O Lord we beseech thee, mercifully hear our prayers, and, having set us free from the bonds of sin, defend us from all evil, through ...

Latin original Collect:

Preses nostras, quaesumus Domine, clementer exaudi, atque a peccatorum vinculis absolutos, ab omni nos adversitate custodi, per.

--Gregorian Sacramentary

Introit: Be thou my strong Rock…
Ps. In thee O Lord do I put my trust..
Epistle: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 Though I speak with...
Gradual: Thou are the God that doest wonders…
Gospel: Luke 18:31-43 Then he took unto him the twelve...

See it all here
http://www.archive.org/stream/commonserviceb00unknuoft#page/n74/mode/2up

Another translation:

Our Governor, we beseech thee Lord, graciously hear us, from the bonds of our sins deliver us, and keep us from all adversity, through.

Again, I was reminded of Luther's Bondage of the Will. There are many who go about these days with the notion that there is no such thing as evil, and that bondage to it is an illusion. There is a recent news story in America of a man in bondage to pornography and molestation. That evil bondage culminated in a several murders.

http://www.newsmakertoday.com/josh-powell-say-i-have-a-surprise-before-he-kill-and-burn-his-children/3461.html

Don't be fooled. Evil is ubiquitous in our world. This very medium of the Internet, upon which you are likely reading this collect-reflection, has allowed the world wide web to become a worldwide network of evil where every type of perversion is freely practiced and which enslaves humans to unnatural lusts. Hollywood panders evil with new releases of vampires, chain-saw massacres, unbridled sin and lust -- you just about have to have an "R" rating to make it in the box office receipts these days.

What shall we do?

Seek protection from God, pray, and keep praying for your own protection and for those who are in bondage. Don't surrender to those who declare the bondage as just a normal condition. You and I both know better. It is destructive not only to the person in bondage to sin, but to all those who interact with them. Drugs, pornography, violence, hatred, stealing, bickering and backbiting, unhealthy and abnormal practices -- all are a marks of sin to one degree or another as they depart from what is good, and beautiful, and in God's order that he has laid out for us.

We hear a lot about various social, psychological, and therapy programs, most of which have very poor success rates. Often folk go into these programs and "graduate" only to soon fall back under the bondage. So it was with a music star this week. Whitney Houston, who began her musical journey in a church choir, and ended it in an early death due principally to poor health from abuse of drugs. Everyone is subject to these temptations. So what is a person to do? Let us look at our collect for some idea.

"Preses nostras, quaesumus Domine"
-- Our Governor, Lord

First, acknowledge Jesus of Nazareth as God's Messiah, the Christ, the Lord. Know that he is the Anointed one who was sent into the world to gather his own and deliver them from the bondage of sin and its consequences, to include eternal death. Humbly accept his sovereignty. Invite him to rule in your heart. Surrender your will to his. In every way be subject to him as King. Paul 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." [Romans 10:9]

"clementer exaudi"
-- Mercifully hear us

Second, call on your Lord in prayer. Those with who Jesus abides have no fear. The Holy Ghost within them prays continuously for them in groans that are known to God Almighty. With your lips and heart pray to God through Jesus your King for those things you need, and believe that God will give those good things that are helpful for you. Jesus said, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" [Matthew 7:11]

"atque a peccatorum vinculis absolutos"
-- the bonds of our sins

Third, recognize, pray for, and through hope and faith come to realize that the Great Physician is the only power that can release you from the bonds of sin that ensnare mankind. It is our curse in this life through the sin of the one man Adam that we fall prey to this cursed evil, and it is the will of God through Jesus Christ that by his power sin is defeated, death is defeated, we are made free indeed, the bonds are broken, and our will is bound to his goodness. Paul wrote, "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous." [Romans 5:19], and Jesus said, "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." [John 8:36]

"ab omni nos adversitate custodi"
-- keep us from all adversity

Finally ask for protection. Our Lord never promised a rose garden for his followers. He never promised or even intimated that they would be delivered from earthly woes -- quite the opposite. That is a false Gospel pandered by false teachers of prosperity. God did promise that the elect would be delivered from evil, forever. Paul clearly identified that evil. He wrote, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" [Ephesians 6:12]. Who is our champion, our protector? Jesus said, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand." [John 10:27-29.]

In the ancient tradition, today's epistle is 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. In it, Paul clearly identifies those three great spiritual virtues that will aid us in our journey: Faith [in the Lord Jesus Christ], Hope [in his promise and our end state], and Charity [Love of God first, and our neighbor as ourselves].

In the appointed Gospel the blind beggar mercifully beseeched Jesus to heal him, and knowing the man's heart, Jesus said to him, " Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee". [Luke 18:42]. It is faith and faith alone that God responds to as he breaks the bonds of sin and keeps his own in this world and the next.

These lesson from Paul relate to our collect today. Read them all at the link above. See an homily of Chrysostom on a parallel gospel account of the healing here
http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/quinquagesima.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

Sexagesima Sunday MMXII

God, who seest that we put not our trust in anything that we do; mercifully grant that we may be defended against all -- by the protection of  the Apostle of the Gentiles, per ...

--Latin original Collect:

Deus qui conspicus quia ex nulla nostra actione confidimus: concede propitius, ut contra adversa omnia doctoris gentium protectione muniamur, per...

--Gelesian Sacramentary

Introit: Awake why sleepest thou, O Lord…

Ps. We have heard with our ears..

Epistle: 2Cor 11:19-12:9 For ye suffer fools gladly…me.

Gradual: Let the nations know that thy name is Jehovah…..

Gospel: Luke 8:4-15 And when much people were gathered…patience.

 

See it all here

 http://www.archive.org/stream/commonserviceb00unknuoft#page/n74/mode/2up

This collect was translated in the Reformed Book of Common Prayer and the Lutheran Service manual as

O Lord God, who seest that we put not our trust in any thing that we do; Mercifully grant that by thy power we may be defended against all adversity; through…

 -- BCP - Lutheran reformed version

This is the longest Pauline epistle in any of the Sunday propers, and so mentioning Paul in this collect may have been a way to recognize Paul's perils. In the epistle, Paul described his persecutions, which he met at every occasion. As he was protected, so may we be. Paul did not glory in his resilience against his adversities, but rather in his infirmities and in Christ Jesus his Lord (2Cor 12:9) 

Here is a link to a portion of a homily on this passage by Chrysostom.

http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/sexagesima.html#homily

Deus qui conspicus quia ex nulla nostra actione confidimus

God is all seeing, all knowing. There is nothing that he does not know. There is no hiding place from his observation. If you ascended into heaven; he is there. If you descended into the depths of the dead; he is there (Ps. 139:8). Nothing is hidden, and all will be revealed (1Cor 3:13).  God also knows in whom we put our trust.  "Trust in God" is our motto, written large on our money. But do we really?

In what do we trust? 

Beware of those who preach a "prosperity Gospel" which is no Gospel at all.  Do not trust in that.  

Beware of the "snake-oil salesmen" pretending to be God's ministers on religious television channels and networks who give false prophesies, perform fake healings, and bid you send them your money or to buy their worthless trinkets. Do not trust in that. 

Beware of a "peace, justice, and inclusion Gospel" that would replace our Savior with the latest social agenda and political action.  Do not trust in that.  

Rather, trust in Jesus. Trust in his eternal promise.  Trust in his presence that brings his heavenly peace in the midst of strife, fear, and anguish.  Trust in his law to be a lamp unto your feet to guide you through this life of woe.  Renounce every thought that salvation is based upon what you do, and acknowledge that it is based solely on the work of God.  It is a gift, never earned through our efforts, but accepted by his elect when offered -- and manifested through faith that saves. Fully rely on God.

 concede propitius, ut contra adversa omnia doctoris gentium protectione muniamur, per...

This trust and faith is the gift that provides a ready defense against the wiles of the adversary and assaults of this world. Paul's protection is solicited from God in the collect, and what that protection may truly imply is an understanding and emulation of Paul's source of protection. We do well to heed his encouragement to the Ephesians of how we are to prepare for adversity: with a shield of faith, a belt of truth, an helmet of salvation, a breatplate of righteousness, the sword of the Spirit, and feet shod with the Gospel, strengthened to carry forth Jesus' commission to make disciples of all men.  (Ephesians 6:10-18)

In prior years, I had the responsibility to prepare young men for commission and evaluate them through small unit tactical training. They executed what are currently known as Pre-Combat Checks (PCC) before departing on a mission.  Every man was checked by another for his personal armor, weapons, equipment, and knowledge of the mission and commander's intent. All were checked, from the Platoon Commander to the rifleman.  These pre-combat checks remind me of Paul's admonition and his personal preparation for combat to withstand his foes. We would do well to conduct our own PCCs for ourselves and our neighbor in this day.

 

Read Paul's letter and understand his struggle in this world against all manner of evil.  He withstood all – survived all -- until he was called home to his rest. He forever stood firm in the faith, with his boast in God and in his suffering for Christ.

 

Read the Gospel.  Pray that you might be like the seed that fell in the good earth, that grew strong and returned an hundred fold to the Master. Depend on God's promises and presence in every endeavor. Pray that God will forever abide with you so the devil cannot pluck away, and the cares of this world cannot choke out the love of God in Christ Jesus.

  

semper paratus

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

Septuagesima MMXII

The Collect

 

O LORD, we beseech thee favourably to hear the prayers of thy people; that we, who are justly punished for our offences, may be mercifully delivered by thy goodness, for the glory of thy Name; through…

 

Latin original Collect:

 

Preces populi tui quaesumus Domine, clementer exaudi, ut qui iuste pro peccatis nostris affligimur, pro tui nominis gloria misericorditer liberemur, per...

--Gelesian Sacramentary

 

Introit: The sorrows of death compassed me…

Ps. I will love thee O Lord my strength: the Lord is my Rock…

Epistle: 1Cor 9:24-10:5  Know ye not that they which run …

Gradual: The Lord also will be a refuge in times of trouble…

Gospel:  Matt 20:1-16  For the kingdom of heaven is like unto...

 

See it all here

 http://www.archive.org/stream/commonserviceb00unknuoft#page/n71/mode/2up

 

This marks the beginning of the season of Pre-Lent. Septuagesima Sunday it has been called for millennia. This is the 70^th (Septuagesima) 7^th "decade" before Easter. It is to be followed sequentially by Sexagesima (60) Quinquagesima (50) and finally Lent itself – Quadragesima (40).  Of course these are not exact counts, but rather round numbers that were helpful to the folk to use. The names helped to prepare them for the coming fast and penitence associated with Lent.  This was also the period in the very early church when the catechumens were prepared for Baptism through intense study of the Gospel, and memorization of the Lord's Prayer, the Commandments, and the Creed.

 

Our collect is striking in its turn for this season from those of Epiphany as it focuses on sin, punishment, and pardon.  It very much helps to turn our focus for the coming Lent.  It was customary for the folk to begin to consider their predicament, and on the eve or day of Ash Wednesday, the 40^th regular day before Easter (Sundays excepted), to make their humble confession and receive absolution from their priest.

 

The collect makes an acknowledgement as well that God is just in punishing us for our sins. The priest prayed, "ut qui iuste pro peccatis nostris affligimur" I can imagine that he bid them to silently consider their thoughts, words, and deeds that deserved God's judgment, before collecting their prayers. 

 

Next though, we have the good news.  Even though we deserve punishment, God has given us deliverance from death through his son, for the Glory of his name.  That is good news indeed, and it is the theme that our Lord put forth in the Gospel story of the householder who justified all who answered his call.

 

There is another part of today's lesson that the folk had to grapple with as do we, and that is the admonition from Paul in 1^st Corinthians.  Not all that are in the Church ought to go about thinking that their race is won – No!  Paul makes it clear that diligence and duty are in order in this life.  We must run the way of the Commandments, or we may find ourselves as many of the ancient Israelites did in the Wilderness – expelled, abandoned, and condemned.  However, Paul said he ran that race with all confidence in the outcome.

 

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 after the Epiphany MMXII

The Collect

 

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 protection, as may support us in all dangers, and carry us through all temptations; through ...

 

Latin original Collect:

 

Deus, quis nos in tantis periculis constitutos, pro humana scis fragilitate non posse subsistere: da nobis salutem mentis et corporis: utea, quae pro peccatis nostris patimur, te adjuvante vincamus, per...

--Gelesian Sacramentary

  

Introit:  Worship him all ye his angles: Zion heard and was glad….

Epistle:  Romans 13:23-27  Owe no man anything, but to love…

Gradual: So the heathen shall fear the name of the Lord…

Gospel:  Matthew 8: 23-27  And when he entered into a ship…

 

See it all here

 http://www.archive.org/stream/commonserviceb00unknuoft#page/n69/mode/2up

 

This translation is like the Anglican 1662, differing only with the "Almighty" where the Anglican uses "O" – There is no "Almighty" used in the Latin.  Here is Strodash's translation:

 

God, who knowest that because of our human frailty we are not able to stand amid the so many perils surround us: Grant us health of mind and body that those things which we suffer because of our sins, thou aid us, we may conquer, through….

 

Here is Cranmer's version

 

GOD, which knowest us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers, that for man's frailness, we cannot always stand uprightly; Grant to us the health of body and soul that all those things which we suffer for sin, by thy help we may pass and overcome, through Christ our Lord. Amen

The collect is similar to the 3^rd Sunday after Epiphany, which attributed to God the knowledge our human weakness.  We admit that we are not able to stand alone against all the perils that surround us. Here we speak of actual physical dangers-not only the spiritual. This collect is directly related to the Gospel account, where Jesus entered the ship, slept, and a great storm arose on the Galilee and threatened the very lives of the Apostles. The waves dashed the little ship about; water flooding the deck.  The Apostles feared for their lives. They expected the little ship would be broken up, and they all would perish.  They called upon Jesus to save them, and he stilled the waters. However, before he did so, he admonished them saying, "Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?"

 

This collect also has a bearing upon events of the day. It appeared in Gregory's Sacramentary on Lenten Ember Saturday. Gregory lived in a very troubled time for the Roman Empire, and one can imagine how he who prayed this collect was aware of the nearness of danger from the foes of Rome.

 

How does this collect speak to you today?  Consider human nature.  We all are subject to the assaults of the world and the devil. We sometimes follow our weaknesses into situations and behaviors we regret. Paul wrote to the Romans, "For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.  For that which I do, I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. " [Romans 7:14-15]

 

Human weakness is the cause, it is the reason, but it is no excuse.  There is a way. Paul said, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." [1 Cor 10:13

 

But we do in fact fail. The judge, the policeman, the minister, the mother and father, we all fail. We may aim for that which is holy, and live with an objective of piety, holiness, and righteousness in our thoughts, words, and deeds day in day out – minute by minute, but we all fail sometime,  and all suffer the consequences.  We are not God. He has not perfected us in this world.  So we confess our sins and ask God to forgive us, be patient with us, support us, and help us to overcome the evil of the day with the good he has commanded. We wish to abide with him, and endeavor to follow his commandments, and finally, day by day, we pray:

 

"Forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil…"

[Luke 11:4]

 

Finis

 

Some may like to contemplate today's Gospel and the collect with this great hymn adopted by the Royal and US Navy  - Eternal Father Strong to Save  -- with lyrics:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QREAaIXJjs

 

(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 introit and gradual appointed are the same as the Third Sunday after the Epiphany.

--
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 after the Epiphany -- MMXII

A Collect Study

The Collect

 

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our infirmities, and in all our dangers and necessities stretch forth thy right hand of thy Majesty to help and defend us; through ...

 

Latin original Collect:

 

Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, infirmitatem nostram propitius respice, atque ad protegendum nos dextram tuea maiestatis extende, per...

--Gelesian Sacramentary

 

Introit:  Worship him all ye his angles: Zion heard and was glad….

Epistle:  Romans 12-16-21  Be not wise in your own conceits…

Gradual: So the heathen shall fear the name of the Lord…

Gospel:  Matthew 8: 1-13  When he was come down from the mountains…

 

See it all here

 http://www.archive.org/stream/commonserviceb00unknuoft#page/n69/mode/2up

 

The above translation/paraphrasing of Cranmer from 1549 as rendered in the old Lutheran Common Service Book. Strodash renders it thus:

Almighty, Everlasting God, consider graciously our infirmity and also stretch forth the right hand of thy Majesty for our protection: through the Lord.

This collect refers directly to the appointed Gospel. In 1928 the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States of America replaced this Gospel of Matthew with one from John on the marriage feast in Cana on this Sunday, thereby breaking with the traditional accompanying Gospel since at least the 6^th century, and breaking the connection between the collect and the Gospel.  The same sort of things may occur with other churches that have adopted a common three-year lectionary of Sunday readings that presents readings that do not align with the original collect, which collect may have been retained for that Sunday.  As I have written previously, the collect was a means of bringing the lessons and prayers of the people together by the minister.  It seems rather sad that the connections are broken in some places.

 

The Gospel scene is one of Jesus coming down from the Sermon on the Mount where he had just preached the Beatitudes (e.g.,  "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven"  etc.) [Matt 5:1-12].  A poor leper approached him, worshiped him, and said, "Lord if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean". Perhaps he had taken to heart the words he had heard when Jesus taught, "Ask and it shall be given you…for every one that asketh receiveth…" [Matt 7:7]

 

Now we can recall that lepers were normally to stay at a distance from any that were healthy so as not to spread the disease, yet this one came forward. Jewish law directed that no man should touch that which was unclean, and all lepers were considered most unclean [Leviticus 15:31].  Did our Lord rebuke him? Did the Great Physician send him on his way?  No, rather he made that which he had just preached practical ,by showing mercy and healing the "infirmities" of the man.  

 

And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, "I will, be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed."

 

We see that for the purpose of healing and comfort, and possibly demonstration, the law regarding touching of one considered unclean notwithstanding, Jesus made the beatitude practical. What better demonstration could there be? I wonder if it was Providence that the leper presented himself at that particular time and place. 

 

The reader may note two things here: Firstly, Jesus has spoken his command in saying "I will."  It is clear here that he has not asked God the Father to accomplish the healing but has done so by his own power.  Secondly, he actually touched the leper, breaking Jewish law and custom, and concomitant with that touch he accomplished that which he purposed.  He did not need to touch the leper, but he did so.  I think we can imagine why he accomplished this healing in the manner he did, as opposed to other healings which he accomplished by word alone. Immediately following this healing of the leper in today's Gospel, is the healing of the Centurion's servant in Capernaum, where our Lord healed by his word alone (at the request of the Centurion)  Following that event, he continued to heal many: Peter's mother-in-law and many others who were possessed [Matt 8:14-17]

  

 "stretched forth thy right hand" - So reads the collect.

 

Finally, we note that the collect calls for God's right hand. In scripture one finds the right hand (Hb. yamiyn) used in "righteous" work ( e.g., Psalms 17-7 for salvation).  The Gospel does not say "right hand" in this account, only hand (Gr. khire); but it was custom to offer the right hand as a sign of righteousness.  The word also has the sense of 'stretch forth thy power" and it is used in a prayer for our soldiers*.  The 'right hand' may be seen today in many instances in church tradition. I think of the ancient customs of holy communion, where the minister takes the consecrated bread in his right hand and places it in the right hand of the communicant.  Also in the practice of "Unction", prayers for the sick in accordance with James' epistle, where the ministers stretch forth their hands as a sign of the intent of the minister in calling on God to heal the supplicant's infirmities. When they stretch forth their hand and touch and anoint with oil, tradition calls for the "right" hand. Following this divine source and ecclesiastical tradition, the use of the right hand is a practice also observed in the secular world: the king's unction for coronations, knighting, military salute, presidential inaugurations, and all manner of official oaths to truth before God.

 

This is another place in Scripture where our Lord has fulfilled the Law in a new way formerly not understood by the people.  He demonstrated that his acts and words had the force of establishing and refining laws and customs as he came with the authority of God, and was God, and is God, indeed.

Our infirmities are not only physical. Consider the epistle appointed for the day. In Romans 12:16-21, Paul encourages his listeners to live in peace and love with their neighbors, forbearing one another.  May our Lord continue to work through the Spirit that is within his elect to lead them in their journey to become the image of himself.

 

"Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesees"

[Matt 8:17]

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

 [1928 BCP]

 

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

Second Sunday after Epiphany MMXII - Collect Study

The Collect

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who dost govern all things in heaven and earth; Mercifully hear the supplications of thy people, and grant us thy peace all the days of our life; through..  

Latin original Collect:

Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, qui coelestia simul et terrena moderaris, supplicationes populi tui clementer exaudi, et pacem tuam nostris concede temporibus, per..
--Gelesian Sacramentary

Introit:  All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee, O God.….
Epistle:  Romans 12-6-16.  Having then gifts differing according to the grace given..
Gradual: He sent his Word and heald them; and delivered them from their destruction…
Gospel:  John 2: 1-11  And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee…

See it all here
http://www.archive.org/stream/commonserviceb00unknuoft#page/n67/mode/2up

This translation is that of Cranmer and also appears in the Lutheran book of worship and captures superbly the intent of the Latin original from the 6th century

It is similar to last Sunday's collect, in that it asks for God to receive our prayers. In this case it asks for peace in our time, whereas last week the petition was that God would show us his desire and give us the strength to do it.

The form of the petition may remind one of  Psalm 102:  "Hear my (our) prayer O Lord, and let my (our) cry come unto thee" which is often used as part of a litany of prayer.  

The attributes given to God are Almighty and Everlasting, for he is certainly both.  He is beyond all power in our comprehension, able to create the vast universe and the smallest particle.  He is everlasting being the Alpha and Omega. There never was a time that he wasn't God in Trinity,

These two attributes are now brought together to show that he constantly commands all that is, heaven and earth. He is the great Sustainer.  There is nothing that is beyond his sovereign command, and there never shall be.

Finally, the collect petitions for that which only God can give: true peace. We are comforted by the words and promise of our Lord Jesus Christ who said,

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

The traditional epistle appointed for this Sunday continues the reading from last Sunday in Roman's 12.  See a homily by Chrysostom here:
http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/epiphany2_chrysostom_romans_xii_4.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]

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The First Sunday after Epiphany MMXII - Collect Study

The Collect

O LORD, we beseech thee mercifully to receive the prayers of thy people who call upon thee; and grant that they may both perceive and know what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to fulfil the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Latin original Collect:

Voto, quaesumus Domine, supplicantis populi tui coelesti pietate prosequere ut et quea agenda sunt, videant et ad 

implenda auae viderit, convalescat, per Dominnum.

--Gelesian Sacramentary

 

Introit:  I saw the Lord, sitting upon a throne: high and lifted up….

Epistle:  Romans 12: 1-5   I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God…

Gradual:  Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wonders…

Gospel:  Luke 2:41-52  Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast …

See it all here

 http://www.archive.org/stream/commonserviceb00unknuoft#page/n65/mode/2up

This English translation of the proper collect that is used in the Lutheran worship manual is the same as Cranmer's translation found in the Book of Common Prayer.

I offer below a translation which I hope serves to bring it closer to the original Latin, and to include some of the interpretation offered by Strodach.  

Vow, we beseech thee O Lord, to receive the humble and celestial supplications of thy people who sincerely call upon  thee, so that the things that should be done may be seen, and strength may be given to perform the same;  through our Lord…

Consider this prayer in the light of the historic epistle of Paul to the Romans, which has traditionally accompanied it on the 1st Sunday after the Epiphany.  Paul calls on his listeners to a reasonable service to God. But how? "By the mercies of God".  In other words, it is only by God's grace that man can see clearly the way ahead,--to know what things he ought to do, and then through the power of God's grace strengthening him, to do those things.  Paul says "therefore" meaning because of what I told you.  In the chapter preceding Paul wrote of the great gift of the calling and election that had been extended to the Gentiles not on account of their works, but  by grace. He said, "And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work"

I have mentioned before the writing of Augustine that so much is akin to this collect and Paul's epistles. Augustine wrote: "Give, O Lord, what thou commandest, and then command what thou wilt." [Confessions:] and of his defense of the faith against the heretic Pelagius. 

This past week was the Sacrementarum of the Order. Some of us rehearsed the Vow of the Order, which acknowledges 

that it is through the aid of the Holy Ghost that we will be able to obey the Commandments and the Summary of the Law, follow the Rule of the Order, and fear God and do what is right.  That vow, this collect, and the Gospel preached by our Lord and his Apostle are in one accord. On the Order's Vow page, today's collect has stood for many years:

O LORD, we beseech thee mercifully to receive the prayers of thy people who call upon thee; and grant that they may both perceive and know what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to fulfil the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Homily and propers from the OC here

http://www.orderofcenturions.org/documents/epiphany1.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

 

[1] Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers (1895) Quotes reported in Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert, Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers (1895). 

Also: "Pelagianism quickly spread, especially around Carthage, which is one reason the opponents acted so promptly and firmly. Augustine wrote four letters specifically on Pelagianism, "De peccatorum meritis et remissione libri III" (Three Books on the Merits and Forgiveness of Sins) in 412, "De spiritu et litera" (On the Spirit and the Letter) and "Definitiones Caelestii" (Caelestius's Definitions) in 414, and "De natura et gratia" (On Nature and Grace) in 415. In these he strongly affirmed the existence of original sin, the need for infant baptism, the impossibility of a sinless life without Christ, and the necessity of Christ's grace. Augustine's works are intended in part for the common people and thus do not address Pelagius or his disciple Caelestius (except for the Definitiones Caelestii) by name..." [Wiki]

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"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]

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Epiphany MMXII Collect Study

The Epiphany

The Lord hath manifested forth his glory: O come let us adore him

The Collect

O God, who by the leading of a star didst manifest thy only-begotten Son to the Gentiles: Mercifully grant, the we, who know thee now by faith, may after this life have the fruition of thy glorious God-head; through the same..…

Latin original Collect:

Dues qui hodierna die unigenitum tuum gentibus stella duce revelasti, concede propitius, ut qui jam te ex fide congnovimus, usque ad contemplandam speciem tuae celsitudinis perducamur, pre eundem

--Gelasian Sacramentary

Introit:  Behold the Lord, the ruler, hath come: and the kingdom, and the power, and the glory are in his hand..

Epistle:  Isaiah 60:1-6   Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord…

Gradual:  All they from Sheba shall come; and they shall bring gold and incense…

Gospel:  Matthew 2: 1-12  Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea  …

See it all here

http://www.archive.org/stream/commonserviceb00unknuoft#page/n64/mode/2up

We enter a new season on this day.  This is likely the second oldest holy day of the church, Easter being the first.  The day remembers the showing forth of Christ to the world.  The Gentile wise-men came following the star guided by an angel.

The collect reminds us that we too shall have an Epiphany of our Lord on the Last Great Day, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."

From the rising of the sun event to the going down of the same my name shall be great  among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering, for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of hosts.

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]

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Circumcision - Collect Study - MMXI

The Feast of the Circumcision - Octave of Christmas

 

The Collect

 

Almighty God, whose only-begotten this day  received the circumcision of the body (that the law not  pay that which had come to fulfill): Grant spiritual circumcision which has an incentive to cleanse your minds from all vices, and may he pour upon you a blessing.  Amen.

Latin original Collect:

 

Omnipotens Deus, cujus unigenitus hodierna die, ne legem solverent, quam adimplere venerat, corporalem suscepit circumcisionem: spiritali circumcisione mentes vestras ab omnibus vitiorum incentivis expurget, et suam in vos infundat benedictionem. Amen .

--  Gregorian Sacramentary

 

Introit: O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name...

Epistle: Galatians 3:23ff   But before faith came, we were kept under the law…

Gradual.  All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God…

Gospel :Luke 2:21ff  And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising …

 

See it all here

 http://www.archive.org/stream/commonserviceb00unknuoft#page/n63/mode/2up

 

I took the liberty of crafting a rough translation of the Latin in order to bring it closer to its original as I understand it. One will note the collect as it departs from the normal form; it has no doxology, but rather ends in a benediction. 

 

This is the Octave of the Nativity and the Feast the Circumcision… sometimes also known in these later days by some as the Holy Name of Jesus.  It falls on what is to us reckoned the "New Year".  That was not the case many centuries ago. The Medieval Church, even up until the time of the Reformation, was celebrating new years on the Feast of the Annunciation – 25 March. 

 

This feast takes precedence over the collect appointed for the First Sunday after Christmas, and so when Christmas falls on a Sunday, it is followed the next Sunday with the Feast of the Circumcision – a feast of our Lord. 

 

The Circumcision is important to us in that it reminds us that our Lord was a Jew who met every valid command.  "And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant."

 

Many of the things that our Lord did in obedience to the Jewish code, he did for our sake, as an example. That is what the collect teaches in its attributes section  Christ humbled himself unto the law for man, was sinless, observant of the whole law, that he might become Law unto us.  "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth"

The Circumcision was of course limited to males, and marked the rite of recognition that a man-child was a benefactor of the Covenant. Through a man, his female kin were reckoned to be of the Covenant.  Many hold that Christ instituted Baptism as the sign of the New Covenant in his Great Commission recorded in Matthew -- for both male and female, Jew and Gentile:  " Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost"

 

 

 

JESUS

There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. 

Merry Christmas!

 

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]

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Christmas Day - Collect Study - MMXI

Christmas Day

 

The Collect

 

Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that the new birth of thine only-begotten Son in the flesh may set us free who are held in the old bondage under the yoke of sin; through the same Lord.…

 

Latin original Collect:

 

Concede, quaesumus ominipotents Deus: ut not Unigeniti tui nova per carnem Nativitas liberet: quos sub peccati jugo vetusta servitus tenet. Per eundem Dominum.

--  Gregorian Sacramentary

 

Introit: Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder. And his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace….

Epistle: Hebrews 1: 1-11.  God, who at sundry times and in divers manners……

Gradual.  All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God…

Gospel John 1:1-14.  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God…

 

See it all here http://www.archive.org/stream/commonserviceb00unknuoft#page/n61/mode/2up

 

Note in this day's collect, the author spoke of the "old bondage".  Luther, who of course prayed this prayer throughout his life, wrote a book called "Bondage of the Will".  I wonder if this specific collect had affect on his choice of title and allusion to the sin burden that man suffers.  The bondage of one's will is broken from Sin and Satan to become yoked to Christ for Good and God -- when Jesus is Master of a man's heart.

 

In his first act of public ministry after his wilderness fast, Jesus read from Isaiah, [God] "hath sent me to preach deliverance to the captives…to set at liberty them that are bruised"  When we abide with Jesus we shall be free indeed, and that yoke of sin that drags us down will be destroyed forever.  This is the gift of God that was given to the elect on morning of our Lord's nativity.

 

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

 

Merry Christmas!

 

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

Christmas Eve - Collect Study MMXI

The Eve of the Nativity

 

The Collect

 

O God, who has made this most holy night to shine with the brightness of the true light: Grant, we beseech thee, that as we have known on earth the mysteries of that light, we may also come to the fullness of his joys in heaven; who liveth and reigneth…

 

Latin original Collect:

 

Dues, qui hanc sacratissimam noctern veri luminis fecisti illustratione clearescere: da, quaesumus, ut cujus mysteria in terra cognovimus, ejus quoque gaudiis in coelo perfraumur: Qui tecum vivt et regnat.

--  Gregorian Sacramentary

 

 

Introit: The Lord hath said unto me, thou art my Son: this day have I begotten thee.….

Epistle: Titus 2:11-14  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men…

              Isaiah 9: 2-7  The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light...

Gospel Luke 2 1-14.  And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree…

 

See it all here http://www.archive.org/stream/commonserviceb00unknuoft#page/n60/mode/2up

 

The eve of Christmas the church breaks into the season of light from the Advent preparation. In many churches, this is shown visibly in moving from the Advent colors of blue and purple, into the white of Christmas and Epiphany.

 

This is the first major festival of the church year.  It is a festival of the Lord, and so occupies a very special place in our hearts.  It is one of the three festivals in which it was appointed that all Christians should take communion.  The early celebration has its history in the ancient church, which celebrated Christ's Mass after midnight, at the cockcrow, and would be followed by a later service.  This is the dawning of a new day for God's people especially, and for the whole world generally. It is the arising of the Sun of Righteousness with healing in his wings.

 

The octave of Christmas runs until the Feast of the Circumcision. Yet, we celebrate over the full 12 days the Christmas season, We consider the birth of our Lord in all humbleness to be a "light to lighten the Gentiles and the Glory of his people Israel".  Jesus is not just "a light" among many, but the true (veri luminis) light which the people of God had awaited for so many centuries.  This was prophesied by Isaiah who wrote of a "great light" who is to be called the Prince of Peace, Everlasting Father, Mighty God, Wonderful, Counselor. He should come to occupy the throne of David and rule the Kingdom of God.  In the Gospel of Luke we have the Christmas story in all of its richness and imagery.

 

 

Merry Christmas!

 

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 Advent MMXI

The Collect

 

Stir up, O Lord, we beseech thee, thy power, and come, and with great might succor us, that by the help of thy grace whatsoever is hindered by our sins may be speedily accomplished, through thy mercy and satisfaction, by...

 

Latin original Collect:

 

Excita, Domine, potentiam tuam; et magna nobis virtute succurre: ut per auxilium gloriae tuae, quod nostra peccata praependiunt, indulgentia tuae propitiationis acceleret. Per --

Gelesian Sacramentary

 

 

Gelasius

 

Introit: The heavens declare the glory of God: and the firmament showeth his handiwork….

Epistle: Philippians 4:4-7  Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, rejoice…

Gospel: John 1: 19-28  And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?...

See it all here http://www.archive.org/stream/commonserviceb00unknuoft#page/n59/mode/2up

 

Last week the Introit was from Philippians 4:4ff, and this week it is the appointed Epistle. 

 

Rejoice! Christmas draws neigh. We are stirred up and exited about the coming event on our feast that is so dear to us. It is the annual remembrance of the coming of our Lord in Nativity.  "Stir up" has been a recurrent theme in these Sundays before Christmas… both for the Lord to stir up his power and might, and to stir up our hearts.

 

This is not vain repetition of the season. We are persistent in our prayer.  It serves rather to build the expectation of his Advent, past and future. 

 

The prayer this Sunday focuses on our fallen nature.  We are hindered by our sins, and this is central in this last prayer of Advent.  God, through his Son, will mitigate this awful burden for us.  I am reminded in this season of the novel Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. I recall that Ghost of Christmas Past whose chains hindered him.  In that same age men of England regularly prayed at church and confessed their "devices and desires of the heart" which led them astray…and prayed that God would restore them who were penitent.  In the same sort of way, this prayer asks that God would come into our lives to mercifully relieve us of sin, and that those good things left undone might be realized expeditiously.

Come Lord Jesus!

 

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]

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Third Sunday in Advent MMXI

The Collect

 

Lord, we beseech thee, give ear to our prayers, and lighten the darkness of our hearts by thy gracious visitation; through….

 

Latin original Collect:

 

Aurem tuam, quaesumus Domine, precibus nostris accomoda: et mentis nostrae tenebras, gratia tuae visitatonis illustra. Per…

Gelasian Sacramentary

 

 

 

Gelasius

 

Introit: Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice….

Epistle: 1 Cor i:4-5  Let a man so account of us…

Gradual: Thou that dwelleth between the cherubim shine forth: stir up thy strength and come

Gospel: Matt xi: 2-10.. Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ…

See it all here http://www.archive.org/stream/commonserviceb00unknuoft#page/n57/mode/2up

 

This is one of those special Sundays in the year that is marked by the colors used in the Church. It is Gaudete or Rose Sunday.  You may find some of the churches have a rose colored candle in the Advent wreath for this Sunday. The name and mood for his day comes from the traditional introit of "Rejoice"   

 

The prayer calls for the Lord to visit (visitatonis) us and lighten our darkness. One may be reminded of the many scriptures that bear witness to the reality of Light in his first coming, such as:  Luke i… "To give light to them that sit in darkness, and to guide our feet in the way of peace" Luke ii…"To be a light to lighten the Gentiles" and the promise of his Second Coming.. Revelation xxi, "for the glory of the Lord did lighten it [New Jerusalem] and the Lamb is the light thereof…"

 

It also a timely prayer with the approach the Winter Solstice.  Its eve is the darkest (shortest) day of the year, and with Christmas, the days become longer (note, old Roman Calendar, Winter Solstice was reckoned on 25 December.)  In the same way that there is a physical darkness in the world, there exists a darkness of every man's heart, which may only be lightened and cleansed by our Lord Jesus Christ for those he has called his own.  The number of verses that deal with the Light of Christ are many: to numerous for this short homily, but let us close with this one

 

I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

[John viii. 12)

 

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]

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The Second Sunday in Advent - MMXI

The Collect

Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of thine only begotten Son, so that by his coming we may be enabled to serve thee with pure minds; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord….

 

Latin original Collect:

 

Exita, Domine, quaesumus, corda nostra ad praeparandas Unigeniti tui vias: ut per eius adventum perificatis tibi serviire mentibus mereamur. Per… 

Gelasian Sacramentary

 

In this second collect of the Advent season, as with the first, the collect begins with "Stir up"  (Exita), and reminds us of the "coming" (adventum) of the Lord Jesus.  In this prayer the petition is for an awakening of our hearts (corda nostra) -- the symbolic center of affection toward our Lord. "A man's heart deviseth his way" and " The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth"

 

Prepare the way of the Lord, was the cry that went up from John Baptist… the coming of the Lord, the Son of God, is one his people have been made ready in. The Jewish nation was prepared for eons for that day, beginning with God's promise in the Garden and then through his prophets like Isaiah, until his last prophet, John Baptist, for his First Coming as a babe in the manger, later to be the teacher, and finally King and Savior. We, his people, ought to be prepared by his word and command for his promised Second Coming in all spender of his grace, power, might, and awesome presence.

 

As we recite this ancient prayer for this coming week, we may contemplate the humble saint who composed it. He was certainly aware of his mortality, and of the need for the  Lord to come and raise the Church up to that level of purity of mind and spirit to which the saints aspired in order to honor their King. 

 

Propers for this Sunday may be found on the www here: 

Isaiah 55, Psalms 80, 82 | 25, 26 Romans xv. 4    St. Luke xxi. 25

 

Gelasius

  

Note that the Latin original did not always complete the doxology at the end, but left that to the minister to use according to the custom. The Latin here ends with "per" (through), and in other places with "per Dominum". This style is to be found in the older sacramentaries of Leonine (Leo 440-461) and Gelasian (Gelasius 492-496). Whereas, we find the doxology complete in the Gregorian Sacrementary (Gregory 590-604)

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