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The Fourth Sunday in Lent
Intent: Spiritual Refreshment
THE COLLECT
O Thou supreme Life-Spirit, cause of every change throughout creation, origin of all, and single source of every living soul, of Thee alone is our beginning, and in Thee alone have we no ending. As Thy sacred symbol of the seed is sown in Springtime, set Thou likewise in our hearts and souls the sacred spark of Thine immortal light. Grant us we pray a peaceful and refreshing season of progression. Let us receive fresh light upon our paths and follow this with faith throughout Thy plans for our perfection. May this truly be Thy will in us and our true will in Thee, that we may ultimately unify in everlasting love.
Amen.
THE LESSON
The lesson is taken from the Epistle of St. Paul the Apostle to the Philippians:
I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound; everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me. Brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report: if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do; and the God of peace shall be with you. Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
THE GOSPEL
The gospel is taken from the Gospel according to St. Philip:
The light and the darkness, life and death, the right and the left, are brothers one to another. It is not possible to separate them from one another. Because of this, neither are the good good, nor the evil evil, nor is life a life, nor death a death. Because of this each one will be resolved into its origin from the beginning. But those who are exalted above the world are indissoluble and eternal.
A Homily for the Fourth Sunday in Lent
presented by the Most Reverend Stephan A. Hoeller, bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostic