Tag: Holy Eucharist

The central sacrament (mystery) of Christian tradition, also imprecisely known as “Holy Communion” and “Mass.” The Holy Eucharist is publicly celebrated twice weekly at Ecclesia Gnostica: Sundays (High Mass) at 11am, and Wednesday evenings (Low Mass) at 8pm, as well as certain feast days such as Christmas.

The First Sunday in Lent

Color: Violet; Intent: Self-examination

THE COLLECT

O loving God, look upon Thy children who have answered Thy call! Come to us with Thy mighty aid in our time of need. Cleanse us of all darkness and ignorance, let our tears be turned to jubilation, let Thy most glorious power watch over us until we enter Thy light. Let Thy great brightness come and cause the path to be lit before us, let Thy angels bring to us Thy garments, Thy crowns and Thy garlands; let our way be restful, let the door open before us into the column of glory, let us cross over in the ships of Light and rest for evermore. Amen.

THE LESSON

The Lesson is taken from the words of the Holy Prophet Mani:
The man whose mind is full of light is the one to whom belongs wisdom; as soon as he hears truth he welcomes it to himself; but he whose mind is without light, who is alien to it, does not take it to himself, nor does he listen to it. And every weak soul which has not learned the truth belonging to her is doomed to remain without any rest or happiness. God’s enlightening word is sweet when it finds ears to hear it; it does not lodge in a closed mind, makes not its way into a polluted shrine. Let us therefore examine our shrines, so that in cleanliness they may receive the Light.

THE GOSPEL

The Gospel is taken from the Gospel according to St. Thomas:
Jesus saw children who were being suckled. He said to his disciples: These children who are being suckled are like those who enter the kingdom. They said to Him: Shall we then, being children, enter the Kingdom? Jesus said to them: When you make the two one, and when you make the inner as the outer and the outer as the inner and the above as the below, and when you make the male and the female into a single one, so that the male will not be male and the female not be female, when you make eyes in the place of an eye, and a hand in the place of a hand, and a foot in the place of a foot, and an image in the place of an image then shall you enter the Kingdom.

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Homilies for The First Sunday in Lent by Bishop Stephan Hoeller

A Homily for The First Sunday in Lent by Bishop Steven Marshall

The Sunday After Epiphany

Color: White; Intent: Divine Guidance

THE COLLECT

Holy Father of the Light, who dost ever show Thyself to the wise men in every age, we ask for such zeal in the pursuit of Gnosis as may help us to lead all longing souls to Thy Light; O Thou ever shining and guiding star of wisdom and holiness, to Whom we present our gifts of devotion and adoration now and forevermore. Amen.

THE LESSON

The Lesson is taken from the writings of the Gnostic Fathers:
When the Christ appeared among the Aeons of Light, and the chaos was dispersed and perfectly pacified, all the sons and daughters of wisdom sang hymns with great joy to the Father, sharing much delight. With one will and purpose the entire Fullness of the Aeons — Christ and the Spirit were well pleased and the Father imposed His seal upon all. And this is the most perfect beauty and Star of the Pleroma, a perfect fruit, Jesus who was also named Savior and Christ and Word and All, because he is from all.

THE GOSPEL

The Gospel is taken from the Book of the Gospel of Truth:
Therefore he who is Gnostic is truly a being from above. When he is called he hears; he answers; he directs himself to Him who calls him and returns to Him; he apprehends how he is called. By possessing Gnosis, he carries out the will of Him who called him and seeks to do what pleases Him. He receives the repose. He who thus possesses knowledge knows whence he comes and whither he goes. He understands as someone who makes himself free and awakens from the drunkenness wherein he lived and returns to himself.

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A Homily for Epiphany by Bishop Steven Marshall

The Sunday Next before Advent

Color: Green; Intent: Adoration of God

THE COLLECT

Adoration be to Thee, O God of Life and Light, in and through whom the liberation of creation shall be accomplished, when there shall be no darkness nor dazzling but one pure union of light and dark, no sound nor silence but one perfect harmony, no hopes nor fears but one full possession, no discords nor opposites but one single truth, no beginning nor ending but one eternity, in the completion of Thy Wisdom, in the splendor of Thy Glory and the fruition of Thy Love. Amen.

THE LESSON

The Lesson is taken from the Hymn of the Creatures of the Holy Francis of Assisi:
O most high, almighty, good God, to Thee belongeth praise, glory, honor and blessing. Praise be my God, with all His creatures, and especially our brother the sun, who brings us the day and who brings us the light. Fair is he, and shining with very great splendor. O God, he signifies to us Thee. Praise be my God for our sister the moon, and for the stars, the which he set dear and lovely in heaven. Praise be my God for our brother the wind, and for air and cloud, calms and all weather, by which Thou upholdest in life all creatures. Praise be my God for our sister water, who is very serviceable unto us, and humble and precious and clear. Praise be my God for our brother fire, through whom Thou givest us light in the darkness; and he is bright and pleasant and very mighty and strong. Praise be my God for our mother the earth, the which doth sustain and keep us, and bringeth forth diverse fruits, and flowers of many colors and grass. Praise ye and bless ye God and give thanks unto Him, and serve Him with great humility.

THE GOSPEL

The Gospel is taken from the Gospel according to St. Thomas:
Jesus said: Whoever knows the All but fails to know himself lacks everything. Jesus said: If you bring forth that within yourselves, that which you have will save you. If you do not have that within yourselves, that which you do not have within you will kill you.

Jesus said: Why do you wash the outside of the cup? Do you not understand that he who made the inside is also he who made the outside? His disciples said to Him: When will the kingdom come?

Jesus said: It will not come by expectation; they will not say: “See, here,” or “See, there.” But the kingdom of the Father is spread upon the earth and men do not see it.

Jesus said: Whoever drinks from my mouth shall become as I am and I myself will become he, and the hidden things shall be revealed to him. I am the All, the All came forth from me, and the All attained to me. Cleave a piece of wood, I am there; lift up the stone and you will find me there.

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Homilies for the Sunday before Advent by Bishop Stephan Hoeller