Whitsunday MMXII

 O God, who on this day didst instruct the hearts of thy faithful by the light of thy Holy Spirit: grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise, and to rejoice in his comfort always,  through the Lord

Latin:

Deus, qui hodierna die corda fidelium Sancti Spiritus illustratione docuisti: da nobis in eodem Spiritu recta sapere, et de eius semper consolatione gaudere, per Dominum. 

Gelasian Sacramentary 

Introit: The Spirit of the Lord filleth the world: Halleluah.

Ps: Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered ... 

Epistle: Acts 2: 1-13. And when the day of Pentecost was fully come...

Gradual: Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Thou sendest forth thy Spirit, they are created ...

Gospel:  John 14: 23-31. ... if a man love me he will keep my words

http://www.archive.org/stream/commonserviceb00unknuoft#page/n93/mode/2up

 The day is called Whitsun-day in the English and is also known as Pentecost from Greek for the 50 days after the Passover when the Jews celebrated. In our Lord's day there was a remembrance of the gift of the Ten Commandments, which came  traditionally 50 days after the first Passover in Egypt. Notice how this collect reflects the Gospel. A few verses before the place where ours begins, Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Comforter" 

  I am always amazed by those who claim "Love trumps Truth" as to say that his commandments mean little; we are only to "love" and that is the essence of Jesus. They say that those who do not keep his words are to be fully included because "all we need is love". No!  The beginning of love is a fear of the Lord and the desire to keep his words -- the Commandments and the Summary of the Law.   So it is always appropriate that we too recount those Commandments - his word - on this special day.   The proof of our love for him is in our heart's true desire and our will to keep his word, and to recognize our sin when we fall short.  That is certainly the instruction of the Holy Ghost throughout scripture and the very words of our Savior.  I have no doubt that those 3,000 who received his gift that day were instructed in Truth , not perversion, and fortified to live by this teaching, and not to indulge in sin. This innovation of the post-modern church is a heresy and is the broad way that leads to Perdition 

 O God, who on this day didst instruct the hearts of thy faithful by the light of thy Holy Spirit: 

This prayer recounts one special day- Pentecost  In the first English translation this "day" was dropped and "time" substituted.  The Holy Ghost came to teach. To teach means to discipline. Those who are God's elect are the recipients of both his instruction and his discipline.  There cannot be one without the other. The Holy Ghost brings the Light of God as he abides with God's folk.  He is the spark of the new creation-the Light to a dark world, the fire that battles against the evil one. 

 grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise, and to rejoice in his comfort always,  through the Lord

Now we ask  in our day that the Father send to us that same Spirit that we also may be wise in the way of Salvation.  Note the word "true" modifies wise. There is a wisdom of this wold that leads to eternal death and one of God's true Wisdom that leads to eternal life. Grant this petition to the end that we may rejoice always in the gift of God in the presence of his  Comforter -- being always sure of his promise for his elect--eternal felicity in his presence. 

An homily of Augustine on John

http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/whitsunday_07.html

Finis

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

 

The Ancient Collect: Its history and form

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

-- 

The Sunday after the Ascension MMXII

Almighty and everlasting God, make us to have always a devout will towards thee, and to serve thy majesty with a pure heart; through...

Latin 

Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, fac nos tibi semper et devotam gerere voluntatem; et maiestati tuae sincero corde servire, per...

Gelasian Sacrementary 

Introit: Hear O Lord when I cry with my voice

Ps: The Lord is my light and my salvation 

Epistle:  1st Peter 4:7-11. Be ye therefore sober...

Gradual:  Hallelujah. Hallelujah God reigneth over the heaven

Gospel:  John 15:26-16:4. But when the Comforter is come...

See it all here

http://www.archive.org/stream/commonserviceb00unknuoft#page/n93/mode/2up

In the Ascention Day collect we heard, "leave us not orphaned."  We remember that period now of ten days when it seemed the disciples were orphaned. Jesus had ascended to heaven and the promise of the Comforter was yet to be fulfilled. 

--Almighty and everlasting God, make us to have always a devout will towards thee

Peter wrote in todays epistle, "Be ye sober and watch unto prayer"  There come times in many a Christian's life when he feels comfortless and orphaned. It may come in a time of spiritual dryness, or some tribulation. We can hear in so many places where David sang songs of despair when he did not sense the presence of the LORD.   It is in these times when we ought to ask God to intercede with us and make our heats and wills to be devout toward him.  

 To serve thy majesty with a pure heart;

Many a Christian who has felt abandoned need look no further than his relationship with God when " in the troughs" so to speak. Sometimes the worries of this world seem to drag us down so that we put aside service to God which we desire and he expects. A pure heart is able to seve his Majesty in truth. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 

For a homily this day I commend Leo on the Ascension

http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/ascension1_07.html

Finis

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

 

The Ancient Collect: Its history and form

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

Ascension MMXII

The Ascension of our Lord

Grant, we beseech thee Almighty God that like as we do believe thy only-begotten Son, our Redeemer, to have ascended this day into the heavens; so may we also in mind in heavenly places with him dwell:

O King of Glory, Lord of Hosts, who didst this day ascend in triumph far above all heavens: we beseech thee leave us not orphans, but send to us the Spirit of Truth promised of the Father. 

Latin

Concede quaesumus omnipotens Deus, ut qui hodierna die unigenitum tuum redemptorem nostrum ad coelos ascendisse credimus, ipsi quoque mente in coelestibus habitemus, per eumdem. 

Gelasian Sacramentary

O rex gloriae, Domine virtutum, qui triumphator hodie super omnes coelos ascendisti, ne derelinquas nos orphanos; sed mitte promissum Patris in nos spiritum veritatis, allel.

Gregorian Liber Responsalis

The High Feast of the Ascension has two prayers this day. The first is a confession of faith: We Believe in the physical Ascension of our Lord as witnessed by his disciples and recorded in Acts.  We petition that we may in our minds dwell with him in those heavenly places. We "seek those things that are above where Christ sits".

The second collect is a festive proclamation of Christ's victory. It begins with majestic titles and then concludes with the petition that reflects the promise our Lord made to his disciples--that the Father would send them a Comforter, his Holy Spirit.

Finis

Mobilis

Rogate

Bless our land O Lord!


Via IPhone

Fifth Sunday after Easter MMXII

O God, from whom all good things to come: Grant to us humble servants, that by thy holy inspiration we may think those thinks that be right, and by thy merciful  guiding may perform the same; through


Latin:
Deus, a quo bono cuncta procedunt: largire supplicibus, ut cogitemus, te inspirante, quea recta sunt: et, te gubernante, eadem faciamus. Per.
Gelasian Sacramentary


Introit: With the voice of singing declare ye,
and tell this...Halleluah.
 Ps: Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands B
 Epistle: James 1:22-27.  But be ye doers of the word...
 Gradual: Hallelujah. Hallelujah. It behooved Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead ...
 Gospel:  John 16:23-30. Verily, verily, I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
http://www.archive.org/stream/commonserviceb00unknuoft#page/n91/mode/2up

Rogate is the name of this Sunday, but it does not have to do with the Gradual. In 452, the Bishop of Vienna instituted days of pilgrimages into the countryside to ask God's blessings after a period of scourges had occurred. Therefore the old custom continues in the weekdays following this Sunday before Ascension Thursday as "Rogation Days"

-- O God, from whom all good things to come:

God is the source of good in this world from his creation and  in his continual sustainment.  Those who are reconciled to God enjoy the peace of working in his good order.

 -- Grant to us  humble servants, that by thy holy inspiration

Without God on our side or perhaps better stated, we on God's side, all our works are in vain. We petition that God would then show us by his inspiration that good he would have us to do. He has done so in part through his Holy Scripture, and that is the first place to check anything a person claims as the new moving of the Spirit, or God's will for a new thing never recognized in the history of the people. Ask, "What saith scripture?"

--We may think those thinks that be right, and by thy merciful  guiding may perform the same

The petition clearly reflects the epistle of James appointed today. Hear, think, do.  Scripture is not so mysterious that we do not understand it. Man is devious enough to use every vain trick to attempt to twist it, however. That is what Satan tried on our Lord Jesus unsuccessfully, but with great success against Eve.  We are like Eve and unlike our Master in that we are vulnerable to stray like lost sheep- doing that which we ought not do and failing to do those things which we ought to do. We pray that God would guide us in paths of righteous deeds and good works for his name sake.

An homily of Augustine on John
 http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/easter5.html#homily
Finis

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

The Ancient Collect: Its history and form
http://orderofcenturions.org/collect-form.html
--

ForthSunday after Easter MMXII

O God, who makest the minds of the faithful to be of one will: Grant unto thy people that they may love what thou commandest and desire what thou dost promise; that among the manifold changes of this world, our hearts may there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through... 

Latin:
Deus, qui fidelium mentes unius efficis voluntatis: da populis tuis, id amare, quod praecipis, id desiderare, quod promittis: ut inter mundanas varietates ibi nostra fixa ain't corda ubi vera sunt gaudia. Per-
Gelasian Sacramentary

Introit: O sing unto the Lord a new song for he hath done marvelous things
Ps: His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him the victory
Epistle:  James 1:16 – 21  Do not err my beloved brethren
Gradual:  Hallelujah. Hallelujah The right hand of the Lord is exalted 
Gospel: John 16:5-15 But now I go my way to him that sent me

This is certainly a collect for today. I watch with some amazement as churches are wracked with heresy as they abandon the Scriptures and the 2,000 years of tradition of the Christian folk and adopt the values of the culture around them. We live in a day when it seems very hard to keep the faith handed down by our Fathers.  

O  God, who makest the minds of the faithful to be of one will:

The collect begins with this attribute of God to mold the will and mind of the church into one. How? Jesus tells us in today's Gospel from John 16. This is the work of God through the Holy Ghost -- the Comforter who proceeds from the Father (as the Creed teaches) and was sent by the Son (so saith Scripture) to teach us one will: God's will. 

Grant unto thy people that they may love what thou commandest and desire what thou dost promise

In the Epistle of James he tells that every gift of the Father is good and perfect. When we look back at the psalms of David we see the theme of the good gift of God's law which was perfect and served his chosen as a lamp unto their feet. That law was perfected in the Last Days with the coming of Christ  "He begat us with the word of truth"  James goes on to encourage his readers to be true to that gift by living lives after the example of our Lord--in fact loving what he commanded and desiring what he promised.

That among the manifold changes of this world, our hearts may there be fixed where true joys are to be found

In the day when this collected was recorded in Galasius' Sacramentay, Rome was under great pressure from adversaries without and decadence within. I can find many similarities today. The Christian world is globally under assault by a Jihad of Muslim extremist.  The true faith is under assault by leaders in colleges, schools, elected officials, and even the pulpit.  Christians in places like Africa are massacred every year. Yet, in the face of this assault so many stand firm and fix their hearts on Jesus where their true joys are to be found as members of the body of Christ -- the blessed company of all faithful people --where the Holy Ghost abides  with, guides, and comforts the elect. 

Finis

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

The Ancient Collect: Its history and form
http://orderofcenturions.org/collect-form.html

--
Released by Primus Pilus
Legio Christi-Ecclesia Militans
"Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another" [St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans 14:19]

* ORDO CENTURIONUM * IN HOC SIGNO VINCES * TIME DEUM ET OPERARE IUSTITIAM

Third Sunday after Easter MMXII

Almighty God, who showest to them that be in error the light of thy truth, to the intent that they may return into the way of righteousness: Grant unto all them that are admitted into the fellowship of Christ's religion, that they may eschew those things that are contrary to their profession, and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same; through

[Book of Common Prayer and Lutheran Service Book'

Latin:
Deus errantes in via posse redire, veritatis lumen ostendis: da cunctis, qui Christiana professione censentur, et illa respuere, quae huic inimica sunt nomini, et ea quae sunt apta sectari,  Per
--Leonine Sacramentary

Introit: Make a joyful noise unto God…
Ps: Say unto God, how terrible art thou in thy works…
Epistle:  …1st Peter 2:11-20. Dearly beloved, I beseech you...
Gradual:  Hallelujah. Hallelujah the Lord hath sent redemption
Gospel:  …John 16:16-32. A little while, and ye shall see me
See it all here
http://www.archive.org/stream/commonserviceb00unknuoft#page/n90/mode/2up

This Sunday's prayer is ancient indeed. It was recorded in the sacramentary of Leo. He died in 450, and so it is one of the oldest we shall review here. The prayer tells us a lot about the season and the events that had transpired at this time in the church calendar. Let us begin:

Almighty God, who showest to them that be in error the light of thy truth

This is an intercessory prayer. The prayer is for others. Those who had walked in darkness and in error have been enlightened.  Who did this work?  Did they see the light of Christ by their own works and merit?  Shall we give credit to the preacher?  No! rather God has acted to reveal to them his truth.  I recall  the words of the Song of Simeon "Through the tender mercy of our God,  whereby the day spring from on high hath visited us; to give light to them that sit in darkness, and  in the shadow of death" [Luke 2:29-32]  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nunc_dimittis.

 Certainly the preacher carries the word and men come to hear that word, but as Paul wrote, "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. [1 Corinthians 3:6]. Glory be to God.

Grant unto all them that are admitted into the fellowship of Christ's religion

This portion of the prayer points specifically to those who had been baptized on Easter Even and had taken their first Communion Easter Morn as a member of the church-the fellowship of all those who are Christ's own. This identifies for whom the congregation prayed. Not the whole world, but exclusively for those Christ had called and enlightened through grace and who had partaken of the sacraments as an outward sign of a inward spiritual truth.  The communion was not open to the unbaptized, or those who had been excommunicated. They were dismissed before the prayer of consecration.  Only those who had made the sacred promises, were baptized, and who continued in the holy fellowship in an acceptable state of living were welcomed to the feast.

That they may eschew those things that are contrary to their profession, and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same;

What is their profession? Christians!  They professed to believe in the words of the ancient baptismal creed (Forma Romana Vitus http://www.orderofcenturions.org/creed.html), which is the basis of the Apostles Creed which many folk say twice daily (Augustine). They also took an oath to turn from the Evil one. We know from reading Paul's epistle this Sunday that they were not always obedient to that oath. Many may have fallen away, not completely if they were Christ's own, but they may have forgotten God in their daily pursuits - or failed to be faithful in the disciplines expected by the fellowship. Now those who are Christ's own, he will chastise and send a spirit of contrition, and urge to return [Luke 22:32].  Not only Jesus and the Holy Spirit play a role here, but we too; just as our Lord charged Peter, he charges us:  pray, encourage, and to strengthen the fellowship as the whole body of Christ -- beseeching God to call back the wayward, and bidding them to follow in his way, and that God would keep them (us) and bless them (us) in his mercy that they (we) fall not.

In a way the folk not only prayed for the newly baptized, but for each and every member of  the fellowship too. We are all subject to the wiles of the devil and the temptations of this life, and there is none of us who might not slip, miss the target, and fall away.  Well you say, they should try harder and then they would be justified. Often that is the very problem, because they try too hard by their own feeble efforts. They depend on their own merit to earn their salvation rather than simply fully relying on God's Grace and the work of the Holy Spirit to bring them to perfection.   

In closing, I am reminded of one of the most famous of hymns in the English speaking realms of our Kingdom on earth, Amazing Grace. You might like to read of the amazing story behind the hymn here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazing_Grace . The hymn not only speaks to the grace we recognized when we first believed, but the same grace that brought us through the many snares. Compare this doctrine in the hymn to the ancient writing of the Doctor of the Church - Augustine.

Listen to it here as you contemplate the articles of today's collect. In that this ancient prayer was carried over into the Book of Common Prayer for this Sunday that Newton used in his ministry.  I would not be surprised to learn that the words of Leo had some influence on Newton in its composition. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHDNuAw-VeE

For this Sunday's devotion, you might enjoy this from Augustine on the Gospel

http://www.orderofcenturions.org/documents/easter3_07.html 
.

Finis

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

The Ancient Collect: Its history and form
http://orderofcenturions.org/collect-form.html

Released by Primus Pilus
Legio Christi-Ecclesia Militans
"Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another" [St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans 14:19]

* ORDO CENTURIONUM * IN HOC SIGNO VINCES * TIME DEUM ET OPERARE IUSTITIAM

The Second Sunday after Easter MMXII

God, who by the humiliation of thy Son, didst raise up the fallen world; grant unto thy faithful ones perpetual gladness, and those whom thou hast delivered from the danger of everlasting death, do thou make partakers of eternal joys; through..

Latin:

Deus, qui in Filii tui humilitate jacentem mundum erexisti; (fidelibus tuis perpetuam) laetitiam concede:et quos perpetua mortis eripuisti casibus, guadiis (facias) sempiternis perfrui. Per

--Gelesian Sacramentary

Introit: The earth is full of the goodness of the LORD: by the Word of the LORD were the heavens made…

Ps: Rejoice in the Lord: O ye righteous…

Epistle:  …1st Peter 2:21-25

Gradual:  Hallelujah. Then was the Lord Jesus know of the disciples…

Gospel:  …John 10:11-16  I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep…

See it all here

http://www.archive.org/stream/commonserviceb00unknuoft#page/n87/mode/2up

Deus, qui in Filii tui humilitate jacentem mundum erexisti

This Sunday's collect looks beyond the Resurrection of Jesus to the resurrection God wrought for mankind; all accomplished through the humiliation of his Son on the cross.

(fidelibus tuis perpetuam)

The collect recognizes that this gift is not for all, but is reserved for God's faithful ones.

laetitiam concede :et quos perpetua mortis eripuisti casibus guadiis (facias) sempiternis perfrui. 

Grant us happiness and eternal joy when we pass over from this life O Lord. Jesus said, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. " [Matthew 25:21]

Many folk leave this world in great doubt. They do not have any personal assurance that they will be welcomed into the Lord's Sabbath, and into his joy. For many, I believe they depend on their own inadequate work to justify their entry into that peace- and can find none. On the other hand, there are those who depart this life with anticipation of the felicity which shall follow, and are glad to shed this mortal shell with the assurance of rest and peace as they sleep in Christ and the ultimate resurrection of their body into the new heaven and earth. They rely not on their inadequate works, but rather on the finished work of Christ and their membership in his body.  Thomas Jackson was such a man. In Juy 1861 he said to Captain John D. Imboden. "My religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter when it may overtake me. That is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave". [Stonewall Jackson As Military Commander (2000) by John Selby]

Jackson was indeed ready. He had contracted pneumonia and knew he would die. He was glad when his surgeon told him he would pass from this life on a Sunday.  Jackson's surgeon recorded his passing in his diary, and some years later published this account, "A few moments before he died he cried out in his delirium, 'Order A.P. Hill to prepare for action! Pass the infantry to the front rapidly! Tell Major Hawks'—then stopped, leaving the sentence unfinished. Presently a smile of ineffable sweetness spread itself over his pale face, and he said quietly, and with an expression, as if of relief, 'Let us cross over the river, and rest under the shade of the trees.' [McGuire, Dr. Hunter. "Death of Stonewall Jackson". Southern Historical Society Papers 14 (1886)]

And Jesus said to his disciples, and to all his chosen, "Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world"  [John 16:33].  In the Gospel he gives us this assurance, "I am the good shepherd; and know my sheep, and am known of mine, even as the Father knoweth me, and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one flock, and one shepherd." [John 10:11-16]; and he shall not suffer one of his sheep to be lost [John 10:28]

See an homily by Chrysostom on the Gospel 

http://www.orderofcenturions.org/documents/easter2.html#homily

  

Finis

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

 

The Ancient Collect: Its history and form

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

--
Released by Primus Pilus
Legio Christi-Ecclesia Militans
"Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another" [St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans 14:19]

* ORDO CENTURIONUM * IN HOC SIGNO VINCES * TIME DEUM ET OPERARE IUSTITIAM

First Sunday after Easter MMXII

Sunday after Easter

Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God that we who have celebrated the solemnities of the Lord's Resurrection, may, by the help of thy grace, bring forth the fruits thereof in our life and conversation; through…

Latin:

Praesta, quaesummus omnipotens Deus, ut qui paschalia festa peregimus, heac te largiente moribus et vita teneamus, per...

--Gelesian Sacramentary

Introit: As newborn babes: desire the sincere milk of the word.

Ps: …Sing aloud unto God on strength: make a joyful noise …

Epistle:  …1 John 5:4-12  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world..

Gradual:  …Hallelujah. Hallelujah. The angel of the Lord descended from heaven…

Gospel:  John 20: 12-31  Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week…

See it all here

http://www.archive.org/stream/commonserviceb00unknuoft#page/n87/mode/2up

A literal translation: 

Grant, we beg You, Almighty God, that we who have carried through the paschal feasts may, you bestowing it, hold to them in morals and in life.

[http://wdtprs.com/blog/2006/06/saturday-after-ascension-in-the-7th-week-of-easter/]

This Sunday marks the octave of the great feast of the Resurrection.  We shall continue the season of Eastertide until the Feast of the Ascension.

ut qui paschalia festa peregimus

The collect emphasizes the idea of a completion of the Easter octave, as it recalls the solemnities that the faithful have observed in connection with the remembrance of the Resurrection. Including Palm Sunday, there have been 10 holy days.

heac te largiente moribus et vita teneamus, 

The petition follows:  that by God's grace we might live out our experience of this season in our life and behaviors.  

I am reminded of one of the collects that was appointed for ending of ante-communion in my tradition, and echoes this same theme and may have be derived from this very collect.

GRANT, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that the words which we have heard this day with our outward ears, may, through thy grace, be so grafted inwardly in our hearts, that they may bring forth in us the fruit of good living, to the honour and praise of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Week by week we have seen that the collects in the Latin end with "per" - meaning through, but that the last part is left off. It was often, but not always: "through Jesus Christ", and then one of the many forms that included the Father and the Holy Ghost -- such as: "through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end. Amen."

It is interesting that today's historic appointed epistle is the subject of a translation controversy.  The traditional interpretation includes the verse of 1 John 5:7ff which specifically points to the Trinity, and reads, "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, *the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one." One will find this transaltion in the King James Version, the Vulgate, and the modern Orthodox bible. It is missing from many ancient Eastern texts. However, the revisers have removed it from modern translations as well (Such as the NRSV).  I endorse this website that presents a very good discussion on supporting the verse as true original.

http://www.kjvtoday.com/home/the-father-the-word-and-the-holy-ghost-in-1-john-57

See an homily by Chrysostom on the Gospel

http://www.orderofcenturions.org/documents/easter1.html#homily 

Finis

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

 

The Ancient Collect: Its history and form

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

 

-- 

Released by Primus Pilus
Legio Christi-Ecclesia Militans
"Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another" [St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans 14:19]

* ORDO CENTURIONUM * IN HOC SIGNO VINCES * TIME DEUM ET OPERARE IUSTITIAM

The Feast of the Resurrection MMXII

O God, who on this day through thine only-begotten Son hast, by his having vanquished death, unlocked for us the gate of eternity, grant us, we beseech thee, that through the renewal of the Holy Spirit, we may rise from death of soul.

[The Hermeneutic of Continuity…]

Read more: http://readperiodicals.com/201107/2431749761.html#b

...

Latin:

Deus, qui hodierna die, per Unigenitum tuum, aeternitatis nobis aditum, devicta morte, reserasti, da nobis, quaesumus, ut qui resurrectionis dominicae sollemnia colimus, per innovationem tui Spiritus a morte animae resurgamus.

--Gelesian Sacramentary

Introit:  When I awake I am still with thee. Hallelujah.…

Ps:  O Lord thou hast searched me and known me…

Epistle:  1 Corinthians 5:6-8  Your glorying is not good…

Gradual:  This is the day that the Lord hath made…

Gospel:  Mark 16:1-8  And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene…

See it all here

http://archive.org/stream/commonserviceb00unknuoft#page/n85/mode/2up

Anglican version based on a later Latin collect

ALMIGHTY God, who through thine only-begotten Son Jesus Christ hast overcome death, and opened unto us the gate of everlasting life; We humbly beseech thee that, as by thy special grace preventing us thou dost put into our minds good desires, so by thy continual help we may bring the same to good effect; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

The collect makes a point of specfying a specific day, O God, Who on this day" (qui hodierna die). This is the day the Resurrection is celebrated.  Paul wrote, "Even as Christ our passover is sacrificed for us, let us keep the feast" [1 Corinthians 5:7].  Indeed! Let us keep this Feast!  

The Feast of the Resurrection is undoubtedly the oldest on the Church calendar. It was the effort of Constantine and the bishops to try to keep it on one specific day throughout the Empire, and so it was observed for centuries after until the Gregorian calendar separated the East and the West.  

These regulations of the First Ecumenical Council are as follows:

 

"That Easter must always be celebrated on a Sunday."

"That Easter must never be celebrated on the same day as the Jewish Passover."

"That Easter should never be celebrated on or before the vernal equinox of any year."

and that the Church at Alexandria should inform the broader church through Rome of its date - year by year.

 

Sunday-by-Sunday: There are actually 52 celebrations of the Resurrection, as each Sunday is intended as a remembrance that "Christ died for thee" and was raised from the dead. We hear this message repeated in the divine liturgy week by week. But is is on this specific Feast of the Resurrection that the world as the ancients knew was changed for ever. It was on this day that God sealed his promise of old with the Resurrection of his Son and the scriptures were fulfilled. It is on this day that we celebrate the high feast of our faith.

The collect speaks of the great victory when Christ vanquished death (devicta morte). Jesus said, "I have overcome the world"  [John 16:33] and again, "Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out." [John 12:31]   Paul wrote, "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." [1 Corinthians 15:57] and again, "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?"  [1 Corinthians 15:55]

To what end? What has this victory done for those in Christ? The collect tells us. The approach (way) to eternal life (aeternitatis nobis aditum)  has been opened to us. That is our victory; that is our hope; that is our faith.  Paul was very specific in what belief was required of man to secure this great victory; he wrote, "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."  

There are many in this day that would identify themselves as "christians" and yet will boldly deny both of these precepts. They are lost sheep with lost shepherds.  

Do you believe -- in truth?  It is natural in this day with all the world speaking against miracles that doubts and questions might be raised in your mind. God can and will help those who come to him in humble confession of  those doubts.  Remember the conversation between Jesus and the man with the possessed child? "Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." [Mark 9:23-24]  What did he tell Peter before his crucifixion? " Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." Why? why did he not just leave Peter to fall into the hands of Satan? Because Peter was his. The Father had given him to his Son.  He prays from his seat of glory in heaven for each of his own that our strength may be such to resist evil and to believe in his holy Gospel [John 17]. We know that  "things which are impossible with men are possible with God." [Luke 18:27], and that our belief is a gift of God,  Take heart brothers; before his death and resurrection he made a promise to his disciples, and all that would come to believe through them.  He said, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand." [John 10:27-30]. It is his purpose to bring his own into the great Victory over Satan and to share in his joy, and with no saint left behind!

 Finally, in the collect we have the scriptural formula for the Victory.  Is it by dead works? No!  Is it by pious religious acts and sacrifies? No! Well then, it must by the denomination you have membership in and your station in the denomination. No! What saith scripture? What saith our collect? that we may "rise again from the death of the soul through the renewing of your Spirit." (per innovationem tui Spiritus a morte animae resurgamus.). Jesus said,  I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you" [John 14:16] .  

Thank you God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen

Praise the LORD!    The Lord is risen; he is risen indeed!     Praise the LORD!

See a homily by Augustine on the Gospel http://www.orderofcenturions.org/documents/easter_day_05.html

Finis

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

 

The Ancient Collect: Its history and form

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

 

--
Released by Primus Pilus
Legio Christi-Ecclesia Militans
"Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another" [St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans 14:19]

* ORDO CENTURIONUM * IN HOC SIGNO VINCES * TIME DEUM ET OPERARE IUSTITIAM

Palm Sunday MMXII

Almighty and everlasting God, who hast sent thy Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the Cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility:  Mercifully grant that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his resurrection;  through...

[Lutheran Service Book]

...

Latin original Collect:

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

--Gelesian Sacramentary

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

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

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

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

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

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

  

See it all here

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

Also:

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

[RCC -- Liturgy Explorer]

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

Dues, qui humano generi ad imitandum humilitatis exemplum 

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

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

Salvatorem nostem et carnem sumere,

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

et Crucem subire fecisti 

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

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

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

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

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

Read more: 

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

Finis

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

 

The Ancient Collect: Its history and form

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

 

--
Released by Primus Pilus
Legio Christi-Ecclesia Militans
"Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another" [St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans 14:19]

* ORDO CENTURIONUM * IN HOC SIGNO VINCES * TIME DEUM ET OPERARE IUSTITIAM

Passion Sunday - The Fifth Sunday of Lent MMXII

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

[Liturgy Explorer]

...

Latin original Collect:

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

--Gelesian Sacramentary

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

Familium tuam, quaesumus Domine

--Your family, we beseech thee Lord

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

continua pietate custodi

--Keep in continual godliness

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

ut quae in sola spe gratiae coelestis innititur

which is based solely in the hope of heavenly grace

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

tua semper protectione muniatur

May we always be defended by the protection of the Lord

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

http://orderofsaintpatrick.org/breastplate.htm

Read more: 

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

Finis

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

 

The Ancient Collect: Its history and form

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

--
Released by Primus Pilus
Legio Christi-Ecclesia Militans
"Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another" [St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans 14:19]

* ORDO CENTURIONUM * IN HOC SIGNO VINCES * TIME DEUM ET OPERARE IUSTITIAM

The Fourth Sunday in Lent MMXII

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

Latin original Collect:

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

--Gelesian Sacramentary

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

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

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

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

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

See it all here

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

another translation

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

[Lutheran Service Book]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

do nobis salutem mentis et corporis; 

--Give to us health of mind and body

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

ut ea, quae pro peccatis nostris patimur

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

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

te adjuvante vincamus

-- you [God] may overcome

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

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

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

Finis

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

 

The Ancient Collect: Its history and form

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

 

--
Released by Primus Pilus
Legio Christi-Ecclesia Militans
"Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another" [St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans 14:19]

* ORDO CENTURIONUM * IN HOC SIGNO VINCES * TIME DEUM ET OPERARE IUSTITIAM

The Third Sunday in Lent MMXII

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

Latin original Collect:

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

--Gelesian Sacramentary

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

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

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

Gradual:  Arise O Lord; let not man prevail…

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

See it all here

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

another translation

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

[Cranmer, 1549]

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

respice

-- Look upon

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

dexteram tuae maiestatis extende,

-- Extend the right hand of thy majesty

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

ad defensionim nostram

--Defend us

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

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

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

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

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

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

Finis

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

 

The Ancient Collect: Its history and form

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

 

--
Released by Primus Pilus
Legio Christi-Ecclesia Militans
"Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another" [St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans 14:19]

* ORDO CENTURIONUM * IN HOC SIGNO VINCES * TIME DEUM ET OPERARE IUSTITIAM