The Fifth Sunday after Trinity - 2013

The Fifth Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 44

Deus, auribus

( . . . )

23. Up, Lord, why sleepest thou : awake, and be not absent from us for ever.

24. Wherefore hidest thou thy face : and forgettest our misery and trouble?

25. For our soul is brought low, even unto the dust : our belly cleaveth unto the ground.

26. Arise, and help us : and deliver us for thy mercy’s sake.

( . . . )

The Collect.

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.

Old Testament Reading: Ecclesiastes 2.1-23

Psalter: Psalm 21, 23 | 26, 27

Epistle Reading: 1 Peter 3.8-15a (15b-16)

Gospel Reading: St. Luke 5.1-11

Barbee and Zahl: “This Collect is found in the Sacramentaries of Leo and Gregory and contains lasting evidence of the times in which it was composed. “When the Goths, the Huns, and the Vandals were hovering over the moribund Roman Empire, like a flight of vultures preparing to pounce upon a dying camel in the desert as soon as the breath is out of his body, there was certainly some point, and there was likely to be some sincerity, in such a prayer” (Dean E.M. Goulbourn, The Collects of the Day, 1883). ( . . . ) The Collect for the Fifth Sunday after Trinity asks God to govern the world according to the Law’s First Use (n.b. the First Use of the Law of God was the political or civil application that functioned as a restrainer – MWP). One result of godly order in the world is the Church’s freedom to perform its leavening task “in all godly quietness.” The Prayer Book sees without question the need for ethical consensus, identified with the governance of God made concrete and universal in the Law of Moses. Without the Law, not only the world, but also the Christian Church is exposed to the primal viciousness of disordered instinctual drives. We need the Law’s First Use” (78-9)!

Personal Observations: As we join our hearts and voices in this Collect we ought to be thinking of at least two things: (1) Our present situation in the United States of America after the recent Supreme Court decisions, especially in light of the rationale that was written into those decisions that picture anyone opposed to certain lifestyle sins as enemies of humanity. There are some in other Western countries who can empathize with this trouble as well. (2) Our solidarity with brothers and sisters in hot and hostile places, who can’t even gather for worship without wondering if they will be killed, kidnapped or incarcerated.

Fourth Sunday after Trinity and St John Baptist's Day - 2013

The Fourth Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 73

Quam bonus Israel!

( . . . )

24. Whom have I in heaven but thee : and there is none upon earth that I desire in comparison of thee.

25. My flesh and my heart faileth : but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

26. For lo, they that forsake thee shall perish : thou hast destroyed all them that commit fornication against thee.

27. But it is good for me to hold me fast by God, to put my trust in the Lord God : and to speak of all thy works in the gates of the daughter of Sion.

The Collect.

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 Jesus Christ’s sake our Lord. Amen.

Old Testament Reading: Lamentations 3.22-33

Psalter: Psalm 19, 20 | 24, 25

Epistle Reading: Romans 8.18-23

Gospel Reading: St. Luke 6.36-42

C.S. Lewis: “Not long ago when I was using the collect for the fourth Sunday after Trinity in my private prayers I found that I had made a slip of the tongue. I had meant to pray that I might so pass through things temporal that I finally lost not the things eternal; I found I had prayed so to pass through things eternal that I finally lost not the things temporal. Of course, I don't think that a slip of the tongue is a sin. I am not sure that I am even a strict enough Freudian to believe that all such slips, without exception, are deeply significant. But I think some of them are significant, and I thought this was one of that sort. I thought that what I had inadvertently said very nearly expressed something I had really wished. Very nearly; not, of course, precisely. I had never been quite stupid enough to think that the eternal could, strictly, be ‘passed through.’ What I had wanted to pass through without prejudice to my things temporal was those hours or moments in which I attended to the eternal, in which I exposed myself to it. I mean this sort of thing. I say my prayers, I read my book of devotion, I prepare for, or receive, the Sacrament. But while I do these things, there is, so to speak, a voice inside me that urges caution. It tells me to be careful, to keep my head, not to go to far, not to burn my boats. I come into the presence of God with a great fear lest anything should happen to me within that presence which will prove too intolerably inconvenient when I have come out again into my “ordinary” life. I don’t want to be carried away into any resolution which I shall afterwards regret” (“A Slip of the Tongue,” The Weight of Glory, 184-6)

Saint John Baptist’s Day

24 June

The Collect

Almighty God, by whose providence thy servant John Baptist was wonderfully born, and sent to prepare the way of they Son our Saviour, by preaching of repentance: Make us so to follow his doctrine and holy life, that we may truly repent according to his preaching, and after his example constantly speak the truth, boldly rebuke vice, and patiently suffer for the truth’s sake; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 40.1-11

Gospel Reading: St. Luke 1.57-80

Third Sunday after Trinity - 2013

The Third Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 69

Salvum me fac

( . . . )

13. But, Lord, I make my prayer unto thee : in an acceptable time.

14. Hear me, O God, in the multitude of thy mercy : even in the truth of thy salvation.

( . . . )

17. Hear me, O Lord, for thy loving-kindness is comfortable : turn thee unto me according to the multitude of thy mercies.

18. And hide not thy face from thy servant, for I am in trouble : O haste thee, and hear me.

( . . . )

The Collect.

O LORD, we beseech thee mercifully to hear us; and grant that we, to whom though hast given an hearty desire to pray, may be comforted in all dangers and adversities; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 31.1-14

Psalter: Psalm 16, 17 | 18

Epistle Reading: 1 Peter 5.5-11

Gospel Reading: St. Luke 15.1-10

Barbe and Zahl: “All this material, all this work of compiling, translating, creating, editing, and rewriting which Cranmer undertook in order to present the Prayer Book for “common” use: it all assumes that prayer is a good, desirable thing. We wish to talk to God. We wish to present our concerns and worries, our ( . . . ) burdens and out most treasured, fragile hopes to God. Yet we fail to do this. It is striking how many important problems we fail to put into words before God. It is startling how often the biggest troubles we have are the last ones to find expression in our praying. That is probably because we have given up hope of intervention or transformation in the really vexing areas. In any event, take inventory. Which of your life’s problems at this moment is not a conscious part of your prayers? Ever? It is no wonder that this concise Collect understands that the desire to pray is the gift of God” (75).

What a friend we have in Jesus,

all our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

everything to God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit,

O what needless pain we bear,

all because we do not carry

everything to God in prayer.

(What a Friend We Have in Jesus; Revised Trinity Hymnal #629)

Mike
Primus Pilus II

Second Sunday after Trinity - 2013

{Sorry this is so late. I was out camping all week with my boys}

The Second Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 111

Confitebor tibi

I WILL give thanks unto the Lord with my whole heart : secretly among the faithful, and in the congregation.

2. The works of the Lord are great : sought out of all of them that have pleasure therein.

( . . . )

7. The works of his hands are verity and judgement : all his commandments are true.

8. They stand fast for ever and ever : and are done in truth and equity.

9. He sent redemption unto his people : he hath commanded his covenant for ever; holy and reverend is his Name.

10. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom : a good understanding have all they that do thereafter; the praise of it endureth for ever.

( . . . )

The Collect.

O LORD, who never failest to help and govern them who thou dost bring up in thy stedfast fear and love; Keep us, we beseech thee, under the protection of thy good providence, and make us to have a perpetual fear and love of thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Old Testament Reading: Genesis 6.5-18

Psalter: Psalm 12, 13 | 10, 11

Epistle Reading: 1 John 3.13-24

Gospel Reading: St. Luke 14.[15]16-24

Through All the Changing Scenes of Life

(Revised Trinity Hymnal #624)

“6. Fear him, ye saints, and you will then

Have nothing else to fear:

Make you his service your delight;

He’ll make your wants his care.”

1st Sunday after Trinity - 2013

The First Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119 ( . . . )

Legem pone ( . . . )

36. Incline my heart unto thy testimonies : and not to covetousness.

37. O turn away mine eyes, lest they behold vanity : and quicken thou me in thy way.

38. O stablish thy word in thy servant : that I may fear thee.

( . . . )

The Collect.

O GOD, the strength of all them that put their trust 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 of thy commandments we may please thee, both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 23.23-32

Psalter: Psalm 1, 5 | 2, 3, 4

Epistle Reading: 1 John 4.7-21

Gospel Reading: St. Luke 16.19-31

Barbee and Zahl: “Archbishop Cranmer translated this Collect from the Gregorian Sacramentary, substituting only “trust” for “hope.” ( . . . ) Note three key words. One, weakness, for we do not possess the strength to do what is right. Our foundations lack the grounding to support ethical humane living. Two, mortal, for we are coursing towards the universal terminus of physical death. Even if we were not weak, even if we were somehow strong in ourselves, the sun would set over our achievements, forever. Three, no good thing, a phrase the excludes even the possibility of a decent action undertaken without the aid of God’s grace. “No good thing” declares the nullification of unaided human potential. The Collect is a bitter pill. It lays out our hope of self-improvement like the boxer who offers no quarter. No wonder the “modern mind” is uneasy with what the mystery writer P.D. James calls “the Cranmerian Protestantism” of the Prayer Book. It offers to modernism absolutely nothing, neither a fish nor an egg. On the other hand, the prayer gives everything. What does it actually ask? “Grant us the help of thy grace.” The negativity concerning the human condition is good news if it is transformed into a passionate and decided cry for help from the outside. The prayer holds out the promise that with the help of the prior love and grace of Christ, we may begin to do right (the “keeping of thy commandments). Moreover, doing right holds out the greater promise of pleasing God” (70-1).

Mike

Primus Pilus II

Trinity Sunday - 2013

Trinity-Sunday.

Psalm 84

Quam dilecta!

( . . . )

2. My soul hath a desire and longing to enter into the courts of the Lord : my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God.

( . . . )

4. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house : they will be alway praising thee.

5. Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee : in whose heart are thy ways.

6. Who going through the vale of misery use it for a well : and the pools are filled with water.

( . . . )

12. For the Lord God is a light and defence : the Lord will give grace and worship, and no good thing shall he withhold from them that live a godly life.

13. O Lord God of hosts : blessed is the man that putteth his trust in thee.

( . . . )

The Collect.

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 thy Divine Majesty to worship the Unity; We beseech thee, that thou wouldst keep us steadfast in this faith, and evermore defend us from all adversities, who livest and reignest, one God, world without end. Amen.

Old Testament Reading: Numbers 21.4-9

Psalter: Psalm 29, 33 | 93, 97, 150

Epistle Reading: Revelation 4.1-11

Gospel Reading: St. John 3.1-15

THE CREED OF ST. ATHANASIUS

At Morning Prayer.

{Upon these Feasts; Christmas Day, the Epiphany, Saint Matthias, Easter Day, Ascension Day, Whitsunday, Saint John Baptist, Saint James, Saint Bartholomew, Saint Matthew, Saint Simon and Saint Jude, Saint Andrew, and upon Trinity Sunday, shall be sung or said at Morning Prayer, instead of the Apostles’ Creed, this Confession of our Christian Faith, commonly called the Creed of Athanasius, by the Minister and people standing.}

Quicunque vult.

WHOSOEVER will be saved : before all things it is necessary that he hold the Catholick Faith.

Which Faith except every one do keep whole and undefiled : without doubt he shall perish everlastingly.

And the Catholick Faith is this: That we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity;

Neither confounding the Persons : nor dividing the Substance.

For there is one Person of the Father, another of the Son : and another of the Holy Ghost.

But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one : the Glory equal, the Majesty co-eternal.

Such as the Father is, such is the Son : and such is the Holy Ghost.

The Father uncreate, the Son uncreate : and the Holy Ghost uncreate.

The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible : and the Holy Ghost incomprehensible.

The Father eternal, the Son eternal : and the Holy Ghost eternal.

And yet they are not three eternals : but one eternal.

As also there are not three incomprehensibles, nor three uncreated : but one uncreated, and one incomprehensible.

So likewise the Father is Almighty, the Son Almighty : and the Holy Ghost Almighty.

And yet they are not three Almighties : but one Almighty.

So the Father is God, the Son is God : and the Holy Ghost is God.

And yet they are not three Gods : but one God.

So likewise the Father is Lord, the Son Lord : and the Holy Ghost Lord.

And yet not three Lords : but one Lord.

For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity to acknowledge every Person by himself to be both God and Lord;

So are we forbidden by the Catholick Religion : to say, There be three Gods, or three Lords.

The Father is made of none : neither created, nor begotten.

The Son is of the Father alone : not made, nor created, but begotten.

The Holy Ghost is of the Father and of the Son : neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding.

So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons : one Holy Ghost, not three Holy Ghosts.

And in this Trinity none is afore, or after other : none is greater, or less than another;

But the whole three Persons are co-eternal together : and co-equal.

So that in all things, as is aforesaid : the Unity in Trinity and the Trinity in Unity is to be worshipped.

He therefore that will be saved : must think thus of the Trinity.

Furthermore, it is necessary to everlasting salvation : that he also believe rightly the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

For the right Faith is, that we believe and confess : that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and Man;

God, of the substance of the Father, begotten before the worlds : and Man of the substance of his Mother, born in the world;

Perfect God and perfect Man : of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting.  

Equal to the Father, as touching his Godhead : and inferior to the Father, as touching his manhood;

Who, although he be God and Man : yet he is not two, but one Christ;

One, not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh : but by taking of the Manhood into God;

One altogether; not by confusion of Substance : but by unity of Person.

For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man : so God and Man is one Christ;

Who suffered for our salvation : descended into hell, rose again the third day from the dead.

He ascended into heaven, he sitteth at the right hand of the Father, God Almighty : from whence he will come to judge the quick and the dead.

At whose coming all men will rise again with their bodies : and shall give account for their own works.

And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting : and they that have done evil into everlasting fire.

This is the Catholick Faith : which except a man believe faithfully, he cannot be saved.

Glory be to the Father, &c.

As it was in the beginning, &c.

Mike
Primus Pilus II

Whit-Sunday (along with Monday and Tuesday) 2013

Whit-Sunday.

Psalm 33

Exultate, justi

( . . . )

3. Sing unto the Lord a new song : sing praises lustily unto him with a good courage.

4. For the word of the Lord is true : and all his works are faithful.

5. He loveth righteousness and judgement : the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

6. By the word of the Lord were the heavens made : and all the hosts of them by the breath of his mouth.

(N.B. – “the breath” in Hebrew is *ruach* which is translated often as “spirit”. Notice, then, the relation between “the word of the Lord” and “the ruach of his mouth.”)

( . . . )

Ephesians 3.16-21

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

The Collect.

GOD, who as at this time didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people, by the 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.

Old Testament Reading: Joel 2.28-31

Psalter: Psalm 48, 68 | 104, 145

Epistle Reading: Acts 2.1-11

Gospel Reading: St. John 14.15-31

Monday in Whitsun-Week.

Psalm 104

Benedic, anima mea

( . . . )

28. When thou givest it them they gather it : and when thou openest thy hand they are filled with good.

29. When thou hidest thy face they are troubled : when thou takest away their breath they die, and are turned again to their dust.

30. When thou lettest thy breath {Heb: ruach – spirit} go forth they shall be made : and thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

31. The glorious majesty of the Lord shall endure for ever : the Lord shall rejoice in his works.

( . . . )

Zechariah 4.6

Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

Same Collect for Sunday  along with this one added in the 1928 BCP:

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.

Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 31.31-34

Psalter: Psalm 139

Epistle Reading: Acts 10.34-48

Gospel Reading: St. John 3.16-21

Tuesday in Whitsun-Week.

Ephesians 4.1-3

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Same Collect for Sunday along with this one added in the 1928 BCP:

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.

Psalter: Psalm 148

Epistle Reading: Acts 8.14-17

Gospel Reading: St. John 10.1-10

Sunday after Ascension - 2013

Sunday after Ascension-Day.

Psalm 27

Dominus illuminatio

( . . . )

8. Hearken unto my voice, O Lord, when I cry unto thee : have mercy upon me, and hear me.

9. My heart hath talked of thee, Seek ye my face : Thy face, Lord, will I seek.

10. O hide not thou thy face from me : nor cast thy servant away in displeasure.

11. Thou hast been my succour : leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.

( . . . )

The Collect.

O GOD the King of glory, who hast exalted thine only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph unto thy kingdom in heaven; We beseech thee, leave us not comfortless; but send to us thine Holy Ghost to comfort us, and exalt us unto the same place whither our Saviour Christ is gone before, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 65.17-25

Psalter: Psalm 108, 110 | 46, 47

Epistle Reading: 1 Peter 4.7-11

Gospel Reading: St. John 15.26-16.4

Barbee and Zahl: “The first part of the petition is that we be not comfortless in the face of Christ’s physical absence. There is a heart-rending note sounded here: Don’t leave me alone! I had you once, I saw you and touched you. I need you, but now you are gone. What shall I do? Do you hear me saying it?: Why did you leave me? I am without comfort, like Rachel weeping for her children (St. Matthew 2:18; Jeremiah 31:15). The pathos of the Ascension, ( . . . ) is now fully acknowledged. Home alone. Alone again. The difference, however, is that the prayer implores God, on the basis of St. John 14, to send the Holy Spirit to give us comfort which the world cannot give. We are not in fact alone. The personal presence of God was promised by Jesus. This prayer counts on it. And not only shall the Spirit of God provide that comfort so needed within the vale of tears that is life (honestly represented), but the Spirit will “exalt us” ultimately yonder, over Jordan, over the river of death, to the place where Christ has gone before. The themes of this Collect are absence, solitude, accompaniment, and passage to the Kingdom of Light – right through to the end, and beyond “the end.”” (65).

Massey Hamilton Shepherd, JR.: “The word ‘comfort’ bears here its archaic meaning of ‘strengthen’ (as in the Comfortable Words…) as well as its derivative connotation of ‘console.’” (“The Oxford American Prayer Book Commentary,” 179).

Rogation Sunday thru Ascensiontide - 2013

The Fifth Sunday after Easter (or Rogation Sunday).

Psalm 33

Exultate, justi

( . . . )

13. The Lord looked down from heaven, and beheld all the children of men : from the habitation of his dwelling he considereth all them that dwell on the earth.

14. He fashioneth all the hearts of them : and understandeth all their works.

( . . . )

The Collect.

O LORD, from whom all good things do come; Grant to us thy humble servants, that by thy holy inspiration we may think those things that be good, and by thy merciful guiding may perform the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 1.10-20

Psalter: Psalm 146, 147 | 132, 133, 134

Epistle Reading: James 1.22-27

Gospel Reading: St. John 16.23-33

The Rogation Days
Being the Three Days before Ascension Day

Psalm 147

Laudate Dominum

( . . . )

7. O sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving : sing praises upon the harp unto our God;

8. Who covereth the heavens with clouds, and prepareth rain for the earth : and maketh the grass to grow upon the mountains, and herb for the use of men;

9. Who giveth fodder unto the cattle : and feedeth the young ravens that call upon him.

10. He hath no pleasure in the strength of an horse : neither delighteth he in any man’s legs.

11. But the Lord’s delight is in them that fear him : and put their trust in his mercy.

( . . . )

ALMIGHTY God, Lord of heaven and earth; We beseech thee to pour forth thy blessing upon this land, and to give us a fruitful season; that we, constantly receiving thy bounty, may evermore give thanks unto thee in thy holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Monday AM: Psalm 104. 1^st Lesson – Deuteronomy 8.1-11, 17-20. 2^nd Lesson – Matthew 5.5-15.

Monday PM: Psalm 34. 1^st Lesson – Deuteronomy 28.1-14. 2^nd Lesson – James 1.1-17

Tuesday AM: Psalm 80. 1^st Lesson – Deuteronomy 11.10-17. 2^nd Lesson – Matthew 6.24-34

Tuesday PM: Psalm 65, 67. 1^st Lesson – 1 Kings 8.22-30. 2^nd Lesson – James 4.8-17

Wednesday AM: Psalm 144. 1^st Lesson – Jeremiah 14.1-9. 2^nd Lesson – 1 John 5.5-15

Wednesday PM: Psalm 93, 99. 1^st Lesson – Isaiah 11.1-5. 2^nd Lesson – Luke 24.44-48

The Ascension-Day.

Psalm 110

Dixit Dominus

THE Lord said unto my Lord : Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

2. The Lord shall send the rod of thy power out of Sion : be thou ruler, even in the midst among thine enemies.

( . . . )

The Collect.

GRANT, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that like as we do believe thy only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended into the heavens; so we may also in heart and mind thither ascend, and with him continually dwell, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

Old Testament Reading: Daniel 7.9-14

Psalter: Psalm 96

Epistle Reading: Acts 1.1-11

Gospel Reading: St. Luke 24.49-53