Twenty-third Sunday after Trinity

Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

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

O GOD, our refuge and strength, who art the author of all godliness; Be ready, we beseech thee, to hear the devout prayers of thy Church; and grant that those things which we ask faithfully we may obtain effectually; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Bishop Gregory of Rome [604 AD] Compare Psalm 46 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help [Barbee and Zahl]. The petition reminds one of Jesus' promise, 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

Ecclesiates i., Philippians iii. 17, Psalm cxxvii,  &  St. Matthew xxii. 15
Homily of Augustine on Psalm CXXVII

 

WEEKLY BULLETIN

 

quotation

" O may Thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold, Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old, And win with them the victor's crown of gold. Alleluia, Alleluia!

[Wm. How -- For All the Saints 1864]

calendar

click on the calendar link to see details

Alfred, King & Warrior - October 26th

Demetrius of Thessolonica - October 26th [Maximian 286-305]

In Hoc Signo Vinces & Saxa Ruba - October 27th

Simon and Jude, Apostles -- October 28th

Fidelis, Exantus, and Carpophorus - October 28th

Marcellus, Centurion - October 30th

Gaianus, Centurion of the Armageddon Chapel - October 31 [ca 225]

All Saints -- November 1st

Joannicus, Legionary, Religious Member, November 4th

 

news

bidding

Bid your prayers for the Christians who suffer persecution in the Orissa Kandhamal district of India in recent months. 

NEWS STORY HERE http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7689215.stm

commentary

 

This Saturday, 1 November, is recognized by many as All Saints Day. The Ancient Church recognized the departed saints frequently in their litanies. When persecuted, the Christians of Rome would often gather in the catacombs and celebrate Communion in the presence of the remains of the brothers who "slept" there. Even today, Altars are built over the remains of a favored saint, or a relic is embedded in the Altar stone, or in a relic cloth placed upon it for the Great Thanksgiving. The quotation above is from the English hymn, For All the Saints. Note the Alleluias (Praise the Lord) at each stanza. We praise and worship God and not the creature, and remember that All Christians are saints. I much appreciate the following old bidding and commend it for prayer on All Saints Day:

 

Ye shall yield unto God most high praise and hearty thanks for the wonderful grace and virtue declared in all his saints, who have been the choice vessels of his grace and the lights of the world in their several generations; and pray unto God, that we may have grace to direct our lives after their good examples; that, this life ended, we may be made partakers with them of the glorious resurrection, and the life everlasting.

[1928 BCP]

 

Augustine's homily today is on Psalm CXXVII. This is another Song of Degrees, and this is the only one titled "Solomon" I think it was scribed by Solomon because of its similarity to his Ecclesiastes (see the lesson one and the similarity in the theme of vanity with the psalm). Augustine wrote:

The Lord, therefore, buildeth the house, the Lord Jesus Christ buildeth His own house. Many toil in building: but, except He build, "their labour is but lost that build it." Who are they who toil in building it? All who preach the word of God in the Church, the ministers of God's mysteries. We are all running, we are all toiling, we are all building now; and before us others have run, toiled, and built: but "except the Lord build, their labour is but lost." Thus the Apostles seeing some fall bewailed these men, in that they had laboured in vain for them. [5516] We, therefore, speak without, He buildeth within. We can observe with what attention ye hear us; He alone who knoweth your thoughts, knoweth what ye think. He Himself buildeth, He Himself admonisheth, He Himself openeth the understanding, He Himself kindleth your understanding unto faith; nevertheless, we also toil like workmen; but, "except the Lord build," etc.

 

Those who ignore the standard of Holy Scripture and its meaning, as has been recognized by orthodox-catholic Christians since the beginning, and teach a "new thing" that compromises Christian standards to conform to secular social trends, do fool themselves and their cures. They build in vain. Their message is vain, and those who follow them do so in vain. All is vanity, and will blow away like chaff. However, those whose ministry is built on the Word of God, who place Christ first in all things, do build on a sound foundation; and those who follow them shall know the Salvation of Christ.

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever

[Is 40:8]

Finis

The Twenty-second Sunday after Trinity

Augustine on Psalm 124

LORD, we beseech thee to keep thy household the Church in continual godliness; that through thy protection it may be free from all adversities, and devoutly given to serve thee in good works, to the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Sacramentary of Bishop Gregory of Rome [604 AD] The Latin used the word familia, which points to the traditional Roman family that was the basic and most important element of society. It included all in the household, including slaves, and was headed by the pater familias who was responsible for the welfare of all. This concept of the household is the basis of the Gospel story today.

Psalm: 124, 124, 125, 136, 138;   Philippians i. 3   &  St. Matthew xviii. 21
Homily of Augustine on Psalm CXXIV

Homily of Augustine on Psalm CXXIV

Our help is in the name of the LORD

  

WEEKLY BULLETIN

quotation

 Confronted with a cancer or a slum the Pantheist can say, "If you could only see it from the divine point of view, you would realize that this also is God." The Christian replies, "Don't talk... nonsense."

(Clive Staples) C. S. Lewis
Into The Wardrobe

 

calendar

 

Artemius, Tribune -- 20 Oct [362]

 news

 

The "How To" Plan to Criminalize Christianity:

 

"Labarum Guard" Motorcycle Club in Texas:  A motor cycle club featuring the name of the the Labarum Guard and the symbol of the Chi Rho. It has many things in common with our Order. They have the same motto: Fear God and do what is Right. I coined the term "Labarum Guard" in collaboration with Preafectus Castrorum Paul, Stewart of China, and others in 2005. I coined "Fear God and do what is right" shortly after the Order was founded on 29 September 2003.

 

Othodox Churches Commit to Overcoming Internal Division

 

commentary

 

 

I commend the article in the news section. I wonder if the Order of Centurions is experiencing some of the "fall out" from this movement to silence Christians. I hope this is not the case, but my hope runs thin these days. There are circumstances surrounding recent events enough to cause reason for concern.

This Sunday we hear the words of Augustine on Psalm 124. This psalm is another of the Songs of Degree. It speaks of the celebration of a victory and deliverance. The last verse, Our help is in the name of the LORD, reminds one of the 17^th Chapter of 1^st Samuel beginning at the 45^th verse which is selected for today's Old Testament Lesson. David spoke to the Philistines saying that he comes at them "in the name of the Lord."

Augustine concludes his homily with this:

"..."Our help standeth in the Name of the Lord, who hath made heaven and earth" . For if this were not our help, the snare would not indeed remain for ever; but when the bird was once taken, it would be crushed. For this life will pass away; and they who shall have been taken in by its pleasures, and through these pleasures have offended God, will pass away with this life. For the snare will be broken; be ye assured of this: all the sweetness of this present life will no longer exist, when the lot assigned to it hath been fulfilled; but we must not be enthralled by it, so that when the net is broken, thou mayest then rejoice and say, "The snare is broken, and we are delivered." But lest thou think that thou canst do this of thy own strength, consider whose work thy deliverance is (for if thou art proud, thou fallest into the snare), and say, "Our help standeth in the Name of the Lord, who hath made heaven and earth.".

Augustine's stern warning is of the coming judgement is directed to those whose conduct offends God (those who have ears heed the warning). However, those who seek the help of the Lord Jesus, recognize that deliverance is of the Lord God, and not of man, and do all things in his blessed Name according to his commandments, shall know his love and mercy and the delight of his presence beyond this life, for he who made heaven and earth can do all things.

You may read all of Augustine's homily at the link above.

Finis

Fwd: Twenty First Sunday after Trinity

The Twenty-first Sunday after Trinity

Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

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

 

Grant, we beseech thee merciful Lord, to thy faithful people indulgence and peace, that they may be cleansed from all their sins, and serve thee with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Sacramentary of Bishop Gelasius of Rome [494AD]. Cranmer in 1549 translated the Latin "indulgence" as the English "pardon". The call for "peace" in this collect has been ascribed to the fact that at the time, Rome was under heavy assault that threatened to break Pax Romana. This collect is used in the place of an absolution when the office is conducted by a layman. Dr. Peter Toon translated the original Latin as follows: "Be reconciled, we beseech thee, Lord, to thy faithful ones, and grant them bountifully indulgence and peace, that they may be cleansed from all offences, and at the same time do unto thee devoted service without distraction of mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord."

The Twenty-first Sunday after Trinity

Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

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

 

Grant, we beseech thee merciful Lord, to thy faithful people indulgence and peace, that they may be cleansed from all their sins, and serve thee with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Sacramentary of Bishop Gelasius of Rome [494AD]. Cranmer in 1549 translated the Latin "indulgence" as the English "pardon". The call for "peace" in this collect has been ascribed to the fact that at the time, Rome was under heavy assault that threatened to break Pax Romana. This collect is used in the place of an absolution when the office is conducted by a layman. Dr. Peter Toon translated the original Latin as follows: "Be reconciled, we beseech thee, Lord, to thy faithful ones, and grant them bountifully indulgence and peace, that they may be cleansed from all offences, and at the same time do unto thee devoted service without distraction of mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Isaiah lix. 15b, Psalms: 120, 121, 122 | 133, 134, 135, Ephesians vi. 10   &   St. John iv. 46
Homily of Augustine on Psalm 133

BEHOLD, how good and joyful a thing it is,
for brethren to dwell together in unity!

 

WEEKLY BULLETIN

 

quotation

"Thus there are many brethren, who do not dwell together,
save in the body."

[Augustine, Homily on Psalm XXXIII ]

calendar

Robert E. Lee, General, Educator -- October 12th [1870]
Luke the Evangelist -- October 18th

commentary

This day our featured psalm is 133. The subtitle says it is one of the "Songs of Degrees of David". The first verse sets the tone of this short psalm.

BEHOLD, how good and joyful a thing it is, for brethren to dwell together in unity!

One wonders what occasion may have prompted David to compose it. One suggestion is the assembly of all Israel in Hebron to crown David king [2Sa 5:1-5] which is the appointed Old Testament Lesson.

Unity is a good and pleasant thing. Some may have allegiance to an organization, such as a church, so that even if it departed from the historic traditions and faith, they would be loyal to it and seek to keep unity above all things. Others find unity is only acceptable in faith - and their loyalty is their belief.

Augustine wrote,

"And what is "together in unity"? They had, he [Luke] says, one mind and one heart God-wards"

To have one mind, we must have unity in essentials. What are these essentials? In a word, the Creed. The Order also salutes these essentials proffered by Praefectus Castrorum:

1. The Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:1; John 20:28; Heb. 1:8-9), the Creator God Himself (Col. 1:16; compare Gen. 1:1); Who "laid the foundation of the earth" (Heb. 1:10-12 compare Psalms 102:24-27).

2. The Virgin Birth (Isaiah 7:14; Mt. 1:23; Luke 1:27).

3. The Blood Atonement (Acts 20:28; Ro. 3:25; Ro. 5:9; Eph. 1:7).

4. The Bodily Resurrection (Luke 24:36-46; 1 Cor. 15:1-4; 1 Cor. 15:14-15).

5. The Second Advent of Christ Jesus to set up God's Kingdom on Earth and in Eternity (Isa. 9:6,7)

6. The inerrancy of the scriptures themselves (Psalms 12:6-7; Ro. 15:4; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20)....

Two heresies are causing division these days: modernism and postmodernism. The modern approach is a cold and rational one that demands scientific proof. It arose out of the Enlightenment period. In its extreme form, nothing is to be taken on faith. It has given rise to a critical examination of Scriptures with biblical scholars who deny the miraculous. Another emerging heresy is based on a "post-modern" frame of mind. It creates its own theologies often for who it perceives as the underdog. Post Modernism also denies that there can be any "Truth" in anything said or written, much less truth which was derived from the Bible. It embraces the New Age religions and denies Christ as the Savior. Both camps of these heretics murmur against the Word of God.

Listen, though, to what Augustine says to us,

For murmurers are admirably described in a certain passage of the Scriptures, "The heart of a fool is as the wheel of a cart." What is the meaning of "the heart of a fool is as the wheel of a cart"? It carries hay, and creaks. The wheel of a cart cannot cease from creaking. Thus there are many brethren, who do not dwell together, save in the body. But who are they who dwell together? They of whom it is said, "And they had one mind and one heart towards God."

****************************************************

Postscript. An interesting sentence in this homily by Augustine mentions the feasts of the Nativity of Christ and of John Baptist falling by tradition on the Winter and Summer Solstice. He writes,

The ministry of man grew less and less, as was signified in John; the ministry of God in our Lord Jesus Christ increased, as was shown at their birth. The former was born, as the tradition of the Church shows, on the 24th of June, when the days begin to shorten. The Lord was born on the 25th of December, when the days begin to lengthen. Here John himself confessing, "He must increase, but I must decrease."

Finis

--
PRIMUS PILUS

"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
primus.pilus@gmail.com

Respect Life & Early Church

Sunday, the 5th of October, was Respect Life Sunday in the American Roman Churches and the Church engages in Pro Life activities all month.

 

At the following link, the Bishop of Scranton has posted his sermon which I forward as a matter of interest to those inclined to read it.

http://www.dioceseofscranton.org/Bishop's%20Pastoral%20Letters/RespectLifeSundaySeptember30th2008.asp

 

We must recognize that Respect for Life was an issue from the earliest days. Romans and Greeks used abortion and "exposure" to rid themselves of unwanted children. The Christian Church was counter culture, and not only refused to follow these norms, but gathered up those children so exposed and raised them up as Christians (instead of slaves as was the custom). For further historical study I commend this excellent survey of the Early Church's stance against abortion and infanticide by Michael Gorman,  http://incommunion.org/?p=193 : Abortion and the Early Church

 

pro vita - pro familia

 

 

--
PRIMUS PILUS

"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
primus.pilus@gmail.com

Twentieth Sunday after Trinity

Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ News of the Order and commentary appear after the Proper Collect, Epistle and Gospel

O ALMIGHTY and most merciful God, of thy bountiful goodness keep us, we beseech thee, from all things that may hurt us; that we, being ready both in body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish those things which thou commandest; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Source: Sacrementary of Bishop Gelasius of Rome [494]. Much minor reworking from the Latin. [Barbee and Zalh]

This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

1st Chron xv. 25Ephesians v. 15 Psalm 116 & St. Matthew xxii. 1 Augustine on Psalm CXVI
Augustine on Psalm CXVI

WEEKLY BULLETIN

quotation

"Because of liberalism, the sort of liberalism that came into the church from the end of the 19th century into the 20th century, it was never challenged and corrected. If there is a weakness in historic Anglicanism it is a willingness to tolerate the intolerable and that has betrayed us. Tillich's position affected all the seminaries of North America. This is where we are today in the West."

[J I Pakcer]

calendar

Sergios and Bacchus, Centurions - October 7th [Maximian 286-305]

news

Cardinal Rigali Urges Opposition to "Freedom of Choice Act" during Respect Life Month
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/oct/08100206.html: cites 58% reduction in Abortions in America for girls under 18 years of age as a gain, and is concerned wtih this new initiative that could reverse this.

commentary

Psalm 118 has been ascribed to a Davidic King (perhaps David himself) and likely at a victory celebration. Such was the case with the bringing of the Ark from the house of Obededom to Jerusalem as related in 1st Kings and our selected lesson of 1st Chronicles 15:25ff. The scripture quotation which is so popular today in our modern churches, finds its source in the Psalm, and in a holiday celebrated so long ago, "This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Indeed we should be glad Sunday by Sunday, on this day set aside by the Early Church to celebrate the Lord's life, and to give thanks for our salvation. We can remember to this verse from this beautiful psalm "The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation."

Augustine wrote,

"The Lord is my strength and my praise, and is become my salvation" (ver. 14). Who then fall, when they are pushed, save they who choose to be their own strength and their own praise? For no man falleth in the contest, except he whose strength and praise faileth. He therefore whose strength and praise is the Lord, falleth no more than the Lord falleth. And for this reason He hath become their salvation; not that He hath become anything which He was not before, but because they, when they believed on Him, became what they were not before, and then He began to be salvation unto them when turned towards Him, which He was not to them when turned away from Himself. "

Salvation is promised to them which God has chosen; his elect. It is they that turn to Jesus and who know him as their Lord and only Savior. He is our strength and strong foundation. I never cease to be amazed at those who identify with the Christian church, yet actually deny the Lordship of Jesus Christ. They are them who Augustine writes of, who "choose to be their own strength and their own praise."

Let us always and everywhere sing our "Alleluias" and praise the name of our Lord with a shout, for we are not ashamed of the Gospel.

Finis

The Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity
Augustine on Psalm CXV

O GOD, forasmuch as without thee we are not able to please thee; Mercifully grant that thy Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.




Source: Sacramentary of Bishop Gelasius of Rome [494]. Cranmer in 1549 reversed the order of mercy and our inability. [Barbee and Zahl] One is reminded again of our Lord's promise send the Comforter to direct us, and of Isaiah 64:6 we are all as an unclean thing... our righteousness is as a filthy rag.... We, of and by ourselves, are not worthy to stand before God - not even to see him, until we are perfected by his grace. For he is "of purer eyes to behold iniquity" [Hab 1:13]

Ezra vi. 1, Ephesians iv. 17 & St. Matthew ix. 1
Psalm cxiv, cxv cvii
Homily of Augustine on Psalm CXV

"Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy Name give the praise"

Ezra and the rebuiding and dedication of the Temple

WEEKLY BULLETIN

calendar

Michael, Archangel Militant, and all angels - September 29th
Anniversary of the Order of Centurions - September 29th
Ursus and Victory, Soldier of Theban Legion, Martyrs - September 30th
Peter Muhlenburg, Pastor, Soldier, Statesman - October 1st
Roman, Soldier, Othrodox Monk - October 2nd
Francis, Knight, Religious - October 4th

news & views

Andrea Mrozek: Abortion, in plain English
Vatican warns of growing "Christianophobia"

commentary

The NIV Study Bible states that many believe today’s Psalm 115 was composed as a litany of praise for use at the dedication of the Second Temple. [Ezra 6] It has a structure that indicates a leader with responses by the people.

Augustine writes:

"Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy Name give the praise" For that grace of the water that gushed from the rock ("now that rock was Christ"), was not given on the score of works that had gone before, but of His mercy "that justifieth the ungodly." For "Christ died for sinners," that men might not seek any glory of their own, but in the Lord's Name. "For Thy loving mercy, and for Thy truth's sake" Observe how often these two qualities, loving mercy and truth, are joined together in the holy Scriptures. For in His loving mercy He called sinners, and in His truth He judgeth those who when called refused to come. "That the heathen may not say, Where is now their God?" For at the last, His loving mercy and truth will shine forth, when "the sign of the Son of man shall appear in heaven, and then shall all tribes of the earth cry woe;" nor shall they then say, "Where is their God?" when He is no longer preached unto them to be believed in, but displayed before them to be trembled at.

Augustine rightly identifies two natures of God: He judges, and he loves and shows mercy. Our faith tells us that God’s mercy functions through his Son’s sacrifice and those who have answered his call, so that the sin of those in Christ is hidden, cleansed, is white as snow, and there is no more sin in those who are in Christ.

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. [1John 1:7]

Likewise, those who have refused Christ in word, or in deed, shall tremble at the presence of Almighty God on that last great day; even them that pretend to feast with us at the Lord’s Board. Hear what the Apostle teaches us.

The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: [2 Pe 2:9ff]

Finis

The Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity

Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Augustine on Psalm CVI

LORD, we beseech thee, grant thy people grace to withstand the devil; and with pure hearts and minds to follow thee, the only God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source Bishop Gelasians Sacramentary [494] where appointed for the Sunday before Ember Days in the Autumn. Ember days were for penitence, fasting, and the Saturday for ordinations in Rome. The 1662 added temptations of the world, the flesh One is reminded of the Lord's prayer and of 2 Peter 2:9

They have made them a molten calf,

and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto

Psalm cvi, Exodus xxxii. 4, 1 Corinthians i. 4. & St. Matthew xxii. 34

Homily of Augustine

WEEKLY BULLETIN

quotation

" the calamity of an autonomous, irreligious humanistic consciousness… It has made man the measure of all things on earth—imperfect man, who is never free of pride, self-interest, envy, vanity, and dozens of other defects. We are now paying for the mistakes which were not properly appraised at the beginning of the journey. On the way from the Renaissance to our days we have enriched our experience, but we have lost the concept of a Supreme Complete Entity which used to restrain our passions and our irresponsibility"

[Aleksandr_Solzhenitsyn Centurion, Nobel Prize Winner, 1918- 2008]
Christianity in his novel of One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovitch
Article with many links on Virtueonline.org

calendar

Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist -- September 21st
Maurice, Centurion, & Theban Legion - September 22nd
Callistratus - September 27th

news and opinion

Apologize to Darwin? Albert Mohler Concerning the Church of England
Evolution vs. Naturalism Alvin Plantinga: A scholarly apology for theism
Bishop Duncan of the Episcopal Church disposed

commentary

This week we look at Augustine’s examination of Psalm 106. The NIV Study Bible states that this psalm was likely composed by a Levite after the return from the Exile. It is a recounting of the history of Israel, of sin, punishment and God’s faithfulness and justice.

The Old Testament lesson that I selected to go with the psalm is Exodus 32. It tells the story of Moses on the Mount and the people and Aaron worshipping the gold calf. God in his anger planned to destroy them, and Moses interceded on their behalf.

Augustine writes:

"So He said, He would have destroyed them" (ver. 23). Since they forgot Him who saved them, the Worker of wondrous works, and made and worshipped a graven image, by this atrocious and incredible impiety they deserved death. "Had not Moses His chosen stood before Him in the breaking." He doth not say, that he stood in the breaking, [4844] as if to break the wrath of God, but in the way of the breaking, meaning the stroke which was to strike them: that is, had he not put himself in the way for them, saying, "Yet now, if Thou wilt forgive their sin;--and if not, blot me, I pray Thee, out of Thy book." Where it is proved how greatly the intercession of the saints in behalf of others prevaileth with God. For Moses, fearless in the justice of God, which could not blot him out, implored mercy, that He would not blot out those whom He justly might. Thus he "stood before Him in the breaking, to turn away His wrathful indignation, lest He should destroy them."

Note he states:

" Where it is proved how greatly the intercession of the saints in behalf of others prevaileth with God.

He speaks here of Moses who was the leader of Israel and alive and with them, not saints in heaven, but rather he uses "saints" as it is used in the early church and as I often use it in referring to members of the Order, where "saints" were and are the lively members of the Church Militant on earth. Moses was a messianic type in that he was a mediator, intercessor, advocate, prophet, priest, and type of king.

We don’t see folk worshipping gold calves anymore, but there is a new idol that is worshipped far and wide in our western culture. Our featured quotation today from a famous Russian Orthodox Nobel Prize winner, Alexander Solzhenitsyn, who was indeed a 20th century martyr, tells the story: Our society is anthropocentric. The new idol is man himself. I encourage you to read more on this very interesting and Orthodox Christian at the links above.

Consider also our collect today in terms of the Old Testament lesson and psalm. It clearly acknowledges our weakness and susceptibility to temptation, causing us to sin at the displeasure of a righteous God, and our need for his mercy. May God grant his protection for every member of the Order, that they may resist the temptations of this materialistic world that would tend to separate them from God’s love.

Finis

Holy Cross Day - 14 September

We remember the dedication of the Church of the Sepulcher on Calvary on 14 September 335. Constantine had decreed it be built and his aged mother, Helena, supervised it. They believed they had found the very cross that Jesus had been crucified on, and kept it in the Church.

Just as God provided a remedy for the Israelites during their wilderness trek, when they had sinned against him and he sent serpents to destroy them, God has provided a remedy for mankind in his Son's one perfect sacrifice for the sin of the world. Jesus told Nicodemus:

“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” [Jn 3:14-15]

 

The Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity

Grace unto you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

Augustine on Psalm 105

LORD, we pray thee that thy grace may always prevent and follow us, and make us continually to be given to all good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Bishop Gregory [595]. "Pevent" meaning to come before from the verb prevenient. This calls to my mind Patrick's Breastplate Christ behind me, Christ before me... and Psalm 139 Thou hast beset me before and behind...

Deuteronomy xvi.8; Psalm 105, Ephesians iv. 1   &   St. Luke xiv. 1
Homily - Psalm CV by Augustine

 

BULLETIN

calendar

Holy Cross Day -- September 14th

Autum Embertide

Great Martyr General Placidas Eustachius - September 20th

 

quotation

A survey in 2002 found that a third of the

Church's clergy doubted or disbelieved in the physical resurrection and only half were convinced of the truth of the virgin birth.

[Counterfeit Communion And The Truth That Set Free]

 

news and views

Links for traditional Anglicans: "Not to Distruction but to Salvation, by Albert Mohler., The Society for the Propagation of Reformed Evangelical Anglican Doctrine, and the Society of Confessing Anglicans at GAFCON.

Benedict preaches in Paris against the lust for money and power

An Industry of Racism: Alveda King..

The racism in Planned Parenthood's history is undeniable. America's largest abortion provider was founded by Margaret Sanger, a woman who wanted what she termed "more children from the fit, less from the unfit." She once described aboriginal Australians as "just a step higher than the chimpanzee in brain development." She had no problem speaking to a Klan meeting.

 

commentary

The quotation above on the churh and the news items address the continuing issues in several national churches, which mirror the attitudes and cultural shifts of the society in which they exist - incorporating these ideas into their worship and doctrine. Albert Mohler quotes the 1928 US Prayer Book Ordinal for the consecration of bishops for the title: "Not to Destruction but to Salvation".. That same ordinal uses 1 Timothy iii. where it is written that a bishop shall be the husband have one wife. In the examination before the consecration the candidate is asked:

Are you ready, with all faithful diligence, to banish and drive away from the Church all erroneous and strange doctrine contrary to God's Word; and both privately and openly to call upon and encourage others to the same?

This Sunday is Holy Cross Sunday. We remember that it was on 14 September that the Church of the Sepulcher on Calvary was dedicated through the imperial decree of Helena and Constantine in 335, and the new church housed what was believed to be the Holy Cross which was found during the excavations.

Today's ancient homily is from Augustine on Psalm CV. The NIV Study Bible proposes it was composed by a Levite for one of the great festivals, probably the Feast of the Weeks (Pentecost) and recounts God's mighty acts for his people with an exhortation to offer the praise due his holy name. I focus your attention on this:

"Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm"

But it may well excite a question, in what sense they were styled (Christs, or) anointed, before there was any unction, from which this title was given to the kings. ...Whence then were those patriarchs at that time called "anointed"? For that they were prophets, we read concerning Abraham; and certainly, what is manifestly said of him, should be understood of them also. Are they styled "christs," because, even though secretly, yet they were already Christians? For although the flesh of Christ came from them, nevertheless Christ came before them; for He thus answered the Jews, "Before Abraham was, I am." But how could they not know Him, or not believe in Him; since they are called prophets for this very reason, because, though somewhat darkly, they announced the Lord beforehand? Whence He saith Himself openly, "Your father Abraham desired to see My day, and he saw it, and was glad." For no man was ever reconciled unto God outside of that faith which is in Christ Jesus, either before His Incarnation, or after: as it is most truly defined by the Apostle: "For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus."

This teaching is central to our faith. It is being lost to a generation of church-goers who listen to false doctrine that says any man may be saved by his particular sect and that no man needs to believe that Jesus Christ is Lord to be saved.  However; Jesus said,

I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

 Augustine concludes with this:

..."That they may keep His statutes, and seek out His law" (ver. 45). Lastly, since by the seed of Abraham he wished those to be understood here, who were truly the seed of Abraham, such as were not wanting even in that people; as the Apostle Paul clearly showeth, when he saith, "But not in all of them was God well pleased;" for if He was not pleased with all, surely there were some in whom He was well pleased: since then this Psalm praiseth such men as this, he hath said nothing here of the iniquities and provocations and bitterness of those with whom God was not well pleased. But since not only the justice but also the mercy of Almighty God, the merciful, was shown even unto the wicked; concerning these attributes the rest of the Psalm pursueth the praises of God. And yet both sorts were in one people: nor did the latter pollute the good with the contagion of their iniquities. For "the Lord knoweth who are His;" and if he cannot separate in this world from wicked men, yet, "let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity."...

That is good news brothers, for we who reject strange doctrine need not fear the wolves that go about to destroy the faith, but may rely on the promise of God, for the Lord konweth who are his and will not suffer their destruction, but he promises Salvation to his own.

Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

The Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity

Augustine on Psalm LXXXIX

O LORD, we beseech thee, let thy continual pity cleanse and defend thy Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without thy succour, preserve it evermore by thy help and goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source of Collect - Bishop Gelasius' Sacrementary [494AD].One is reminded of Psalm 51 purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean and Rev 7:14, washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb

Isaiah xii, Psalms 98, 99 89, Ephesians iii. 13 & St. Luke vii. 11

Homily of Augustine on Psalm LXXXIX

My lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.

WEEKLY BULLETIN

calendar

Captain Leroy Homer and the Martyrs of the Attack on America - September 11 (2001)

Sergeant John R. Cash, Evangelist, September 12 [2003]

bidding

For Christians under Persecution in India, Pakistan, and around the world.

news

Christian woman takes art centre to court over lewd' Jesus statue - Christian Today

Christians flee to remote jungle to escape attacks by Hindu mobs -Sydney Morning Herald

commentary

This week

Augustine examines Psalm LXXXIX . It was probably written during the time of the exile, perhaps when king Zedekiah was insulted and abused by Nebuchadrezzar. Our Old Testament Lesson from Isaiah we hear his prophetic voice speak of God's mercy and faithfulness to deliver his own, just as the psalm cries out to God for mercy and deliverance.

Augustine writes about a very interesting concept concerning sin in the life of a Christian, and God's work with his children:

"Nevertheless, My mercy will I not utterly take from Him" (ver. 33). From whom? From that David to whom I gave these promises, whom "I anointed with my holy oil of gladness above His fellows." Do you recognise Him from whom God will not utterly take away His mercy? That no one may anxiously say, since He speaks of Christ as Him from whom He will not take away His mercy, What then will become of the sinner? Did He say anything like this, "I will not take My loving-kindness utterly from them"? "I will visit," He saith, "their offences with the rod, and their sin with scourges." Thou didst expect for thy own security, "I will not utterly take my loving-kindness from" them. And indeed this is the reading of some books, but not of the most accurate: though, where they have it, it is a reading by no means inconsistent with the real meaning. For how can it be said that He will not utterly take His mercy from Christ? Has the Saviour of the body committed aught of sin either in Heaven or in earth, "who sitteth even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us"? Yet it is from Christ: but from His members, His body which is the Church. For in this sense He speaks of it as a great thing that He will not take away His mercies from Him, supposing us not to recognise the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father; for there the Man is not counted for His Person, but the One Person is God and Man. He therefore does not utterly take His mercies from Him, when He takes not His mercy from His body, His members, in which, even while He was enthroned in Heaven, He was still suffering persecutions on earth; and when He cried from Heaven, "Saul, Saul," not why persecutest thou My servants, nor why persecutest thou My saints, nor My disciples, but, "why persecutest thou Me?" As then, while no one persecuted Him when sitting in Heaven, He cried out, "Why persecutest thou Me?" when the Head recognised its limbs, and His love allowed not the Head to separate Himself from the union of the body: so, when He taketh not away His mercies from Him, it is surely that He taketh it not from us, who are His limbs and body. Yet ought we not on that account to sin not without apprehension, and perversely to assure ourselves that we shall not perish, be our actions what they may. For there are certain sins and certain offences, to define and discourse of which it is either impossible for me, or if it were possible, it would be too tedious for the time we have at present. For no man can say that he is without sin; for if he says so, he will lie; "if we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." Each one therefore is needfully scourged for his own sins; but the mercy of God is not taken away from him, if he be a Christian. Certainly if thou committest such offences as to repel the hand of Him who chasteneth, the rod of Him who scourgeth thee, and art angry at the correction of God, and fliest from thy Father when He chasteneth thee, and wilt not suffer Him to be thy Father, because He spares thee not when thou dost sin; thou hast estranged thyself from thy heritage, He has not thrown thee off; for if thou wouldest abide being scourged, thou wouldest not abide disinherited. "Nor will I do hurt in My truth." For His mercy in setting free shall not be taken away, lest His truth in taking vengeance do harm.

There are a couple of important articles here proposed by Augustine:

First, that Christ was and is sinless. That is becoming a foreign notion in the Post-Modern church! I recently read of one column that wrote that Jesus had showed his bigotry in his encounter with the Canaanite woman, and when challenged Jesus had learned an important lesson!

Secondly, that God will not abandon the faithful. It is they who will endure through correction and keep the faith which is a major theme of Isaiah and of our psalm today.

Third, that there are sins and conditions of men's hearts that in effect cause one to estrange himself from God, so that God even ceases to correct, and allows them to go - blindly.

Finis

Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

The Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity

Homily of Augustine on Psalm LXXIX

KEEP, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy Church with thy perpetual mercy; and, because the frailty of man without thee cannot but fall, keep us ever by thy help from all things hurtful, and lead us to all things profitable to our salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Bishop Gelasius [494]. Jesus promised us the help of the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide us [Jn 14:26]. In 1 Corinthians 13 Paul tells us it is charity that is profitable. [Barbee & Zahl]

2Kings xxv, Psalm 97,98 | 79, 80, Galatians vi. 11 & St. Matthew vi. 24

Homily of Augustine on Psalm LXXIX

  And all the army of the Chaldees, that were with the captain of the guard, brake down the walls of Jerusalem round about. 

 

WEEKLY BULLETIN

calendar

Eudoxius, Comitus Hegemon (general), Zeno, Macarius, & Companions - Martyrs -- September 6th (285-305)

news

President Bush proclaims national days of prayer, 5-7 September

 

commentary

 

The Psalm appointed for this week is LXXIX. It is post-exilic and refers to the account found in the Lesson from 2^nd Kings and the defeat at the hands of the Chaldeans and exile to Babylon

Augustine explains the psalm through the eyes of a Christian as a prophesy of the destruction of Jerusalem that came at the hands of Rome in 70 AD.

"They have defiled Thy holy Temple, they have made Jerusalem for a keeping of apples." … If in this prophecy any one of us shall have thought that there must be understood that laying waste of Jerusalem, which was made by Titus the Roman Emperor, when already the Lord Jesus Christ, after His Resurrection and Ascension, was being preached among the Gentiles, it doth not occur to me how that people could now have been called the inheritance of God, as not holding to Christ, whom having rejected and slain, that people became reprobate, which not even after His Resurrection would believe in Him, and even killed His Martyrs. For out of that people Israel whosoever have believed in Christ; to whom the offer of Christ was made, and in a manner the healthful and fruitful fulfillment of the promise; concerning whom even the Lord Himself saith, "I am not sent but to the sheep which have been lost of the house of Israel," the same are they that out of them are the sons of promise; the same are counted for a seed"

Titus' siege of Jerusalem occurred when the pilgrims had crowded the city for the Feast of Passover. One million perished. We know that Jesus foretold of this event in Matthew 24, and understand by tradition that the Church fled the city.

Augustine raises the important theological issue of God's election of certain of the house of Israel to be the "sons of promise," and them he spared. God is acting in his True Church today in the same way with his elect, who know the voice of their Master, endeavor to faithfully follow his commandments, and look with hope for their deliverance, salvation, and final bodily resurrection.

Finally, the psalm ends with this imprecatory petition.

For the blasphemy wherewith our neighbours have blasphemed thee, reward thou them, O Lord, sevenfold into their bosom. So we, that are thy people, and sheep of thy pasture, shall give thee thanks for ever, and will alway be showing forth thy praise from generation to generation

.

Finis

 

--
PRIMUS PILUS

"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
primus.pilus@gmail.com

Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity

Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

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

 

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, give unto us the increase of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain that which thou dost promise, make us to love that which thou dost command; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source of Collect: Very earliest of the Sacramentaries [440]. 1 Corinthans 13:13 "now abideth faith, hope, and charity... There are two petitions, to "give us increase", and secondly to "make us to love" reminds us of Romans 6:17... being "obedient from the heart" [Barbee and Zahl]

 

Micah vi. 1, Psalm 84, 85 | 74 , Galatians v. 16   &  St. Luke xvii. 11

Homily of Augustine on Psalm LXXIV

For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth

WEEKLY BULLETIN

 

quotation

"The precepts of law are about acts of virtue. But the divine law contains precepts about the acts of faith, hope, and charity…Therefore, faith, hope and charity are virtues directing us to God. Therefore they are theological virtues. "

[Thomas Aquinas: Summa Theologica, Question LXII]

calendar

Julian, Centurion of Brioude (Auvergne), Martyr - August 28th

commentary

The homily of Augustine selected this day is on

Psalm 74. This psalm has been dated from the period of the exile. The psalm is in two equal themes: verses 1-11 ask the why and wherefore of their condition; verses 12-23 remember the great triumphs of God in the past. The center verse in Hebrew is key to the psalm, and is used in this place as a literary device. It says,

For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth

Augustine writes:

Asaph hath understood, because on the Title of the Psalm there is, "understanding of Asaph." And what saith he? "But God, our King before the worlds, hath wrought Salvation in the midst of the earth" On the one hand we cry, "No longer is there prophet, and us He will not know as yet:" but on the other hand, "our God, our King, who is before the worlds" (for He is Himself in the beginning of the Word by whom were made the worlds), "hath wrought Salvation in the midst of the earth." "God therefore, our King before the worlds," hath done what? "hath wrought Salvation in the midst of the earth:" and I am yet crying as if forsaken!...Now the Gentiles are awake, and we are snoring, and as though God hath forsaken us, in dreams we are delirious. "He hath wrought Salvation in the midst of the earth."

Augustine points this verse directly to the Word, to Christ, the second person of the Trinity. God came down from Heaven, incarnate in Jesus of Nazareth, into the very midst of the civilized earth, to "wrought salvation". There, in that time and place, through the Jews, Jesus did that which his Father had commanded [Jn 10:18]. By laying down his life he wrought salvation in the world, once done and for all who would accept it, on that Friday at Calvary. His is a perfect and sufficient oblation for the sin of the whole world. The debt is paid. Salvation is won and the folk set free. Satan is defeated for those in Christ.

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

 

Finis

The Thirteenthe Sunday after Trinity

Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity

Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

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

 

ALMIGHTY and merciful God, of whose gift it cometh that thy faithful people do unto thee true and laudable service; Grant, we beseech thee, that we may so run to thy heavenly promises, that we fail not finally to attain the same; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source of Collect: Bishop Leo I [440-461] Sacrementary. Archbishop Cranmer changed it to read as shown here: ALMIGHTY and merciful God, of whose only gift it cometh that thy faithful people do unto thee true and laudable service; Grant, we beseech thee, that we may so faithfully serve thee in this life, that we fail not finally to attain thy heavenly promises; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Exodus xv. 19; Psalm lxxxi, lxxxii | lxxiii; Galatians iii. 16   &  St. Luke x. 23

Homily of Augustine on Psalm LXXXI

Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her

WEEKLY BULLETIN

quotation

"When there is no truth that deserves assent from everybody, the only arbiter in our competing desires is power. Where truth doesn't define what's right, might makes right. And where might makes right, weak people pay with their lives. When the universal claim of truth disappears, what you get is not peaceful pluralism or loving relationships; what you get is concentration camps and gulags"

[John Piper]

calendar

Andrew Stratilatus, Martyr -- August 19 [286-305]

Evgeny of Chechnya, Martyr - August 20^th [2002]

Centurio Luxurius, with Camerinus, and Cisellus - August 21th

The noble army of martyrs praise thee

commentary

The collect today reminds us that we are called to "laudable service". The word "true" is heavy; and worth pondering. It gets at the heart of a person's service. Was his act "self serving" or was it "selfless service"?  The Order has established the Labrum Guard as a special branch for our members to encourage laudable service to the Church and the community in Christ's name.

The Old Testament lesson is the Song of Mariam [Ex iv. 19]. It has been regarded by some critics as one of the oldest passages in the Bible. The account here, and in the Song of Moses, clearly establishes celebration as a form of worship pleasing to God. Psalm LXXXI proclaims the gaiety and celebration that was a part of the annual feasts, with "timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery"

This gay beginning of this psalm seems to point to the Feast of the Passover, as it has God's voice saying "am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.", and to the Feast of the Tabernacles with its reference to the sounding of the horn at the new moon.

The psalm then addresses the idolaters and evil-doers. What saith God? "So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels. Augustine writes:

"And I let them go according to the affections of their heart" (ver. 12). Behold the press: the orifices are open, the lees run. "And I let them go," not according to the healthfulness of My commands; but, according to the affections of their heart: I gave them up to themselves. The Apostle also saith, "God gave them up to the desires of their own hearts." "I let them go according to the affection of their heart, they shall go in their own affections." There is what ye shudder at, if at least ye are straining out into the hidden vats of the Lord, if at least ye have conceived a hearty love for His storehouses, there is what ye shudder at. Some stand up for the circus, some for the amphitheatre, some for the booths in the streets some for the theatres, some for this, some for that, some finally for their "new gods;" "they shall go in their own affections."

In the perversity of their hearts do men pursue that which is evil and unseemly. Paul warned the Romans of such when he said,

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

"Be not deceived" - indeed. The unrighteous persist in their misdeeds at their own peril.

 Finis

Twelfth Sunday after Trinity

Twelfth Sunday after Trinity

Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
News of the Order and commentary appear after the Proper Collect, Epistle and Gospel

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who art always more ready to hear than we to pray, and art wont to give more than either we desire or deserve; Pour down upon us the abundance of thy mercy; forgiving us those things whereof our conscience is afraid, and giving unto us that that our prayer dare not presume to ask, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source of Collect: Leo [460], revised by Gelasius [494]. (An 1662 revision by Bishop Cosin added and giving us those good things which we are not worthy to ask, but through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord. [Barbee and Zahl]

2nd Samuel xx, Psalms 76, 77 | 71,72 , 2 Corinthians iii. 4   &  St. Mark vii. 31
Homily of Augustine on Psalm LXXI

 

Behold, Sheba's head shall be thrown to thee over the wall

WEEKLY BULLETIN

calendar

 Florence Nightingale, Nurse to Combatants - August 13

Ursakios, Tribune, Martyr -- August 14 [286-305]

quotation

"God is for our Captain, the devil a deserter: the Captain gave a commandment, the deserter suggested guile: where were thine ears between precept and deceit?"

[St. Augustine]

news

Archeologists in Jerusalem have discovered seals of two priests who in the Scriptures advised King Hezekiah to kill the prophet Jeremiah.

The article appears in the Jerusalem Post

 

 

commentary

The theme of the psalm, OT Lesson, and part of Augustine's examination of the psalm is rebellion. I believe many have rebelled against God's Word and authority and are clearly being led astray in beliefs and actions. How is this? What is afoot?

Our psalm for today's homily of Augustine is

Psalm LXXI. Based on several verses, one gathers that David wrote this psalm at an old age. The adversary here could well be Sheba son of Bichri cited this day [2nd Sam XX], and the artwork, concern Sheba's rebellion and death.

In thinking on this rebellion, I recall the 1662 change in the Litany of the Prayer Book that the loyalist added when the English monarchy was restored

"From all sedition, privy conspiracy, and rebellion..."

This verse was added to the existing phrase which already spoke of the rebellion against God and Christ's Church and read:

"From all false doctrine, heresy, and schism; from hardness of heart, and contempt of thy Word and Commandment,
Good Lord deliver us."

Today this rebellion comes from those who pledged to defend the faith, and yet they do not believe, or else have weak faith, in the tenets of Christianity. David in his old age said, "Thou has taught me from my youth". I am concerned that in very many denominations folk send believing youth off to a seminary where they are taught cynicism and not to believe the biblical accounts of Christ's miraculous healing and work on earth. Why? How is this? What is afoot?

Augustine addresses this issue in his homily 

as shown below:

"O God, Thou hast taught me from my youth." From the very beginning of my faith, wherewith Thou hast renewed me, Thou didst teach me that nothing had preceded in me, whence I might say that there was owing to me what Thou hast given. For who is turned to God save from iniquity? Who is redeemed save from captivity? But who can say that unjust was his captivity, when he forsook his Captain and fell off to the deserter? God is for our Captain, the devil a deserter: the Captain gave a commandment, the deserter suggested guile: where were thine ears between precept and deceit? was the devil better than God? Better he that revolted than He that made thee? Thou didst believe what the devil promised, and didst find what God threatened. Now then out of captivity being delivered, still however in hope, not yet in substance, walking by faith, not yet by sight, "O God," he saith, "Thou hast taught me from my youth." From the time that I have been turned to Thee, renewed by Thee who had been made by Thee, re-created who had been created, re-formed who had been formed: from the time that I have been converted, I have learned that no merits of mine have preceded, but that Thy grace hath come to me gratis, in order that I might be mindful of Thy righteousness alone.

Keeping the faith, and defending against rebellion and assaults on the Church is a very real issue today, more so than in any period in the recent past. Secular influences in the West are taking a toll on churchmanship and faith, and the threat is very real. Much of it comes from within as I have stated above. This Order was formed to defend against that very threat. Now, upon the 5th Anniversary of the Order on the Feast of St Michael the Archangel, God willing, we will open the Academy of Centurions Theological School to our members to assist in tracking their progress in auditing certified courses from accredited schools of theology, and will feature master's-level seminary courses that I believe keep the faith once given - that which is "merely Christian", and will train up centurions to defend against the adversary. For those who never felt they had the opportunity or means to participate in quality theological training, please consider enrolling for a course, or in pursuing a Theological Diploma by completing the series of classes offered.

Finis

The Eleventh Sunday after Trinity

Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

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

Gospel

The Eleventh Sunday after Trinity

O GOD, who declarest thy almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity; Mercifully grant unto us such a measure of thy grace, that we may obtain thy gracious promises, and be made partakers of thy heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Gelasius [492-496]. This is the original as Cranmer translated it faithfully, It it was altered in the 1662 update by adding the phrase " running the way of thy commandments" The Collect's emphasis on Grace, compliments the story of the Pharisee and the Publican praying in today's Gospel story from Luke.

II Sam xv, Psalms 63, 64 | 54, 55 , 1 Corinthians xv. 1 St. Luke xviii. 9

Homily of Augustine on Psalm LIV

Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom

---

 

BULLETIN

calendar

King Oswald & Aidan August 5 [642]

Transfiguration -- August 6th

quotation

You are bishops whose jurisdiction is within the church, but I also am a bishop, ordained by God to oversee those outside the church."

[Constantine 325, See Article]

news

Road to Nicaea is an interesting article on the first Ecumenical Council in which I found some ideas that I had not encountered elsewhere, like the suggested number of bishops, there localities, and the suggested source of the key word of the Creed " of the same substance".

commentary

Today's quote reminds us that Constantine took seriously his role as moral leader. He stopped Gladiatorial Combat and initiated many secular moral reforms. This web page discusses some of his

reforms for Rome:

Today's homily by Augustine is on Psalm LIV. It has been considered by many to point to the situation with his son, Absalom, which is addressed in the OT Lesson at the link above and the artwork of David fleeing Absalom. David well knew Absalom was an evil and ambitious man, out to kill his father; yet he never kept praying that Absalom would be spared, and end the end all things would work for better. Compare this desire of David with the commentary of Augustine below, as he identifies David's psalm with the plight of our Lord, and God's sovereignty in exercising judgement. Just this morning, in a rendezvous with a very old and dear friend, we discussed those today who in the church disparage their fellow, especially other Christians, judging and condemning them. God is sovereign. He alone will judge and condemn or save. As Augustine says below: let God sparing evil men profit thee, so that thou show mercy. In today's collect we pray for God's grace and his mercy, may he merciful grant you the Grace to follow our Lord's example amongst strangers and fellows, and may he bring the evil man to repentance and life everlasting in his eternal Kingdom

"Hear Thou, O God, my entreaty, and despise not my prayer: give heed unto me, and hearken unto me"

Of one earnest, anxious, of one set in tribulation, are these words. He is praying, suffering many things, from evil yearning to be delivered: it remaineth that we hear in what evil he is, and when he beginneth to speak, let us acknowledge there ourselves to be; in order that the tribulation being shared, we may conjoin prayer. "I have been made sad in my exercise, and have been troubled" (ver. 2). Where made sad, where troubled? "In my exercise," he saith. Of evil men, whom he suffereth, he hath made mention, and the same suffering of evil men he hath called his "exercise." Think ye not that without profit there are evil men in this world, and that no good God maketh of them. Every evil man either on this account liveth that he may be corrected, or on this account liveth that through him a good man may be exercised. O that therefore they that do now exercise us would be converted, and together with us be exercised! Nevertheless, so long as they are such as to exercise, let us not hate them: because in that wherein any one of them is evil, whether unto the end he is to persevere, we know not; and ofttimes when to thyself thou seemest to have been hating an enemy, thou hast been hating a brother, and knowest not. The devil and his angels in the holy Scriptures have been manifested to us, that for fire everlasting they have been destined. Of them only must amendment be despaired of....Therefore since this rule of Love for thee is fixed, that imitating the Father thou shouldest love an enemy: for, He saith, "love your enemies:" in this precept how wouldest thou be exercised, if thou hadst no enemy to suffer? Thou seest then that he profiteth thee somewhat: and let God sparing evil men profit thee, so that thou show mercy: because perchance thou too, if thou art a good man, out of an evil man hast been made a good man: and if God spared not evil men, not even thou wouldest be found to return thanks. May He therefore spare others, that hath spared thee also. For it were not right, when thou hadst passed through, to close up the way of godliness.