The Twenty-first Sunday after Trinity
Grant, we beseech thee merciful Lord, to thy faithful people pardon and peace, that they may be cleansed from all their sins, and serve thee with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Source: Sacrementary of Bishop Gelasius of Rome [494AD]. Cranmer in 1549 replaced the Latin "indulgence" with the English "pardon". The call for "peace" in this collect has been ascribed to the fact that at the time, Rome was under heavy assault that threatened to break Pax Romana. This collect is used as an absolution when the office is conducted by a layman, and is used today as such by the legion's "Red River" milarian cohort and Saint John Baptist - Anglican.
Isaiah lix. 15b, Psalm 76, Ephesians vi. 10 & St. John iv. 46
The Order of Centurions is part of the Church Militant - the One Holy Church of living Christian souls on earth, the whole body of believers, who are waging the war of faith against the world, the flesh, and the devil. Saint Paul said, "For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." [Eph 6:12]
Why was the name "Militant" chosen to describe the living Church? Webster dictionary defines militant as: Having a combative character; aggressive, especially in the service of a cause. Our "cause" is the Gospel. Our service is defined in Matthew 28:19 in the Great Commission: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in he name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you" Jesus said, "I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!" [Luke 12:49] and "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword." [Matt 10:34]
Do militant Christians have a role and responsibility in the social and political process under the Great Commission? Yes indeed! Our laws, practices, and customs are defined in the social and political process. They are the some of the most influential mediums of teaching, especially for our young people. If we are to teach men to obey God's Commandments, the Decency, Love, and Mercy that Jesus preached, we must act to influence these processes. Even more importantly, we must as a Church be distinctive from the norm when the norm deviates from the teachings of the Gospel for Jesus said, "They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world." [John 17:16]
How shall we do this? It begins with faith and obedience. Like the noble in today's Gospel, we must hear, believe, and act on the Word of the Lord. In addition, each and every Christian should pray without ceasing for the world. Pray for the Church in its mission, the secular leaders, and the people. But there may be more for some. Some may be called to Militant Action modeled after our Lord and following the examples of the witnesses and martyrs of the past. You may be called to place yourself in opposition to the world for the Truth.
I commend the recommendations of Ed Vitagliano of the American Family Association in the article, "Worth Its Salt -- Can the Church Still Impact American Culture? " at this website: http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/7/82004a.asp
The Reverend Mark Carroll 2004
Isaiah lix. 15b
The LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there
was no judgment.
And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no
intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his
righteousness, it sustained him.
For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of
salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for
clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak.
According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his
adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay
recompence.
So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his
glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a
flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.
And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn
from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.
As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My
spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth,
shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed,
nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from
henceforth and for ever.
Ephesians vi. 10 MY brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Faying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching there-unto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
St. John iv. 46
THERE was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death. Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe. The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth. Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house. This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee.
Scripture from 1928 Book of Common Prayer