John Donne

Almighty God, the root and fountain of all being: Open our eyes to see, with your servant John Donne, that whatever has any being is a mirror in which we may behold you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen

5 For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble;

   he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.

6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me,

   and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy;

   I will sing and make melody to the LORD.

7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud;

   be gracious to me and answer me!

8 You have said, "Seek my face."My heart says to you,

   "Your face, LORD, do I seek."

9 Hide not your face from me.

   Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help.

   Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation!

11 Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path

   because of my enemies.

Psalm 27 - English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Genesis 49:1-28 – 1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1 – Mark 7:24-37

Merciful Lord, pour forth your grace into our hearts, that its power may restrain our unruly desires and keep us true to your words of eternal life. 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

19 O Lord, do not stay far away!

    You are my strength; come quickly to my aid!

20 Save me from the sword;

    spare my precious life from these dogs.

21 Snatch me from the lion’s jaws

    and from the horns of these wild oxen.

22 I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters.

    I will praise you among your assembled people.

23 Praise the Lord, all you who fear him!

    Honor him, all you descendants of Jacob!

    Show him reverence, all you descendants of Israel!

24 For he has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy.

    He has not turned his back on them,

    but has listened to their cries for help.

25 I will praise you in the great assembly.

    I will fulfill my vows in the presence of those who worship you.

Psalm 22 –New Living Translation

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Genesis 47:1-26 – 1 Corinthians 9:16-27 – Mark 6:47-56

God of wisdom, throughout these forty days you instruct your people and nourish them with your word of life. Teach us through self-denial to bind our hearts to your service and make us one through constant prayer. 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

7 But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house.

   I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you.

8 Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies;

    make your way straight before me.

9 For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction;

   their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue.

10 Make them bear their guilt, O God; let them fall by their own counsels;

    because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out,

    for they have rebelled against you.

11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy,

    and spread your protection over them,

    that those who love your name may exult in you.

12 For you bless the righteous, O Lord;

    you cover him with favor as with a shield.

Psalm 5 –English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

Genesis 45:1-15 – 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 – Mark 6:13-29

The Annunciation

Pour your grace into our hearts, O Lord; that we who have known the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ, announced by an angel to the Virgin Mary, may by his cross and passion be brought unto the glory of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

(BCP, LBW, ELW)

7 Then I said, “Behold, I have come;

   in the scroll of the book it is written of me:

8 I delight to do your will, O my God;

   your law is within my heart.”

9 I have told the glad news of deliverance

   in the great congregation;

   behold, I have not restrained my lips,

   as you know, O Lord.

10 I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart;

   I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;

   I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness

   from the great congregation.

11 As for you, O Lord, you will not restrain

   your mercy from me;

   your steadfast love and your faithfulness will

   ever preserve me!

Psalm 40 –English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

Genesis 45:1-15 – 1 Corinthians 7:32-40 – Mark 6:1-13

Oscar Romero

Almighty God, you called your servant Oscar Romero to be a voice for the voiceless poor, and to give his life as a seed of freedom and a sign of hope: Grant that, inspired by his sacrifice and the example of the martyrs of El Salvador, we may without fear or favor witness to your Word who abides, your Word who is Life, even Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be praise and glory now and for ever. Amen.

1 Give ear to my words, O Lord;

    consider my groaning.

2 Give attention to the sound of my cry,

    my King and my God,

    for to you do I pray.

3 O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice;

    in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you[a] and watch.

4 For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;

    evil may not dwell with you.

5 The boastful shall not stand before your eyes;

    you hate all evildoers.

6 You destroy those who speak lies;

    the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

Psalm 5 –English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

Genesis 44:18-34 – 1 Corinthians 7:25-31 – Mark 5:21-43

Thomas Ken, Bishop

Almighty God, who gave to your servant Thomas Ken grace and courage to bear witness to the truth before rulers and kings: Give us strength also that, following his example, we may constantly defend what is right, boldly reprove what is evil, and patiently suffer for the truth's sake, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever.   Amen

8 The Lord is gracious and merciful,

    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

9 The Lord is good to all,

    and his mercy is over all that he has made.

10 All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,

    and all your saints shall bless you!

11 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom

    and tell of your power,

12 to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds,

    and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,

    and your dominion endures throughout all generations.

Psalm 145 –English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Genesis 43:1-15 – 1 Corinthians 7:1-9 – Mark 4:35-41

Cuthbert of Lindisfarne

Almighty God, who called Cuthbert from following the flock to Be a shepherd of your people: Mercifully grant that, as he sought in dangerous and remote places those who had erred and strayed from your ways, so we may seek the indifferent and the lost, and lead them back to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever 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 –English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Genesis 42:29-38 – 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 – Mark 4:21-34

Joseph, Guardian of Our Lord

O God, who from the family of your servant David raised up Joseph to be the guardian of your incarnate Son and the spouse of his virgin mother: Give us grace to imitate his uprightness of life and his obedience to your commands; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

1 I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever;

    with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.

2 For I said, “Steadfast love will be built up forever;

    in the heavens you will establish your faithfulness.”

3 You have said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one;

    I have sworn to David my servant:

4 ‘I will establish your offspring forever,

    and build your throne for all generations.’”

26 He shall cry to me, ‘You are my Father,

    my God, and the Rock of my salvation.’

27 And I will make him the firstborn,

    the highest of the kings of the earth.

28 My steadfast love I will keep for him forever,

    and my covenant will stand firm[d] for him.

29 I will establish his offspring forever

    and his throne as the days of the heavens.

Psalm 89 –English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Genesis 42:18-28 – 1 Corinthians 5:9-6:8 – Mark 4:1-20

Cyril of Jerusalem

Strengthen, O Lord, the bishops of your Church in their special calling to be teachers and ministers of the Sacraments, so that they, like your servant Cyril of Jerusalem, may effectively instruct your people in Christian faith and practice; and that we, taught by them, may enter more fully into celebration of the Paschal mystery; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

1 I was glad when they said to me,

    “Let us go to the house of the Lord!”

2 Our feet have been standing

    within your gates, O Jerusalem!

3 Jerusalem—built as a city

    that is bound firmly together,

4 to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord,

   as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord.

5 There thrones for judgment were set,

    the thrones of the house of David.

6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!

    “May they be secure who love you!

7 Peace be within your walls

    and security within your towers!”

8 For my brothers and companions' sake

    I will say, “Peace be within you!”

9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,

    I will seek your good.

Psalm 122 – New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

Genesis 42:1-17 – 1 Corinthians 5:1-8 – Mark 3:19-35

Patrick of Ireland

Almighty God, who in your providence chose your servant Patrick to be the apostle of the Irish people, to bring those who were wandering in darkness and error to the true light and knowledge of you: Grant us so to walk in that light, that we may come at last to the light of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever.  Amen

1The Lord is king! Let the earth rejoice;

   let the many coastlands be glad!

2Clouds and thick darkness are all around him;

   righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

7All worshippers of images are put to shame, those who make their boast in worthless idols;

   all gods bow down before him.

8Zion hears and is glad, and the towns of Judah rejoice,

   because of your judgments, O God.

9For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth;

   you are exalted far above all gods.

10The Lord loves those who hate* evil; he guards the lives of his faithful;

    he rescues them from the hand of the wicked.

11Light dawns* for the righteous,

    and joy for the upright in heart.

12Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous,
    and give thanks to his holy name!

Psalm 97 – New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Genesis 41:46-57 – 1 Corinthians 4:8-21 – Mark 3:7-19

Lord, prepare your people fittingly for the celebration of Easter, that the bodily penance we have solemnly begun may work to the good of our souls. 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 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

    Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?

2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer,

    and by night, but I find no rest.

3 Yet you are holy,

    enthroned on the praises[a] of Israel.

4 In you our fathers trusted;

    they trusted, and you delivered them.

5 To you they cried and were rescued;

    in you they trusted and were not put to shame.

6 But I am a worm and not a man,

    scorned by mankind and despised by the people.

7 All who see me mock me;

    they make mouths at me; they wag their heads;

8 “He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him;

    let him rescue him, for he delights in him!”

Psalm 22 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Genesis 40:1-23 – 1 Corinthians 3:16-23 – Mark 2:13-22

Lord, in your boundless mercy grant us always the desire to know what is right and the readiness to do it, so that we who cannot exist without you may direct our lives according to your will. We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen

9 Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord,

    exulting in his salvation.

10 All my bones shall say, “O Lord, who is like you, delivering the poor

    from him who is too strong for him,

    the poor and needy from him who robs him?”

11 Malicious witnesses rise up;

    they ask me of things that I do not know.

12 They repay me evil for good;

    my soul is bereft.

13 But I, when they were sick— I wore sackcloth;

    I afflicted myself with fasting;

    I prayed with head bowed on my chest.

14 I went about as though I grieved for my friend or my brother;

    as one who laments his mother,  I bowed down in mourning.

Psalm 35 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Genesis 39:1-23 – 1 Corinthians 2:14-3:15 – Mark 2:1-12

Gregory the Great

Almighty and merciful God, guiding your people with kindness and governing with love, you raised up Gregory of Rome to be a servant of the servants of God: Give the Spirit of wisdom to those whom you call to be servants of your church and that your people, growing in holiness and fruitful in every good work, may receive the crown of glory that never fades away; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

(Philip H. Pfatteicher after Lesser Feasts and Fasts)

6 They set a net for my steps; my soul was bowed down.

   They dug a pit in my way,

    but they have fallen into it themselves.

7 My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast!

    I will sing and make melody!

8  Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre!

    I will awake the dawn!

9 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;

    I will sing praises to you among the nations.

10 For your steadfast love is great to the heavens,

    your faithfulness to the clouds.

11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!

    Let your glory be over all the earth!

Psalm 57 – English Standard Version

Look mercifully, Lord, upon your family, that, as we discipline our desire for earthly things, a longing for you may grow in our hearts. Grant 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

I will bless the Lord at all times;

    his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord;

    let the humble hear and be glad.

3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me,

    and let us exalt his name together!

4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me

    and delivered me from all my fears.

5 Those who look to him are radiant,

    and their faces shall never be ashamed.

6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him

    and saved him out of all his troubles.

7 The angel of the Lord encamps

    around those who fear him, and delivers them.

Psalm 34 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Genesis 37:12-24 – 1 Corinthians 1:20-31  – Mark 1:1-13

Turn back our hearts to you, O God our Savior, and instruct our minds in heavenly wisdom, that through the practices of Lent we may advance in your love and favor. 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 Give ear, O my people, to my teaching;

    incline your ears to the words of my mouth!

2 I will open my mouth in a parable;

    I will utter dark sayings from of old,

3 things that we have heard and known,

    that our fathers have told us.

4 We will not hide them from their children,

    but tell to the coming generation

    the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might,

    and the wonders that he has done.

5 He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel,

   which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children,

6 that the next generation might know them,

    the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children,

7 so that they should set their hope in God

   and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments;

Psalm 78 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Genesis 37:1-11 – 1 Corinthians 1:1-19  – Mark 1:1-13

Perpetua and Her Companions

O God the King of saints, who strengthened your servants Perpetua and Felicitas and their companions to make a good confession, staunchly resisting, for the cause of Christ, the claims of human affection, and encouraging one another in their time of trial: Grant that we who cherish their blessed memory may share their pure and steadfast faith, and win with them the palm of victory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen

1 I will bless the Lord at all times;

    his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord;

    let the humble hear and be glad.

3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me,

    and let us exalt his name together!

4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me

    and delivered me from all my fears.

5 Those who look to him are radiant,

    and their faces shall never be ashamed.

6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him

    and saved him out of all his troubles.

7 The angel of the Lord encamps

    around those who fear him, and delivers them.

Psalm 34 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Ezekiel 18:1-32 – Philippians 4:1-9  – John 17:9-19

Direct our actions, Lord, by your holy inspiration and carry them forward by your gracious help, that all our works may begin in you and by you be happily ended. 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 Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me;

    fight against those who fight against me!

2 Take hold of shield and buckler

    and rise for my help!

3 Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers!

   Say to my soul, “I am your salvation!”

4 Let them be put to shame and dishonor

    who seek after my life!

Let them be turned back and disappointed

    who devise evil against me!

5 Let them be like chaff before the wind,

    with the angel of the Lord driving them away!

6 Let their way be dark and slippery,

    with the angel of the Lord pursuing them!

Psalm 35 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Habakkuk 3:1-18 – Philippians 3:12-21 – John 17:1-8

Ash Wednesday

Grant us, Lord, the grace to begin this time of Christian service with a holy fast, that, as we struggle against the spirit of evil, we may be strengthened by the practice of self-discipline. 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 Give ear to my words, O Lord;

    consider my groaning.

2 Give attention to the sound of my cry,

    my King and my God, for to you do I pray.

3 O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice;

    in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you[a] and watch.

4 For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;

    evil may not dwell with you.

5 The boastful shall not stand before your eyes;

    you hate all evildoers.

6 You destroy those who speak lies;

    the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

7 But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love,

    will enter your house.

   I will bow down toward your holy temple

    in the fear of you.

Psalm 5 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Amos 5:6-15 – Hebrews 12:1-14 – Luke 18:9-14

Shrove Tuesday

Mercifully hear our prayers, O Lord, and spare all those who confess their sins unto you; that they, whose consciences by sin are accused, by your merciful pardon may be absolved; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!

   Let your glory be over all the earth!

6 That your beloved ones may be delivered,

   give salvation by your right hand and answer me!

7 God has promised in his holiness:

   "With exultation I will divide up Shechem

    and portion out the Valley of Succoth.

12 Oh grant us help against the foe,

    for vain is the salvation of man!

13 With God we shall do valiantly;

    it is he who will tread down our foes.

Psalm 108 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Proverbs 30:1-33 – Philippians 3:1-11 – John 18:28-38

John and Charles Wesley

Lord God, who inspired your servants John and Charles Wesley with burning zeal for the sanctification of souls, and endowed them with eloquence in speech and song: Kindle in your Church, we entreat you, such fervor, that those whose faith has cooled may be warmed, and those who have not known Christ may turn to him and be saved; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,

    and all that is within me,

    bless his holy name!

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,

    and forget not all his benefits,

3 who forgives all your iniquity,

    who heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the pit,

    who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

5 who satisfies you with good

    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Psalm 103 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Proverbs 27:1-12 – Philippians 2:1-13 – John 18:15-27