Cyril of Alexandria, Bishop, Teacher

Heavenly Father, whose servant Cyril steadfastly proclaimed your Son Jesus Christ to be one person, fully God and fully man: Keep us, we pray, constant in faith and worship;  through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

89 Forever, O Lord, your word

    is firmly fixed in the heavens.

90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations;

    you have established the earth, and it stands fast.

91 By your appointment they stand this day,

    for all things are your servants.

92 If your law had not been my delight,

    I would have perished in my affliction.

93 I will never forget your precepts,

    for by them you have given me life.

94 I am yours; save me,

    for I have sought your precepts.

95 The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,

    but I consider your testimonies.

96 I have seen a limit to all perfection,

    but your commandment is exceedingly broad.

                         

Psalm 119 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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1 Samuel 8:1-22 – Acts 6:15-7:16  - Luke 22:24-30

God of the heavens, God of the earth, all creation awaits your gift of new life. Prepare our hearts to receive the word of your Son, that his gospel may grow within us and yield a harvest that is a hundredfold. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen

5 By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness,

    O God of our salvation,

    the hope of all the ends of the earth

    and of the farthest seas;

9 You visit the earth and water it;

    you greatly enrich it;

    the river of God is full of water;

    you provide their grain,

    for so you have prepared it.

10 You water its furrows abundantly,

    settling its ridges,

    softening it with showers,

    and blessing its growth.

11 You crown the year with your bounty;

    your wagon tracks overflow with abundance.

12 The pastures of the wilderness overflow,

    the hills gird themselves with joy,

13 the meadows clothe themselves with flocks,

    the valleys deck themselves with grain,

    they shout and sing together for joy.

                         

Psalm 65 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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1 Samuel 7:2-17 – Acts 6:1-15 - Luke 22:14-23

Philipp Melanchthon

Almighty, eternal God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Creator of heaven and earth and man, together with thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, thy Word and Image, and with thy Holy Spirit: Have mercy upon us and forgive us our sins for thy Son's sake, whom thou has made our Mediator according to thy wonderful counsels, and do thou guide and sanctify us by thy Holy Spirit, who has poured out upon the apostles. Grant that we may truly know and praise thee throughout eternity! Amen.

Philipp Melanchthon

1 God is our refuge and strength,

    a very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,

    though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,

3 though its waters roar and foam,

    though the mountains tremble at its swelling.

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

    the holy habitation of the Most High.

5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;

    God will help her when morning dawns.

6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;

    he utters his voice, the earth melts.

7 The Lord of hosts is with us;

    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

                         

Psalm 46 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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1 Samuel 6:1-16 – Acts 5:27-42 - Luke 21:37-22:13

The Nativity of John the Baptist

Almighty God, by whose providence your servant John the Baptist was wonderfully born, and sent to prepare the way of your Son our Savior by preaching repentance: Make us so to follow his teaching and holy life, that we may truly repent according to his preaching; and, following his example, constantly speak the truth, boldly rebuke vice, and patiently suffer for the truth's sake; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

1 O Lord, I call upon you; hasten to me!

    Give ear to my voice when I call to you!

2 Let my prayer be counted as incense before you,

    and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!

3 Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth;

    keep watch over the door of my lips!

4 Do not let my heart incline to any evil,

    to busy myself with wicked deeds

    in company with men who work iniquity,

    and let me not eat of their delicacies!

5 Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness;

    let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head;

    let my head not refuse it.

   Yet my prayer is continually against their evil deeds.

8 But my eyes are toward you, O God, my Lord;

    in you I seek refuge; leave me not defenseless!

9 Keep me from the trap that they have laid for me

    and from the snares of evildoers!

                         

Psalm 141 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Malachi 3:1-4 – Acts 13:14-26 - Luke 1:57-80

O God, the strength of all who hope in you, accept our earnest prayer. And since without you we are weak and certain to fall, grant us always the help of your grace, that in following your commands we may please you in desire and in deed. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen

2 “Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth,

    yet they have not prevailed against me.

3 The plowers plowed upon my back;

    they made long their furrows.”

4 The Lord is righteous;

    he has cut the cords of the wicked.

5 May all who hate Zion

    be put to shame and turned backward!

6 Let them be like the grass on the housetops,

    which withers before it grows up,

7 with which the reaper does not fill his hand

    nor the binder of sheaves his arms,

8 nor do those who pass by say,

    “The blessing of the Lord be upon you!

    We bless you in the name of the Lord!”

                         

Psalm 129 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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1 Samuel 3: 1-21 – Acts 2:37-47 - Luke 21:5-19

Let your tireless grace accompany us, Lord God, let it go before us and follow after, that we may never slacken in our resolve to pursue the practice of good works. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen

1 Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,

    who walks in his ways!

2 You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;

    you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.

3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house;

   your children will be like olive shoots around your table.

4 Behold, thus shall the man be blessed

    who fears the Lord.

5 The Lord bless you from Zion!

    May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem

    all the days of your life!

6 May you see your children's children!

    Peace be upon Israel!

                         

Psalm 128 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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1 Samuel 2:27-36  – Acts 2:22-36 - Luke 20:41-21:4

 O God, protector of those who hope in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy, enfold us in your gracious care and mercy, that with you as our ruler and guide, we may use wisely the gifts of this passing world and fix our hearts even now on those which last for ever. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.  Amen

1 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?

    How long will you hide your face from me?

2 How long must I take counsel in my soul

    and have sorrow in my heart all the day?

   How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

3 Consider and answer me, O Lord my God;

    light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,

4 lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,”

    lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.

5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love;

    my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.

6 I will sing to the Lord,

    because he has dealt bountifully with me.

                         

Psalm 13 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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1 Samuel 2:12-26  – Acts 2:1-21 - Luke 20:27-40

O God, you order the course of our lives with unfailing providence. Remove from our path whatever is harmful and grant us those things that work to our good. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen


1 Praise the Lord!
   Praise the name of the Lord,
   give praise, O servants of the Lord,
2 who stand in the house of the Lord,
   in the courts of the house of our God!
3 Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good;
   sing to his name, for it is pleasant![a]
4 For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself,
   Israel as his own possession.
5 For I know that the Lord is great,
   and that our Lord is above all gods.
6 Whatever the Lord pleases, he does,
   in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps.
7 He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth,
   who makes lightnings for the rain
   and brings forth the wind from his storehouses.

Psalm 135 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
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1 Samuel 1:21-2:11  – Acts 1:15-26 - Luke 20:19-26

Almighty God, whose unfailing providence rules all things both in heaven and on earth, listen to the cry of your people and guide in your peace the course of our days. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen

1 To you I lift up my eyes,

    O you who are enthroned in the heavens!

2 Behold, as the eyes of servants

    look to the hand of their master,

    as the eyes of a maidservant

    to the hand of her mistress,

    so our eyes look to the Lord our God,

    till he has mercy upon us.

3 Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us,

    for we have had more than enough of contempt.

4 Our soul has had more than enough

    of the scorn of those who are at ease,

    of the contempt of the proud.

                         

Psalm 123 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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1 Samuel 1:1-20  – Acts 1:1-14 - Luke 20:9-19

Basil the Great

Almighty God, who has revealed to your Church your eternal Being of glorious majesty and perfect love as one God in Trinity of Persons: Give us grace that, like your bishop Basil of Caesarea, we may continue steadfast in the confession of this faith, and constant in our worship of you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; who live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul;

   the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;

8 the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;

   the commandment of the Lord is pure,

   enlightening the eyes;

9 the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;

   the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.

10 More to be desired are they than gold,

    even much fine gold;

    sweeter also than honey

    and drippings of the honeycomb.

11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned;

    in keeping them there is great reward.

12 Who can discern his errors?

    Declare me innocent from hidden faults.

13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;

    let them not have dominion over me!

    Then I shall be blameless,

    and innocent of great transgression.

                         

Psalm 19 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Sirach 45:6-16  – 2 Corinthians 12:11-21 - Luke 19:41-48

God of unfailing mercy, who redeemed us and adopted us as your children, look upon us with tender love, that we who believe in Christ may enjoy true freedom and enter our promised inheritance. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen

1 The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice;

    let the many coastlands be glad!

2 Clouds and thick darkness are all around him;

    righteousness and justice

   are the foundation of his throne.

3 Fire goes before him

    and burns up his adversaries all around.

4 His lightnings light up the world;

    the earth sees and trembles.

5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,

    before the Lord of all the earth.

6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,

    and all the peoples see his glory.

                         

Psalm 97 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Sirach 44:19-45:5  – 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 - Luke 19:11-27

Show favor to your servants, O Lord, and shower upon us the gifts of your grace, that, eager in faith, in hope, and in love, we may always be watchful in keeping your commandments. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen

1 Oh, the joys of those

   who do not follow the advice of the wicked,

    or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.

2 But they delight in the law of the Lord,

    meditating on it day and night.

3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,

    bearing fruit each season.

   Their leaves never wither,

    and they prosper in all they do.

4 But not the wicked!

    They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.

5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment.

    Sinners will have no place among the godly.

6 For the Lord watches over the path of the godly,

    but the path of the wicked leads to destruction

                         

Psalm 1 – New Living Translation

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Deuteronomy 31:30-32:14  – 2 Corinthians 11:21-33 - Luke 19:11-27

Barnabas the Apostle

Grant, O God, that we may follow the example of your faithful servant Barnabas, who, seeking not his own renown but the well-being of your Church, gave generously of his life and substance for the relief of the poor and the spread of the Gospel; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

1 Praise the Lord!

   How joyful are those who fear the Lord

    and delight in obeying his commands.

2 Their children will be successful everywhere;

    an entire generation of godly people will be blessed.

3 They themselves will be wealthy,

    and their good deeds will last forever.

4 Light shines in the darkness for the godly.

    They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.

5 Good comes to those who lend money generously

    and conduct their business fairly.

6 Such people will not be overcome by evil.

    Those who are righteous will be long remembered.

                         

Psalm 112 – New Living Translation

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Deuteronomy 30:11-20  – 2 Corinthians 11:1-21 - Luke 19:1-10

Ephrem of Edessa

Pour out on us, O Lord, that same Spirit by which your deacon Ephrem rejoiced to proclaim in sacred song the mysteries of faith; and so gladden our hearts that we, like him, may be devoted to you alone; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen

4 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;

    break forth into joyous song and sing praises!

5 Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,

    with the lyre and the sound of melody!

6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn

    make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord!

7 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;

    the world and those who dwell in it!

8 Let the rivers clap their hands;

    let the hills sing for joy together

9 before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.

   He will judge the world with righteousness,

    and the peoples with equity.

                         

Psalm 98 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Deuteronomy 30:1-10  – 2 Corinthians 10:1-18 - Luke 18:31-43

Seattle, Chief of the Duwamish Confederacy

Almighty God, who in giving us dominion over things on earth Have made us fellow workers in your creation: Grant us such wisdom and reverence toward you that, following the counsel and example of your servant Noah Seattle, we may so use the resources of nature that no one may suffer from our abuse of them, and that generations yet to come may continue to praise you for your bounty; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

1 The heavens declare the glory of God,

    and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

2 Day to day pours out speech,

    and night to night reveals knowledge.

3 There is no speech, nor are there words,

    whose voice is not heard.

4 Their voice goes out through all the earth,

    and their words to the end of the world.

   In them he has set a tent for the sun,

5 which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,

   and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.

6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens,

    and its circuit to the end of them,

    and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

                         

Psalm 19 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Deuteronomy 26:1-11  – 2 Corinthians 8:16-24 - Luke 18:9-14

O God, you inspire the hearts of the faithful with a single longing. Grant that your people may love what you command and desire what you promise, so that, amid the uncertain things of this world, our hearts may be fixed where true joys are found. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen

1 Do you indeed decree what is right, you gods?

    Do you judge the children of man uprightly?

2 No, in your hearts you devise wrongs;

    your hands deal out violence on earth.

3 The wicked are estranged from the womb;

    they go astray from birth, speaking lies.

4 They have venom like the venom of a serpent,

    like the deaf adder that stops its ear,

5 so that it does not hear the voice of charmers

    or of the cunning enchanter.

6 O God, break the teeth in their mouths;

    tear out the fangs of the young lions, O Lord!

7 Let them vanish like water that runs away;

    when he aims his arrows, let them be blunted.

                         

Psalm 58 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Deuteronomy 16:18-20,17:14-20  – 2 Corinthians 8:1-16 - Luke 18:1-8

Boniface, Bishop, Missionary, Martyr (754)

Almighty God, who called your faithful servant Boniface to be a witness and martyr in the lands of Germany and Friesland, and by his labor and suffering raised up a people for your own possession:  Pour forth your Holy Spirit upon your Church in every land, that by the service and sacrifice of many your holy Name may be glorified and your kingdom enlarged; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory,

    for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!

2 Why should the nations say,

    “Where is their God?”

3 Our God is in the heavens;

    he does all that he pleases.

4 Their idols are silver and gold,

    the work of human hands.

5 They have mouths, but do not speak;

    eyes, but do not see.

6 They have ears, but do not hear;

    noses, but do not smell.

7 They have hands, but do not feel;

    feet, but do not walk;

    and they do not make a sound in their throat.

8 Those who make them become like them;

    so do all who trust in them.

                         

Psalm 138 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Deuteronomy 13:1-11  – 2 Corinthians 7:2-16 - Luke 17:20-37

John XXIII (Angelo Guiseppe Roncalli), Renewer of the Church

Lord of all truth and peace, you raised up your bishop John to be servant of the servants of God and gave him wisdom to call for the work of renewing your Church: Grant that, following his example, we may reach out to other Christians to clasp them with the love of your Son, and labor throughout the nations of the world to kindle a desire for justice and peace; through Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

1 How lovely is your dwelling place,

    O Lord of hosts!

2 My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord;

   my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.

3 Even the sparrow finds a home,

  and the swallow a nest for herself,

   where she may lay her young,

  at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.

4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house,

    ever singing your praise! Selah

5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,

    in whose heart are the highways to Zion.

6 As they go through the Valley of Baca

    they make it a place of springs;

    the early rain also covers it with pools.

7 They go from strength to strength;

    each one appears before God in Zion.

8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;

    give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah

                         

Psalm 138 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Deuteronomy 12:1-12  – 2 Corinthians 6:3-7:1 - Luke 17:11-19

The Martyrs of Uganda

O God, by whose providence the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church: Grant that we who remember before you the blessed martyrs of Uganda, may, like them, be steadfast in our faith in Jesus Christ, to whom they gave obedience, even unto death, and by their sacrifice brought forth a plentiful harvest; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen!

4 All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O LORD,

   for they have heard the words of your mouth,

5 and they shall sing of the ways of the LORD,

   for great is the glory of the LORD.

6 For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly,

   but the haughty he knows from afar.

7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,

   you preserve my life;

   you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,

   and your right hand delivers me.

8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;

   your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.

  Do not forsake the work of your hands.

                         

Psalm 138 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Deuteronomy 11:13-19  – 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2 - Luke 17:1-10