Dear Readers,
My
name is Fr. Franz Devantier of Saint Titus, Independent Old Catholic Church
(IOCC) of Africa, operating in South Africa, and also creator of this blog.
My background was that of a Liberal Catholic
Priest, and a Traditional Catholic Priest in South Africa, and then an
independent Priest in the Catholic tradition. I was incardinated into the
IOCC by Archbishop-Primate Emeritus Maurice McCormick founder of the IOCC of
America.
Primate Archbishop George Le Mesurier, IOCC of
America
Primate Emeritus Archbishop Maurice McCormick, IOCC of America
+++
Primate Emeritus Archbishop Maurice McCormick, IOCC of America
+++
Bishop George Otieno Odhiambo, IOCC of Africa
+++
Father. Franz Devantier, IOCC South Africa
Invocatio:
P.
In nomine Patris, et + Filii et Spiritus
Sancti. Amen. (In the
name of the father, and of the Son, +
and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. )
Confiteor:
A. O Lord, Thou hast created man to be immortal and made
him to be an image of Thine own eternity; yet often we forget the glory of our
heritage and wander from the path which leads to righteousness. But Thou, O Lord, hast made us for Thyself
and our hearts are ever restless till they find their rest in Thee. Look with the eyes of Thy love upon our
manifold imperfections and pardon all our shortcomings, that we may be filled
with the brightness of the everlasting light and become the unspotted mirror of
Thy power and the image of Thy goodness;
Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Absolutio:
P.
Deus Pater, Deus + Filius, Deus
Spiritus Sanctus, vos benedicat, custodiat atque sanctificet; Dominus in
clementia sua respiciat supra vos et misereatur vestri; Dominus vos + absolvet ab omnibus peccatis vestris,
vobisque gratiam det Spiritus Sancti et confirmationem. Amen. (God the
Father, God the + Son, God the Holy
Ghost, bless, preserve and sanctify you; the Lord in His lovingkindness look
down upon you and be gracious unto you; the Lord + absolve you from all your sins and grant you the grace and
comfort of the Holy Spirit. Amen.)
22nd
Sunday after Pentecost – 20th October 2013 (Colour of Celebration – Green)
Intent: Right energy.
Stir up, O Lord, we pray thee, the wills of thy faithful
people that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good deeds, may
become tireless workers in thy holy service; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Let us remember today that we must render to Caesar the
things that are Caesar’s, and render to God the things that are God’s, i.e. the
soul made in the image of the Creator must render to Him the tribute of
adoration and obedience.
Daily Scripture Readings – 20 to 26
October (Read the bible in a
Year)
Date
|
Morning
|
Evening
|
20
|
Isaiah,
chapters 59, 60 ,61
|
II
Thessalonians, chapter 3
|
21
|
Isaiah,
chapters 62, 63, 64
|
I
Timothy, chapter 1
|
22
|
Isaiah,
chapters 65, 66
|
I
Timothy, chapter 2
|
23
|
Jeremiah,
chapters 1, 2
|
I
Timothy, chapter 3
|
24
|
Jeremiah,
chapters 3, 4, 5
|
I
Timothy, chapter 4
|
25
|
Jeremiah,
chapters 6, 7, 8
|
I
Timothy, chapter 5
|
26
|
Jeremiah,
chapters 9, 10, 11
|
I
Timothy, chapter 6
|
Commemoration
of the Saints, for the coming week
Sunday October 20th
St John Cantius, Confessor.
The holy Priest, St John Cantius, a native of Kenty
(Poland), was a professor at the University of Cracow. Famous for his heroic charity and zeal, he
died A.D. 1473.
Monday October 21th
Commemoration of St Hilarion, Abbot.
St Hilarion, a native of Palestine, was instructed by the
first lawgiver of the anchorites, St Anthony the Great, and became one of the
founders of the eremitical life in the Holy Land, Syria and Egypt. He died A.D. 372.
(In the Christian tradition the “eremitic life” is an early
form of hermitic monastic living that preceded the monastic life in the
“Cenobium”, which stressed community life.)
Wednesday October
23rd
St Anthony Mary Claret, Bishop, Confessor.
Anthony Mary Claret founded the Missionary Sons of the
Heart of Mary, the Teaching Sisters of Mary Immaculate, and other communities
of nuns. For many years he laboured in
Catalonia, for six years in Cuba as Archbishop of Santiago, and finally in
Madrid. He died in exile in France in
1870.
Thursday October 24th
St Raphael, Archangel.
Benedict XV extended to the Universal Church the Feast of
the holy Archangel St Raphael, who is known to us from the inspired words of
the Book of Tobias as the angelical physician of soul and body.
Friday October 25th
Commemoration of SS. Chrysanthus and Daria, Martyrs.
St Chrysanthus was converted by his wife St Daria. They came from the East to Rome. After many torments under the prefect
Celerinus, they were buried alive in a sandpit A.D. 284.
Saturday October 26th
Commemoration of St Evaristus, Pope, Martyr.
St Evaristus, successor of St Anacletus I, governed the
Church for nine years; he was condemned to death under Trajan A.D. 109.
Announcements:
We are actively recruiting members for Saint Titus,
Ordinary members, members who need baptism and confirmation, and candidate
Priests. If you are interested, then
please contact Fr. Franz devantierf@gmail.com
Special Prayer Requests:
=>
I urge you to pray daily that the sex-offenders in the church will be exposed
and publicly named, shamed, and removed from office; before being handed over
to the authorities.
=>
I urge you to pray for the wellbeing of the animals around us. Pray that both domestic and wild animals will
be properly treated, respected and loved by all of us in the world. The whole of the animal Kingdom, right down
to the smallest and most insignificant animal is a creature of God, and
deserves to be treated as such.
News:
Join
the Saint Titus
Newsletter
Sacred References:
Titus, chapter 2, verse 1 onwards.
Luke, chapter 6,
verse 27 onwards.
Homily:
This talk is all about Right Energy. Have you ever noticed how if somebody cooks a
meal with love, there is that something special about the food that makes it a
pleasure to eat. However if they have cooked
the meal, in frustration and hatred; then although the food is technically the
same; it just does not go down so well.
So it is all about the energy that you put into things, the right
energy, which ultimately has a positive effect on diverse ripple effects.
Generate the right energy by teaching the
older men and woman, how to behave in Godly ways. The younger woman will then be able to look
at the older woman and use them as role models, and put the right energy into their
marriages, so that everybody in the end is happy. The children will then have a role model in
their mother as they grow up, and will also become good citizens. In the same way teach the young men to be
moderate, and follow the example of the older men. The hidden value of the men will ripple
through society as the right energy is released. Just by teaching the correct principles, you
can potentially turn society around to be a far more enlightened and uplifted society.
In the Gospel we look at specific
examples of right energy. We are looking
at the concept of loving your enemies.
You see it is easy to love those people who love you, or even those
people that are just very lovable.
However that is no real achievement, because evil and good people alike
all love those that love them. So as a Christian
you need to be able to take things to the next level, and that level is to love
your enemies.
If somebody slaps you in the face,
turn the other cheek. Yes that is easy
to say, but imagine how difficult that is to do in real life. Don’t turn the other cheek, and when that
duty is done, go and beat the person up.
The whole idea is to love your enemies, to love those that are doing
harm to yourself. You see that is the
right energy, that you need to be feeding into the world. If somebody steals something from you, you
can lay charges at the Police Station, you can get your lawyer involved, or you
can treat this person with love, and generate some Right Energy. Very difficult to love your enemies, but also
very rewarding. When it comes down to it,
in the real world, not too many people will be able to turn the other cheek. If you can turn the other cheek, then you
have achieved something really spectacular, you have generated right energy, in
a situation that was filled with the wrong type of energy.
Sometimes it is so easy to make
judgements of other people. We see
situations and circumstances taking place, and we use our knowledge of what is
wrong and what is right, and we are able to form an opinion or a
judgement. It is so easy to do. However the Right Energy approach or the
approach that God would have us adopt is a totally non-judgemental approach. Don’t judge, give them the benefit of the
doubt. It may be that you too have
things in your life, that people will be able to judge you over.
Don’t focus on the spec of dust in your brothers eye, when you have a
whole plank in your own eye.
Expect the type of fruit from a tree
that is appropriate to the tree. From a
fig tree we could expect figs, but from a thorn tree, we will not get any figs. It is the same with people, the good man will
bring forth good things from his heart, whilst the evil man will bring forth
evil things from his heart. Don’t be
surprised if an evil man eventually reveals evil fruit emanating from his
heart.
The wise man is one who hears the
words of the Lord Jesus Christ, and takes appropriate action on those
words. You could say he uses those wise
words as a foundation on the rocks to build his house on. The foolish man hears those same words from
our Lord Jesus Christ, and decides to take no action on those words. He uses that non-action as a foundation on
the sand to build his house on. When the
torrent arrives, the house immediately collapses and is completely destroyed,
whereas the house on the rocks survives.
So you need to take the right Action that leads to the Right energy, in
everything that can possibly happen to you.
If you have not given your life to the
Lord Jesus Christ, then the Right Action, to generate the right energy in your
life would be to do so. The formula is
so simple, it is contained in the little prayer below. This is all that you will ever need to step
over the line and claim your eternal salvation.
The Prayer of Redemption
Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for dying
on the cross for my sins.
Please forgive my sins and give me the
gift of eternal life.
I ask you into my life and heart to be
my Lord and Saviour.
I undertake to get baptized as called
for in the scriptures, Mark 16, verse 16.
Amen.
Mark, chapter 16, verse 16.
Whoever believes and is baptized will
be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Acts, chapter 2, verse 38.
Peter Replied, “Repent and be
baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of
your sins. And you will receive the gift
of the Holy Spirit.
Love Rev. Fr. Franz Devantier IOCC.
Church History – Article 17:
An age of reason
In the eighteenth century there
was an intellectual revolution that provided much of the stimulation for the
political revolutions of that period.
Commonly called “The Enlightenment”.
The Enlightenment also profoundly affected Christianity. Christians were forced to think through the
foundations that their faith was based on, and to respond to the aggressive
attacks on institutional Christianity that was increasing during the
period. Men such as Voltaire (1694 - 1778),
Pierre Bayle (1647 - 1706), and Denis Diderot (1713 - 1784), led the attack on
Christianity.
Christian leaders were faced with
the fact that a dead orthodoxy that was devoid of a dynamic gospel, would not
appeal to a society that was living under these types of stress. The fires of criticism forced many Christians
to re-examine their personal faith and compare it against the original aims of
its founder, Jesus Christ. In some
respects Christianity was experiencing a downward spiral, during this period.
By contrast the world-wide
revivals of the eighteenth century were fully under way. The adaptability of Protestant Christianity
had proven itself, as it adapted to the great revivals. The revivals had already rejuvenated the
spiritual and social lives of America, Britain, and to some extent Germany.
The revivals had stimulated
spiritual renewal all over the world.
Missionary enterprises reached Asia, Africa, and many parts of
America. Most important is that the
Great Revivals of the eighteenth century, had set the stage for the new or next
wave of revivalism which swept through America and parts of Europe in the
nineteenth century.
(Next week we look at “into all
the world”)
An Anglican Catechism
– Article 17:
The Holy Eucharist
=>
What is the Holy Eucharist?
The
Holy Eucharist is the sacrament commanded by Christ for the continual
remembrance of his life, death, and resurrection, until his coming again.
=>
Why is the Eucharist called a sacrifice?
Because
the Eucharist, the Church’s sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, is the way by
which the sacrifice of Christ is made present, and in which he unites us to his
one offering of himself.
=>
By what other names is this service known?
The
Holy Eucharist is called the Lord’s Supper, and Holy Communion; it is also
known as the Divine Liturgy, the Mass, and the Great Offering.
=>
What is the outward and visible sign in the Eucharist?
The
outward and visible sign in the Eucharist is bread and wine, given and received
according to Christ’s command.
=>
What is the inward and spiritual grace given in the Eucharist?
The
inward and spiritual grace given in the Holy Communion is the body and blood of
Christ given to his people, and received by faith.
=>
What are the benefits which we receive in the Lord’s Supper?
The
benefits we receive are the forgiveness of our sins, the strengthening of our
union with Christ and one another, and the foretaste of the heavenly banquet
which is our nourishment in eternal life.
=>
What is required of us when we come to the Eucharist?
It
is required that we should examine our lives, repent of our sins, and be in
love and charity with all people.
(Next
week we will look at Other sacramental rites)
Prayer:
Our
Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name: Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth
as it is in heaven. Give us this day our
daily bread. And forgive us our
trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil.
[Protestants
can optionally add: For Thine is the
kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever.]
Amen.
A Meditation for all Humanity, The Great Invocation:
This meditation or prayer refers to the Kingdom of God,
establishing itself on Earth.
(In place of the word “Christ” below, you may be more
comfortable with the term “Lord Maitreya”, “the Imam Mahdi”, “the Bodhisattva”,
“the Messiah”, or etc.)
From the point of Light within the Mind of God
Let Light stream forth into the minds of men.
Let Light descend on Earth.
From the point of Love within the Heart of God
Let Love stream forth into the hearts of men.
May Christ
return to Earth.
From the centre where the Will of God is known
Let purpose guide the little wills of men
The purpose which the Masters know and serve.
From the centre which we call the race of men
Let the Plan of Love and Light work out
And may it seal the door where evil dwells.
Let Light and Love and Power restore the Plan on Earth.
By using the Invocation and encouraging others to use it,
no particular group or organisation is sponsored. It belongs to all humanity.
Benedictio:
P.
Pax Dei, quae exsuperat omnem sensum, custodiat corda vestra et intelligentias
vestras in scientia et amore Dei, et Filii ejus Jesu Christi Domini nostri; Et
benedictio Dei omnipotentis, Patris, + et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti, descendat
super vos, et maneat semper vobiscum.
Amen. (The peace of God, which passeth
all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God
and of his Son, Christ our Lord; and the Blessing of God Almighty, the Father, + the Son and the Holy Ghost, be
amongst you and remain with you always. Amen.
)
Love,
Rev. Fr. Franz Devantier of Saint Titus, IOCC, South Africa,
devantierf@gmail.com
Financial
support for Saint Titus IOCC (win-win
alternative)
Join the
carefully selected and tested cash-flow generating program below to support
Saint Titus, and at the same time potentially create a residual or annuity type
income for yourself.
|
Traffic Wave - Free Report: You can
maintain unlimited lists, with unlimited members. No extra costs.
Email marketing or newsletters on steroids. Nice residual income
program built in.
|
No comments:
Post a Comment