WEEKLY READINGS

QUINQUAGESIMA

Sunday

February 14, 2010

Lessons and Psalms

The 1928 Book of Common Prayer found on page xvi

(Psalm 103, Wisdom 7:7-14, John 15:1-7)

The Book of Psalms

Psalm 103 Benedic, anima mea.

1. PRAISE the LORD, O my soul; * and all that is within me, praise his holy Name.
2. Praise the LORD, O my soul, * and forget not all his benefits:
3. Who forgiveth all thy sin, * and healeth all thine infirmities;
4. Who saveth thy life from destruction, * and crowneth thee with mercy and loving-kindness;
5. Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things, * making thee young and lusty as an eagle.
6. The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment * for all them that are oppressed with wrong.
7. He showed his ways unto Moses, * his works unto the children of Israel.
8. The LORD is full of compassion and mercy, * long-suffering, and of great goodness.
9. He will not alway be chiding; * neither keepeth he his anger for ever.
10. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; * nor rewarded us according to our wickednesses.
11. For look how high the heaven is in comparison of the earth; * so great is his mercy also toward them that fear him.
12. Look how wide also the east is from the west; * so far hath he set our sins from us.
13. Yea, like as a father pitieth his own children; * even so is the LORD merciful unto them that fear him.
14. For he knoweth whereof we are made; * he remembereth that we are but dust.
15. The days of man are but as grass; * for he flourisheth as a flower of the field.
16. For as soon as the wind goeth over it, it is gone; * and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17. But the merciful goodness of the LORD endureth for ever and ever upon them that fear him; * and his righteousness upon children's children;
18. Even upon such as keep his covenant, * and think upon his commandments to do them.
19. The LORD hath prepared his seat in heaven, * and his kingdom ruleth over all.
20. O praise the LORD, ye angels of his, ye that excel in strength; * ye that fulfil his commandment, and hearken unto the voice of his word.
21. O praise the LORD, all ye his hosts; * ye servants of his that do his pleasure.
22. O speak good of the LORD, all ye works of his, in all places of his dominion: * praise thou the LORD, O my soul.

Here beginnith the 1^st lesson that is written in the 7^th chapter of Wisdom beginning at the 7^th verse.

Wherefore I prayed, and understanding was given me: I called upon God, and the spirit of wisdom came to me. I preferred her before sceptres and thrones, and esteemed riches nothing in comparison of her. Neither compared I unto her any precious stone, because all gold in respect of her is as a little sand, and silver shall be counted as clay before her. I loved her above health and beauty, and chose to have her instead of light: for the light that cometh from her never goeth out. All good things together came to me with her, and innumerable riches in her hands. And I rejoiced in them all, because wisdom goeth before them: and I knew not that she was the mother of them. I learned diligently, and do communicate her liberally: I do not hide her riches. For she is a treasure unto men that never faileth: which they that use become the friends of God, being commended for the gifts that come from learning.

Here endeth the 1^st lesson.

Here beginnith the 2^nd lesson that is written in the 15^th chapter of St. John beginning at the 1^st verse

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another.

Here endeth the 2^nd lesson.

The Collect

Quinquagesima

O LORD, who hast taught us that all our doings without charity are nothing worth; Send thy Holy Ghost, and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of charity, the very bond of peace and of all virtues, without which whosoever liveth is counted dead before thee. Grant this for thine only Son Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.