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.

MONDAY

FEBRUARY 15, 2010

St. Valentine (tr)

(Psalm 18:1-20, 1^st lesson Genesis 18:1-16, Mark 9:38)

The Book of Psalms

Psalm 18:1-20 Diligam te, Domine.

1. I WILL love thee, O LORD, my strength. * The LORD is my stony rock, and my defence;
2. My Saviour, my God, and my might, in whom I will trust; * my buckler, the horn also of my salvation, and my refuge.
3. I will call upon the LORD, which is worthy to be praised; * so shall I be safe from mine enemies.
4. The sorrows of death compassed me, * and the overflowings of ungodliness made me afraid.
5. The pains of hell came about me; * the snares of death overtook me.
6. In my trouble I called upon the LORD, * and complained unto my God:
7. So he heard my voice out of his holy temple, * and my complaint came before him; it entered even into his ears.
8. The earth trembled and quaked, * the very foundations also of the hills shook, and were removed, because he was wroth.
9. There went a smoke out in his presence, * and a consuming fire out of his mouth, so that coals were kindled at it.
10. He bowed the heavens also, and came down, * and it was dark under his feet.
11. He rode upon the Cherubim, and did fly; * he came flying upon the wings of the wind.
12. He made darkness his secret place, * his pavilion round about him with dark water, and thick clouds to cover him.
13. At the brightness of his presence his clouds removed; * hailstones and coals of fire.
14. The LORD also thundered out of heaven, and the Highest gave his thunder; * hailstones and coals of fire.
15. He sent out his arrows, and scattered them; * he cast forth lightnings, and destroyed them.
16. The springs of waters were seen, and the foundations of the round world were discovered, * at thy chiding, O LORD, at the blasting of the breath of thy displeasure.
17. He sent down from on high to fetch me, * and took me out of many waters.
18. He delivered me from my strongest enemy, and from them which hate me; * for they were too mighty for me
19. They came upon me in the day of my trouble; * but the LORD was my upholder.

20. He brought me forth also into a place of liberty; * he brought me forth, even because he had a favour unto me.

Here beginnith the 1st lesson that is written in the 18th chapter of Genesis beginning at the 1st verse.

And the Lord appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground, And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant: Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree: And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said. And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth. And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetched a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it. And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat. And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent. And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? And the Lord said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old? Is any thing too hard for the Lord? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son. Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh. And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.

Here endeth the 1^st lesson.

Here beginnith the 2^nd lesson that is written in the 9^th chapter of St. Mark beginning at the 38^th verse.

And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part. For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward. And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with 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.

SHROVE TUESDAY

FEBRUARY 15, 2010

(Psalm 18: 21-36, First lesson Genesis, 18:20 Second Lesson, Mark 10:1-6)

The Book of Psalms

Psalm 18:21-36 Diligam te, Domine.

21. The LORD rewarded me after my righteous dealing, * according to the cleanness of my hands did he recompense me.
22. Because I have kept the ways of the LORD, * and have not forsaken my God, as the wicked doth.
23. For I have an eye unto all his laws, * and will not cast out his commandments from me.
24. I was also uncorrupt before him, * and eschewed mine own wickedness.
25. Therefore the LORD rewarded me after my righteous dealing, * and according unto the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.
26. With the holy thou shalt be holy, * and with a perfect man thou shalt be perfect.
27. With the clean thou shalt be clean, * and with the froward thou shalt be froward.
28. For thou shalt save the people that are in adversity, * and shalt bring down the high looks of the proud.
29. Thou also shalt light my candle; * the LORD my God shall make my darkness to be light.
30. For in thee I shall discomfit an host of men, * and with the help of my God I shall leap over the wall.
31. The way of God is an undefiled way: * the word of the LORD also is tried in the fire; he is the defender of all them that put their trust in him.
32. For who is God, but the LORD? * or who hath any strength, except our God?
33. It is God that girdeth me with strength of war, * and maketh my way perfect.
34. He maketh my feet like harts' feet, * and setteth me up on high.
35. He teacheth mine hands to fight, * and mine arms shall bend even a bow of steel.

36. Thou hast given me the defence of thy salvation; * thy right hand also shall hold me up, and thy loving correction shall make me great.

Here beginnith the 1^st lesson that is written in the 18^th chapter of Genesis beginning at the 20^th verse

And the Lord said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know. And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the Lord. And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? And the Lord said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes. And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes: Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it. And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty's sake. And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there. And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty's sake. And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake. And the Lord went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.

Here endeth the 1^st lesson.

Here beginnith the 2^nd lesson that is written in the 10^th chapter of St. Mark beginning at the 1^st verse.

And he arose from thence, and cometh into the coasts of Judaea by the farther side of Jordan: and the people resort unto him again; and, as he was wont, he taught them again. And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him. And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you? And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away. And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter. And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery. And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

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.

ASH WEDNESDAY

February 17, 2010

(Psalm 32, 143, Isaiah 58:1-12, Hebrews 12:1-14)

The Book of Psalms

Psalm 32 Beati quorum.

1. BLESSED is he whose unrighteousness is forgiven, * and whose sin is covered.
2. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth no sin, * and in whose spirit there is no guile.
3. For whilst I held my tongue, * my bones consumed away through my daily complaining.
4. For thy hand was heavy upon me day and night, * and my moisture was like the drought in summer.
5. I acknowledged my sin unto thee; * and mine unrighteousness have I not hid.
6. I said, I will confess my sins unto the LORD; * and so thou forgavest the wickedness of my sin.
7. For this shall every one that is godly make his prayer unto thee, in a time when thou mayest be found; * surely the great water-floods shall not come nigh him.
8. Thou art a place to hide me in; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; * thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance.
9. I will inform thee, and teach thee in the way wherein thou shalt go; * and I will guide thee with mine eye.
10. Be ye not like to horse and mule, which have no understanding; * whose mouths must be held with bit and bridle, else they will not obey thee.
11. Great plagues remain for the ungodly; * but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD, mercy embraceth him on every side.
12. Be glad, O ye righteous, and rejoice in the LORD; * and be joyful, all ye that are true of heart.

Psalm 143 Domine, exaudi.

1. HEAR my prayer, O LORD, and consider my desire; * hearken unto me for thy truth and righteousness' sake.
2. And enter not into judgment with thy servant; * for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
3. For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; * he hath laid me in the darkness, as the men that have been long dead.
4. Therefore is my spirit vexed within me, * and my heart within me is desolate.
5. Yet do I remember the time past; I muse upon all thy works; * yea, I exercise myself in the works of thy hands.
6. I stretch forth my hands unto thee; * my soul gaspeth unto thee as a thirsty land.
7. Hear me, O LORD, and that soon; for my spirit waxeth faint: * hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.
8. O let me hear thy loving-kindness betimes in the morning; for in thee is my trust: * show thou me the way that I should walk in; for I lift up my soul unto thee.
9. Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies; * for I flee unto thee to hide me.
10. Teach me to do the thing that pleaseth thee; for thou art my God: * let thy loving Spirit lead me forth into the land of righteousness.
11. Quicken me, O LORD, for thy Name's sake; * and for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble.
12. And of thy goodness slay mine enemies, * and destroy all them that vex my soul; for I am thy servant.

Here beginnith the 1^st lesson that is written in the 58^th chapter of Isaiah beginning at the 1^st verse.

Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God. Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord? Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward. Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day: And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.

Here endeth the 1^st lesson.

Here beginnith the 2^nd lesson that is written in the 12^th chapter of Hebrews beginning at the 1^st verse.

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

Here endeth the 2^nd lesson.

The Collect

Ash Wednesday

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent; Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THURSDAY

St. Simon, Bishop and Martyr

February 18, 2010

(Psalm 27, 1^st Lesson Genesis 19:1-3, 12-17, 24-28, 2^nd Lesson I Corinthians 1-7)

The Book of Psalms

Psalm 27 Dominus illuminatio.

1. THE LORD is my light and my salvation; whom then shall I fear? * the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom then shall I be afraid?
2. When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, * they stumbled and fell.
3. Though an host of men were laid against me, yet shall not my heart be afraid; * and though there rose up war against me, yet will I put my trust in him.
4. One thing have I desired of the LORD, which I will require; * even that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the fair beauty of the LORD, and to visit his temple.
5. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his tabernacle; * yea, in the secret place of his dwelling shall he hide me, and set me up upon a rock of stone.
6. And now shall he lift up mine head * above mine enemies round about me.
7. Therefore will I offer in his dwelling an oblation, with great gladness: * I will sing and speak praises unto the LORD.
8. Hearken unto my voice, O LORD, when I cry unto thee; * have mercy upon me, and hear me.
9. My heart hath talked of thee, Seek ye my face: * Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
10. O hide not thou thy face from me, * nor cast thy servant away in displeasure.
11. Thou hast been my succour; * leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
12. When my father and my mother forsake me, * the LORD taketh me up.
13. Teach me thy way, O LORD, * and lead me in the right way, because of mine enemies.
14. Deliver me not over into the will of mine adversaries: * for there are false witnesses risen up against me, and such as speak wrong.
15. I should utterly have fainted, * but that I believe verily to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
16. O tarry thou the LORD'S leisure; * be strong, and he shall comfort thine heart; and put thou thy trust in the LORD.

Here beginnith the 1^st lesson that is written in the 19^th chapter of Genesis beginning at the 1^st verse.

And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground; And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night. And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat. And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place: For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the Lord; and the Lord hath sent us to destroy it. And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law. And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city. And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the Lord being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city. And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed. Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven; And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground. But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. And Abraham gat up early in the morning to the place where he stood before the Lord: And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace.

Here endeth the 1^st lesson.

Here beginnith the 2^nd lesson that is written in the 1^st chapter of I Corinthians beginning at the 1^st verse.

Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

Here endeth the 2^nd lesson.

The Collect

Ash Wednesday

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent; Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

FRIDAY

February 19, 2010

(Psalm 95, 40 1-16, 1^st Lesson Genesis 21:9-21, 2^nd Lesson I Corinthians 1-18)

The Book of Psalms

Psalm 95 Venite, exultemus.

1. O COME, let us sing unto the LORD; * let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation.
2. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving; * and show ourselves glad in him with psalms.
3. For the LORD is a great God; * and a great King above all gods.
4. In his hand are all the corners of the earth; * and the strength of the hills is his also.
5. The sea is his, and he made it; * and his hands prepared the dry land.
6. O come, let us worship and fall down, * and kneel before the LORD our Maker.
7. For he is the Lord our God; * and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.
8. To-day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts * as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness;
9. When your fathers tempted me, * proved me, and saw my works.
10. Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, * It is a people that do err in their hearts, for they have not known my ways:
11. Unto whom I sware in my wrath, * that they should not enter into my rest.

Psalm 40:1-16 Expectans expectavi.

1. I WAITED patiently for the LORD, * and he inclined unto me, and heard my calling.
2. He brought me also out of the horrible pit, out of the mire and clay, * and set my feet upon the rock, and ordered my goings.
3. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, * even a thanksgiving unto our God.
4. Many shall see it, and fear, * and shall put their trust in the LORD.
5. Blessed is the man that hath set his hope in the LORD, * and turned not unto the proud, and to such as go about with lies.
6. O LORD my God, great are the wondrous works which thou hast done, like as be also thy thoughts, which are to us-ward; * and yet there is no man that ordereth them unto thee.
7. If I should declare them, and speak of them, * they should be more than I am able to express.
8. Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, * but mine ears hast thou opened.
9. Burnt-offering and sacrifice for sin hast thou not required: * then said I, LO, I come;
10. In the volume of the book it is written of me, that I should fulfil thy will, O my God: * I am content to do it; yea, thy law is within my heart.
11. I have declared thy righteousness in the great congregation: * lo, I will not refrain my lips, O LORD, and that thou knowest.
12. I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; * my talk hath been of thy truth, and of thy salvation.
13. I have not kept back thy loving mercy and truth * from the great congregation.
14. Withdraw not thou thy mercy from me, O LORD; * let thy loving-kindness and thy truth alway preserve me.
15. For innumerable troubles are come about me; my sins have taken such hold upon me, that I am not able to look up; * yea, they are more in number than the hairs of my head, and my heart hath failed me.
16. O LORD, let it be thy pleasure to deliver me; * make haste, O LORD, to help me.

Here beginnith the 1^st lesson that is written in the 21^st chapter of Genesis beginning at the 9^th verse.

And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking. Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac. And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight because of his son. And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called. And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed. And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba. And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs. And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept. And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is. Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation. And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink. And God was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer. And he dwelt in the wilderness of Paran: and his mother took him a wife out of the land of Egypt.

Here endeth the 1^st lesson.

Here beginnith the 2^nd lesson that is written in the 1^st chapter of I Corinthians beginning at the 1^st verse.

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

Here endeth the 2^nd lesson.

The Collect

Ash Wednesday

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent; Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

SATURDAY

FEBRUARY 20, 2010

(Psalm 28, 1^st Lesson Genesis 22:1-14, 19, 2^nd Lesson I Corinthians 2)

The Book of Psalms

Psalm 28 Ad te, Domine.

1. UNTO thee will I cry, O LORD, my strength: * think no scorn of me; lest, if thou make as though thou hearest not, I become like them that go down into the pit.
2. Hear the voice of my humble petitions, when I cry unto thee; * when I hold up my hands towards the mercy-seat of thy holy temple.
3. O pluck me not away, neither destroy me with the ungodly and wicked doers, * which speak friendly to their neighbours, but imagine mischief in their hearts.
4. Reward them according to their deeds, * and according to the wickedness of their own inventions.
5. Recompense them after the work of their hands; * pay them that they have deserved.
6. For they regard not in their mind the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands; * therefore shall he break them down, and not build them up.
7. Praised be the LORD; * for he hath heard the voice of my humble petitions.
8. The LORD is my strength, and my shield; my heart hath trusted in him, and I am helped; * therefore my heart danceth for joy, and in my song will I praise him.
9. The LORD is my strength, * and he is the wholesome defence of his anointed.
10. O save thy people, and give thy blessing unto thine inheritance: * feed them, and set them up for ever.

Here beginnith the 1^st lesson that is written in the 22^nd chapter of Genesis beginning at the 1^st verse.

And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off. And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you. And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together. And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount

of the Lord it shall be seen. So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beersheba.

Here endeth the 1^st lesson.

Here beginnith the 2^nd lesson that is written in the 2^nd chapter of I Corinthians beginning at the 1^st verse.

And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Here endeth the 2^nd lesson.

The Collect

Ash Wednesday

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent; Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.