The pride of the higher realms is the clear vault of the sky, as glorious to behold as the sight of the heavens. The sun, when it appears, proclaims as it rises what a marvellous instrument it is, the work of the Most High. At noon it parches the land, and who can withstand its burning heat? A man tending a furnace works in burning heat, but three times as hot is the sun scorching the mountains; it breathes out fiery vapours, and its bright rays blind the eyes. Great is the Lord who made it; at his orders it hurries on its course.
It is the moon that marks the changing seasons, governing the times, their everlasting sign. From the moon comes the sign for festal days, a light that wanes when it completes its course. The new moon, as its name suggests, renews itself; how marvellous it is in this change, a beacon to the hosts on high, shining in the vault of the heavens!
The glory of the stars is the beauty of heaven, a glittering array in the heights of the Lord. On the orders of the Holy One they stand in their appointed places; they never relax in their watches. Look at the rainbow, and praise him who made it; it is exceedingly beautiful in its brightness. It encircles the sky with its glorious arc; the hands of the Most High have stretched it out.
By his command he sends the driving snow and speeds the lightnings of his judgement. Therefore the storehouses are opened, and the clouds fly out like birds. In his majesty he gives the clouds their strength, and the hailstones are broken in pieces. The voice of his thunder rebukes the earth; when he appears, the mountains shake. At his will the south wind blows; so do the storm from the north and the whirlwind. He scatters the snow like birds flying down, and its descent is like locusts alighting. The eye is dazzled by the beauty of its whiteness, and the mind is amazed as it falls. He pours frost over the earth like salt, and icicles form like pointed thorns. The cold north wind blows, and ice freezes on the water; it settles on every pool of water, and the water puts it on like a breastplate. He consumes the mountains and burns up the wilderness, and withers the tender grass like fire. A mist quickly heals all things; the falling dew gives refreshment from the heat.
By his plan he stilled the deep and planted islands in it. Those who sail the sea tell of its dangers, and we marvel at what we hear. In it are strange and marvellous creatures, all kinds of living things, and huge sea-monsters. Because of him each of his messengers succeeds, and by his word all things hold together.
We could say more but could never say enough; let the final word be: ‘He is the all.’ Where can we find the strength to praise him? For he is greater than all his works. Awesome is the Lord and very great, and marvellous is his power. Glorify the Lord and exalt him as much as you can, for he surpasses even that. When you exalt him, summon all your strength, and do not grow weary, for you cannot praise him enough. Who has seen him and can describe him? Or who can extol him as he is? Many things greater than these lie hidden, for I have seen but few of his works. For the Lord has made all things and to the godly he has given wisdom.
Let us now sing the praises of famous men, our ancestors in their generations.
The Lord apportioned to them great glory, his majesty from the beginning.
There were those who ruled in their kingdoms, and made a name for themselves by their valour;
those who gave counsel because they were intelligent; those who spoke in prophetic oracles;
those who led the people by their counsels and by their knowledge of the people’s lore;
they were wise in their words of instruction; those who composed musical tunes, or put verses in writing;
rich men endowed with resources, living peacefully in their homes—
all these were honoured in their generations, and were the pride of their times.
Some of them have left behind a name, so that others declare their praise.
But of others there is no memory; they have perished as though they had never existed;
they have become as though they had never been born, they and their children after them.
But these also were godly men, whose righteous deeds have not been forgotten;
their wealth will remain with their descendants, and their inheritance with their children’s children.
Their descendants stand by the covenants; their children also, for their sake.
Their offspring will continue for ever, and their glory will never be blotted out.
Their bodies are buried in peace, but their name lives on generation after generation.
The assembly declares their wisdom, and the congregation proclaims their praise.
Commentary
Our Lord gave the name that is above every other name to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. For this name that is above every other name is Jesus, and because this is the name that is above every other name, for many generations it was given to no one. But in the Book of Exodus I find the name of Jesus, or Joshua, for the first time, and I want to consider closely when it was first given. Scripture says, Amalek came and was fighting against Israel, and Moses spoke to Jesus in Raphidim. This is the first mention of the name Jesus. Moses said, Choose mighty men for yourself from among all the sons of Israel, and go out and fight tomorrow with Amalek. Thus we first become acquainted with the name Jesus when we see him as the leader of the army; not as one with whom Moses joined his leadership, but the one to whom Moses granted primacy. Moses was not able to choose mighty men. Therefore, when I become acquainted with the name Jesus for the first time, I also immediately see the symbol of a mystery. Indeed Jesus leads the army. To what do all these things lead us? Obviously to this, that the book does not so much indicate to us the deeds of Jesus, or Joshua, the son of Nun, as it represents for us the mysteries of Jesus my Lord. For he himself is the one who assumes power after the death of Moses; he is the one who leads the army and fights against Amalek. Thus Moses is dead; for the Law has ceased, because, the Law and the Prophets extend only up to John. Moses did not say, Let the sun stand still, nor command the greatest elements as Jesus did. Jesus says, Let the sun stand still over Gibeon and the moon over the valley of Aijalon. Scripture adds to this and says, Never in this way did God listen to a man. Not only at that time did my Jesus make the sun to stand, but also, and in a much greater way at his coming. When we wage war against our enemies and fight against principalities and powers and rulers of these dark things, against the spirits of wickedness in the heavens, the sun of our righteousness constantly stands by and never, at any time, deserts us or hastens to go down. For he himself says, behold I am with you for all days. He is not only with us for a doubled day, but he is with us for all days until the end of the age until we prevail over our adversaries. In the time of Moses it was not said, as in Jesus’ time, the land rested from wars. It is certain also that this land of ours, in which we have struggles and endure contests, will be able to rest from battles and by the strength of the Lord Jesus alone. Within us indeed are all those breeds of vices that continually attack the soul. Within us are the Canaanites; within us are the Perizzites; here are the Jebusites. In what way must we exert ourselves, how vigilant must we be or for how long must we persevere, so that when all these breeds of vices have been forced to flee, our land may rest from wars at last?(Origen of Alexandria)
Musical Selection
Welcome to this circle
where love and grace abound.
We honor your journey, and wherever you are bound.
We will walk beside you, encourage you on your way,
celebrate your spirit and hold you as we pray.
There is love for one like you.
There is grace enough to see you through.
And wherever you have walked, whatever path you choose
May you know there is love for one like you.
Welcome to this circle
where love and grace abound.
We honor your journey, and wherever you are bound.
We will walk beside you, encourage you on your way,
celebrate your spirit and hold you as we pray.
There is love for one like you.
There is grace enough to see you through.
And wherever you have walked, whatever path you choose
May you know there is love for one like you.
And wherever you have walked, whatever path you choose
May you know there is love for one like you.
Collect
Do not forsake us, Lord, in this time of penance, but by your grace confirm your power within us and renew our dedication to your holy service. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.