Third Sunday after Easter - "Honour the Emperor"

Omnes honorate; fraternitatem diligite; Deum timete; regem honorificate.

πάντας τιμήσατε, τὴν ἀδελφότητα ἀγαπᾶτε, τὸν θεὸν φοβεῖσθε, τὸν βασιλέα τιμᾶτε.

Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the Emperor.

The First Epistle of St Peter the Apostle, Ch.2, verses 11-19 - reading for the 3rd Sunday after Easter - the first papal encyclical letter laying out the plan of Christendom...

[11] carissimi obsecro tamquam advenas et peregrinos abstinere vos a carnalibus desideriis quae militant adversus animam [12] conversationem vestram inter gentes habentes bonam ut in eo quod detractant de vobis tamquam de malefactoribus ex bonis operibus considerantes glorificent Deum in die visitationis [13] subiecti estote omni humanae creaturae propter Dominum sive regi quasi praecellenti [14] sive ducibus tamquam ab eo missis ad vindictam malefactorum laudem vero bonorum [15] quia sic est voluntas Dei ut benefacientes obmutescere faciatis inprudentium hominum ignorantiam

[16] quasi liberi et non quasi velamen habentes malitiae libertatem sed sicut servi Dei [17] omnes honorate fraternitatem diligite Deum timete regem honorificate [18] servi subditi in omni timore dominis non tantum bonis et modestis sed etiam discolis [19] haec est enim gratia si propter conscientiam Dei sustinet quis tristitias patiens iniuste [20] quae enim gloria est si peccantes et colaphizati suffertis sed si benefacientes et patientes sustinetis haec est gratia apud Deum

[21] in hoc enim vocati estis quia et Christus passus est pro vobis vobis relinquens exemplum ut sequamini vestigia eius [22] qui peccatum non fecit nec inventus est dolus in ore ipsius [23] qui cum malediceretur non maledicebat cum pateretur non comminabatur tradebat autem iudicanti se iniuste [24] qui peccata nostra ipse pertulit in corpore suo super lignum ut peccatis mortui iustitiae viveremus cuius livore sanati estis [25] erratis enim sicut oves errantes sed conversi estis nunc ad pastorem et episcopum animarum vestrarum

[1 Epistola Petri 2:11-19]

St Peter, Prince of the Apostles, the first pope

[11] Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, to refrain yourselves from carnal desires which war against the soul, [12] Having your conversation good among the Gentiles: that whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by the good works, which they shall behold in you, glorify God in the day of visitation. [13] Be ye subject therefore to every human creature for God's sake: whether it be to the king as excelling; [14] Or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of the good: [15] For so is the will of God, that by doing well you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

[16] As free, and not as making liberty a cloak for malice, but as the servants of God. [17] Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the Emperor. [18] Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. [19] For this is thankworthy, if for conscience towards God, a man endure sorrows, suffering wrongfully. [20] For what glory is it, if committing sin, and being buffeted for it, you endure? But if doing well you suffer patiently; this is thankworthy before God.

[21] For unto this are you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example that you should follow his steps. [22] Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth. [23] Who, when he was reviled, did not revile: when he suffered, he threatened not: but delivered himself to him that judged him unjustly. [24] Who his own self bore our sins in his body upon the tree: that we, being dead to sins, should live to justice: by whose stripes you were healed. [25] For you were as sheep going astray; but you are now converted to the shepherd and bishop of your soul.

[1 Peter 2:11-19]

The first Holy Roman Emperor, Charlemagne, Charles the Great

Blessed Emperor Charles, pray for the Christian West!


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