Devotional Life

Verbum enim crucis pereuntibus quidem stultitia est: iis autem qui salvi fiunt, id est nobis, Dei virtus est. {I-Cor. 1:18}

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Name

Briefly, why do you want to join ‘the Rood’?

A Brief Overview of the Rule

Brothers & Sisters of of the Rood intend to be noticed by their neighbors after the pattern of their KING, to set an example of Christian duty to home, church, and neighborhood as a faithful son or daughter of GOD and heir of the Eternal Kingdom, as demonstrated in the Bible. Aware of each one’s own flaws as descendants of Adam & Eve {Rom. 7}, it is compulsory that brothers & sisters of the Rood strive by the strength of the Holy SPIRIT through the Word heard and in the Word received in the Blessed Sacrament—knighted or not—to be what Christ’s expects of us: “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden….Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” {Mt. 5}

Manner of dress:
When the brothers & sisters gather for regular fellowship, to discuss the Bible, and to receive God’s gifts, formal mantles and adornments after the style appointed are expected to be worn by each, marking the degree of their station, and whether they are either ordained or lay. Any brothers or sisters enrolled in College Corbenic also receive a cincture of color representing their progress.

Eligibility:
Anyone at least 18 years of age is eligible to request membership. There is a junior group as well for those under 18yrs; all junior applicants must be accompanied by a parent or guardian during the interview process.

Receiving the Sacred Eucharist often is a key part of being a brother or sister of the Rood. Applicants should note in the inquiry if they have received Holy Baptism in the NAME of the Holy Trinity {Mt. 28}; one must be Baptized and a member of a congregation that confesses the Apostles or Nicene Creed (minimum) to receive the Holy Supper with the other brothers and sisters.

The period of discernment lasts up to three months for both the interested brother or sister and the ranking ministers of the Rood, to assess if taking vows to formally be received into our gathering is salutary to both. More information on the structure and workings of the Rood will be provided when responding to the initial inquiry.

Sons of Solomon. Daughters of Wisdom.
Knights & Shield-maidens of the Rood.

Corbenic trains its students in the Biblical posture before the world, for the benefit of their households, and the specific congregations and neighborhoods of which those students are a part. The idea is that students will be available to gather together regularly and become the kinds of Christian men and women spoken by the Psalmist when he says, “And those who see me will have joy, because I trust in Your Word.” {Ps. 119:74}. This is achieved by following the example of Christ’s own daily prayer life, which He shared with His Brothers Twelve, as well as His command to receive His Sacrament often, and to bear one’s own cross faithfully as He did.

The Rood is the Middle English word for the Crucifix.

The goal of combining one’s studies with formal prayer and meditation on Scripture is to encourage and develop a daily devotional habitus. By God’s grace through the illumination of His Holy SPIRIT, this will help such Heavenly royal-ed sons & daughters of the GREAT-KING see Proverbs 1 become a reality, along with Jesus’ exhortation in Matthew 5 to be the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world” as the fruit of one’s devotional life becomes service to one’s neighbor to the glory of God the FATHER.

The ‘Sons of Solomon’ is modeled after the traditional brotherhoods committed to praying the Psalmic hours, daily meditating on Scripture, and regularly receiving the Lord’s Supper together. It is a discipline for Christian men, focused on praying the Psalms daily as well as meditating on Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the eternal Words of Wisdom incarnate spoken by CHRIST JESUS. Learn more at their website. You will also find there a ‘Daughters of Wisdom’ developed for ladies looking for a similar Psalmic prayer discipline.

At its essence, we are praying-meditating-singing “spiritual knights & shield-maidens” gathering in a particular place in the light of Christ crucified; we are attentively-aware of the ongoing Cosmic War and the related dutiful Kingdom-work in our homes-parishes-neighborhoods, as prepared by the KING from Eternity for us to walk in. {Ephesians 2}

Our striving is to be inspired by each other and be an inspiration in the settings to which we have been called, aspiring to the Godly usefulness with the talent-gifts & skills prepared for each person and given by the FATHER; this covers employers and employees, artists and day-laborers, contractors and volunteers, the retired and the apprenticed, teachers and students: all as we await the return of CHRIST, the DAY of the Great Resurrection, and the consummation and subsequent beginning of the Eternal New Creation. {I-Cor. 3 & 15, II-Cor. 1, Col. 3, II-Ptr. 3}

The Knights & Shield-maidens of the Rood is for Christian men & ladies, committed to their marriages, congregations, and neighborhoods who desire to gather together in the ‘Sons of Solomon’ / ‘Daughters of Wisdom’ Psalmic prayer discipline, around the celebration of the Blessed Sacrament, to present a fuller expression of our being in the warrior-priest Order of Melchizedek with Christ Jesus our King. {Psalm 11o:3}

Membership is an intentional commitment to gathering often for Divine Service and minor offices during the week; also consolation and edification among the brothers to engage opportunities to serve each other and their households in the local community through regular vocations and their congregations. There are ‘semi-mendicant’ and (full) ‘mendicant’ options.

To learn more about joining as a postulant, please send an inquiry through the form in the adjacent column.

Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us,
But to Your Name give glory,
Because of Your mercy,
Because of Your faithfulness.
[Psalm 115:1]

Praying through the Hours

Suggestions are based generally on the timeline of Good Friday [brackets indicates optional private devotion; see link above to download the SoS ‘rule’ booklet; download the 2019-ACNA edition of the Book of Common Prayer for the Daily Office Orders].

Sons of Solomon:
(Follow the BoCP ‘Family Prayer’ Order of the Daily Office for the time of day, starting on p. 67ff.)

Morning [Family Prayer]
Midday [Family Prayer]
Vespers [Family Prayer]
Nighttime [Family Prayer]

Discipline of the Rood:
(Follow the BoCP traditional Orders of the Daily Office for the time of day, starting on p. 11ff, using the Psalms from the SoS ‘rule’ where appropriate.)

[5AM Lauds Psalms 3-5-16]
8AM Matins Morning Prayer
11AM Missa Brevis (Low Mass, except Feast days, using a traditional Order of the Daily Office from Lutheran Service Book)
[Noon Sext Psalm 37]
[3PM Nones The Great Litany]
5PM Vespers Evening Prayer
8PM Night Compline
[Overnight Vigil Psalm 4-63-139]

Luther’s Devotional Paradigm

Based on Psalm 119.

Oratio (“prayer”)
My soul clings to the dust;
Revive me according to Your word.
I have declared my ways, and You answered me;
Teach me Your statutes.
Make me understand the way of Your precepts;
So shall I meditate on Your wonderful works.
My soul melts from heaviness;
Strengthen me according to Your word.
Remove from me the way of lying,
And grant me Your law graciously.
I have chosen the way of truth;
Your judgments I have laid before me.
I cling to Your testimonies;
O Lord, do not put me to shame!
I will run the course of Your commandments,
For You shall enlarge my heart.
[Psalm 119:25-32]

“Kneel down in your little room and pray to God…that He through His dear Son may give you His Holy Spirit, who will enlighten you, lead you, and give you understanding.”
Martin Luther (LW 34:285-286)

Meditatio (“contemplation”)
How can a young man cleanse his way?
By taking heed according to Your word.
With my whole heart I have sought You;
Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!
Your word I have hidden in my heart,
That I might not sin against You.
Blessed are You, O Lord!
Teach me Your statutes.
With my lips I have declared
All the judgments of Your mouth.
I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,
As much as in all riches.
I will meditate on Your precepts,
And contemplate Your ways.
I will delight myself in Your statutes;
I will not forget Your word.
[Psalm 119:9-16]

“You should meditate…by actually repeating and comparing oral speech and literal words of the book, reading and rereading them with diligent attention and reflection, so that you may see what the Holy Spirit means by them.”
Martin Luther (LW 34:286)

Tentatio (“tense struggling”)
My soul faints for Your salvation,
But I hope in Your word.
My eyes fail from searching Your word,
Saying, “When will You comfort me?”
For I have become like a wineskin in smoke,
Yet I do not forget Your statutes.
How many are the days of Your servant?
When will You execute judgment on those who persecute me?
The proud have dug pits for me,
Which is not according to Your law.
All Your commandments are faithful;
They persecute me wrongfully;
Help me!
They almost made an end of me on earth,
But I did not forsake Your precepts.
Revive me according to Your lovingkindness,
So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth.
[Psalm 119:81-88]

“The temptations of the pious accomplish very much and are a most Godly training school for flesh and blood. He who has not been tempted knows nothing. For this reason the Psalter in all its words treats of practically nothing but temptation, tribulation, and affliction…”
Martin Luther (Treasury of Martin Luther)