The Tenth Sunday after Trinity

 

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

 

The Tenth Sunday after Trinity

LET thy merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the prayers of thy humble servants; and, that they may obtain their petitions, make them to ask such things as shall please thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Destruction of Jerusalem

They shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.   Athanasius on the Destruction of Jerusalem from his Book, Incarnation of the Word

 BULLETIN

  calendar   Florence Nightingale, Nurse to Combatants - August 13 Ursakios, Tribune, Martyr -- August 14 [286-305] Andrew Stratilatus, Martyr -- August 19 [286-305]     news

 

A Tribune of the Order sent me a copy of a note to his comrade and the men in Afghanistan with the term Duty, Honor, Country. It made me mindful of the speech by General Douglas MacArthur when he received an award at West Point Military Academy in his twilight years. This speech is counted amongst the best 100 speeches of America, and is refreshing for any centurion who holds these virtues as important to read. One might wonder about the absences of "God" in the title. Although not there, MacArthur calls upon God to embolden the men to whom he spoke. Here are some quotations from the speech. We are reminded in these word of our centurions of yesteryear and today who stand in the breach.

The soldier, above all other men, is required to practice the greatest act of religious training -- sacrifice.

In battle and in the face of danger and death, he discloses those divine attributes which his Maker gave when he created man in his own image. No physical courage and no brute instinct can take the place of the Divine help which alone can sustain him...

You may hear the speech, which is regarded as one of the best 100 speeches in American history at the link above.. might do for a devotional this Sunday.

 

commentary  

This week on the calendar we see Florence Nightingale, not a soldier, but in every since served as do our modern female nurses in uniform, and brought to the suffering of innumerable men a measure of mercy and care through her personal service, and much more through her organization. I offer here a salute to the nurses and caretakers of our forces who champion Florence Nightingale. I was reminded of such recently in a trip to Washington, DC, where a memorial to service nurses stands.

 

 

I commend The Ode to Andrew and his Men at the link above. Andrew the Roman General, as a "Great Martyr", is highly esteemed along with the Apostles in the Eastern Church.

 

The scriptures featured this week, I have found, are not from the Traditional Western Liturgy, but were changed in the United States in 1928. Next year we will endeavor to return to the traditional lessons. Here is quotation from Athanasius from his book, Incarnation of the Word written in about 400AD. In Luke, our Lord foretold the fall of Jerusalem in military terms, and that it would be leveled. Then, 40 years later, Titus of Rome plowed the city level.

 

For it is a sign, and an important proof, of the coming of the Word of God, that Jerusalem no longer stands, nor is any prophet raised up nor vision revealed to them,—and that very naturally… For what more is there for him whom they expect to do, when he is come? To call the heathen? But they are called already. To make prophecy, and king, and vision to cease? This too has already come to pass. To expose the godlessness of idolatry? It is already exposed and condemned. Or to destroy death? He is already destroyed… What then has not come to pass, that the Christ must do? What is left unfulfilled…

 

Read the entire chapter at the link above.

 

IHSV

msc

 

Ninth Sunday after Trinity

 

The Ninth Sunday after Trinity
Homily of Clement of Alexandria

GRANT to us, Lord, we beseech thee, the spirit to think and do always such things as are right; that we, may by thee be enabled to live according to thy will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
[1552 BCP]

1 Corinthians x. 1   &   St. Luke xv. 11
Homilies

His father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him

---

  

BULLETIN

 

calendar

 

King Oswald & Aidan August 5 [642]

Transfiguration -- August 6th

 

  

commentary

 

The Homily for this Sunday is from the Clement of Alexandria. It is published on the Order's site for the first time and concerns the appointed Gospel of the Prodigal Son. The conclusion to this fragment is a powerful call to Christians who have "fallen away" from the devout life:

 

But whom Christ finds lost, after sin committed since baptism, those Novatus, enemy of God, resigns to destruction. Do not let us then reckon any fault if we repent; guarding against falling, let us, if we have fallen, retrace our steps. And while dreading to offend, let us, after offending, avoid despair, and be eager to be confirmed; and on sinking, let us haste to rise up again. Let us obey the Lord, who calls to us, "Come unto Me, all ye that labour, and I will give you rest," [Mt. 11:28]. Let us employ the gift of reason for actions of prudence. Let us learn now abstinence from what is wicked, that we may not be forced to learn in the future. Let us employ life as a training school for what is good; and let us be roused to the hatred of sin. Let us bear about a deep love for the Creator; let us cleave to Him with our whole heart; let us not wickedly waste the substance of reason, like the prodigal. Let us obtain the joy laid up, in which Paul exulting, exclaimed, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? " [Rm. 8:35]. To Him belongs glory and honour, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen.

 

Eighth Sunday after Trinity

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

 

The Eighth Sunday after Trinity
Chrysostom on the Gospel
Trinity Eight Home

O GOD, whose never-failing providence ordereth all things both in heaven and earth; We humbly beseech thee to put away from us all hurtful things, and to give us those things which are profitable for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Romans viii. 12   &   St. Matthew vii. 15

Homily

Ye shall know them by their fruits 

 

 

 

BULLETIN

Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ

 

calendar

 

Ignatius of Loyola - July 31st

 

 

news

 

I've added a quotation from one of the "centurions" we remember on our calendar, C.S. Lewis, in a letter to a correspondent with some Advice on Writing. I've linked it to the Member Publications page.

 

 

commentary

 

The Homily for this Eighth Sunday after Trinity is from Chrysostom on the Gospel at the link above. If one studies the writings of Augustine and Chrysostom, one may discern a different understanding of the condition of the faithful. Can one of God's elect fall away, or do the true elect persevere? Augustine would have certainly affirmed election and perseverance, but I think that Chrysostom would have said that nothing is assured for the saints, and they may indeed fall away unless they persevere in producing good fruits. Chrysostom writes beautifully in this homily excerpt appearing for the first time on Order this year. Here is a sample below,

 

For why dost thou pride thyself, O man? Because thou art borne on high in a chariot? Because a yoke of mules is drawing thee? And what is this? Why, this one may see befalling mere logs of wood and stones. Is it that thou art clothed with beautiful garments? But look at him that is clad with virtue for garments, and thou wilt see thyself to be like withering hay, but him like a tree that bears marvellous fruit, and affords much delight to the beholders. For thou art bearing about food for worms and moths, who, if they should set upon thee, will quickly strip thee bare of this adorning (for truly garments and gold and silver, are the one, the spinning of worms; the other earth and dust, and again become earth and nothing more): but he that is clothed with virtue hath such raiment, as not only worms cannot hurt, but not even death itself. And very naturally; for these virtues of the soul have not their origin from the earth, but are a fruit of the Spirit; wherefore neither are they subject to the mouths of worms. Nay, for these garments are woven in Heaven, where is neither moth, nor worm, nor any other such thing.

 

Finally, I commend a short study of Ignatius of Loyola on our calendar this week, who founded the Jesuits. While recuperating from a serious battle wound that would hamper him through his life, he had a vision of Mary and Jesus, and a realization of the very things that Chrysostom preaches upon in his sermon. Recognizing the gravity of his sin and former life, he turned his life to one of service to God.

 

 

 pax Christi,

msc

--
"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

--
"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

James [25 July]

 

Saint James
[July 25th]

GRANT, O merciful God, that, as thine holy Apostle Saint James, leaving his father and all that he had, without delay was obedient unto the calling of thy Son Jesus Christ, and followed him; so we, forsaking all worldly and carnal affections, may be evermore ready to follow thy holy commandments; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

James Bar-Zebedee "the Major", brother of John, slain by Herod Agrippa I in about 42 AD [Acts xi.]. This collect recalls Matthew iv. 21-22 when Jesus called James and John from their work as fishermen to leave their ship and their father and follow him

Jeremiah xlv   Psalm 34   Acts xi. 27   &   St. Matthew xx. 20
Homilies

but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister

--
"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

Seventh Sunday after Trinity

Seventh Sunday after Trinity
Leo, Bishop, touching on the Gospel
Seventh Sunday after Trinity Home

LORD of all power and might, who art the author and giver of all good things; Graft in our hearts the love of thy Name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and of thy great mercy keep us in the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

I have compassion on the multitude

Romans vi. 19   &  St. Mark viii. 1

 

Bulletin

 

Calendar

  James (Bar-Zebedee) the Apostle -- July 25th
 

 

Commentary

 

This Sunday's homily comes from a writing of Leo the Great, Bishop of Rome [440-461]. Leo uses the story in the Gospel as he teaches on the two natures of Christ.

 

To set food before the hungry denotes human kindness and a philanthropic spirit: but with five loaves and two fishes to satisfy 5,000 men, besides women and children, who would dare deny that to be the work of Deity? a Deity which, by the co-operation of the functions of true flesh, showed not only itself in Manhood, but also Manhood in itself; for the old, original wounds in man's nature could not be healed, except by the Word of God taking to Himself flesh from the Virgin's womb, whereby in one and the same Person flesh and the Word co-existed.

 

In Leo's time, the Church was challenged by many heresies to the orthodox faith. It was at the council Chalcedon that the true orthodox understanding of Christ's nature was expounded and adopted by the catholic church. I commend this page for a review of some of the heresies the Church faced concerning Christ's nature, heresies which are again emerging. We cite the statement of faith declared at Chalceldon on our Belief page. Here it is again: 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christology

 

The main heresy today is the idea that Christ was not divine. As an extreme example of this, the Episcopal Church has a Moslem who was ordained to the priesthood, and who professes Christ as the Koran teaches - a prophet but not divine and not the only begotten Son of God.

Chalcedonian Creed

Following, then, the holy fathers, we unite in teaching all men to confess the one and only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. This selfsame one is perfect both in deity and in humanness; this selfsame one is also actually God and actually man, with a rational soul and a body. He is consubstantial with the Father as far as his deity is concerned and consubstantial with us as far as his humanness is concerned; thus like us in all respects, sin only excepted. Before time began he was begotten of the Father, in respect of his deity, and now in these "last days," for us and behalf of our salvation, this selfsame one was born of Mary the virgin, who is God-bearer in respect of his humanness.

We also teach that we apprehend this one and only Christ-Son, Lord, only-begotten - in two natures; and we do this without confusing the two natures, without transmuting one nature into the other, without dividing them into two separate categories, without contrasting them according to area or function. The distinctiveness of each nature is not nullified by the union. Instead, the "properties" of each nature are conserved and both natures concur in one "person" and in one subsistence. They are not divided or cut into two persons, but are together the one and only and only-begotten Word of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus have the prophets of old testified; thus the Lord Jesus Christ himself taught us; thus the Symbol of Fathers has handed down to us.

pax Christi

msc

 

--
"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

--
"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

Sixth Sunday after Trinity

The Sixth Sunday after Trinity
Chrysostom on Romans
Home of the Sixth Sunday after Trinity

O GOD, who hast prepared for those who love thee such good things as pass man's understanding; Pour into our hearts such love toward thee, that we, loving thee above all things, may obtain thy promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Isaiah lvii. 13b, Psalm 16, Romans vi. 3   & St. Matthew v. 20

Homily of Chrysostom on Romans

We also should walk in newness of life

---

 

BULLETIN

 

Calendar

 

Philippian Jailer, Veteran, - 19 July [ca 50AD]
and law enforcement officers who are members of the Order

 

 

 

Commentary:

 

Today's homily is newly posted from Chrysostom on the appointed reading from Romans. The key is Paul's admonition that as we are baptized into the death and resurrection of Christ, we ought walk in a new life of righteous behavior. Chrysostom calls on those who have drifted into vice to return to virtue, and suggests this method:

 

" And how am I to go back again? one may say. Do but put a beginning upon the business, and the whole is done. Stay from vice, and go no farther into it, and thou hast laid hold of the whole already. For as in the case of the sick, being no worse may be a beginning of getting better, so is the case with vice also. Go no further, and then your deeds of wickedness will have an end. And if you do so for two days, you will keep off on the third day more easily; and after three days you will add ten, then twenty, then an hundred, then your whole life."

 

Read the entire homily extract at the link above.

 

This week the Order pauses to remember the Jailer at Philippi. Although not named a Centurion, he was very likely a retired veteran, and certainly was an officer of the state -- This is a fitting time on our calendar also to remember those several members of the Order who serve the state in uniform in their various police forces and are recognized as veterans by the Order. We thank you for your service to protect and defend the citizens and their right to live in peace. We have appointed a collect, epistile and gospel lesson for this day.

 

Pax Christi,

 

msc

--
"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

--
"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

Fifth Sunday after Trinity

The Fifth Sunday after Trinity
Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, on Courtesy

GRANT, O Lord, we beseech thee, that the course of this world may be so peaceably ordered by thy governance, that thy Church may joyfully serve thee in all godly quietness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

1 St. Peter iii. 8   &  St. Luke v. 1

Reading from Ambrose

be courteous: not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

---

  

BULLETIN

 

calendar

 

Christopher of Antioch -- July 10th

Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar, "El Cid Campeador" - July 10th

William the Silent - July 10th [1584]

Camillus of Lellis, Soldier, Religious - July 14th

 

commentary

   

Ambrose on the Epistle: I am excited about the selection for this Sunday's Homily. It is from Ambrose, and newly posted on the Order's site. It touches on the Epistle of Peter that is appointed for this Sunday in the propers.   I most highly encourage it to all those in the Order, and especially for clergy for whom Ambrose wrote in the 5^th Century. Ambrose's admonitions for courtesy are so appropriate for us as a guideline, that I've added them to our forum mail policy, along with Paul's admonition which stands at the bottom of every official post from the Legion.

 

Listen to the words of Ambrose here:

 

Our language should be mild and quiet, and full of kindness and courtesy and free from insult. Let there be no obstinate disputes in our familiar conversations, for they are wont only to bring up useless subjects, rather than to supply anything useful. Let there be discussion without wrath, urbanity without bitterness, warning without sharpness, advice without giving offence. And as in every action of our life we ought to take heed to this, in order that no overpowering impulse of our mind may ever shut out reason (let us always keep a place for counsel), so, too, ought we to observe that rule in our language, so that neither wrath nor hatred may be aroused, and that we may not show any signs of our greed or sloth.

 

Let today's collect be our cry to God for peace in the world, and let us follow the last Commandment our Lord gave his disciples before his death, as evidenced by our conduct and language with fellow Christians:

 

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. [Jn xiii. 34-35]

         

 

"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

American Independence [4 July]

Greetings to all American Centurions on the eve of the commemoration of the Declaration of Independence..

 

The words of that document continue to inspire a nation toward justice, freedom, and fraternity, as was always intended by our Creator.

 

I extend a special salute to those who stand in the breech to defend that freedom. 

"And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the fence, and stand in the breach before me for the land ..." Ezekiel 22:30 [DBY]

 

 A good day to read the Declaration.. see the link below: 

United States of America
Independence Day
[July 4]
Appointed Collect, Epistle and Gospel

O ETERNAL God, through whose mighty power our fathers won their liberties of old; Grant, we beseech thee, that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain these liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Deuteronomy x. 17   &   St. Matthew v. 43

Devotions:
Eve of Independence Day: Psalm xxxiv, Isa xlix. 14-21, II John
Morning: Psalm xviii:1-20, Isa xxvi, Jn viii. 31-36
Evening Psalm cxxi, cxxii, Deut iv. 1-14, Gal iv. 26-v.1.
Declaration of Independence

Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve

"[Independence Day] ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other from this time forward forever more."
[John Adams]

--
"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

Fourth Sunday after Trinity
Cyprian, in an epistle to his cure, and touching on the Blind Guides

O GOD, the protector of all that trust in thee, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy; Increase and multiply upon us thy mercy; that, thou being our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we finally lose not the things eternal. Grant this, O heavenly Father, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Romans viii. 18 & St. Luke vi. 36

Homilies

Can the blind lead the blind?

---

BULLETIN

no Calendar items

We remember the aniversaries of these saints of the Order

Steve of Texas, Peter of Germany

Please hold these centurions in your prayers this week.

News from Members:

From Tatomir of Romania

Between 21-24 June 2007, in Sighetu Marmatiei was kept the 9-th World Congress of Rusyns and the 3-rd World Forum of Rusyn Youth.
I was present at the Congress on the first day (21) in the afternoon, and on the third day (23) in the evening.
I made lot of friends, and acquaintances.
I had the joy to listen Rusin songs interpreted by Ruthenians from Slovakia, and touching beautiful Rusin poetry.
The book promotion was also very interesting.
I spoke with peoples from Ukraine, Serbia (Voivodina), Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, USA(Virginia), as well as from Romania.
One of my ancestors was from Ujgorod, of Rusin origin, and I felt a beautiful feeling of closeness and friendship. I was honored to shake hand with mr.Firczak, deputy in the Romanian Parliament and president of the Cultural Union of the Ruthenians from Romania.
It was a joy to have one uplifting conversation with the owner of the Padyak book editure from Ujgorod, Ukraine, mr. Padyak Valerii, contributor to the book "The people from nowhere", by Paul Robert Magocsi. This book is of great value, with lot illustrations, presenting the history of the Rusins along the history, being available in many languages, among them in English too.
Padyak Valerii is an remarkable, very kind person. He gifted me 2 copies of this book, "The people from nowhere", one in Rusin, and one in Romanian, and he signed the copy in Rusin with an dedication for me. Other very kind person I met, was mr.Mikhail Grad, an extraordinary man, very creative and dinamic. Also, it was a pleasure to change few words with mr.Vasilij Homa, from Bratislava.
I was present at the literary and musical program, from the evening of 23-rd june. It was touching to listen the Rusin anthem, text by Dukhnovych. Later I assisted to the presentation of the Aleksander Dukhnovych Prize for Literature.The Dukhnovych Prize is given each year to honor and encourage Rusyn poets and writers.
The Dukhnovych Prize was awarded to three young writers from Serbia.
I had a pleasant conversation with one of the winners of the award, mr.Slavko Vinaji. Poetry and culture are bridges among souls and nations. I went home wiser, happier and with a deep respect for Rusyns and their culture and their cultural contribution.
May Peace Prevail in all the Nations!
May Peace Prevail on Earth!

Commentary

Last week, after I attended the 400th anniversary of the first Holy Communion at Jamestown, I visited the Episcopal congregation at the Chapel of the Centurion at Fort Monroe, while there, just after services, I enrolled our newest "member" on St. John Baptist Nativity, MMVII, here is the rest of the story.

IN HOC SIGNO VINCES

MASCOT of the Order of Centurions But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

TIME DEUM ET OPERARE IUSTITIAM

"HESAIAS AQUILAE"
Legion Mascot

HESAIAS AQUILAE
"Then came the word of the LORD to Isaiah…"

The Eagle is the symbol that every Roman legion carried since it was introduced by General Counsul Gaius Marius in about 100 BC. At first the Legion Eagle was silver, later gilded. It was an emblem of tremendous importance. At the same time Marius introduced the Eagle, he reorganized the army into the six-century cohort of 500-600 men. The Legion became a lighter mobile force to defeat the barbarian invaders. The legionaries, who were required to carry all their belongings on their backs, became known as "Marius' mules." He also developed the break away head on the pilum so it could not be used by the enemy. His reforms made him, and the Legion Eagle, very popular with the army.

When Constantine instituted the Labarum at Saxa Ruba in 312AD for the army and men's shields, the Eagle remained the symbol of the Roman legion. It was carried by a special officer of the Legion Headquarters, the Aquilifer, whose position and pay was like that of a centurion, and who was responsible for not only the Legion's Eagle, but the purse of the Legion in his dual role of paymaster. The Aquilifer was probably directly under the authority of the Praefectus Castrorum, who was third in command of the Legion.

The Aquilifer and the Legion Eagle were protected at all costs from capture by the enemy. However, captures did occur. For instance in 4AD three legions were completely destroyed deep in the German woods. Some years later the Romans managed to recover all of their lost eagles. The Legion Eagle was like the Regimental Colors carried by today's modern forces, and we can trace our heritage in this regard to the legions of Rome. Indeed, the Eagle is a symbol of the United States and of several other nations. During the American Civil War every Union Regiment carried two flags in the Colors, the US National Flag, and a Regimental Flag usually bearing the national emblem, the Eagle

---

The Feast of the Nativity of St. John Baptist is a fitting date on the Church calendar to recognize the Aquilae as the bearer of God's word, for the Prophet Isaiah in speaking of the coming of John, said in the appointed reading, The grass witherist, the lower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever". What a wonderful symbol of the infinite strength and everlasting nature of God's Holy Word.

Finis.

---

Order of Centurions
HOME

--
"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

Peter and Paul [29 June]

 

Peter and Paul
Apostles - Martyrs
[29 June]
Homily from Clement the First, Bishop of Rome
Peter Home

Almighty God, whose blessed apostles Peter and Paul glorified thee by their martyrdom: Grant that thy Church, instructed by their teaching and example, and knit together in unity by thy Spirit, may ever stand firm upon the one foundation, which is Jesus Christ our Lord; who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit; one God, for ever and ever. Amen

On June 29, 258 AD, Christians of Rome transferred the remains of Peter and Paul to the Catacombs on the Appian way. From that time on, the Roman Christian calendars commemorated that event with a feast. It is held by some that Peter and Paul were martyred in the first Roman porgrom under Emperor Nero who is believed to have burned Rome in July 64 AD for his own entertainment while he fiddled. Nero blamed the Christians. There followed a great outrage in the city against the Christians, resulting in the deaths of many. "According to the historian Tacitus, a great multitude of Christians was put to death because of their hatred of the human race. Peter and Paul were probably among the victims."

Ezekiel xxxiv. 11, II Tim iv. 1, Psalm lxxxvii,   John xxi. 15

---

 

Ezekiel xxxiv. 11

For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD. I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.

Psalm lxxxvii

II Timothy iv. 1

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

John xxi. 15

So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.  

---

HOMILY
Clemens Romunus

It was through envy and jealousy that the greatest and most upright pillars of the Church were persecuted and struggled unto death.... First of all, Peter, who because of unreasonable jealousy suffered not merely once or twice but many times, and, having thus given his witness, went to the place of glory that he deserved. It was through jealousy and conflict that Paul showed the way to the prize for perseverance. He was put in chains seven times, sent into exile, and stoned; a herald both in the east and the west, he achieved a noble fame by his faith....

Around these men with their holy lives there are gathered a great throng of the elect, who, though victims of jealousy, gave us the finest example of endurance in the midst of many indignities and tortures. Through jealousy women were tormented, like Dirce or the daughters of Danaus, suffering terrible and unholy acts of violence. But they courageously finished the course of faith and despite their bodily weakness won a noble prize.

 

Third Sunday after Trinity

Nativity of Saint John Baptist
June 24
Homily of John Chrysostom
John Baptist Nativity Home

ALMIGHTY God, by whose providence thy servant John Baptist was wonderfully born, and sent to prepare the way of thy Son our Saviour by preaching repentance; Make us so to follow his doctrine and holy life, that we may truly repent according to his preaching; and after his example constantly speak the truth, boldly rebuke vice, and patiently suffer for the truth's sake; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The 24th of June is midsummer. It is exactly six months from the birth of Jesus, in accordance with the timing given in Luke This was a great Midsummer Feast day with many old traditions. "June 23 - is the Vigil of the Nativity of John the Baptist. This is the night when one can wait to see if the Sun will rise just a tiny bit South on the horizon that it did the day before. On the Day when you might be able to see that the Sun has risen slightly to the South presaging that the hours of light are getting shorter, the Saint whose job was to say the Light is coming is celebrated! Likewise, on the opposite end of the year, December 25th (based on the old calendar), the day when you can first tell that the days are getting longer, the Light of the World, Jesus, is born."

Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist

Isaiah xl. 1   &   St. Luke i. 57
Homily of Chrysostom on John Baptist

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel;
for he hath visited and redeemed his people

THE GREAT FORERUNNER OF THE MORN

---

 

Bulletin

 

Bidding

 

For a fellow centurion enroute to Iraq

 

O LORD God of Hosts, stretch forth, we pray thee, thine almighty arm to strengthen and protect our brother centurion, his comrades, and all the soldiers of our country; Support them in the day of battle, and in the time of peace keep them safe from all evil; endue them with courage and loyalty; and grant that in all things they may serve without reproach; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Amen

 

 

Calendar

 

Peter the Apostle -- June 29th

 

 

 

 

Commentary

Nativity of St. John Baptist. This is one of the few Holy Days that has precedence over a Sunday. Today's homily by Chrysostom is new this year on the Order. We have no homilies of Chrysostom that I've found on Luke, but he comments in this homily on Luke's account of John.   

 

400 Anniversary of the first Holy Communion in the American Colonies . I post early today for I am bound to a Holy Communion in Jamestown, Virginia in recognition of the 400 ^th Anniversary of the first communion in the colonies that formed the United States. There, in 1607, the Reverend Robert Hunt celebrated Holy Communion according to the 1559 (Elizabeth I's) Prayer Book. He gathered the folk together that 3rd Sunday after Trinity under a sail that had been stretched between trees to give protection from the elements. That little colony almost didn't make it. They were plagued with disease and hunger. However, help arrived, unexpectedly, from the Caribbean with a shipload of supplies to sustain them.

 

 

Second Sunday after Trinity

The Second Sunday after Trinity

LORD, make us to have a perpetual fear and love of thy holy name: for thou never faillest to help and govern them whom thou dost bring up in thy steadfast love. Grant this, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end.

Collect source: Sacramentary of Gelasius, Bishop of Rome [ca 494AD] . This expanded verbiage and a different arrangement appeared in the 1662 BCP version:
O LORD, who never failest to help and govern those whom thou dost bring up in thy steadfast fear and love; Keep us, we beseech thee, under the protection of thy good providence, and make us to have a perpetual fear and love of thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Deuteronomy xx. 1, Psalm 76, 1 St. John iii. 13   &   St. Luke xiv. 16

Homily

Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.    

BULLETIN

 

Calendar

 

Alban, Centurion, First Martyr of England - June 20th

Centurion at Capernaum

 

Commentary

 

Navy Hymn - ETERNAL FATHER, STRONG TO SAVE.

 

Friday night I had the good fortune to be the guest of on of a member of the Marine Barracks at 8th and I in Washington, DC... one of the oldest continuing Military forts of America (since 1801). Two of my workmates, both retired Gunnery Sergeants, had served under the command of our host. We were treated as special guests to the magnificent Parade Review that occurs every Friday night during the summer. It included performances by the Marine Band, the "President's Own; the Drum and Bugle Corps, The Commandant's Own (another of our workmates had served in as a bugler in the Commandant's Own not so many years ago and rejoiced in the camaraderie and reunions with the commander and men of the D&B Corps); and finally a Platoon executing a very impressive Silent Drill with bayonets fixed. It was awesome, and much as I had remembered it from when I first viewed it in  1969 with my platoon from Camp Upshur, Quantico.

 

There was one thing I did not recall. The announcer asked the audience to stand in respect for fallen American warriors while the President's Own played a familiar hymn that is on our Order's web site in the Hymnal... "Eternal Father, Strong to Save." The music, "Melita", is inspiring, and was published the same year as the verses in 1861. The tune was named for the island where St. Paul's ship wrecked, but where his faith in our Father, who was strong to save, kept Paul,  Centurion Julius of the Augustan Cohort, and the legionaries and sailors all alive. It was Centurion Julius who had treated Paul kindly on the sea voyage to Rome to face the Emperor and answer the charges made against him. It was Julius too who had kept his men from killing Paul as the storm raged. It was fitting that we should hear the melody as we contemplated those who had sacrificed their lives for freedom. This beautiful hymn is not the "official" Navy Hymn, but it is played at Naval Academy and aboard ships of the British Navy.

 

In closing, I invite you to take a moment this day in a small devotion to those fallen warriors while listening to  Melita.  and contemplating the words of the Navy Hymn

 

Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who biddest the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!

O Christ! Whose voice the waters heard
And hushed their raging at Thy Word,
Who walked on the foaming deep,
And calm amidst its rage didst sleep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!

Most Holy Spirit! Who didst brood
Upon the chaos dark and rude,
And bid its angry tumult cease,
And give, for wild confusion, peace;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!

O Trinity of love and power!
Our family shield in danger's hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect us wheresoever we go;
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.

FINIS

May the Peace of Christ be with you this day.

--
"Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another"

IN HOC SIGNO VINCES - TIME DEUM ET OPERARE IUSTITIAM
 

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.