The Sixth Sunday after Trinity

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

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

The Sixth Sunday after Trinity

O GOD, who hast prepared for those who love thee such good things as pass man's understanding; Pour into our hearts such love toward thee, that we, loving thee above all things, may obtain thy promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Collect Source: Sacrementary of Gelasius, Bishop of Rome [ca 494AD]. Inspired by 1 Corinthians ii. 9. (from Isaiah lxiv. 4)

Isaiah xxxi. 32, Psalms 28, 29 | 30, 31 , Romans vi. 3   & St. Matthew v. 20

Homily of Augustine on Psalm XXVIII

Recompense them after the work of their hands;
pay them that they have deserved. For they regard not in their mind the works of the LORD

---

 

 

BULLETIN

 

calendar

Peter the Apostle -- June 29th

 

quotation

 

If we would endeavor, like men of courage, to stand in the battle, surely we would feel the favorable assistance of God from Heaven. For he who giveth us occasion to fight, to the end we may get the victory, is ready to succor those at fight manfully, and do trust in his grace.

 

 [Thomas a Kempis]

 

 commentary

Recompense them after the work of their hands

 

Augustine expounds on Psalm xxviii in today's homily.  He speaks of David's prayer for justice against those who do evil.

 

 "Give unto them according to their works". Give unto them according to their works, for this is just. "And according to the malice of their affections."  For aiming at evil, they cannot discover good. "According to the works of their hands give Thou unto them." Although what they have done may avail for salvation to others, yet give Thou unto them according to the works of their wills. "Pay them their recompense." Because, for the truth which they heard, they wished to recompense deceit; let their own deceit deceive them.

 

We find the same warning in our Old Testament reading from Isaiah xxxiii. 1, where it is written:

 

Woe to thee that spoilest, and thou wast not spoiled; and dealest treacherously, and they dealt not treacherously with thee! when thou shalt cease to spoil, thou shalt be spoiled; and when thou shalt make an end to deal treacherously, they shall deal treacherously with thee.

 

What did our Lord say? In Matthew he is quoted:

 

Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

 

And he follows with the remedy:

 

Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.

 

The Gospel of Jesus Christ calls sinners to repent and through faith to reform and turn to God.  A church that fails to echo this call to righteousness is no Church of Christ, but is rather a Synagogue of Satan.

 

What can we learn from today's psalm, an the quotation of Thomas a Kempis? We have a battle at hand; it is against the Prince of this World and his minions. How can we fail if God be with us? We know God shall recompense the wicked.

 

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Fifth Sunday after Trinity

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

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

 

The Fifth Sunday after Trinity

Augustine on Psalm XXI

GRANT, O Lord, we beseech thee, that the course of this world may be so peaceably ordered by thy governance, that thy Church may joyfully serve thee in all godly quietness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sacramentary of Leo and Gregory. They faced Goths, Huns and Vandals

2nd Samuel xii  Psalm 21, 23 | 26, 27 , 1 St. Peter iii. 8   &  St. Luke v. 1

Homily of Augustine on Psalm XXI

For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness:
thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head.

---

 BULLETIN

 

calendar

 

Centurion at Capernaum - June 22nd

Nativity of John Baptist -- June 24th

membership

 

We remember the membership anniversary of these saints of the Order

 

Edward of Queensland, Australia

JPR of the United Kingdom

Brian of Oxford, England

 

Almighty God, we entrust these centurions who are dear to us to thy never-failing care and love, for this life and the life to come; knowing that thou art doing for them better things than we an desire or pray for; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen

Please hold all centurions in your prayers this week. You may like to use this

 Centurion's Daily Litany

 

quotation

 

'What blows do athletes receive in their face, what blows all over their body. Yet they bear all the torture from thirst of glory. Let us also overcome all things, for our reward is not a crown or a palm branch or the trumpeter proclaiming silence for the announcement of our name, but virtue and strength of mind and peace acquired ever after'

 

 [Seneca, as quoted by J.B. Lightfoot in Dissertation on the Apostolic Age]

 

news

I commend this document to those of the Order who are orthodox Anglicans.   The Way, The Truth and the Life 

 

bidding prayer

 

For the orthodox Anglican Conference in Jerusalem which convenes this day, the Fifth Sunday after Trinity

 

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who by thy Holy Spirit didst preside in the Council of the blessed Apostles, and hast promised, through thy Son Jesus Christ, to be with thy Church to the end of the world; We beseech thee to be with the Council of thy Church in Jerusalem assembled in thy Name and Presence. Save them from all error, ignorance, pride, and prejudice; and of thy great mercy vouchsafe, we beseech thee, so to direct, sanctify, and govern them in their work, by the mighty power of the Holy Ghost, that the comfortable Gospel of Christ may be truly preached, truly received, and truly followed, in all places, to the breaking down the kingdom of sin, Satan, and death; till at length the whole of thy dispersed sheep, being gathered into one fold, shall become partakers of everlasting life; through the merits and death of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

 

commentary

 

Although one will not find a date on traditional church calendars to commemorate the Centurion of Caparneum, we have chosen to do so in the Order, remembering that Centurion whose faith was lauded by our Lord and has been by the Church ever since. Surly he will stand with all the saints on that last great day crowned in the glory of Eternal Bliss.

 

For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness:

thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head.

 

Augustine explains Psalm xxi in today's homily. He speaks liberally of the verses that point to Christ, and yet, they also record David's life, as this is a "Psalm of David" Of the above verse Augustine writes:

 

 "For Thou hast presented Him with the blessings of sweetness"  Because He had first quaffed the blessing of Thy sweetness, the gall of our sins did not hurt Him. "Diapsalma. Thou hast set a crown of precious stone on His Head."  At the beginning of His discoursing precious stones were brought, and compassed Him about; His disciples, from whom the commencement of His preaching should be made.

 

The Hebrew word from which the KJV translators derived "prevented" is "Qadam". It is translated in Strong's as "to meet, come, or be in front, go before." We know from Scripture that God went before David; and on many occasions he specifically promised to do so. One finds in the 12^th Chapter of 2^nd Samuel (chosen for the OT lesson to accompany this psalm on the link above) the story of David being crowed with the booty from the defeat of Rabbah of the Amorites. This occurred shortly after God had stricken David and had taken his firstborn of Bathsheba, the consequence of the double sin of adultery and murder. God restored the contrite and penitent David and loved his son Solomon. I suspect David wrote of this event in this very verse of Psalm 21.

 

God disciplines his children because he loves them and is their Father, but he does not cast them away. God is faithful. He reads the heart of man and knows the contrite heart from the feint. He restores the penitent to the full state of grace, and continues to precede his elect with grace and blessings according to his sovereign will. As Seneca pointed out in our quotation today, and like David, and the Son of David, we may look forward to the day when God will crown us with the great prize that has no equal: Peace in Life Everlasting.

 

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Fourth Sunday after Trinity

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

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

 

Fourth Sunday after Trinity

O GOD, the protector of all that trust in thee, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy; Increase and multiply upon us thy mercy; that, thou being our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we finally lose not the things eternal. Grant this, O heavenly Father, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Collect Source: Sacramentary of Bishop Gregory of Rome [ca 600AD].

Lamentations iii. 22, Psalms 19, 20 | 24, 25 ; Romans viii. 18   &  St. Luke vi. 36

Homily of Augustine on Psalm XIX

 

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BULLETIN

 

calendar

 

Boniface, Legionary - June 15th

Alban, Centurion, First Martyr of England - June 20th

quotation

 

When the Lord says, "unless you have eaten the flesh of the Son of Man and drunk His blood, you will not have life in you", you ought so to be partakers at the Holy Table as to have no doubt whatever concerning the reality of Christ's Body and Blood; for that is taken in the mouth which is believed in faith and it is vain for them to respond "Amen" who dispute that which is taken.

 

 [LEO, BISHOP OF ROME]

 

commentary

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be

acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

 

In today's ancient Homily, Augustine writes of the last verse of Psalm XIX,

 

"And the words of my mouth shall be pleasing, and the meditation of my heart is always in Thy sight" (ver. 14). The meditation of my heart is not after the vain glory of pleasing men, for now there is pride no more, but in Thy sight alway, who regardest a pure conscience. "O Lord, my Helper, and my Redeemer" [566] (ver. 15). O Lord, my Helper, in my approach to Thee; for Thou art my Redeemer, that I might set out unto Thee: lest any attributing to his own wisdom his conversion to Thee, or to his own strength his attaining to Thee, should be rather driven back by Thee, who resistest the proud; for he is not cleansed from the great offence, nor pleasing in Thy sight, who redeemest us that we may be converted, and helpest us that we may attain unto Thee.

 

 

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Third Sunday after Trinity

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

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

 

Third Sunday after Trinity

O LORD, we beseech thee mercifully to hear us; and grant that we, to whom thou hast given an hearty desire to pray, may, by thy mighty aid be defended; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Collect Source: Sacramentary of Gregory [ca 600AD]. In a 1662 revision the last phrase was added and comforted in all dangers and adversities

1st Samuel xxiv, Psalm xvi, xvii | xviii , 1 St. Peter v. 5   &  St. Luke xv. 1.

Homily of Augustine on Psalm XVIII

Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee.

---

 

 

BULLETIN

 

calendar

 

Barnabas the Apostle -- June 11th 

 

quotation

 

But the marvel with the Psalter is that, barring those prophecies about the Savior and some about the Gentiles, the reader takes all its words upon his lips as though they were his own, written for his special benefit, and takes them and recites them, not as though someone else were speaking or another person's feelings being described, but as himself speaking of himself, offering the words to God as his own heart's utterance, just as though he himself had made them up.

 

 [ Praying the Psalms - Letter of Athanasius to Marcellinus ]

 

news

Resource. Chrysostom Homilies on the Old Testament in three volumes. Possible source http://store.holycrossbookstore.com/1885652674.html

 

Book Review: St. John Chrysostom, Old Testament Homilies, Volume One: Homilies on Hannah, David and Saul; St. John Chrysostom, Old Testament Homilies, Volume Two: Homilies on Isaiah and Jeremiah; St. John Chrysostom, Old Testament Homilies, Volume Three: Homilies on the Obscurity of the Old Testament – Homilies on the Psalms; St. John Chrysostom, Eight Sermons on the Book of Genesis; St. John Chrysostom, Spiritual Gems from the Book of Psalms; Reading the Old Testament in Antioch

Uwe Michael Lang http://itq.sagepub.com/cgi/content/citation/71/1-2/190

 

 

commentary

 

In today's homily Augustine examines Psalm XII . It is a psalm that David sang in praise and thanksgiving for his deliverance from his enemies, including King Saul. Above in the artwork, and at the lessons, we remember the story of how Saul was delivered into the hand of David, but rather than slay Saul, David cut the hem of his robe, as proof that God had provided the opportunity to take his revenge. God said, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. What seemed good was to refrain from killing God's anointed, and to wait on the Lord to judge and to vindicate.  David remained on the defensive, trusting in God's promise.

 

Augustine sees this psalm and the stories behind it as a "type" for Christ, and his suffering at the hands of the Chief Priests and other parties that schemed to eliminate him and his disciples. He wrote

 

On the day when the Lord delivered him out of the hands of his enemies and of the hand of Saul:" namely, the king of the Jews, whom they had demanded for themselves

 

It is a good type I think, and certainly this psalm and others like it were sung by our Lord with an understanding that they pointed to him as the Christ – the suffering servant, who would be vindicated by his Father. Wait on the Lord and his defense, as today' collect asks, is something we all might strive to do in dealing with enemies, and let the Lord work his righteousness.

 

If you would like to learn more about Christ the Messiah in the Old Testament and how scripture points to him, I highly recommend the book:

Messianic Revelation in the Old Testament by Dr. Gerard Van Groningen available from Covenant Seminary. You may audit Dr. Van Groningen's moving seminary course, Biblical Theology, for  free at this site.  http://www.covenantseminary.edu/worldwide/en/OT215/OT215.asp

 

I assure you his work is Rock Solid. We keep a link to all the Covenant Course on the Centurion Seminary so that you may go there at any time

 

 

 

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-

Second Sunday after Trinity

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

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

 

The Second Sunday after Trinity

LORD, make us to have a perpetual fear and love of thy holy name: for thou never failest to help and govern them whom thou doest bring up in thy stedfast love. Grant this, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Collect source: Sacrementary of Gelasius, Bishop of Rome [ca 494AD]. 1549 BCP version. An differnt arrangement appeared in the 1662 BCP

Genesis vi.5, Psalms12, 13 | 10, 11 ; 1 St. John iii. 13   &   St. Luke xiv. 16

Homiy of Augustine on Psalm XII

The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth....But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee.

---

 BULLETIN

 

calendar

 

Ferdinand of Portugal, Knight, Crusader, Prince - June 5th

 

 

quotation

 

unity in essentials, diversity in non-essentials, and in all things charity

 

 [RUPERTUS MELDENIUS]

 

commentary

 

Augustine examines Psalm XII in today's homily at the link above. The psalm is introduced with a reference to the eighth day, which was taken by the early fathers to be the Day of the LORD, a day of judgment for evil, and resurrection for those in Christ.

 

Augustine writes:

 

 "the eighth" may be taken as the day of judgment. "For the eighth" may also be taken "for the eternal age;" for that after the time present, which is a cycle of seven days, it shall be given to the Saints.  "Save me, O Lord, for the holy hath failed;" that is, is not found: as we speak when we say, Corn fails, or, Money fails. "For the truths have been minished from among the sons of men" (ver. 1

 

The OT lesson of the story of Noah and the Flood speak of a time when God destroyed all evil in the Earth. In his covenant with Noah, he swore never to again destroy the earth by flood. However, the scriptures continue to point to the coming of a great and terrible Day of the Lord. That is on the Order's vision page from Revelation—the Apocalypse.  Noah's Ark has been a symbol of the church since early days. The word "Nave" for where the people gather is a naval term for the interior of a ship. It signifies safety for the "called-out" and a haven from the chaos of the deep. Those who are in Christ are in his "nave" and are sealed until the Last Great Day. [Eph 4:30]. As God promised Noah whom he chose out of mankind, so he promises his elect life everlasting: But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee.

 

Ponder too the wisdom of Augustine's comment, there may be said to be many truths: as in mirrors there are seen many reflections from one face.  Augustine is often cited for the quotation,

 

unity in essentials, diversity in non-essentials, and in all things charity

 

 although he is not its author, his assertion in this homily would seem to support the premise. One must evaluate whether some of the new "reflections" one sees coming forth and claimed to be a "new working' of the Holy Ghost these days are of God

 

 finis

First Sunday after Trinity

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

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

 

First Sunday after Trinity

O GOD, the strength of all those who put their hope in thee; Mercifully accept our prayers; and because, through the weakness of our mortal nature, we can do no good thing without thee, grant us the help of thy grace, that in keeping thy commandments we may please thee, both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Gregory's Sacramentum.. Carnmer translated it as put their "trust" in thee in the first Prayer Book

 

Jeremiah xxiii. 23, Psalms 1, 5 | 2, 3, 4 , 1 St. John iv. 7   &   St. Luke xvi. 19

Homily

---

in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life.

---

 BULLETIN

 

 

calendar

 

Memorial for Fallen Veterans
Last Monday in May or other day according to local custom

Julius, Soldier, Martyr - May 27th

Major Audie Murphy - Christian Hero of WWII 1971 [May 28]

Joan of Arc, Martyr - May 30th

 

quotation

 

 If anyone asserts that Adam's sin affected him alone and not his descendants also, or at least if he declares that it is only the death of the body which is the punishment for sin, and not also that sin, which is the death of the soul, passed through one man to the whole human race, he does injustice to God and contradicts the Apostle, who says, "Therefore as sin came into the world through one man and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all men sinned" (Rom. 5:12).

 

 

[Council of Orange]

 

news

As we look at the idea of Original Sin in the OT lesson and the Psalm, one may find this paper: Augustine & the Pelagian Controversy by BB Warfield to be enlightening.

 

Monday is memorial day in the USA, and the Order pauses also to remember faithful fallen veterans from every nation with a collect and readings. Here is a short US Army history on the beginnings of this day

 

entary

 

Augustine examines Psalm I in today's homily, and writes:

 

"Blessed is the man that hath not gone away in the counsel of the ungodly". This is to be understood of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord Man.  "Blessed is the man that hath not gone away in the counsel of the ungodly," as "the man of earth did,"  who consented to his wife deceived by the serpent, to the transgressing the commandment of God.

 

Augustine surely preached the doctrine of Original Sin against the heresy of Pelagius. The canons of the Councils of Orange, which codified Augustine's doctrine, is worth revisiting from time to time to remind one of this doctrine. The collect from Gregory's sacramentum above carries the same theme as he prayed,

 

…because, through the weakness of our mortal nature, we can do no good thing without thee, grant us the help of thy grace…

 

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Trinity Sunday

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

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

 

Trinity Sunday
Augustine on Psalm XXIX

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hast given unto us thy servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of the Divine Majesty to worship the Unity; We beseech thee that thou wouldest keep us stedfast in this faith, and evermore defend us from all adversities, who livest and reignest, one God, world without end. Amen.

Genesis XVIII., Psalms 29, 33 | 93, 97, 150 ,   Revelation iv. 1   &   St. John iii. 1

Homily of Augustine on Psalm XXIX

Angels at Mamre (Holy Trinity) Rublev

 

BULLETIN

 

 

calendar

 

Acacius - May 20th

Constantine, Emperor - May 22nd

 

quotation

 

He who goes about to speak of the mystery of the Trinity, and does it by words, and names of man's invention, talking of essence and existence hypostases and personalities, priority in co-equality, and unity in pluralities, may amuse himself and build a tabernacle in his head, and talk something--he knows not what; but the renewed man, that feels the power of the Father, to whom the Son is become wisdom, sanctification, and redemption, in whose heart the love of the Spirit of God is shed abroad--this man, tho he understand nothing of what is unintelligible, yet he alone truly understands the Christian doctrine of the Trinity.

 

 

[Jeremy Taylor]

 

news

Here is a book concerning the restoration and meaning behind the beautiful Icon above: The Rublev Trinity. I invite you to contemplate the image, postures, setting, etc. I encourage all to read the review at the link above, and here also is an excellent short paper on the icon.

 

 

commentary

 

We enter the long season of Trinity which will last until Advent. It is a time of hearing the many lessons of the Gospel- the teachings of Christ. It is a day when we recognize the orthodox-catholic dogma of the Trinity.

 

The psalm of praise,(29) that  Augustine examines in the homily is very appropriate for this Holy Day.  He picks up the theme of the Church Militant in his exegesis.

 

He writes:

 

A Psalm of the Mediator Himself, strong of hand, of the perfection of the Church in this world, where she wars in time against the devil….The Lord will give strength to His people" . For the Lord will give strength to His people fighting against the storms and whirlwinds of this world, for peace in this world He hath not promised them.  "The Lord will bless His people in peace." And the same Lord will bless His people, affording them peace in Himself; for, saith He, "My peace I give unto you, My peace I leave with you."

 

May God's Strength and Peace be with each faithful centurion this day;  in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen

 

Semper Vigilante – Semper Militant – Semper Fidelis

 

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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]

IN HOC SIGNO VINCES - TIME DEUM ET OPERARE IUSTITIAM
www.OrderofCenturions.org

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

IN HOC SIGNO VINCES - TIME DEUM ET OPERARE IUSTITIAM
www.OrderofCenturions.org

Whitsun Tuesday

Tuesday in Whitsun Week

GRANT, we beseech thee, merciful God, that thy Church, being gathered together in unity by thy Holy Spirit, may manifest thy power among all peoples, to the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

O GOD, who as at this time didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people, by sending to them the light of thy Holy Spirit; Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

Acts viii. 14., Psalm 148,   &  St. John x. 1.
Homilies

I am the door of the sheep

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Acts viii. 14.

WHEN the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: for as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Psalm 148

St. John x. 1.

VERILY, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice; and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

---

Other Homilies  

Whitsun Monday

Monday in Whitsun Week

Send, we beseech thee, Almighty God, thy Holy Spirit into our hearts, that he may direct and rule us according to thy will, comfort us in all our afflictions, defend us from all error, and lead us into all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee and the same Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen.

O GOD, who as at this time didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people, by sending to them the light of thy Holy Spirit; Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

Acts x. 34 St. John iii. 16

Homilies

For God sent not His Son to condemn the world, but to save the world.

---

Jeremiah xxxi. 31

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

Acts x. 34

THEN Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) that word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

Psalm 139

St. John iii. 16

GOD so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

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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]

IN HOC SIGNO VINCES - TIME DEUM ET OPERARE IUSTITIAM
www.OrderofCenturions.org

Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem,

and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

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

Pentecost
commonly called Whitsunday
Homily of Augustin on Psalm CXIV
Whitsun Home

O GOD, who as at this time didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people, by sending to them the light of thy Holy Spirit; Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

This Collect is to be said daily throughout Whitsun Week.

Joel ii. 28, Acts ii. 1. St. John xiv. 15.
Psalms 48, 68 104, 145
Homily of Augustine on Psalm CIV



Bless the Lord.. who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire

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BULLETIN

calendar

Monday in Whitsun Week

Tuesday in Whitsun Week

Ember Days Four Seasons
Wednesday, Friday, Saturday

Gerald of Villamagna, Crusader, Hermit - May 13th

quotation

Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit,
that my thoughts may all be holy.
Act in me, O Holy Spirit,
that my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit,
that I love but what is holy.
Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit,
to defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit,
that I always may be holy.

[Augustine]

bidding prayer

This week we observe the Ember Days. I bid your prayers that God would call out from our midst men who would commit to the ordained ministry, for all centurions who are studying in the seminaries and colleges for service to the Kingdom of God, and for all those in the Order, lay and ordained, who serve the Church in teaching, writing, preaching, praying, and living out the life of a Christian soldier.

ALMIGHTY and most merciful God, grant, we beseech thee, that by the indwelling of thy Holy Spirit, we may be enlightened and strengthened for thy service; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the same Spirit ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

commentary

We enter the short season of Pentecost by the traditional calendar. One week only, followed by Trinity Sunday. There are two holy days following the Feast of Pentecost, and then the Ember Days and concluding on the Eve of Trinity. Pentecost is also called Whitsunday (White Sunday for baptismal gowns); this was a day, along with Easter when many were baptized and other may have worn their baptismal gowns. We remember from acts that the Church baptized over 3,000 in Jerusalem 10 days after the Ascension of our Lord.

Augustine preaches at our link on Psalm CIV. He writes of the first verses

"Bless the Lord, O my soul." Let the soul of us all, made one in Christ, say this. "O Lord my God, Thou art magnified exceedingly!" (ver. 1). Where art Thou magnified? "Confession and beauty Thou hast put on." Confess ye, that ye may be beautified, that He may put you on. "Clothed with light as a garment" (ver. 2). Clothed with His Church, because she is made "light" in Him, who before was darkness in herself, as the apostle saith: "Ye were sometime darkness, but now light in the Lord." "Stretching out the heaven like a skin:" either as easily as thou dost a skin, if it be "as easily," so that thou mayest take it after the letter; or let us understand the authority of the Scriptures, spread out over the whole world, under the name of a skin; because mortality is signified in a skin, but all the authority of the Divine Scriptures was dispensed unto us through mortal men, whose fame is still spreading abroad now they are dead.

Augustine's remark at the end of this paragraph, and the prophetic verse cited under the artwork from verse four of this psalm, remind us of the flames of fire that lighted upon the Apostles in the Upper Room. That flame represented the coming of the Spirit of God, the Comforter, who emboldened them to carry the Gospel into all the World, as their Lord commanded them. So now, we who carry the Gospel with us day by day in acts of charity with our neighbors and in our testimony, follow in the footsteps of the Apostles and Fathers of the Church to spread that sacred flame abroad.

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Order of Centurions