Twenty-fourth Sunday after Trinity, MMXII

Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful; that the divine fruit of their work they may more readily fulfill; and of thy goodness and remedies they may perceive greater things, through the Lord... Latin Excita, quaesumus, Domine, tuorum fidelium voluntates:  ut divini operis fructum propensius exsequentes, pietatis  tuae remedia majora percipiant, per Dominum [Galatian Sacrementary] Introit: O Come let us worship and bow down... Psalm: O come let us sing unto the Lord... Epistle: Colossians 1:9-14  For this cause we also... Gradual: I will say of the Lord he is my refuge... Gospel: Matthew 9:18-26  While he spake these things unto them...  see it all here http://www.archive.org/stream/commonserviceb00unknuoft#page/n117/mode/2up Original English STIERE [Stir] up we beseche thee, O Lord, the wylles of thy faythfull people, that they, plenteously bringing furth the fruite of good workes; may of thee, be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christe our Lorde. Amen. In my tradition we hear this collect always on the last Sunday before Advent. We have called that Sunday "Stir Up Sunday".  Since most recipes called for Christmas Pudding to stand for several weeks, it became a practical command to stir up the pudding that day."Stir up, we beseech thee, The pudding in the pot, And when we get home, We'll eat it all hot!"    It is practically a request that God stir us up for the coming season too. The Advent is all about the 1st and 2nd coming of Christ, and the Sundays before the Advent help us to close out the old Church year and look forward to the new coming Church year beginning the Sunday closest to the Feast of St. Andrew on 30 November. In the Lutheran Tradition under our study this year, this collect is appointed for the 24th Sunday after Trinity with the lessons shown above and at the link.  One may compare today's collect with the Epistle to the Colossians as appointed.  Paul wrotes that he prayed that they may be "filled with the knowledge of his [God's] will".  That is to be stirred up by the Lord, and what is the result of this petition?  Paul wrote, "being fruitful in every good work."  It is not hard to imagine that the minister composing this collect, perhaps Galatia himself, had this passage in mind. Finally, we continue to the reward. Paul points directly to the redemption through the blood of Christ, and our collect calls for us to perceive this greatest good thing, the remedy for our souls.   Ancient Homily of Chrysostom on the Epistle here http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/230302.htm 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 Fundator

Julius - Centurion of the Augustan Cohort

Julius - Centurion of the Augustan Cohort  http://www.parsagard.com/shipwreck.htm

The Twenty-third Sunday after Trinity MMXII

Absolve, we beseech thee O Lord, the sins of thy people: so that from the bonds of our sins committed in our frailty, we may be delivered by thy bountiful goodness, through ... Original English Translation LORD we beseche thee, assoyle [absolve] thy people from their offences, that through thy bountiful goodnes we maye bee delyvered from the handes of all those synnes, whiche by our frayltye we have committed : Graunt this, &c.  Introit: I know the thoughts that I think toward you saith the Lord... Psalm: Lord, thou hast been favorable unto thy land... Epistle:  Philippians 3:17-21  Brethren, be followers together of me... Gradual: Thou has saved us from our enemies... Gospel:  Matthew 22:15-22  Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel... see it all here http://www.archive.org/stream/commonserviceb00unknuoft#page/n117/mode/2up This collect is said in course of the closing weeks of the Trinity season and repeated again on the Sunday before Advent in the Lutheran tradition. Here we will see it but once. The collect begins with the petition: Absolve...the sins of thy people  The word absolve literally means "to pronounce somebody blameless: to state publicly or officially that somebody is not guilty and not to be held responsible".  From scripture we have these verses that confirm absolution of sin. Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.  Micah 7:19 He will turn again, He will have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; and You wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.  Heberws 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.  Hebrews 10:17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. In my tradition the minister still uses this term when pronouncing forgiveness: Almighty God,...hath given power, and commandment, to his Ministers, to declare and pronounce to his people, being penitent, the Absolution and Remission of their sins. He pardoneth and absolveth all those who truly repent, and unfeignedly believe his holy Gospel. In the midst of the petition is embedded the attribute and address "Almighty God" Then comes the result: "so that from the bonds of our sins committed in our frailty, we may be delivered by thy bountiful goodness" We are indeed in bondage to sin. We are a sick people in our frailty.  There is only one cure, and that comes from the Great Physician who said he came to heal those who were sick...that is, those who are in bondage to sin. It is important to note that this is an ongoing need. That is because we are human and prone to sin, seven times seventy -- and more. But in our Lord's perfect grace, we may be assured that "if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." [1 John 1:9] You say your don't sin? You say you are not sick? Then the Gospel of Jesus Christ has nothing to offer you in the way of Salvation.  He comes to those of a humble and contrite spirit who acknowledge their sins before Almighty God. He said,  They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. [Luke 5:31-32] Homily-Chrysosom on Matthew http://www.orderofcenturions.org/documents/trinity23.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 Fundator

Twenty Second Sunday after Trinity MMXII

God, our refuge and our strength, give ear to the pious prayers of thy Church, Author of all Godliness, and grant that what we ask for in faithfulness, we may obtain effectually, by the Lord. Latin Dues, refugium nostrum et virtus: adesto piis Ecclesiae tuae precibus, auctor ipse pietatis, et praesta ut quod fidelitar petimus, efficaciter consequamur, per Dominum. [Gelasian Sacrementary] Original English Translation GOD, our refuge and strength, which art the author of all godlines, be ready to heare the devoute prayers of thy churche; and graunt that those thynges which we aske faithfully we maye obteine effectually; through Jesu Christe our lorde. Amen.[1549 BCP] Introit: If thou Lord shouldest mark iniquities... Ps: Our of the depths have I cried... Epistle:  Philippians 1:3-11 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you... Gradual: Behold how good and pleasant it is... Gospel: Matthew 18:23-35  Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king... see it all here http://www.archive.org/stream/commonserviceb00unknuoft#page/n115/mode/2up Lord willing we will continue this study of the ancient collects that are retained in the traditional liturgical worship of the west and complete it on the Sunday before Advent. One church year since we began. What a lovely little prayer we have to consider this week.   I read the lessons for today and the Epistle of Paul seemed to compliment the collect very well.  Let us look at it in some detail: Salutation: Simply "God" with no descriptive adjectives Attribute:  "Author of all Goodness, Our refuge and our strength." In the prayer these two are reversed,  but in my mind these attributes are best discussed as shown above. * Author of all Godliness. I am reminded of James' epistle where he speaks of every good and perfect gift from God.  I remember too the Gospel where Jesus asked if a father would give his children a serpent, and how much more would God the Father give good gifts to his beloved children.  We have a collect in my tradition that I say nearly every morning in season that echos this scripture:  Almighty and everlasting God, from whom cometh every good and perfect gift; Send down upon our Bishops, and other Clergy, and upon the Congregations committed to their charge, the healthful Spirit of thy grace; and, that they may truly please thee, pour upon them the continual dew of thy blessing. Grant this, O Lord, for the honour of our Advocate and Mediator, Jesus Christ. Amen May it ever be so for the Order! * "Our refuge and our strength"  Two more excellent qualities enumerated here from the opening of Psalm 46 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. They were made to go with each other. Petition -- "give ear to the pious prayers of thy Church." Again my thoughts return to the Gospel of Luke. "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?"  That is his promise, and our comfort and assurance of his goodness. Result -- "and grant that what we ask for in faithfulness, we may obtain effectually,"  I now turn to today's Epistle. Paul wrote to the Philippians with love, and told them how confident he was in their eternal salvation. He begins by addressing them as saints. That is good to remember on All Saints Sunday, that all that are in Christ are his saints.  He wrote,  "to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi."  Then Paul delivers the bottom line up front (BLUF) as we say, "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."   He will indeed brothers. You may count on his word and pledge, "Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God." Termination "Through the Lord"... Affirmation " Amen" Homily- http://www.orderofcenturions.org/documents/trinity22_chrysostom_philipians_1-1.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 Fundator

Twenty First Sunday after Trinity MXII

Thy Family, we beseech thee, O Lord, continually keep in godliness, free from all adversities by thy protection, and devoutly given to good works in thy name; through the Lord...

Latin

Familiam tuam, quaesumus, Domine, continua pietate custodi: ut a cuncti adversitatibus te protegente sit libera, et in bonis activus tui nominis sit devota, per Dominum

[Galacian Sacramentary]

 

Introit  ...The whole world is thy power, O Lord, King Almighty...

Ps.  ...Blessed are the undefiled in the way: who walk in the law of the Lord

Epistle ... Ephesians 6:10-17  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, an din the power of his might...

Gradual  ...Lord thou hast been our dwelling-place

Gospel John 4: 46-54 And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum...

See it all here

http://www.archive.org/stream/commonserviceb00unknuoft#page/n115/mode/2up

First English translation:

LORDE we beseche thee to kepe thy housholde the churche in continuall godlines; that throughe thy proteccion it maye be free from al adversities, and devoutly geven to serve thee in good workes, to the glory of thy name; Through Jesus Christ our Lorde. Amen.

[1549 BCP]

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

This web page has a small article on the Roman Family which will  give the reader a better understanding of the use of the term in the prayer as relating to God's family.  

http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/familyanddailylife/p/RomanFamily.htm

Today many believe the family is under considerable pressure from many sources that tend to weaken it.  Concerned citizens have responded with support as Focus on the Family.  It has take on a political and social meaning as well with Family Values

 

Homily--http://www.orderofcenturions.org/documents/trinity21.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 Fundator, Ordo Centurionum
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

Twentieth Sunday after Trinity MMXII

Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, to thy faithful people indulgence and peace, that we may be cleansed of all offenses and secure with a quiet mind serve thee, O Lord ...

[Strodach modified]

Latin

Largire, quaesumus, Domine, fidelibus tuis indulgentiam placatus et pacem: ut pariter ad omnibus mundetur offensis et secura tibi mente deserviant , per Domine

[Galacian Sacramentary]

 

Introit  ...The whole world is thy power, O Lord, King Almighty...

Ps.  ...Blessed are the undefiled in the way: who walk in the law of the Lord

Epistle ... Ephesians 6:10-17  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, an din the power of his might...

Gradual  ...Lord thou hast been our dwelling-place

Gospel John 4: 46-54 And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum...

See it all here

http://www.archive.org/stream/commonserviceb00unknuoft#page/n115/mode/2up

First English translation:

GRAUNT we beseche thee, merciful Lord, to thy faithfull people pardon and peace, that they maye bee clensed from all. their synnes, and serve thee with a quiet mynde. Through Jesus Christ our Lorde.

[1549 BCP]

This is a prayer for cleansing.  "Though thy sins be as scarlet , they shall be white as snow...", " I have blotted out as a thick cloud thy transgressions...remember them no more"

Christ's own may take great confidence in his promises.  They may be secure in their minds and souls.  They may find that perfect freedom to serve him.   Their will has become bound to him; and they serve him in all holiness.  This is the Gospel--the Good News in Christ Jesus.

I am reminded of another collect with a similar theme of service and peace in our hearts. It is one I normally say every evening: 

O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed; Give unto thy servants that peace which the world cannot give; that our hearts may be set to obey thy commandments, and also that by thee, we, being defended from the fear of our enemies, may pass our time in rest and quietness; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

[1662 BCP Evening Prayer]

Latin: 

DEUS, a quo sancta desideria, recta consilia, et justa sunt opera; Da servis tuis illam quam mundus dare non potest pacem; ut et corda nostra mandatis tuis dedita, et hostium sublata formidine tempora sint tua protectione tranquilla. Per merita Jesu Christi Salvatoris nostri. Amen.

 

 

Homily--http://www.orderofcenturions.org/documents/trinity20.html

Finis

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

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

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

Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity

Almighty and merciful God, graciously keep away from us all adversity, so that relieved equally in mind and body, we, with minds at peace, may press after those things which are thine: through ...

[Strodach]

Latin

Omnipotens et misericors Deus, universa nobis adversantia propitiatus exclude: ut mente et corpore partier expediti, quae sunt liberis mentibus exequamur, per ...

[Galacian Sacramentary]

Orig English 1549

GRAUNT we beseche thee, merciful Lord, to thy faithfull people pardon and peace, that they maye bee clensed from all their synnes, and serve thee with a quiet mynde. Through Jesus Christ our Lorde.

 

Introit  Say into my soul, I am thy salvation...

Ps.  Give ear, O my people, to my law...

Epistle 4:22-28  That ye put off concerning for former conversation of the old man...

Gradual  Let my prayer be set forth before the as incense...

Gospel Matt 9:1-8  And he entered into a ship, and passed over...

 

See it all here

http://www.archive.org/stream/commonserviceb00unknuoft#page/n113/mode/2up

The Epistle reading this day complements the collect.  When the "old man" is beset with the things of this world, "the former conversation" as the KJV translates it, he is indeed in bondage. He cannot fully receive what God has offered.  He is often troubled. He seeks happiness, but true happiness aludes him.  He becomes a slave to the things of this world and sometimes the very work of the devil.  Who can set him free?

 

God understood this plight of man, and he sent his only Son, Jesus the Christ,  into the world to give the way to the very freedom that it would take to reconcile the elect.  First came the message of John Baptist who prepared the way to usher in the Savior.  "Repent," he cried in the city and in the wilderness.  Repent and turn to God. 

 

Before one may repent, one must recognize the state of his perverted soul and actions, and how far gone it is from that which God originally created in the Garden.  Some never get to this point.  The deny sin outright. They deny any need for salvation.  The seek their salvation not in Jesus but in the things they do. They are lost. 

 

Then there are the elect who God has called. "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me"  They hear the Good News. They become convicted of their sin. They turn to God, and God protects his own. He keeps them from adversity and gives them peace. "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."

 

 This week I read in one of the daily lessons the Gospel story of Peter walking on the water.  You may remember that he walked to meet our Lord, but the wind shook his confidence. He began to sink. The deep and the wind were his adversaries.  Did God abandon him?  Did he tell him as he was drowning that it was his fault because he did not have enough faith?  Will God abandon you who are adopted as his own?  God forbid!  He will not abandon you but will protect you from adversity and will be there to rescue you when you faulter.  If we do not have this assurance, then certainly we are all doomed, for none is perfect and none can assure his own salvation. 

 

With the real presence of Jesus in our lives through the power of the Holy Ghost we may rest assured that as Christ's own we are indeed to be "releived equally in mind and body".  It may not come all at once, but it should grow as a mark of a mature Christian.  I admire the stories of those who have passed with such peace.  One that comes to mind is General Thomas J. Jackson, who said he lived his life so he was always ready to go when called. He had peace of mind. He had put off the old man for the new. He endeavored in every instant, day by day, to live for God, Country, Family. With his mind at peace, he "pressed after those things which are Gods"....

 

 

 I do not concern myself about that [death], but to be always ready, no matter when it may overtake me. ... and when you strike and overcome him, never let up in the pursuit so long as your ... Captain, that is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave.

 

Homily--http://www.orderofcenturions.org/documents/trinity19_chrysostom_ephesians_4-17.html

Finis

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



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

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

Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity

Direct our hearts, O Lord, we beseech thee, by the operation of thy mercy, for without thee we are not able to please thee; through... 

Source: Sacramentary of Bishop Gelasius of Rome [494]. 

Latin

Dirigat corda nostra quaesumus Domine tuae miserationis operatio, quia tibi sine te placere non possumus. Per

Original English 

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.

Cranmer, in 1549, reversed the order of mercy and our inability. 

One is reminded again of our Lord's promise send the Comforter to direct us, and of Isaiah 64:6 "we are all as an unclean thing... our righteousness is as a filthy rag...."

We, of and by ourselves, are not worthy to stand before God - not even to see him, until we are perfected by his grace. For he is "of purer eyes to behold iniquity" [Hab 1:13]

This prayer may have been a rebuke of the Pelagian heresy -- that is the doctrine that every man is good and does not need Christ; but rather just to do good. When our Lord was referred to as good, what did he say?  

"Why call me good? none is good, except one, that is, God."

Of course he was good. The question to the lawyer was rhetorical. He was good because he and the Father are one. In the same way, when we are adopted by the Father and are marked as Christ's own, then we are born again with a new spirit and are made one with God through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is only through God finishing the good work he has begun in us that we are perfected and pleasing to God--for he shall brook nothing less. 

Paul wrote to the Philippians that he was "confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ"

May Almighty God "make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

(Hebrews 13:21)

Mobilis

Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity MMXII

Grant unto us, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy people to avoid the contagion of the devil, and to only follow the Lord with a pure heart, through 

Latin:

 Da, quasumus Domine, populo tuo diabolica vitare contagia et te solum Dominum puro corde sectari, per

[Gelasian Sacramentary]

Introit:  Righteous art thou O Lord ...

Ps: Blessed are the undefiled in the way ...

Epistle:   Ephesians 4:1-6 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord...

Gradual: Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord...

Gospel: Luke 14:1-11  And it came to pass, as he went into the house...

http://www.archive.org/stream/commonserviceb00unknuoft#page/n111/mode/2up

Original English: "LORDE we beseche thee, graunt thy people grace to avoyde the infeccions of the Devil, and with pure harte and mynde to folowe thee the onelye God; Through Jesus Christ our Lorde.

If this generation ever needed a prayer today, given all that assails us, this is the one.  Some have called this Post Modern Christianity.  It has resulted in a epidemic of "Bad Religion" as the author of a book by the same title proposes in Bad Religion: How We Became a Nation of Heretics.    We are assailed by a culture that is very often alien and adverse to orthodox faithful.  We are assailed by profiteers who use the popular media to spew a popular but false Gospel for gain.  

The later 1662 version of the prayer book added "the world and the flesh" in the prayer. This is the same as in the Lutheran traditional service book.  It may be that the revisers used the Litany verse of 1544 as a basis for the additions: "From all the deceits of the world, the flesh and devil, Good Lord, deliver us."

The source of Evil is the Devil.  He works against  people. The only source of Good is God. The Devil is crafty. He often masks his evil to appear as good and pleasing.  Jesus was visited with this craftiness, but he resisted and quoted a key scripture in his defense: "Him only shalt thou serve"  Yet the inclusion of the "world and flesh" is quite appropriate by the 1662 revisers, for the Devil's dominion is the "world".  Jesus said, "the prince of this world is judged".  We also recognize that the fruits of the Devil's labors are manifested in the flesh. We know that the the "spirit is willing but the flesh is weak"  We do succumb to his temptations. We are only human! God help us!

The second petition is that we might follow God with a pure heart. This is a sure and tested way to fend off the wiles of the Devil. If we are focused on following in the footsteps of our Lord, and serving God, we may avoid the temptations that plague the world.  What did our Lord pray for his disciples? "I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.  They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world."

Paul wrote to the Romans: "Be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

Homily--Chrysostom on the Epistle

http://www.orderofcenturions.org/documents/trinity17.html

Finis

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

 

The Ancient Collect: Its history and form

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

-- 

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

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

Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity MMXII

May thy grace, O Lord, always go before us and follow us, and make us continually intent upon good works; through ...

Latin:

 Tua nos Domine quaesumus gratia semper et peveniat et sequatur, ac bonis operibus iugiter prestest esse intentos,  per

[Gelasian Sacramentary]

Introit: Righteous art thou O Lord ...

Ps: Bow down thy ear O Lord ...

Epistle: Ephesians 3:13  Wherefore I pray that you faint not at my tribulation for you  ...

Gradual:  The heathen shall fear the name of the Lord...

Gospel: Luke 7:11-17 And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain  ...

http://www.archive.org/stream/commonserviceb00unknuoft#page/n111/mode/2up

The original English translation from 1549 "LORD we praye thee that thy grace maye alwayes prevente and folowe us, and make us continuallye to be geven to all good workes thorough Jesus Christe our Lorde"

This is a very personal prayer for every Christian recognizing and invoking God to go before us and to follow us, with the intent that through his leading and following we may be given to good works pleasing to him.  I think of the wonderful hymn from the early Irish Church attributed to Patrick:

First the collect's attribute of God preventing and following us:

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,

Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ on my right, Christ on my left,

Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,

Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me.

and an early stanza of this hymn which reflects the petition of this prayer; leading us to all good works:

I arise today

Through God's strength to pilot me:

God's might to uphold me,

God's wisdom to guide me,

God's eye to look before me,

God's ear to hear me,

God's word to speak for me,

God's hand to guard me,

God's way to lie before me,

God's shield to protect me.

God's host to save me

I had opportunity this week to finish Cahill's book, How the Irish Saved Civilization, which had a chapter on the work of Patrick (387-493 AD). I endorse this little book to all.  Patrick was not a religious lad when captured by the Irish and put to work as a shepherd slave, rather he came to embrace the faith; God by his almighty grace came before Patrick and called him, and then followed him throughout his ministry giving him the power to do all the good works he accomplished. They were works which transformed the Irish people for all time, and had an immense impact on Europe.   I am cognizant of the Gradual appointed for this day in the traditional Lutheran Church that is so appropriate:   The heathen shall fear the name of the Lord... ; and so they did!

I am also reminded that this prayer embraces the true catholic faith, and it defined by Paul in his letters and by Augustine who rightly emphasized the grace of God going before all his elect and keeping all his elect in God good graces and leading them to all good works.  The Council of Orange (529 AD) codified this true understanding in its articles:

CANON 3. If anyone says that the grace of God can be conferred as a result of human prayer, but that it is not grace itself which makes us pray to God, he contradicts the prophet Isaiah, or the Apostle who says the same thing, "I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me" (Rom 10:20, quoting Isa. 65:1).

CANON 4. If anyone maintains that God awaits our will to be cleansed from sin, but does not confess that even our will to be cleansed comes to us through the infusion and working of the Holy Spirit, he resists the Holy Spirit himself who says through Solomon, "The will is prepared by the Lord" (Prov. 8:35, LXX), and the salutary word of the Apostle, "For God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13)

CANON 6. If anyone says that God has mercy upon us when, apart from his grace, we believe, will, desire, strive, labor, pray, watch, study, seek, ask, or knock, but does not confess that it is by the infusion and inspiration of the Holy Spirit within us that we have the faith, the will, or the strength to do all these things as we ought; or if anyone makes the assistance of grace depend on the humility or obedience of man and does not agree that it is a gift of grace itself that we are obedient and humble, he contradicts the Apostle who says, "What have you that you did not receive?" (1 Cor. 4:7), and, "But by the grace of God I am what I am" (1 Cor. 15:10).

Read all the canons here

http://www.reformed.org/documents/index.html?mainframe=http://www.reformed.org/documents/canons_of_orange.html

Augustine touching on the Gospel : Rise, thou that sleepest

http://www.orderofcenturions.org/documents/trinity16_09.html

Finis

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

 

The Ancient Collect: Its history and form

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

-- 

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

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

Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity MMXII

Let thy continual pity, O Lord, cleanse and defend thy Church: since without thee it is not able to stand fast firmly, may it ever be governed by thy goodness, through ...

Latin:

Ecclesiam tuam, Domine, miseratio continuata mundet et muniat:et quia sine te non potest salva consistere, tuo semper munere gubernetur, per

[Gelasian Sacramentary]

Introit: Bow down thy ear O Lord..

Ps:  Rejoice the soul of thy servant...

Epistle: Galatians 5:25-6:10  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit ...

Gradual: It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord...

Gospel: Matthew 6:24-34  No man can serve two masters...

http://www.archive.org/stream/commonserviceb00unknuoft#page/n109/mode/2up

The original English translation from 1549 "LORD, we beseche thee, let thy continual pitie clense and defende thy congregacion; and, because it cannot continue in safetie without thy succoure, preserve it evermore by thy helpe and goodnes; through Jesus Christ our Lorde."

This prayer is similar to last Sunday's wherein the people prayed for God's mercy to keep the Church. This following Sunday it is for his pity to cleanse and defend it. Why "pity" and "mercy".  Pity is what God has for the church, and mercy is his action in response to that pity.  It is not for a specific shortcoming or error in the church, but in recognition of the Church's frailty, a standing request for his continual (continuata) pity and action to cleanse it from errors that arise, and to protect it from the Devil, the wiles of adversaries, and the world.

Why this prayer? Simply because the Church recognized that it was not able to continue in safety on its own. It had experienced time and again internal and external struggles, persecutions, and failings over the early centuries. Although it had finally reached a state of legitimacy from the civil government, it was threatened from without by the barbarians and invaders from the north who had adopted the Arian heresy.  The Church of this era plead for God's succor to keep it in safety, and perhaps most importantly to Govern it in Goodness.

We need this prayer today! The threat to the Church comes from without and within. 

From without: Patriots Day 2012, September 11th, Americans paused and remembered the many who fell to the radical Attack on America 11 years ago on. It was an attack based on Muslim striking Christian, and as old as the assaults of the 7th-16th century Jihads.  Meanwhile, on this Patriots Day, Islamic radical groups attacked US Embassies in Egypt and Libya: raising Muslim flags, killing Americans, burning the American flag, ransacking the grounds, and shouting curses against America, the Christian nation, in the name of their prophet. Throughout the Middle East Christian communities continue to suffer persecutions at the hands of these people. The assaults on America and Churches of Christ continue as I write this.

From within: Many have failed to stand firm faith. They have chosen to follow the world rather than the Lord. They have adopted secular causes as their mission, while completely abandoning the Great Commission.  They refuse to declare our Lord's salvation as the way, truth and life.  They have been rebuked by the faithful churches, but continue as the blind leading the blind.  I fear for them and pray that they may repent and return to the true faith, lest God spew them out and withdraw his light from among them (Revelation 3:16). Let those who have ears hear, and let them that follow God walk in the Spirit as Paul preached in today's epistle. For a church cannot both follow the world and the Lord. He said in the Gospel "No man can serve two masters".

Chrysostom on the Gospel

http://www.orderofcenturions.org/documents/trinity15_07.html

Finis

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

 

The Ancient Collect: Its history and form

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

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

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

Fourteenth Sunday After Trinity MMXII

Keep, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy Church with thy perpetual mercy: and because, without thee the frailty of man is wont to fall, save it ever by thine aid from all things hurtful, and lead it to all things wise and prudent. Through ...

Latin:

 Custodi, Domine, quaesumus, Ecclesiam tuam propitiatione erpetua: et quia sine te labirtur humana mortalitas, tuis semper auxiliis et abstrahatur a noxiis: ut ad saputaria dirigatur, per

[Gelasian Sacramentary]

Introit: Behold, O God, our shield..

Ps:  How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts:...

Epistle: Galatians 5:16-24  This I say then, Walk in the Spirit...

Gradual: It is better to trust in the Lord...

Gospel: Luke 17:11-19  And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem,...

http://www.archive.org/stream/commonserviceb00unknuoft#page/n109/mode/2up

First English translation from the 1549 BCP 15th Trinity: "

KEPE we beseche thee, O Lorde, thy Churche with thy perpetuall mercye: and because the frailtie of man without thee, cannot but fall: Kepe us ever by thy helpe, and leade us to al thynges profitable to our salvacion; through Jesus Christe our Lorde. Amen "

The collect this Sunday, and for the next, is a petition for the Church.  The translation above is one that I have fashioned based on the original, various translations, and comments. I think it more nearly translates the literal meaning of the original Gelasian collect.  The prayer is for the church as an entity and not for the members; hence "keep us....lead us" is really not the original sense, but rather "save it...lead it".   The collect is not for a building, or for a specific organization, but rather for the called-out ones (ek kaleo), who are Christ's own.  

The collect prays for the Church throughout as it recognizes the frailty of man to keep it pure. Strodach proffers it could be paraphrased to say "'God, save the Church from the unchristian things we men are fain to do to it.' And that is the truth."  The early Church was well aware of the wiles or errors of men to  pervert the faith handed down by the Apostles.  It was at the time of this collect still fighting against the Arian heresy.  Indeed the mural of Jesus at Revena showed Christ standing upon the adler and the lion, signals of the struggle and triumph of the Church over Arianism. http://www.orderofcenturions.org/christ_militant.html

Arianism is one heresy that has revived and is alive in many false gatherings today that profess to be Christian. Each generation is faced with new challenges as men invent new understandings of God and his Church or dredge up old ones that have been repressed in days gone by. One I came across of interest yesterday is the Church of Later Day Saints (Mormons)  It thrives, and the article below claims it denies all other Christian churches which hold to the creeds

(http://laityalive.wordpress.com/2012/03/07/why-mormonism-is-not-christian/)

In the epistle today, Paul admonishes the folk to walk by the Spirit...and then goes on to list the works of the flesh so that one may recognize more easily those things that are of the Spirit, which he speaks of as fruits.  Look closely at any gathering that professes Christ and see whether its frail members live mainly by the Spirit or by the flesh... but look also at the doctrines they profess and compare diligently what they proffer with what was handed down from the Apostles as the True Faith for the True Church -- that which was held for nearly two thousand years. Recognize secondary things that may be acceptable variations from the primary  things; it is the First Things which are requisite of any of the Catholic Churches of Christ (Ecclesiæ Christi Catholicæ)

An  homily of Chrysostom on the epistle

http://www.orderofcenturions.org/documents/trinity14.html

Finis

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

 

The Ancient Collect: Its history and form

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

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

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