Archived-Canberra Sermon - Absence

The following Midnight Mass takes place during on the night of the 11th of February 2014, and was presided of by Bishop Lupo

For the complete liturgy of the mass, please refer to Archived-Midnight Mass - Canberra Rite

First Reading

The Rule of Golgotha, Chapter 2.

Our Damnation is but one part of God's plan. It is perfect, eternal and predestined. For this reason we must pay close attention to what we have heard, so that each one of us may recognize his own part in the divine purpose. We must keep faith at all times in the all-encompassing rightness of God's plan and the part which Longinus came to play in it. We can be assured that what we believe is true and right, for the Angel Vahishtael was sent to guide Longinus in his new-found wisdom. We can know that the unlife we lead is Sanctified, for we have seen miracles with our own eyes and felt the presence of divinity in our predation.

And surely we are Sanctified! We know even now that these nights grow shorter and fewer with every passing year. Every season of fasting the question arises: Will this be the last? Surely the final judgment will be coming soon.

Second Reading

The Torments of Longinus, Chapter 2, starting from verse 1.

Each night I awaken and hunger digs its claws into my belly. All the sweet and savoury foods of my gluttony are tasteless and dry. Rich banquets hold no allure. I walk through the streets of the city like a beggar and a thief, shaking with hunger. I cannot find sustenance.

In my weakness I collapse in the street near the beggars and cripples. In an instant I can sense the scent of true food. I cannot imagine the origin of such delicacies, and in my frustration I fall upon a beggar with fury. His blood falls upon my lips and my eyes are cleared again. My fangs find his throat and I drink deeply.

I have become a wolf among men.

The Homily

Absence Makes the Feast Grow Fonder

Brothers and Sisters, I welcome you back to Mass following the great rite of Quadragesmia. It is a difficult time for the faithful, were we are tested at our very foundational nature. Our ingrained and unescapable need to feed.

As we know, the Centurion upon his damnation went into the desert, and was without vitae for forty nights. This period of fasting and contemplation is what the Sanctified attempt to emulate every year. We hope to gain a tiny insight of the Dark Prophet, to learn a new truth about ourselves and our divine purpose. Just as Longinus fasted, was tempted into sin and by doing so gained a revelation of who he was, so to do we fast.

It is a difficult thing to do, and as the nights go on into years, it becomes rarer to find those that continue the rite. The Monachus and his Dark Apostles fasted regularly, and as we have heard in the Rule, each time he wondered was this the last? To think that over two thousand years have since passed, and not a year goes by that we cannot ask ourselves the same question. That is the beauty of the Quadragesmia, it calls us to reflect. To concentrate on the things that really matter.

But, I must confess, it is not the Quadragesmia that I look forward to.

That privilege belongs to the Longinus Epularum.

The Feast of Longinus, held last night, is the breaking of the fast. As we heard from the Torments, and I’m sure many of us know from firsthand experience, it is the quenching of the thirst that is exquisite.

It is the closest thing we sinners can know to feeling God’s love.

It is the absence of the most precious gift, which reminds us to treasure it. Too often does familiarity bred contempt. I cannot help but draw parallels of our recent nights. How can one value the rulership from the faithful, without being subjected to the pagans? For without darkness, what is light? Without sin, what is righteousness? Without the fear of death, how can one embrace life?

And in all things, we are reminded of our purpose. While God shows his love, we show his wrath. While God grants life without cause, we bring death as it is justified.

And like the Feast of Longinus, we revel in it.

Because we are the Grandeur.

We are Sanctified.

Intercessions

A Prayer of Breaking Fast
Most wise God, who has given us undiminishing hunger for the blood of man, give us strength and cunning to feed swiftly and feed well, and give us wisdom to feed upon those who most deserve the divine fear. Let our predations be always fitting in your sight.

Amen

A Prayer for Wisdom in Counsel
Heavenly God who knows all things and sees all things, let not the heart of these Kindred be hardened, but grant us wisdom to give good counsel and bring them ever closer to your eternal plan.

Amen

A Prayer for the Parish
Lord Almighty, we thank you for the flock you have sent to this city. We cherish their faithfulness, we commend their obedience and we value their wisdom. Continue to stand with us as we fulfil your purpose. Help us to recognise the folly’s of the heretic and the weakness of the apostates. And give us the strength to turn them to your purpose.

Amen