Maximilian Kolbe

Most loving Father, whose Son Jesus Christ came to give his Life as a ransom for many: Give us the grace, as you did to your servant Maximilian Kolbe, to be always ready to come to the aid of those in need or distress, not counting the cost; that so we may follow in the footsteps of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

10 I believed, even when I spoke:

    “I am greatly afflicted”;

11 I said in my alarm,

     “All mankind are liars.”

12 What shall I render to the Lord

    for all his benefits to me?

13 I will lift up the cup of salvation

    and call on the name of the Lord,

14 I will pay my vows to the Lord

    in the presence of all his people.

15 Precious in the sight of the Lord

    is the death of his saints.

16 O Lord, I am your servant;

    I am your servant, the son of your maidservant.

    You have loosed my bonds.

17 I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving

    and call on the name of the Lord.

Psalm 116 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Judges 13:1-15 - Acts 5:27-42 - John 3:22-36

Florence Nightingale, Nurse, Renewer of Society

Life-giving God, who alone have power over life and death, over health and sickness: Give power, wisdom, and gentleness to those who follow the lead of your servant Florence Nightingale, that they, bearing with them your presence, may not only heal but bless, and shine as lanterns of hope in the darkest hours of pain and fear; through Jesus Christ, the healer of body and soul, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

23 Nevertheless, I am continually with you;

    you hold my right hand.

24 You guide me with your counsel,

    and afterward you will receive me to glory.

25  Whom have I in heaven but you?

    And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.

26  My flesh and my heart may fail,

    but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

27 For behold, those who are far from you shall perish;

    you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.

28 But for me it is good to be near God;

    I have made the Lord God my refuge,

    that I may tell of all your works.

Psalm 73 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Judges 12:1-7 - Acts 5:12-26 - John 3:1-21

Laurence, Deacon and Martyr

Almighty God, who called your deacon Laurence to serve you with deeds of love, and gave him the crown of martyrdom: Grant that we, following his example, may fulfill your commandments by defending and supporting the poor, and by loving you with all our hearts, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever 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.

7 They do not fear bad news;

    they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.

Psalm 112 – New Living Translation

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Judges 9:1-16, 9:19-21 - Acts 4:13-31 - John 2:2-12

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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Judges 8:22-35 - Acts 4:1-12 - John 1:29-42

Dominic, Preacher, Friar, Missionary

Almighty God, whose servant Dominic grew in knowledge of your truth and formed an order of preachers to proclaim the good news of Christ: Give to all your people a hunger for your Word and an urgent longing to share the Gospel, that the whole world may come to know you as you are revealed in your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Oh sing to the Lord a new song;

    sing to the Lord, all the earth!

2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name;

     tell of his salvation from day to day.

3 Declare his glory among the nations,

    his marvelous works among all the peoples!

4 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;

    he is to be feared above all gods.

5 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,

    but the Lord made the heavens.

6 Splendor and majesty are before him;

     strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

7 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,

     ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!

Psalm 96 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Judges 7:19-8:12 - Acts 3:12-26 - John 1:29-42

Compassionate God, from far and near you gather your Church into one. Safeguard the unity of your flock through the teaching of Christ the Shepherd that all your scattered children may find in him the guidance and nourishment they seek. 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

8 My mouth is filled with your praise,

    and with your glory all the day.

9  Do not cast me off in the time of old age;

    forsake me not when my strength is spent.

10 For my enemies speak concerning me;

    those who watch for my life consult together

11 and say, “God has forsaken him;

    pursue and seize him, for there is none to deliver him.”

12 O God, be not far from me;

    O my God, make haste to help me!

13 May my accusers be put to shame and consumed;

     with scorn and disgrace may they be covered

    who seek my hurt.

14 But I will hope continually

    and will praise you yet more and more.

Psalm 71 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Judges 7:1-18 - Acts 3:1-11 - John 1:19-28

All-powerful God, your incarnate Word commands our obedience and offers us true life. Make our ears attentive to the voice of your Son and our hearts generous in answering his call, that we may take up the cross with trust in his promises. 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

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.

   [The Lord is faithful in all his words

    and kind in all his works.]

14 The Lord upholds all who are falling

    and raises up all who are bowed down.

15 The eyes of all look to you,

    and you give them their food in due season.

16 You open your hand;

    you satisfy the desire of every living thing.

Psalm 145 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Judges 6:25-40 - Acts 2:37-47 - John 1:1-18