Boniface - Legionary [15 June]

ST. AUGUSTINE TO BONIFACE - TRIBUNE

 

an extract..

 

To Boniface, My Noble Lord and Justly Distinguished and Honourable Son, Augustin Sends Greeting in the Lord....

 

Do not think that it is impossible for any one to please God while engaged in active military service. Among such persons was the holy David, to whom God gave so great a testimony; among them also were many righteous men of that time; among them was also that centurion who said to the Lord: "I am not worthy that You should come under my roof, but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed: for I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he comes; and to my servant, Do this, and he does it;" and concerning whom the Lord said: "Verily, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel." Matthew 8:8-10 Among them was that Cornelius to whom an angel said: "Cornelius, your alms are accepted, and your prayers are heard," Acts 10:4 when he directed him to send to the blessed Apostle Peter, and to hear from him what he ought to do, to which apostle he sent a devout soldier, requesting him to come to him. Among them were also the soldiers who, when they had come to be baptized by John,—the sacred forerunner of the Lord, and the friend of the Bridegroom, of whom the Lord says: "Among them that are born of women there has not arisen a greater than John the Baptist," Matthew 11:11 —and had inquired of him what they should do, received the answer, "Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages." Luke 3:14 Certainly he did not prohibit them to serve as soldiers when he commanded them to be content with their pay for the service.

 

 They occupy indeed a higher place before God who, abandoning all these secular employments, serve Him with the strictest chastity; but "every one," as the apostle says, "has his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that." 1 Corinthians 7:7 Some, then, in praying for you, fight against your invisible enemies; you, in fighting for them, contend against the barbarians, their visible enemies. Would that one faith existed in all, for then there would be less weary struggling, and the devil with his angels would be more easily conquered; but since it is necessary in this life that the citizens of the kingdom of heaven should be subjected to temptations among erring and impious men, that they may be exercised, and "tried as gold in the furnace," Wisdom 3:6 we ought not before the appointed time to desire to live with those alone who are holy and righteous, so that, by patience, we may deserve to receive this blessedness in its proper time.

 

Think, then, of this first of all, when you are arming for the battle, that even your bodily strength is a gift of God; for, considering this, you will not employ the gift of God against God. For, when faith is pledged, it is to be kept even with the enemy against whom the war is waged, how much more with the friend for whom the battle is fought! Peace should be the object of your desire; war should be waged only as a necessity, and waged only that God may by it deliver men from the necessity and preserve them in peace. For peace is not sought in order to the kindling of war, but war is waged in order that peace may be obtained. Therefore, even in waging war, cherish the spirit of a peacemaker, that, by conquering those whom you attack, you may lead them back to the advantages of peace; for our Lord says: "Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God." Matthew 5:9 If, however, peace among men be so sweet as procuring temporal safety, how much sweeter is that peace with God which procures for men the eternal felicity of the angels! Let necessity, therefore, and not your will, slay the enemy who fights against you. As violence is used towards him who rebels and resists, so mercy is due to the vanquished or the captive, especially in the case in which future troubling of the peace is not to be feared....

 

read it all here

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1102189.htm 

 

Besides the words of Augustine, we do well to remember the admonition of George  Washington who said,

"the General hopes and trusts, that, every officer and man, will endeavour so to live, and act, as becomes a Christian Soldier defending the dearest Right and Liberties of his country."

--
"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]

IN HOC SIGNO VINCES - TIME DEUM ET OPERARE IUSTITIAM
www.OrderofCenturions.org

First Sunday after Trinity

Commentary appears after the Proper Collect, Epistle and Gospel

First Sunday after Trinity
Augustine on 1 John 12-16
First Sunday after Trinity Home

O GOD, the strength of all those who put their trust in thee; Mercifully accept our prayers; and because, through the weakness of our mortal nature, we can do no good thing without thee, grant us the help of thy grace, that in keeping thy commandments we may please thee, both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Sarum Missal. Note: The system of numbering Sundays from Trinity was part of the Sarum Missal. 21 years after the first Prayer Book, Rome changed their system to number Sundays after Penetcost... a method that has been adopted by many churches

1 St. John iv. 7   &   St. Luke xvi. 19

Homily

 

BULLETIN

 

calendar

 

Barnabas the Apostle -- June 11th

Boniface, Legionary - June 15th

commentary

 

I should like to comment on the appointed collect. It comes from the Sarum Missal and was carried over into the English Prayer Book. Note it says, " through the weakness of our mortal nature, we can do no good thing without thee, grant us the help of thy grace"   I now refer you to our Vow (Sacamentum), which each Centurion affirms at the time he applies for registration, and which each centurion is invited to reaffirm annually, as did the legions of Rome. We say, " through faith and the aid of the Holy Spirit, fear God and do what is right." Augustine, whose homily we feature this day, resurrected the Doctrine of Grace in his day. It was emphasized by the Reformers of the 16 ^th Century. As I mentioned a few weeks ago, Augustine struggled against the heresy of Pelagianism that we see so plainly today in the post-modern church. Let us remember what the Church said in 419AD at the Council of Carthage when Pelagius was condemned, " Whoso preaches that without grace we could keep the commandments although with difficulty, is to be thrice execrated. For the Lord says, " Without me ye can do nothing."  I invite you to look at other Biblical and Church teachings that I have collected here.

 

Sundays after Trinity: We are entering the long Church season of Sundays after Trinity. It will run until Advent. This season, unlike the others, does not focus on a portion of the life of Christ (However, it does have the Feast of the Transfiguration as a Holy Day of our Lord in August.) The Sundays after Trinity are marked with green in many churches. Some have, in hindsight, associated this with Christian growth, where in this season we focus on the teachings of Christ and the Apostles. May we grow in Christian knowledge week-by-week in this season.

 

The Homily for this Sunday is from another from Augustine. It picks up on the second part of John's First General Epistle that is appointed for this Sunday. It is published for the first time on the Order's site this year. Lord willing, next year we will feature the third homily of Augustine that touches on this epistle. Recently I read an article entitled "Islam and Us" by George Cardinal Pell, Archbishop of Sidney, Australia (First Things , June/July 2006 p. 33). The Most Reverend Pell speaks of the optimists who paint Islam as a religion of Peace… and then says, "On the pessimistic side of the equation, concern begins with the Qur'an itself. I started, in a recent reading of the Qur'an, to note invocations to violence—and abandoned the exercise after fifty or sixty pages, as there are so many of them." A good read, I recommend the entire article

 

Compare that, if you will, with John in our appointed epistle today.

 

If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

 

Throughout the New Testament we find the general theme of Love of Neighbor and prayer for enemies. This is a theme carried over into our very Rule in the Order, where we pick up the Summary of the Law. Our Lord has showed us the way to perfection through love. May God, through the Holy Ghost, give us the grace to love, and guide us toward that ideal love of Christ day-by-day.

 

pax Christi,

  

Trinity Sunday

Trinity Sunday

News of the Order and commentary appear after the Proper Collect, Epistle and Gospel

 

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hast given unto us thy servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of the Divine Majesty to worship the Unity; We beseech thee that thou wouldest keep us stedfast in this faith, and evermore defend us from all adversities, who livest and reignest, one God, world without end. Amen.

Propers

Revelation iv. 1   &   St. John iii. 1

Lessons: Psalm 33, Genisis i.1-ii.3, John i. 1-12

Hippolytus, a Bishop of Rome
Chapter XXVIII and XXVIV of Against Heresies
The Doctrine of the Truth

 

 

 

BULLETIN

   

calendar

 

Ferdinand of Portugal, Knight, Crusader, Prince - June 5th

 

news

 

A fellow centurion has sent us a link to a Traditional Lutheran lectionary site" www.sanctus.org , with collects, propers, and lessons and psalms for Communion, Matins and Vespers. He writes , " you can subscribe to both the daily lectionary (your choice of scripture translation) & to the historic Lutheran weekly lectionary." I compared the collect for Trinity Sunday from The Lutheran Hymnal (TLH) with today's that we have on the Order's site, and they are the same. We have added this link to our Chapel and to our Links page. I encourage you to visit the site and consider this resource for your ministry or devotion.

 

commentary

 

This is Trinity Sunday. It is a time when we set aside one worship day specifically to remember the Doctrine of the Trinity, which was gradually articulated over the centuries in the universal orthodox church. The most direct scriptural reference that I am aware of is 1 John 5:7 "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and the three are one."  This verse aroused some controversy in the West when translating a new edition of the New Testament; it was not found many of the Greek bibles. Modern editions of the bible, and even my 1928 Prayer Book, exclude it. However, most Christians hold it to be valid. You may wish to search the internet for discussions on this passage in some detail. I commend the analysis by the Reverend R. L. Dabney. Here is another site with citations from Cyprian [250AD] and others of the Early Church who quote or allude to the passage http://www.1john57.com/1john57.htm

 

The Homily offered for this Sunday is from Hippolytus, listed on the Order's site for the first time this year. from his Doctrine of Truth. It complements the lesson for Morning Prayer from the 1 ^st Chapter of the Gospel of John.

Pentecost Sunday

Pentecost
commonly called Whitsunday
Homily of Augustin on the Gospel

News of the Order and commentary appear after the Proper Collect, Epistle and Gospel

 

 

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.

This Collect is to be said daily throughout Whitsun Week.

Joel ii. 28, Psalm 68, Acts ii. 1. St. John xiv. 15.
Homily of Augustin on John

 

calendar

 

Julius, Soldier, Martyr - May 27th

Memorial for Fallen Veterans
Last Monday in May or other day according to local custom

Major Audie Murphy - Christian Hero of WWII 1971 [May 28]

Whitsun Ember Days
Wednesday, Friday, Saturday

Joan of Arc, Martyr - May 30th

 

 

Monday marks Memorial Day in the US. There is a link above with scriptures and the poem of a centurion , Lt. Col. John McCrae of Canada, who wrote before he fell, "In Flander Fields the poppies blow..." This Whitsun Eve as I write these words I wear a poppy, a gift today from a member of a local Veterans of Foreign Wars post. I bid your prayers for the families of those we have lost fallen warriors in these latter days, and offer thanksgiving for the service of our fallen brethren. I encourage you to support local Memorial Day events in your community - as a sign and service.

 

A fellow centurion alerted me to a special site that reports on websites allowed to be shown on computers behind the "Great Firewall of China." It would appear that the Order's site did not pass through the firewall from my test this week; however, it was in China that another brother found the Order and joined us over two years ago. http://www.greatfirewallofchina.org/

 

 

commentary

 

This Sunday is the Day of Pentecost. It is one of the traditional Jewish feasts that has been carried over into the Church of Christ with a new and added meaning. Known as the festival of weeks (seven weeks), it was one of the three great feasts of the Jewish Church, coming at about the time of the first wheat harvest, upon which all males in Israel were to present themselves at the Temple with an offering. It likewise is one of the three major feasts of the Christian Church when all Christians were and in some churches, are, to present themselves at Church to receive Holy Communion. In England, and now in countries colonized by England, it is known by the name of Whitsunday. Those who had been baptized on the Vigil of Easter, 50 days before, would wear their white tunics to this Feast, as would others in remembrance of their baptism.  It is yet a good day for us to remember to wear white!

 

The Homily for this Sunday is from Augustin of Hippo. He preaches on the Day of Pentecost, and emphasizes that it was only by the action of the Holy Spirit leading and touching the hearts of men that they could call on Jesus as Lord, only by the power of the Holy Ghost that they could begin to obey the commandments, and only by the Holy Ghost leading them, that they might receive him fuller according to the measure of faith they had received from the One Spirit. This is the catholic faith. At the time that Augustine was writing this homily, he was fighting also against the heresy of the monk Pelagius, who argued that there was no original sin, and that all men were fully capable of their own works to earn their salvation, to follow perfectly the commandments. This catholic faith was codified in the  Canons of the Council of Orange in the sixth century. 

 

In today's homily Augustine wrote, "We are therefore to understand that he who loves has already the Holy Spirit, and by what he has becomes worthy of a fuller possession, that by having the more he may love the more."

 

May God pour his Spirit more and more upon the brothers of the Order, and may they more and more follow our Commander through obedience to his commandments in spirit and in truth.

 

pax Christi,

 

msc

Sunday after Ascension

Alleluia, Christ the Lord ascendeth into heaven - O come, let us adore him, Alleluia

 

Jesus is risen from the dead. Alleluia.

Jesus is exalted to the Father's right hand. Alleluia.

Jesus has transformed and remade heaven. Alleluia.
The Father sends the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, in Jesus' Name. Alleluia.

Jesus will come to judge the living and the dead at the end of the age. Alleluia 

 

Sunday After Ascension Day

News of the Order and commentary appear after the Proper Collect, Epistle and Gospel

O GOD, the King of glory, who hast exalted thine only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph unto thy kingdom in heaven; We beseech thee, leave us not comfortless; but send to us thine Holy Ghost to comfort us, and exalt us unto the same place whither our Saviour Christ is gone before, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

Source: Archbishop Cranmer [1549 AD]. The collect is based on the anthem that was sung on Ascension Day at Vespers "O King of Glory, Lord of Hosts, who today didst ascend in triumph far above all heavens, who did not leave us orphans..." and John xiv "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you " [Barbee and Zahl]

Isaiah lxv. 17, 1 St. Peter iv. 7  St. John xv. 26

Second Sermon of Leo on the Ascension

Sermon LXXIV.

 

BULLETIN

 

calendar  

Constantine, Emperor - May 22nd

Today marks Armed Forces Day in the United States. We salute those members of the Order who are on the rolls of their nation's military, Active, Reserve, and Retired and those who serve our Military Forces in civilian roles, and especially those deployed in harms way.

 

 

commentary

 

This Sunday we are in the midst of a church season of only 10 days: Ascensiontide. I recommend this article from Dr. Peter Toon on this traditional season that has been forgotten by most of the church since the 60s and 70s. http://pbs1928.blogspot.com/2007/05/ascensiontide-precious-season-of-10.html

 

The Homily for this Sunday is from Leo the Great, his second on the Ascension featured for the first time on the Order's site. One will not find a more orthodox sermon: an extract: read it all at the link above:

 

In order, therefore, dearly-beloved, that we may be capable of this blessedness, when all things were fulfilled which concerned the Gospel preaching and the mysteries of the New Testament, our Lord Jesus Christ, on the fortieth day after the Resurrection in the presence of the disciples, was raised into heaven, and terminated His presence with us in the body, to abide on the Father's right hand until the times Divinely fore-ordained for multiplying the sons of the Church are accomplished, and He comes to judge the living and the dead in the same flesh in which He ascended. And so that which till then was visible of our Redeemer was changed into a sacramental presence , and that faith might be more excellent and stronger, sight gave way to doctrine, the authority of which was to be accepted by believing hearts enlightened with rays from above.

 

Canticle of the Three Children

 

       BLESSED art thou, O Lord God of our fathers; * praised and exalted above all for ever.
    Blessed art thou for the Name of thy Majesty; * praised and exalted above all for ever.
    Blessed art thou in the temple of thy holiness; * Praised and exalted above all for ever.
    Blessed art thou that beholdest the depths, and dwellest between the Cherubim: * praised and exalted above all for ever.
    Blessed art thou on the glorious throne of thy Kingdom: * praised and exalted above all for ever.
    Blessed art thou in the firmament of heaven: * praised and exalted above all for ever.

 

 

Ascension Day

 

Ascension Day
Forty Days after the Resurrection
First Homily of Leo
Ascension Home

GRANT, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that like as we do believe thy only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended into the heavens; so we may also in heart and mind thither ascend, and with him continually dwell, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

Daniel 7:9, Psalm 96, Acts i.1    St. Luke xxiv. 49.

Homily of Leo on the Ascension

Rogation Days

 

The Rogation Days
Being the Three Days before Ascension Day

ALMIGHTY God, Lord of heaven and earth; We beseech thee to pour forth thy blessing upon this land, and to give us a fruitful season; that we, constantly receiving thy bounty, may evermore give thanks unto thee in thy holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Table of Lessons for Morning and Evening Prayer Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
At Holy Commuion
Ezekiel xxxiv. 25   &   St. Luke xi. 5
Homilies

and the earth shall yield her increase, and they shall be safe in their land, and shall know that I am the LORD,

---

"Rogation" comes from the Latin rogare, "to ask" (petition earnestly). Rogation Sunday has for the Gospel the verse: "Ask and ye shall receive". Ancient Rogation days are observed on the three days before Ascension Day. The Rogation days began in 470 under Bishop Mamertus of Vienne in response to a series of natural calamities. Later the prayers were for bountiful crops and the good work of farmers. On these days the priest might bless crops. Nowadays prayers may be for other occupations with a recommitment to their labors Rogation days may be used anytime where there is a specific need for earnest prayer -- as that was its original use in 470. A modern custom has been to focus prayers and actions toward charity to help feed poor folk.

Rogation Sunday

The Fifth Sunday after Easter
Rogation Sunday Home

Calendar and commentary appear after the Proper Collect, Epistle and Gospel

 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.

Isaiah i. 10, Psalm 51, St. James i. 22, St. John xvi. 23

Homily of Chrysostom on the Gospel

Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask My Father in My Name."

---

 

 

BULLETIN

calendar

 

Gerald of Villamagna, Crusader, Hermit - May 13th

 

Rogaton Days

Acacius - May 20th

 

commentary

 

This Sunday I've added an extract of an homily of Chrysostom to our site on the appointed Gospel (John xvi. 23ff). His exhortation for action will warm the heart of any Christian warrior today as in did in 400AD. He writes:

 

But it is permitted to us also to conquer, looking to the Author of our faith, and walking on that road which He cut for us. So neither shall death get the mastery of us. "What then, shall we not die?" saith some one. Why, from this very thing it is clear that he shall not gain the mastery over us. The champion truly will then be glorious, not when he hath not closed with his opponent, but when having closed he is not holden by him. We therefore are not mortal, because of our struggle with death, but immortal, because of our victory; then should we have been mortal, had we remained with him always. As then I should not call the longest-lived animals immortal, although they long remain free from death, so neither him who shall rise after death mortal, because he is dissolved by death. For, tell me, if a man blush a little, should we say that he was continually ruddy? Not so, for the action is not a habit. If one become pale, should we call him jaundiced? No, for the affection is but temporary. And so you would not call him mortal, who hath been for but a short time in the hands of death. Since in this way we may speak of those who sleep, for they are dead, so to say, and without action. But doth death corrupt our bodies? What of that? It is not that they may remain in corruption, but that they be made better. Let us then conquer the world, let us run to immortality, let us follow our King, let us too set up a trophy, let us despise the world's pleasures. We need no toil to do so; let us transfer our souls to heaven, and all the world is conquered. If thou desirest it not, it is conquered; if thou deride it, it is worsted

 

I commend the entire homily extract  here Homily of Chrysostom on the Gospel

 

Fourth Sunday after Easter

The Fourth Sunday after Easter

News of the Order and commentary appear after the Proper Collect, Epistle and Gospel

 

ALMIGHTY God, which dost make the minds of all faithful men to be of one will; Grant unto thy people, that they may love the thing which thou commandest, and desire that which thou dost promise; that so, among the sundry and manifold changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed, where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source of Collect: Sacramentary of Gelasius [ca 494 AD].

Ezekiel xxxix. 21, Psalm 147, St. James i. 17. St. John xvi. 5.
Homilies

Fix your heart on Jesus

 

WEEKLY BULLETIN

 

calendar

 

Angelia Maria Tam - May 6th

Victor of Milan - May 8th

Pachomius, Monk - May 9th [346]

Ischios, Magistrus, Martyr -- May 10th [286-305]

 

news

 

Tony of Nigeria sent greetings and photos of the work with orphans under the cohort  ST ANTHONY OF PUDUA Cohort of Nigeria and Tanzania Province

 

 

commentary

 

This Sunday is the Fourth Sunday after Easter. Our collect is ancient, and it puts us in mind that the Early Church recognized and affirmed God's mighty hand in ruling his church, his elect, and guiding them toward the great truths. It reminds me of another prayer that says, "O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed…" God is with his elect and his voice speaks to us. As the collect and our Gospel says, may we fix our hearts on his will.

 

The Homily for this Sunday is from Augustine of Hippo, Doctor of the Church. It is newly published on our site. We are reminded that it is through the Holy Spirit, residing in the elect, that God makes his will know to the sheep of his flock. The Spirit opens the Gospel to our hearts and guides us day-by-day in its application. Augustine makes a strong catholic defense of the Trinity, so that none of his flock misunderstood Jesus' words.

Third Sunday after Easter

The Third Sunday after Easter
News of the Order and commentary appear after the Proper Collect, Epistle and Gospel

 

Alleluia The Lord is Risen, O come let us adore him. Alleluia

  

ALMIGHTY God, who showest to them that are in error the light of thy truth, to the intent that they may return into the way of righteousness; Grant unto all those who are admitted into the fellowship of Christ's Religion, that they may avoid those things that are contrary to their profession, and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Source of Collect: Sacramentary of Leo, Bishop of Rome [440-461AD]. The Vigil of Easter was the traditional time for Baptism, and this collect speaks to the newly baptized "all those who are admitted into the fellowship". One had to be baptized to be present during the Eucharist. Christiana professione censentor

1 Samuel ii. 1b, Psalm 113, 1 St. Peter ii. 11. St. John xvi. 16.

Homily of Augustine

A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.  

 

Calendar

 

Philip and James, Apostles May 1st

Luigi Lorenzi - May 4th

 

commentary

 

This Sunday is the Third after Easter, we are in the midst of Eastertide, the season in the traditional calendar that begins with Easter Day until Ascension Day. We recall that it was in this period that Jesus appeared many times to his disciples.  There have been changes in modern churches since the 1960s in the calendar. Personally, I think it important to keep Eastertide as a firm reminder of the 40-days between the Resurrection and the Ascension, and a specific time of rejoicing as we remember when the Risen Christ walked amongst us, and as we look for the day when he shall do so again in all his glory and we shall be raised to share in that glory, and perhaps to join in his Last Battle. The Early Church observed Eastertide. In the First Ecumenical Council under S. Constantine in about 326, it was decided that there was to be no fasting on any day in this festive season, or during the following Ascensiontide till after Pentecost, nor any kneeling on any day of the season.

 

Our collect speaks of one of the marks of the true church... that of discipline. Christ will discipline those that are his, teaching them his ways. Before we point the finger at a brother with a sage "aha," we recall that there are three fingers pointing back at us and there are none in this life who walk perfectly before God, who earn their salvation, but rather all have erred and gone astray. That does not mean the visible church need indulge reprobate sinners in its midst. It certainly should not (1Cor 5:12-13)

 

Christ's discipline is one of the promises of Scripture for those who are baptised into his Church. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, will find us, his elect who have erred and strayed from his way like lost sheep, following too much the devices and desires of our hearts, and through his sanctifying grace will lead us back (Luke 15:4). He will not permit the evil one to snatch us from his hand (John 10:29) 

 

This collect compliments nicely the collect for the Second Sunday after Easter and for Gospel of the Good Shepherd and the one flock that is the Church Militant for us mortals. In the end he will clean burn away any dross that we carry with us so that we are pure, as we must be, to appear before the Almighty in the Church Triumphant (1Cor3:15).  

 

And finally, if you have not already done so, I invite you to read the short homily of Augustine on the Gospel following:

 

 

Augustine on the Gospel

 

 

This Little While is the whole duration of this present world. In the same sense this same Evangelist saith in his Epistle : It is the last time. The words : Because I go to the Father : refer to the first clause of the text, thus : A little while and ye shall not see me, because I go to the Father. Hence we should not connect them with this latter clause : And again a little while, and ye shall see me. For his going to the Father was about to bring to pass this, namely, that they should see him no more. And on this account he is not to be understood as saying that he was about to die, and that, until he should rise again, he would be withdrawn from their sight ; but rather, that he was going to the Father ; which same he did when (after he had risen, and had manifested himself to them for forty days), he ascended up into heaven.

It was therefore to them which were then looking on him in the flesh that he said : A little while, and ye shall not see me. A little while, and they would no longer see him as mortal man, such as they saw him to be whilst thus speaking, because he was about to go to the Father. But he added : And again a little while, and ye shall see me : and these words are a promise to the Universal Church, just as are those others : Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Our Lord delayeth not his promised coming. Yea, again a little while, and we shall see him. Yea, and when we thus shall see him, then shall we ask for nothing more ; for no desire will be unsatisfied, and no riddle unsolved.

This Little While seemeth a very long while to us now, while as yet it is still going on, but when it is ended, we shall realize what a little while it was. Let not our joy, then, be like that of the world, whereof it is said : The world shall rejoice. A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, and yet, while, as hitherto, our gladness is still coming to the birth through throes of sorrow, let us not be altogether sorrowful, but as the Apostle hath it : Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation. A woman, when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come ; but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. And so will it be with us. And with that let me end my sermon. ...

 

Mark - Evangelist 25 April

 

Saint Mark the Evangelist
[25 April]

O ALMIGHTY God, who hast instructed thy holy Church with the heavenly doctrine of thy Evangelist Saint Mark; Give us grace that, being not like children carried away with every blast of vain doctrine, we may be established in the truth of thy holy Gospel; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Ephesians iv. 7. St. John xv. 1.
Homily

Abide in Me

George [23 April]

 

Geogre,Tribune, Martyr
[23 April]

O Almighty God, who didst give to thy servant George boldness to confess the Name of our Savior Jesus Christ before the rulers of this world, and courage to die for this faith: Grant that we may always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us, and to suffer gladly for the sake of the same our Lord Jesus Christ; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Patron Saint of England. The cry in the Crusades was, "God for Harry, George, and England". George was a Tribune who suffered at Lydda (Diospolis) in Palestine. The English wore his red cross on their Tunics in the Crusades. The Golden Legend of 1256 featured a story of George slaying a dragon and credited him with saving a damsel. His cross is visible on the Brittish Flag, and was on the first American flag as part of the Union.

Here is David Wood's excellent site on George from his Military Martyrs:

Commentary

We often look for Centuions, like the ledgendary George, who come forth to valiantly to save the weaker of our society from Evil. That is the meaning of George's symbol and myth, for the dragon represents that old Serpent whose intent is to bring evil upon mankind.  I shared the appointed Gospel for the Sunday with my dear aunt, a retired college professor. She wrote back and reminded me that Jesus said the Good Shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. She told me that this week we witnessed such a good shepherd:  Professor Liviu Librescu of Virginia Tech barracaded the door of his classroom as his students escaped through the windows while the evil gunman stormed against the door bent on killing as many as he could.  See more here. http://www.isrealli.org/virginia-tech-tragedy-prof-liviu-librescu-among-the-victims/

 

/msc

Second Sunday After Easter

 

SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EASTER

News of the Order and commentary appear after the Proper Collect, Epistle and Gospel

 

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.

Isaih xl. 1, Psalm 23, 1 St. Peter ii. 19. St. John x. 11.

Homily

I am the good shepherd:
the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep

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HOMILY
Augustine
Tractate XLVI


1. The Lord Jesus is speaking to His sheep—to those already so, and to those yet to become such—who were then present; for in the place where they were, there were those who were already His sheep, as well as those who were afterwards to become so: and He likewise shows to those then present and those to come, both to them and to us, and to as many also after us as shall yet be His sheep, who it is that had been sent to them. All, therefore, hear the voice of their Shepherd saying, "I am the good Shepherd." He would not add "good," were there not bad shepherds. But the bad shepherds are those who are thieves and robbers, or certainly hirelings at the best. For we ought to examine into, to distinguish, and to know, all the characters whom He has here depicted. The Lord has already unfolded two points, which He had previously set forth in a kind of covert form: we already know that He is Himself the door, and we know that He is Himself the Shepherd. Who the thieves and robbers are, was made clear in yesterday's lesson; and to-day we have heard of the hireling, as we have heard also of the wolf. Yesterday the porter was also introduced by name. Among the good, therefore, are the door, the doorkeeper, the shepherd, and the sheep: among the bad, the thieves and robbers, the hirelings, and the wolf.

Read more at the link to the homily...

 

 

 

calendar

 

George, Centurion, Martyr - April 23rd

Sabas Stratilatus, Martyr Aurelian -- April 24 [270-275]

Mark, Evangelist -- 25 April

 

 

 

commentary

Some of the Centurions have exchanged thoughts and prayers with one another this week for the victims and their families here in America at Virginia Tech University. It is good to see such and for the saints of the Order to comfort and encourage one another.

 It is a time for all to ponder what evil there is that leads a man to do such harm to his fellows. It is a solemn reminder that the prince of darkness continues to act in our world and all should be wary. Those who ignore such do so at their peril. That, in part, is the topic of today's homily. It is a newly posted homily from Augustine of Hippo from the fourth  century, who was a Doctor of the Western Church. He speaks of satan and those who come to kill the sheep. I commend it to you.

There are lessons to be learned from this tragedy at Virginia Tech; I, like some fellow centurions, fear often that people think in terms of fixing or treating a problem  with  good intentions, but the wrong medicine.  Recently  some have criticized the  airing of such violence and the  video of the vain  ruminations of the perpetrator of  this heinous act. News programming in the past decade has used the technology of television and media to turn these tragedies into a form of  entertainment that goes well beyond news reporting; meanwhile many remain silent  concerning the  very real problem of  violence for violence sake as a form of entertainment that permeates Hollywood.  It reminds me of the entertainment that the masses flocked to in the arena in the days that Augustine wrote.

Let us endeavor, as our collect this day says, to follow rather in the footsteps of  our Lord and be an example of Light and Peace in this dark world. In a society that often gloats as it feasts on the macabre and the dark side,  let us be very aware of the good shepherds, and the bad, and to whom we listen, and after whom we should follow

pax Christi

Tuesday in Easter Week

Tuesday in Easter Week

GRANT, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that we who celebrate with reverence the Paschal feast, may be found worthy to attain to everlasting joys; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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.

Acts xiii. 26. -- St. Luke xxiv. 36.
Homilies

by Jesus all that believe are justified

---

 

Easter Monday

Monday in Easter Week
Ambrose on the Holy Spirit Guiding the Church and Cornelius
Easter Monday Home

O GOD, whose blessed Son did manifest himself to his disciples in the breaking of bread; Open, we pray thee, the eyes of our faith, that we may behold thee in all thy works; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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.

God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him

Acts x. 34 -- St. Luke xxiv. 13

Homily of Ambrose
"Peter Baptizing Cornelius

 

--
"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]

IN HOC SIGNO VINCES - TIME DEUM ET OPERARE IUSTITIAM
www.OrderofCenturions.org

Easter Day

 

Easter Day

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 churches fight against the teachings of Pelagain, and English monk who traveled and taught that people could do good withouth God's help.

Isaiah xxv. 1-9, Psalm 93, Colossians iii. 1. St. John xx. 1.
Homilies

They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre,
and we know not where they have laid him.

 

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.org

Easter Even

Easter Even

GRANT, O Lord, that as we are baptized into the death of thy blessed Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, so by continual mortifying our corrupt affections we may be buried with him; and that through the grave, and gate of death, we may pass to our joyful resurrection; for his merits, who died, and was buried, and rose again for us, the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Job xiv.1,   Psalm 16,  , Peter iii. 17,   Matthew xxvii. 57.
Homilies

Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can

Good Friday

 

Good Friday

 

ALMIGHTY God, we beseech thee graciously to behold this thy family, for which our Lord Jesus Christ was contented to be betrayed, and given up into the hands of wicked men, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified; Receive our supplications and prayers, which we offer before thee for all estates of men in thy holy Church, that every member of the same, in his vocation and ministry, may truly and godly serve thee; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

O MERCIFUL God, who hast made all men, and hatest nothing that thou hast made, nor desirest the death of a sinner, but rather that he should be converted and live; Have mercy upon all who know thee not as thou art revealed in the Gospel of thy Son. Take from them all ignorance, hardness of heart, and contempt of thy Word; and so fetch them home, blessed Lord, to thy fold, that they may be made one flock under one shepherd, Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

 

First Collect Source: For Morning Prayer: Sarum Liturgy for Wednesday in Holy Week as a post-communion collect. Related to Mark xiv.10 and the betrayal
Second Collect: Sarum.
Third Collect: Reformational. Changed to present state in 1662. Former one asked for mercy on Jews, Turks, Infidels, and heretics, where it now says "who know thee not as thou..."

Genisis xxii. 1,   Psalm 22,   Hebrews x. 1., & St John xix. 1
Homilies

 

What is truth?

 

Maundy Thrusday

Thursday before Easter, commonly called

Maundy Thursday

ALMIGHTY Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, did institute the Sacrament of his Body and Blood; Mercifully grant that we may thankfully receive the same in remembrance of him, who in these holy mysteries giveth us a pledge of life eternal; the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who now liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

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.

1 Corinthians xi. 23.   St. John 15:12-17

Homilies

"If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me"

Wedmesday before Easter

 

Wednesday before Easter
Chrysostom on the Homily
Wednesday before Easter Home

ASSIST us mercifully with thy help, O Lord God of our salvation; that we may enter with joy upon the meditation of those mighty acts, whereby thou hast given unto us life and immortality; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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.

Hebrews ix. 16
Homilies

For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

---

 excerpt of the homily

 

If then we are heavenly, and have obtained such a sacrifice, let us fear. Let us no longer continue on the earth; for even now it is possible for him that wishes it, not to be on the earth. For to be and not to be on the earth is the effect of moral disposition and choice. For instance; God is said to be in Heaven. Wherefore? not because He is confined by space, far from it, nor as having left the earth destitute of His presence, but by His relation to and intimacy with the Angels. If then we also are near to God, we are in Heaven. For what care I about Heaven when I see the Lord of Heaven, when I myself am become a Heaven? "For," He says, "We will come," I and the Father, "and will make our abode with him." ( John xiv. 23 .)

Let us then make our soul a Heaven. The heaven is naturally bright; for not even in a storm does it become black, for it does not itself change its appearance, but the clouds run together and cover it. Heaven has the Sun; we also have the Sun of Righteousness. I said it is possible to become a Heaven; and I see that it is possible to become even better than Heaven. How? when we have the Lord of the Sun. Heaven is throughout pure and without spot; it changes not either in a storm or in the night. Neither let us then be so influenced either by tribulations or by "the wiles of the devil" ( Eph. vi. 11 ), but let us continue spotless and pure. Heaven is high and far from the earth. Let us also effect this [as regards ourselves]; let us withdraw ourselves from the earth, and exalt ourselves to that height, and remove ourselves far from the earth. Heaven is higher than the rains and the storms, and is reached by none of them. This we also can do, if we will.

It does appear to be, but is not really so affected. Neither then let us be affected, even if we appear to be so. For as in a storm, most men know not the beauty of [heaven,] but think that it is changed, while philosophers know that it is not affected at all, so with regard to ourselves also in afflictions; most men think that we are changed with them, and that affliction has touched our very heart, but philosophers know that it has not touched us.

 

Tuesday before Easter

Tuesday before Easter

O LORD God, whose blessed Son, our Saviour, gave his back to the smiters and hid not his face from shame; Grant us grace to take joyfully the sufferings of the present time, in full assurance of the glory that shall be revealed; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

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.

 

Isaiah i:5     Mark xv. 1.
Homilies

they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns,
and put it about his head, and began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews

 

Monday before Easter

 

The Monday before Easter

ALMIGHTY God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified; Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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.

She hath done what she could:
she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying

Isaiah lxiii. 1. St. Mark xiv.
Homilies