Rogation Wednesday (Vigil of the Ascension) ++++++++ Father, the hour is come: glorify thy Son with the glory which I had with thee before the world was, alleluia. [Benedictus antiphon, Rogation Wednesday, Lauds, fifth week after Easter] ++++++++ Readings from the Fathers during Matins in Paschaltide. Homily by St. Augustine, Bishop Homily 104 on John THE Lord, the Only-begotten and co-eternal with the Father, if, in the form of a servant and from the form of a servant, need were that he should pray, might have prayed in silence: but then it was his will, while exhibiting himself to the Father in the attitude of prayer, to remember that he was our teacher. Accordingly, the prayer which he made for us, he hath also made known to us: because being so great a master, not only what he saith in discoursing to his disciples, but also what he saith to the Father in praying for them, is their edification. And if theirs, who were there to hear these things when they were said, doubtless ours also, who should read them when put in writing. Lesson ii WHEREFORE this saying, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son: denotes that all time, and what thing, at what time, he would do or suffer to be done, was all disposed by him who is not subject to time; because the things that were to be at each several instant throughout the times, have their efficient causes in the wisdom of God, in which are no times. Then let it not be thought that this hour came by urgency of fate, but only by Gods ordering. Neither did sidereal necessity bind Christ to an enforced passion: far be it from us to imagine that the stars could compel the maker of the stars to die. Therefore not time forced Christ to die, but Christ chose a time to die: as also the time at which he was born of the Virgin he settled with the Father, of whom he was begotten without time. Agreeably with which true and sound doctrine, the Apostle Paul also saith; But when the fulness of time was come, God sent forth his Son: and God saith by the prophet At an acceptable time have I helped thee; and again the Apostle, Behold now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. Then let him say, Father, the hour is come, which we have together ordained for mens sake, and among men in order to my glorifying; the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee. Lesson iii THE Fathers glorifying of the Son some take to consist in this, that he spared him not, but delivered him up for us all. But if he be said to be glorified by passion, how much more by resurrection? For in the passion it is more his humility than his glory that is shown forth; witness the Apostle, who saith, He humbled himself, being made obedient unto death, even the death of the cross: then he goes on, and speaks now of his glorifying; Wherefore God also hath exalted him and given him a Name which is above every name: that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. This is the glorifying of our Lord Jesus Christ, which took its beginning from his resurrection. ++++++++ I called mine own ways to remembrance, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. I made haste, and prolonged not the time, to keep thy commandments. [Psalm 118[119]:59-60]
Posted on: Wed, 28 May 2014 13:33:06 +0000
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