Sunday next before Advent and St. Andrew's Day - 2013

The Sunday next before Advent.

Psalm 127

Nisi Dominus

1. EXCEPT the Lord build the house : their labour is but lost that build it.

2. Except the Lord keep the city : the watchman waketh but in vain.

3. It is but lost labour that ye haste to rise up early, and so late take rest, and eat the bread of carefulness : for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

4. Lo, children and the fruit of the womb : are an heritage and gift that cometh of the Lord.

5. Like as the arrows in the hand of the giant : even so are the young children.

6. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them : they shall not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.

The Collect.

STIR up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of thee be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 23.5-8

Psalter: Psalm 146, 147 | 148, 149, 150

Epistle Reading: (Ephesians 2.1-10)

Gospel Reading: St. John 6.1-14

Barbee and Zahl: “This famous Collect, ( . . . ) is a memorable summary of all that has gone before. ( . . . ) The will needs to be stirred. I need to be animated! Something needs to fire up my desire to act. I need inspiration. God, here, is implored to give our wills inspiration. Once inspired, we shall bring forth “the fruit of good works.”  ( . . . ) Stirred by the apprehension of being loved, the will brings forth the works of love. The consequence of such love that creates love is “plenteous rewarded.” This is the Gospel order: the love of Christ to needy sinners; the animating (or better, reanimating) effect of that love; the fruit of ethical loving which springs from the reanimated will; and the reward of that love-from-love, which is partial here and now and total in heaven” (119).

Saint Andrew the Apostle
[November 30]

Collect

ALMIGHTY God, who didst give such grace unto thy holy Apostle Saint Andrew, that he readily obeyed the calling of thy Son Jesus Christ, and followed him without delay; Grant unto us all, that we, being called by thy holy Word, may forthwith give up ourselves obediently to fulfil thy holy commandments; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 55.1-5

Psalter: Psalm 34

Epistle Reading: Romans 10.9-21

Gospel Reading: St. Matthew 4.18-22

Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Trinity - 2013

{Salve! Today our Order has donated $500 toward the relief effort in the Philippines. We sent a check to "Mission to the World" in the name of the Order (www.mtw.org). Remember, if you donate on your own in the name of the Order, to notify me and we will post it.}

The Twenty-fifth Sunday after Trinity. 

(from The Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany) 

Psalm 93

Dominus regnavit

1. THE Lord is King, and hath put on glorious apparel : the Lord hath put on his apparel, and girded himself with strength.
2. He hath made the round world so sure : that it cannot be moved.
3. Ever since the world began hath thy seat been prepared : thou art from everlasting.
4. The floods are risen, O Lord, the floods have lift up their voice : the floods lift up their waves.
5. The waves of the sea are mighty, and rage horribly : but yet the Lord, who dwelleth on high, is mightier.
6. Thy testimonies, O Lord, are very sure : holiness becometh thine house for ever.

The Collect.

O GOD, whose blessed Son was manifested that he might destroy the works of the devil, and make us the sons of God, and heirs of eternal life; Grant us, we beseech thee, that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves, even as he is pure; that, when he shall appear again with power and great glory, we may be made like unto him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where with thee, O Father, and thee, O Holy Ghost, he liveth and reigneth, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 66.1-2, 10, 12-16, 18-23
Psalter: Psalm 75, 138, 98 | 9, 76, 96
Epistle Reading: 1 John 3.1-8
Gospel Reading: St. Matthew 24.23-31

Massey Hamilton Shepherd Jr.: “This was probably composed by Bishop Cosin. It weaves together the first and second Advent themes of the Epistle and Gospel and is for the most part composed of phrases taken from these lessons. In His first coming our Lord broke the power of Satan over men’s lives both by His own victory over temptation and sin and by His many acts of driving from tormented human lives the demonic spirits that mastered them. In His final coming He shall break forever the possibility of evil assailing those who are ‘made like unto him in his eternal and glorious kingdom’” (“The Oxford American Prayer Book Commentary,” 118).

Twenty Fourth Sunday after Trinity - 2013

The Twenty-fourth Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 125

Qui confidunt

1. THEY that put their trust in the Lord shall be even as the mount Sion : which may not be removed, but standeth fast for ever.

2. The hills stand about Jerusalem : even so standeth the Lord round about his people, from this time forth for evermore.

3. For the rod of the ungodly cometh not into the lot of the righteous : lest the righteous put their hand unto wickedness.

4. Do well, O Lord : unto those that are good and true of heart.

5. As for such as turn back unto their own wickedness : the Lord shall lead them forth with the evil-doers; but peace shall be upon Israel.

The Collect.

O LORD, we beseech thee, absolve thy people from their offences; that through thy bountiful goodness we may all be delivered from the bands of those sins, which by our frailty we have committed: Grant this, O heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake, our blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen.

Old Testament Reading: Malachi 3.13-4.3

Psalter: Psalm 129, 130, 131 | 144, 145

Epistle Reading: Colossians 1.3-12

Gospel Reading: St. Matthew 9.18-26

Barbee and Zahl: “This prayer has two points of view, that of the victim and that of the victimizer. But the latter looms larger than the former. The petition is for the forgiveness of offenses committed. This is the primary request. But the prayer goes on to see us sinners as victims also, victims of compulsion: “ . . . the bands of all those sins which by our frailty we have committed.” Sins bind us, yet we commit sins because we are frail. The sequences of the human tragedy goes this way: Our frailty or need  leaves us open to temptation. When we fall, we become as it were imprisoned. Each sin is another brick in the wall, or what Jacob Marley in A Christmas Carol described as the links of the chain we wrought in life….For release to be accomplished, forgiveness is needed. Thus the prayer asks God to do the one thing sufficient to break the bondage. Father, forgive! ( . . . ) The Good News, then, is for the victimizers or sinners first, and for the victims or those sinned against second. ( . . . ) Victimizer and victim co-exist within every single human being. No self-righteousness allowed” (117)!

Twenty Third Sunday after Trinity - 2013

All Saints’ Day

The Collect

O almighty God, who hast knit together thine elect in one communion and fellowship, in the mystical body of thy Son Christ our Lord; Grant us grace so to follow thy blessed Saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those unspeakable joys, which thou hast prepared for them that unfeignedly love thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Twenty-third Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 124

Nisi quia Dominus

1. IF THE Lord himself had not been on our side, now may Israel say : if the Lord himself had not been on our side, when men rose up against us;

2. They had swallowed us up quick : when thy were so wrathfully displeased at us.

3. Yea, the waters had drowned us : and the stream had gone over our soul.

4. The deep waters of the proud : had gone even over our soul.

5. But praised be the Lord : who hath not given us over for a prey unto their teeth.

6. Our soul is escaped even as a bird out of the snare of the fowler : the snare is broken, and we are delivered .

7. Our help standeth in the Name of the Lord : who hath made heaven and earth.

The Collect.

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.

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 64.1-12

Psalter: Psalm 126, 127, 128 | 140, 141

Epistle Reading: Philippians 3.17-21

Gospel Reading: St. Matthew 22.15-22

Personal reflection (MWP): I love the compact power of this Collect. (1) God is our refuge and strength where we can run in times of trouble and find his protection (A quotation from Psalm 46.1); (2) “The author of all godliness” describes our God as the scriptwriter and originator of what piety looks like, and the source from which godliness flows (Philippians 2.12-13); (3) “Be ready … to hear the devout prayers of your Church.” The obvious sentiment is that God stands ready to hear us, as the Westminster Shorter Catechism 100 puts it: “What doth the preface of the Lord's prayer teach us? A. The preface of the Lord's prayer (which is, Our Father which art in heaven) teacheth us to draw near to God with all holy reverence and confidence, as children to a father, able and ready to help us; and that we should pray with and for others.”   (4) “grant that those things which we ask faithfully we may obtain effectually” is a great exposition of Jesus’ promise in John 14.13 (and other places), “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son."

The Twenty-Second Sunday after Trinity and the Commemoration of Saxa Ruba - 2013

The Twenty-second Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119.169-176

Appropinquet deprecatio

169. LET my complaint come before thee, O Lord : give me understanding, according to thy word.

170. Let my supplication come before thee : deliver me, according to thy word.

171. My lips shall speak of thy praise : when thou hast taught me thy statutes.

172. Yea, my tongue shall sing of thy word : for all thy commandments are righteous.

173. Let thine hand help me : for I have chosen thy commandments.

174. I have longed for thy saving health, O Lord : and in thy law is my delight.

175. O let my soul live, and it shall praise thee : and thy judgements shall help me.

176. I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost : O seek thy servant, for I do not forget thy commandments.

The Collect.

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.

Old Testament Reading: Numbers 20.14-29

Psalter: Psalm 123, 124, 125 | 136, 138

Epistle Reading: Philippians 1.3-11

Gospel Reading: St. Matthew 18.21-35

Barbee and Zahl: “…this Collect properly beseeches God for the godliness of the Church,  its protection from threat and disaster, and its ministry of devout service. ( . . . ) But there is a little more to it than that. The Church is the household of God (Ephesians 2:19). It is a family keeping company together. It is a family in operation, not theory. “Household” suggests activity, support, unity yet with plurality, focus yet variety; not oneness at the expense of manyness, nor manyness at the expense of oneness. Household suggests a clear direction yet with the necessary working on the part of all hands. We run parallel here with the somewhat more theological image of the Body of Christ. We receive from this Collect, then, a vision of the Christian Church as a oneness in motion and the manyness required for the ustaining of such motion. There is nothing static here, nor obdurate” (113).

27 October

The Victory at Saxa Ruba

Here is the link for the Collect and readings: http://orderofcenturions.org/ihsv.html

Twenty First Sunday after Trinity - 2013

The Twenty-first Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119.161-168

Principes persecuti sunt

161. PRINCES have persecuted me without a cause : but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.

162. I am as glad of thy word : as one that findeth great spoils.

163. As for lies, I hate and abhor them : but thy law do I love.

164. Seven times a day do I praise thee : because of thy righteous judgements.

165. Great is the peace that they have who love thy law : and they are not offended at it.

166. Lord, I have looked for thy saving health : and done after thy commandments.

167. My soul hath kept thy testimonies : and loved them exceedingly.

168. I have kept thy commandments and testimonies : for all my ways are before thee.

The Collect.

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

Old Testament Reading: Psalm 59.15b-21

Psalter: Psalm 120, 121, 122 | 133, 134, 135

Epistle Reading: Ephesians 6.10-20

Gospel Reading: St. John 4.46-54

Barbee and Zahl: “This Collect is sometimes used in the Church of England to replace the Absolution in Morning and Evening Prayer when those services are conducted by a lay reader. ( . . . ) The Collect asks for pardon and peace, with the incomparable result of “a quiet mind.” Freedom from the heavy dead hand of the past produces the opposite of anxiety. It produces tranquility, which in this case means no fear” (110-111).

The Twentieth Sunday after Trinity - 2013

The Twentieth Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119.153-160

Vide humilitatem

153. O CONSIDER mine adversity, and deliver me : for I do not forget thy law.

154. Avenge thou my cause, and deliver me : quicken me, according to thy word.

155. Health is far from the ungodly : for they regard not thy statutes.

156. Great is thy mercy, O Lord : quicken me, as thou art wont.

157. Many there are that trouble me, and persecute me : yet do I not swerve from thy testimonies.

158. It grieveth me when I see the transgressors : because they keep not thy law.

159. Consider, O Lord, how I love thy commandments : O quicken me, according to thy loving-kindness.

160. Thy word is true from everlasting : all the judgements of thy righteousness endure for evermore.

The Collect.

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 that though wouldest have done; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

{*the 1549 BCP has, “may with free hearts accomplish…”}

Old Testament Reading: Ecclesiastes 9.4-10

Psalter: Psalm 116, 117 | 118, 83

Epistle Reading: Ephesians 5.15-21

Gospel Reading: St. Matthew 22.1-14

Barbee and Zahl: “The mainspring of this prayer is the petition to be enabled to do what God wants us to do. Conversely, the petition is for us not to do what God wants us not to do. The issue or question, however, is how. How can we possibly aspire to do, let alone actually do, the right thing? ( . . . ) But the right thing may feel like the impossible thing, even the inconceivable thing. It may be a case of the hard right against the easy wrong. How can we hope to do it? The key phrase in the Collect is this: “with free hearts,” “that we may with free hearts accomplish…” Our doing right depends again – and this is the secret of the Prayer Book Collects – on a freedom that results from confident belovedness. Doing right is not the result of command. It does not issue from control. It is not a question of authority, headship, patriarchy, or submission. So far the Collect accords with the modern spirit of freedom. The deeper or universal accord, however, is with the New Testament: “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (II Corinthians 3:17; St. John 8:31-32). Put precisely, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love and of a sound mind” (II Timothy 1:7). Freedom, then, is the freedom which comes from God. The consequence of such freedom is, in the proper sense, free love, love without constraint, love not forced or pressured or bargained for. We have found and we know that such love is the fulcrum that moves the world” (109).

The Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity - 2013

The Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity

Psalm 119.145-152

Clamavi in toto corde meo

145 I CALL with my whole heart : hear me, O Lord, I will keep thy statutes.
146 Yea, even unto thee do I call : help me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.
147 Early in the morning do I cry unto thee : for in thy word is my trust.
148 Mine eyes prevent the night-watches : that I might be occupied in thy words.
149 Hear my voice, O Lord, according unto thy loving-kindness : quicken me, according as thou art wont.
150 They draw nigh that of malice persecute me : and are far from thy law.
151 Be thou nigh at hand, O Lord : for all thy commandments are true.
152 As concerning thy testimonies, I have known long since : that thou hast grounded them for ever.

The Collect

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.

(Note the change from the 1549 BCP: "O GOD, for asmuche as without thee, we are not able to please thee; Graunte that the workyng of thy mercie maye in all thynges directe and rule our heartes; Through Jesus Christ our Lorde.")

Old Testament: Job 24.1-17
Psalter: 114, 115 | 107, 70
Epistle: Ephesians 4.17-32
Gospel: St. Matthew 9.1-8

     Personal Reflections (MWP): The 1662 BCP expands the Collect to rightly identify our need for God to "mercifully grant that" his "Holy Spirit" would direct and rule our hearts in all things. Jesus promised his people that when he was glorified after his death and resurrection he (and the Father) would send the Spirit of truth who would lead his people into all truth, and who would testify of our Lord Jesus (John 14-16). We need God's guidance and direction. In many ways the Scriptures are like a topological map, describing the contours of the terrain, land marks, and camp sites. But without a compass to keep our bearings, we may easily get lost, misread our map and end up in a completely other place. When our Boy Scout troop was doing it's two week trek at Philmont Scout Ranch in 2012, we saw this exact thing happen. A troop from Manhattan got all turned around and went over 15 kilometers out of its way, because the navigator didn't use his compass. And so, correctly, we pray for the Father to send us the Holy Spirit who makes "the reading, but especially the preaching, of the Word, an effectual means of convincing and converting sinners, and of building them up in holiness and comfort, through faith, unto salvation" (Westminster Shorter Catechism 89).

     In 2 Corinthians 10.12-11.4, Paul notes that there are many shysters who are running around, attempting to woo God's people in other directions, getting them off the right trail. These fellows are all about "measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves" (10.12). The Apostle then brings this home to the Corinthians by exposing his fear that "the serpent" who "beguiled Eve through his subtility" might have corrupted their minds "from the simplicity that is in Christ" (11.3). This Collect becomes a medicinal dose for us. In it we acknowledge that we are prone to listen to all the wrong voices and might easily lose our way ("forasmuch as without thee we are not able to please thee"). We need God's merciful gift, the Holy Spirit, to come and direct us, rule us (and thus to sometimes overrule us) so that we stay on the right footpath. In fact we need him to do this from the inside out, "our hearts." As Solomon points out, "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life" (Proverbs 4.23). The goal of the Collect is that the Holy Spirit will guide and rule our hearts through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Jesus-focused Spirit will always guide us to Jesus, and through Jesus to the Father (Ephesians 2.18).

     How fitting is this Collect for the 21st Century Church, whether in North America, North Africa, or Northern Ireland! Now storms are brewing on the horizon, winds are picking up, dust is starting to fill the air and cloud our ability to see our direction clearly. Therefore we need our Father's merciful gift of the Holy Spirit. We need him to come, guide, rule and overrule our hearts through Jesus our Lord, so that we may become like the sons of Issachar, "which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do" (1 Chronicles 12.32).

     Let us pray:
     "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."

Mike

"The Age of the Martyrs is Now Upon Us" by James Kushiner

{From friends at "The Fellowship of St. James" and "Touchstone Magazine". A hugely important reminder}

The Age of the Martyrs 

is Now Upon Us

All Christians, in every place and at all times, are instructed by the Epistle to the Hebrews: "Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them; and those who are ill-treated, since you also are in the body." 13:3)

Writing in the Daily Beast, Kirsten Powers wonders why Christians seem either unaware or complacent about thepersecution of Christians TODAY in the Middle East. She writes:

In Syria, Christians are under attack by Islamist rebels and fear extinction if Bashar al-Assad falls. This month, rebels overran the historic Christian town of Maalula, where many of its inhabitants speak Aramaic, the language of Jesus. The AFP reported that a resident of Maalula called her fiancé's cell and was told by member [sic] of the Free Syrian Army that they gave him a chance to convert to Islam and he refused. So they slit his throat.

Syria is joined by Pakistan, where at least 78 Christians recently were killed in an attack on All Saints Church. These countries are not alone as the 21st century is proving to be another Age of Martyrs. Post 9-11, the persecution of Christians has become a force driving Christians out of the Middle East, beginning in Iraq, as Powers notes:

Nina Shea, an international human-rights lawyer and expert on religious persecution, testified in 2011 before Congress regarding the fate of Iraqi Christians, two-thirds of whom have vanished from the country. They have either been murdered or fled in fear for their lives. Said Shea: "[I]n August 2004 ... five churches were bombed in Baghdad and Mosul. On a single day in July 2009, seven churches were bombed in Baghdad ... The archbishop of Mosul, was kidnapped and killed in early 2008. A bus convoy of Christian students were violently assaulted. Christians ... have been raped, tortured, kidnapped, beheaded, and evicted from their homes ..."

This would explain why the majority of native Arabic speakers in the US are Christians, not Muslim.

The example above of the young man who was given a choice to convert to Islam or die is hardly unique, not in the 21st century or in modern times. As a reader of the Lives of the Saints, whenever I come across the term "new martyr" (which is often), I know there is a good chance I will be reading about another Greek executed by Ottoman Turks in the 18th or 19th centuries after refusing to convert to Islam.

So why are not Western Christians paying much attention? Actually, many conservative Christians are at least aware of persecution and report on it. You can find many sources on Christian persecution. Morning Star News is one that we use in Touchstone. Some Christians send relief, also, and recommend other actions, such asOpen Doors and Voice of the Martyrs.

But why no protests? Is that just not our style? What is our style? It should be our style, minimally, to "Remember those who are in prison...and those who are ill-treated..." So how do we "remember" them? Daily, beseeching God on their behalf. In our homes, in our churches, early, often, lest we forget. Paul ended his letter to the Christians to Colossae, "Remember my fetters." Let us pray, then, to God untiringly for our suffering brothers and sisters in Christ. Do not forget!

Yours for Christ, Creed & Culture,

James M. Kushiner

Executive Director, The Fellowship of St. James

PS. In case you didn't know, Touchstone has published regular updates, "The Suffering Church," for more than 20 years now, and while I wish we could stop for lack of news, that doesn't seem very likely. Alas.

The Feast of St. Michael and All Angels (with the Eighteenth Sunday After Trinity) - 2013

Saint Michael and All Angels

{29 September}

Psalm 113

Laudate, pueri

PRAISE the Lord, ye servants : O praise the Name of the Lord.

2. Blessed be the Name of the Lord : from this time forth for evermore.251 The Book of Common Prayer

3. The Lord’s Name is praised : from the rising up of the sun unto the going down of the same.

4. The Lord is high above all heathen and his glory above the heavens.

5. Who is like unto the Lord our God, that hath his dwelling so high : and yet humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven and earth?

6. He taketh up the simple out of the dust : and lifteth the poor out of the mire;

7. That he may set him with the princes : even with the princes of his people.

8. He maketh the barren woman to keep house : and to be a joyful mother of children.

Collect

Everlasting God, who hast ordained and constituted the services of Angels and men in a wonderful order; Mercifully grant that, as thy holy Angels alway do thee service in heaven so by thy appointment they may succour and defend us on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Old Testament Reading: Daniel 12.1-3

Psalter: Psalm 103

Epistle Reading: Revelation 12.7-12

Gospel Reading: St. Matthew 18.1-10

The Feast of St. Michael is the 10^th anniversary of our Order: http://orderofcenturions.org/history.html

In a double way, because the Feast of St. Michael is on the Lord’s Day, it is a good time to prayerfully reflect on our Vow we have taken: http://orderofcenturions.org/vow.html

Finally, here is the Prayer of the Order:

Almighty God, our sovereign Lord, who called Cornelius the Centurion to be the first Christian among the Gentiles, who healed the servant at Capernaum in accordance with the Centurion's great faith, and who inspired the Centurion at Calvary to glorify Jesus; strengthen us in our faith that we might follow their example to love, serve, and glorify you as faithful members of the Church Militant, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

-----

The Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity.

The Collect.

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

Old Testament Reading: Amos 8.4-12

Psalter: Psalm 111, 112 | 106, 69

Epistle Reading: 1 Corinthians 1.4-8(9)

Gospel Reading: St. Matthew 22.34-46

Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity - 2013

The Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119.129-136

Mirabilia

129. THY testimonies are wonderful : therefore doth my soul keep them.
130. When thy word goeth forth : it giveth light and understanding unto the simple.
131. I opened my mouth, and drew in my breath : for my delight was in thy commandments.
132. O look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me : as thou usest to do unto those that love thy Name.
133. Order my steps in thy word : and so shall no wickedness have dominion over me.
134. O deliver me from the wrongful dealings of men : and so shall I keep thy commandments.
135. Shew the light of thy countenance upon thy servant : and teach me thy statutes.
136. Mine eyes gush out with water : because men keep not thy law.

The Collect.

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.

*{In older English: “to be in readiness for (as an occasion)” “to meet and satisfy in advance” “to act ahead of” “to go or arrive before” - http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prevent}

Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 13.15-21
Psalter: Psalm 91, 92 | 105, 60
Epistle Reading: Ephesians 4.1-6
Gospel Reading: St. Luke 14.1-11

Barbee and Zahl: “Understanding this Collect turns on the simple fact that the verb “prevent” in the older English means “precede” in modern English. The prayer asks God to send His grace (i.e., unmerited favor) before us, in front of us as we travel our road, as well as behind us. It is the “pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night” (Exodus 13:21). ( . . . ) Without God having already gone before us, we would, as human beings in our own strength, face impossible odds. ( . . . ) What lies ahead of us, humanly speaking, is too uncertain, too hostile, too large, too callous, too cool, too hard, too impossible. The Collects emphasize the frailty of our case and the dangers in which we are perpetually set, circling the human being like sharks and vultures. If He were not going before us, not to mention covering our flanks, we would, in general, within ourselves, simply freeze” (103).

Feast of the Holy Cross and the Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity - 2013

For the Feast of the Holy Cross - 14 September:

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

The is a link on that page that will also take you to the history of the feast. Be sure to check it out.

The Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119.121-128

Feci judicium

121. I DEAL with the thing that is lawful and right : O give me not over unto mine oppressors.
122. Make thou thy servant to delight in that which is good : that the proud do me no wrong.
123. Mine eyes are wasted away with looking for thy health : and for the word of thy righteousness.
124. O deal with thy servant according unto thy loving mercy : and teach me thy statutes.
125. I am thy servant, O grant me understanding : that I may know thy testimonies.
126. It is time for thee, Lord to lay to thine hand : for they have destroyed thy law.
127. For I love thy commandments : above gold and precious stone.
128. Therefore hold I straight all thy commandments : and all false ways I utterly abhor.

The Collect.

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.

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 12
Psalter: Psalm 98, 99 | 89, 59
Epistle Reading: Ephesians 3.8-21
Gospel Reading: St. Luke 7.11-18

Barbee and Zahl: “The point to underline for us is the link between God’s pity and God’s cleansing. ( . . . ) “Pity” here, in the Collect for Trinity XVI, refers to God’s compassion, His disposition and temperament of mercy that is continual, unchanging. The idea is that this compassion has the potency to cleanse. We can liken it to that power of tenderly affectioned empathy for us in our need that is able to reduce us to tears. The empathy of another who truly loves me moves me. Christ’s pity on the Syrophoenician woman, the man born blind, pathetic Zacchaeus, Mary Magdalene, Bartimaeus at Jericho, me and you: This can touch us where we live. Being moved to tears and the emotional encounter of being loved in our real state cleanses us. Let His continual pity cleanse and defend us evermore” (101).
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For those of you who are interested, the is a link on my blog that will take you to a great book that you can now download for free: “The Church Impotent: The Feminization of Christianity” written by an astute Catholic author, Leon Podles. I read this book years ago and found it powerfully convincing, insightful, and truly helpful. http://mphilliber.blogspot.com/2013/09/download-great-book-for-free.html

Primus Pilus II
Mike

Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity - 2013

The Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119.113-120

Iniquos odio habui

113. I HATE them that imagine evil things : but thy law do I love.

114. Thou art my defence and shield : and my trust is in thy word.

115. Away from me, ye wicked : I will keep the commandments of my God.

116. O stablish me according to thy word, that I may live : and let me not be disappointed of my hope.

117. Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe : yea, my delight shall be ever in thy statutes.

118. Thou hast trodden down all them that depart from thy statutes : for they imagine but deceit.

119. Thou puttest away all the ungodly of the earth like dross : therefore I love thy testimonies.

120. My flesh trembleth for fear of thee : and I am afraid of thy judgements.

The Collect.

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.

Old Testament Reading: Deuteronomy 7.6-13

Psalter: Psalm 97, 98 | 79, 80

Epistle Reading: Galatians 6.11-18

Gospel Reading: St. Matthew 6.24-34

Barbee and Zahl: “”All things profitable to our salvation”: of what do these consist? ( . . . ) The things that profit us in this particularly Christian sense will be characterized by love, in which what-can-this-do-for-me will play less and less a part. Anything built on self-involvement and self-preoccupation contributes nothing to our salvation, which is our enduring relation to God. On the other hand, anything characterized by outward-seeking love enriches the saved self” (99).

Personal: For last Sunday evening, I wrote a pastoral prayer that reflects some of the sense of the above Collect, especially in light of what is going on in Syria and Egypt, and the church in those countries. You may find the prayer on my blog (follow the link). If you cannot use it in your church, maybe it would be beneficial in your private prayers. 

Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity - 2013

The Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119.105-112

Lucerna pedibus meis

105. THY word is a lantern unto my feet : and a light unto my paths.

106. I have sworn, and am stedfastly purposed : to keep thy righteous judgements.

107. I am troubled above measure : quicken me, O Lord, according to thy word.

108. Let the free-will offerings of my mouth please thee, O Lord : and teach me thy judgements.

109. My soul is always in my hand : yet do I not forget thy law.

110. The ungodly have laid a snare for me : but yet I swerved not from thy commandments.

111. Thy testimonies have I claimed as mine heritage for ever : and why? they are the very joy of my heart.

112. I have applied my heart to fulfil thy statutes alway : even unto the end.

The Collect.

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.

Old Testament Reading: Micah 6.1-8

Psalter: Psalm 84, 85 | 74

Epistle Reading: Galatians 5.16-24

Gospel Reading: St. Luke 17.11-19

Barbee and Zahl: “The Petition is for the “I want” to cohere with the “I ought.” As we have seen time after time in the Collects, the Law (i.e., “Thou shalt/shalt not”) does not precede moral improvement (i.e., love of neighbor). In other words, doing good does not make one become good. Rather, love creates a person who desires to do good. Law does not create Love. Love creates Law, or rather, Law-abidingness. The Collect asks God to make us people who wish and aspire to do good, from the heart, what God has already commanded us to do” (97).

William Cowper, “Love Constraining to Obedience,” 1779

“To see the Law by Christ fulfilled,
To hear His pardoning voice,
Changes a slave into a child
And duty into choice.”

Feast of St. Bartholomew and the Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity - 2013

Saint Bartholomew the Apostle

Psalm 115

Non nobis, Domine

1. NOT unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy Name give the praise : for thy loving mercy and for thy truth’s sake.
2. Wherefore shall the heathen say : Where is now their God?
3. As for our God, he is in heaven : he hath done whatsoever pleased him.
4. Their idols are silver and gold : even the work of men’s hands.
5. They have mouths, and speak not : eyes have they, and see not.
6. They have ears, and hear not : noses have they and smell not.
7. They have hands, and handle not; feet have they, and walk not : neither speak they through their throat.
8. They that make them are like unto them ; and so are all such as put their trust in them.
9. But thou, house of Israel, trust thou in the Lord : he is their succour and defence.
10. Ye house of Aaron, put your trust in the Lord : he is their helper and defender.
11. Ye that fear the Lord, put your trust in the Lord : he is their helper and defender.
12. The Lord hath been mindful of us, and he shall bless us : even he shall bless the house of Israel, he shall bless the house of Aaron.
13. He shall bless them that fear the Lord : both small and great.
14. The Lord shall increase you more and more : you and your children.
15. Ye are the blessed of the Lord : who made heaven and earth.
16. All the whole heavens are the Lord’s : the earth hath he given to the children of men.
17. The dead praise not thee, O Lord : neither all they that go down into silence.
18. But we will praise the Lord : from this time forth for evermore. Praise the Lord.

The Collect

O almighty and everlasting God, who didst give to thine Apostle Bartholomew grace truly to believe and to preach thy Word; Grant, we beseech thee, unto thy Church, to love that Word which he believed, and both to preach and receive the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Old Testament Reading: Deuteronomy 18.15-18
Psalter: Psalm 91
Epistle Reading: 1 Corinthians 4.9-15
Gospel Reading: St. Luke 22.24-30

Lesser Feasts and Fasts – 2006: “Bartholomew is one of the twelve Apostles known to us only by his being listed among them in the Gospels according to Matthew, Mark, and Luke. His name means “Son of Tolmai,” and he is sometimes identified with Nathanael, the friend of Philip, the “Israelite without guile” in John’s Gospel, to whom Jesus promised the vision of angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man. Nothing more is heard of him in the four Gospels. Some sources credit Bartholomew with having written a Gospel, whose existence was known to Jerome and Bede, but which is lost today. There is a tradition that Bartholomew traveled to India, and Eusebius reports that when Pantaenus of Alexandria visited India, between 150 and 200, he found there “the Gospel according to Matthew” in Hebrew, which had been left behind by “Bartholomew, one of the Apostles.” An ancient tradition maintains that Bartholomew was flayed alive at Albanopolis in Armenia” (354).

For a short historical piece regarding an event that happened on this day see my blog post.

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The Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity.

Quomodo dilexi!

97. LORD, what love have I unto thy law : all the day long is my study in it.
98. Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies : for they are ever with me.
99. I have more understanding than my teachers : for thy testimonies are my study.
100. I am wiser than the aged : because I keep thy commandments.
101. I have refrained my feet from every evil way : that I may keep thy word.
102. I have not shrunk from thy judgements : for thou teachest me.
103. O how sweet are thy words unto my throat : yea, sweeter than honey unto my mouth.
104. Through thy commandments I get understanding : therefore I hate all evil ways.

The Collect.

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.

***N.B. there are some serious changes from the 1549 to the 1662. Here is the 1549: “ALMYGHTIE and mercyfull God, of whose onely gifte it cometh that thy faythfull people doe unto thee true and laudable service; graunte we beseche thee, that we may so runne to thy heavenly promises, that we faile not finally to attayne the same; through Jesus Christe our Lorde.”

Old Testament Reading: Deuteronomy 24.10-22
Psalter: Psalm 81, 82 | 73
Epistle Reading: Galatians 3.16-22
Gospel Reading: St. Luke 10.23-37

Barbee and Zahl: “Another ancient Collect (found both in the Leonine and Gelasian Sacramentaries) to which Archbishop Cranmer added the word “only.” This prayer could be entitled “Basic Christianity.” Our ability to give God laudable (i.e., praiseworthy) service is entirely dependent upon his grace – at every step of our Christian life. The revisers of 1662 altered the ending so forcefully that it changed the meaning” (94).

Twelfth Sunday after Trinity - 2013

The Twelfth Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119.89-96

In aeternum. Domine

89. O LORD, thy word : endureth for ever in heaven.

90. Thy truth also remaineth from one generation to another : thou hast laid the foundation of the earth, and it abideth.

91. They continue this day according to thine ordinance : for all things serve thee.

92. If my delight had not been in thy law : I should have perished in my trouble.

93. I will never forget thy commandments : for with them thou hast quickened me.

94. I am thine, O save me : for I have sought thy commandments.

95. The ungodly laid wait for me to destroy me : but I will consider thy testimonies.

96. I see that all things come to an end : but thy commandment is exceeding broad.

(***N.B. I was delighted when Primus Pilus I, Mark, directed me to this link and I found that the 1549 BCP actually put a psalm portion with the Collect:

http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bcp/1549/Readings_TrinityB_1549.htm#12 Trinity)

The Collect.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who art always more ready to hear than we are 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 us those good things which we are not worthy to ask, but through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord. Amen.

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 29.18-24

Psalter: Psalm 76, 77 | 71, 72

Epistle Reading: 2 Corinthians 3.1-9

Gospel Reading: St. Mark 7.31-37

Barbee and Zahl: “Taken from the Sacramentary of Leo and revised by Gelasius, this prayer was altered in 1662. ( . . . ) 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.” The thought of our own just deserts is balanced by the merits of the Redeemer. ( . . . ).

       This Collect is a treasure chest, truly overflowing, of uplifting insights drawn from our religion: 

·         God is more ready to hear us than we are to pray. We pray too little, too timorously, and too pallidly. We seldom pray for what we really need and while we are unceasingly preoccupied with our perceived needs, we simply pray too seldom! ( . . . ). 

·         God wills to give us more than we want and certainly more than we deserve. ( . . . ) On the one hand, He wants to do more for us, in our impoverished frangibility*, than we can conceive. On the other hand, He wants to do good to us rather than judge us according to our deservings. ( . . .).

·         We ask Him to forgive us the things that weigh on our conscience and cause us to fear to look Him in the eye. ( . . . ). 

·         We ask Him to give us what we cannot even imagine asking Him to give us. ( . . . )” (92-3).

* “Frangibile adj. breakable; fragile” (Oxford American Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus, Second American Edition, 2002).

Eleventh Sunday after Trinity - 2013

The Eleventh Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 103

Benedic, anima mea

( . . . )

8. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy : long-suffering, and of great goodness.

9. He will not alway be chiding : neither keepeth he his anger for ever.

10. He hath not dealt with us after our sins : nor rewarded us according to our wickednesses.

11. For look how high the heaven is in comparison of the earth : so great is his mercy also toward them that fear him.

12. Look how wide also the east is from the west : so far hath he set our sins from us.

13. Yea, like as a father pitieth his own children : even so is the Lord merciful unto them that fear him.

( . . . )

The Collect.

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

{***Cranmer’s 1549 version: “O GOD, who declarest thy almighty power most chiefly in shewing mercy and pity; Mercifully grant unto us abundantly  thy grace, that we, running to thy promises, may be made partakers of thy heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”***}

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 26.12-19

Psalter: Psalm 63, 64 | 54, 55

Epistle Reading: 1 Corinthians 15.1-11

Gospel Reading: St. Luke 18.9-14

Barbee and Zahl: “The prayer discloses an insight concerning God’s character which is of great importance. God is said here to declare His almighty power most chiefly in showing mercy and pity. This gets to the heart of the Gospel question. It is a question to which our blessed Reformers gave their absolute all (and sometimes their bodies to be burned) in seeking to hear the answer: Is God primarily wrathful or is He primarily gracious (i.e., merciful)? More precisely, is God going to estimate me according to my deservings (Heaven forbid, at least if I am honest!) or according to  some other standard of undeserved compassion? What, at the end of the day – at the end of my days – is God like? This prayer makes the unambiguous and quite un-complex assertion that God demonstrates power primarily in pity. This is too much for my “natural man.” Yet I ache for it through every fibre. In an age when power and the acquisition (and abuse) of it is understood as the motivating force in human affairs – and every age, in fact, has marched somewhat to that devilish tune – this prayer stands in mighty contrast. It asserts a breathtaking alternative. God shows His power not chiefly in earthquake, fire, flood, nor in the starry sky and earth beneath, nor in signs and wonders; but in pity” (91).

The Tenth Sunday after Trinity and the Transfiguration of Christ (6 August) - 2013

The Tenth Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 37

Noli aemulari

( . . . )

4. Delight thou in the Lord : and he shall give thee thy heart’s desire.

5. Commit thy way unto the Lord, and put thy trust in him : and he shall bring it to pass.

( . . . )

The Collect.

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

Old Testament Reading: Lamentations 1.1-12

Psalter: Psalm 61, 62 | 48, 49

Epistle Reading: 1 Corinthians 12.1-11

Gospel Reading: St. Luke 19.41-46

Barbee and Zahl: “An important insight concerning prayer exists at the heart of this petition. But the insight is a hard saying. ( . . . ) It is about praying according to the Word of God and not contrary to it. On more than one occasion, this writer has heard the outpourings of a sincere Christian who is praying for God to give him something that the Word expressly denies. For example, someone asks God to give him a new wife or husband other than the one who already exists. Sometimes the one praying has a specific third party in mind! Or a person longs to be living an entirely different life, virtually in a different body and mind, than the life he or she is able to live. But God has given what He has given. Do not call unclean what God has called clean (Acts 10:15) and vice-versa! This Collect invites s to pray for those changes and transformations in our lives that accord with righteousness, which we see explicit both in the Law (i.e., the Ten Commandments) and the Gospel (i.e., the Life of Christ Jesus). Believe me, that gives us plenty of scope for our prayers (89)!

The Transfiguration of Christ
August 6

Psalm 16

Conserva me, Domine

( . . . )

10. Wherefore my heart was glad, and my glory rejoiced : my flesh also shall rest in hope.

11. For why? thou shalt not leave my soul in hell : neither shalt thou suffer thy Holy One to see corruption.

12. Thou shalt shew me the path of life; in thy presence is the fulness of joy : and at thy right hand there is pleasure for evermore.

( . . . )

The Collect

O GOD, who on the mount didst reveal to chosen witnesses thine only-begotten Son wonderfully transfigured, in raiment white and glistering; Mercifully grant that we, being delivered from the disquietude of this world, may be permitted to behold the King in his beauty, who with thee, O Father, and thee, O Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen.

Epistle Reading: 2 Peter 1.13-18

Gospel Reading: St. Luke 9.28-36

Philippians 3.20-21: “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”