting the petition, it is an assurance that it will be fulfilled, of favor.  We hear in the story of Ester, "And when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won favor in his sight, and he held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter" [Ester 5:2]

ad defensionim nostram

--Defend us

This is the Latin petition, and it ends there.  The translators added, "with all enemies" , and in a way, limited it.  The plea for defense extends beyond the concept of "all enemies" and includes: granting of strength, protection from every calamity, shelter, and peace.  The petition calls upon the Almighty to defend us in every way and always. The idea of defense is beautifully expressed in this psalm, "The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower." [Psalm 18:2]

In considering today's collect, one cannot separate it from the challenging words of the Epistle with which it is traditionally linked. Paul clearly reminds the Ephesians of their vows upon baptism, to run the way of the Commandments-to follow Christ and walk in love, and then he enumerates those actions which betray that vow [Ephesians 5:1-9]: 

"But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them." 

The catechumens understood the will of our Lord, and held such teachings as the Ten Commandments as central to their vow to turn from Evil, and embrace Christ.  The ancient ceremony had the baptismal candidate face westward, and the presbyter would ask, "Do you renounce all Evil?" The candidate vowed that he renounced the Evil one, and then turned toward the east and the vector of the coming of the Son on the day of the Resurrection, as in repenting and turning from sin, and completed his confession of faith in the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost.  The catechumens understood sin to be described in great measure by the Ten Commandments which our Lord acknowledged as standards for righteousness. Jesus said, "Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother." [Luke 18:20]

These are the vows incumbent upon all Christians, and along with them the Summary of the Law, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." [Matthew 22:37-38]

See an homily by Chrysostom on the Epistle http://www.orderofcenturions.org/documents/lent3.html#homily

Finis

(Portions were paraphrased and passages cited from The Collect of the Day, by Paul Zeller Strodach, 1939, The United Lutheran Press, Philadelphia)  http://www.cyberhymnal.org/bio/s/t/r/strodach_pz.htm

 

The Ancient Collect: Its history and form

http://orderofcenturions.org/collect-form.html

 

--
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

The Second Sunday in Lent MMXII

O God who seest that we are destitute of all virtue; Guard us inwardly and outwardly; so that we may be fortified against all adversities in body, and cleansed from all depraved thoughts. Through the Lord...

[Stordash]

...

Latin original Collect:

Deus, qui conspicis omni nos virtute destitui interius exteriusque custodi, ut ab omnibus adversitatibus muniamur in corpore, et a pravis cogitationibus mundemur in mente, per Dominum.

--Gelesian Sacramentary

Introit: Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies…

Ps: Unto thee O Lord, do I lift up my soul…

Epistle: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-7.  Furthermore then we beseech you…

Gradual: The troubles of my heart are enlarged.

Gospel: Matthew 15:21-28.  Then Jesus went thence, and departed…

See it all here

http://www.archive.org/stream/commonserviceb00unknuoft#page/n76/mode/2up

Another  rendering, 

O God who seest that of ourselves we have no strength: Keep us both outwardly and inwardly; that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through…

[Lutheran and Anglican service books]

This Sunday the title is prefaced with the Latin "Reminiscere" for "Remember" in the Lutheran service book.  It is the first word of the Introit.  Last week the title of the Sunday was prefaced by the Latin word "Invocabit" meaning "Call" from which we get "Invocation", and a "Call to Prayer".  For eons, these Sundays were known by the first word of the Introit, which always began the Divine Office.  We shall see more examples of this tradition in the weeks ahead.

Please note that the first collect is Strodach's personal translation and is much closer to the literal meaning of the original collect.  The prayer in the Anglican and Lutheran service book was crafted by Cramner in 1549.  I think that the literal interpretation has more punch.  It is succinct, direct, and discomforting!

Deus, qui conspicis omni nos virtute destitui interius exteriusque custodi

-- O God, Who seest that we have no power whatever inwardly and outwardly to guard,

God does see within us that we are but mortal, weak in resolve, and in fact so weak that we are unable to attain to that place God calls us without his intervention.  This was the entire point of the Pelagian controversy and the defense of the catholic faith by Augustine and again later by his followers when this precept was forgotten.  The Latin word "virtute" means "manly"—of having "moral excellence".  It is the ability to stand against evil in the evil day. It is the courage to take the right side even when it means that one will be subjected to persecution.  We are destitute (destitui) of that quality, both inwardly (interius) and outwardly (exteriusque) to guard (custodi) ourselves from the evil and weakness the pervades our world.  Why is this?  Sinfulness.  The word guard (custodi) carries the sense of a Power who is able to keep us from falling.  It is that Power that will protect us from the ultimate fall so that as we read in last week's Gospel, "He shall give his angels charge over thee, and in their hands they shall bear thee up" [Matthew 4:6]

With the truth humbly confessed, the petition follows:

ut ab omnibus adversitatibus muniamur in corpore, et a pravis cogitationibus mundemur in mente

-- so that we may be defended from all adversities in the body, and from all evil thoughts which may hurt in the mind, by the Lord.

 

The petition reflects back on the properties confessed in the first phrase. We cannot of ourselves protect body and soul, so God must be our strong Defender.  First against the constant adversities toward the body (adversitatibus muniamur in corpore), and secondly against the depraved (pravis) thoughts (cogitationibus) of the mind (in mente).

The reality is plainly before us, as it was to Paul in the Epistle appointed for today. Paul warned the Christians of Thessalonica that were falling into sin.  First, they embraced sin in their minds and souls through bad thoughts, and then they realized that sin in their physical bodies through evil and forbidden acts.

There is only one cure: Jesus, the great Physician, who deigned to heal the humble Canaanite woman's child in today's Gospel. He will also respond to the humble cry of the penitent for help.  Let us join in this season with the Church and pray as it has has prayed this collect for centuries, and ask God to come and defend us from every evil thought, every corrupt desire, all vain imaginations, and every adversity that assails.  Our faith can save us, and our loved ones, as it did the Canaanite woman's daughter and the centurion's servant, by the will of Jesus Christ who is always Faithful.  I pray the Lord may look upon you and be able to speak the words he said to them:  "O great is thy faith".

Semper Fidelis

See an homily by Chrysostom on the Epistle http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/lent2_07.html

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