Introit • Ps. 26, 7-9
Hear, O Lord, my voice with which I have cried to Thee: be Thou my helper, forsake me not, nor do Thou despise me, O God my Saviour. Ps. 26, 1. The Lord is my light, and my salvation: whom shall I fear? Glory be …
Collect (Prayer)
O God, Who hast prepared good things unseen for them that love Thee, pour into our hearts the fervor of Thy love, that, loving Thee in all things and above all things, we may attain Thy promises, which surpass all desire. Through our Lord.
Epistle • 1 Peter 3, 8-15
Lesson from the Epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle.
[How wives are to behave to their husbands. What ornaments they are to seek. Exhortations to divers Virtues.]
BRETHREN, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, being lovers of the brotherhood, merciful, modest, humble: Not rendering evil for evil, nor railing for railing, but contrariwise, blessing: for unto this are you called, that you may inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile.
Let him decline from evil, and do good: let him seek after peace and pursue it: Because the eyes of the Lord are upon the just, and his ears unto their prayers: but the countenance of the Lord upon them that do evil things. And who is he that can hurt you, if you be zealous of good? But if also you suffer any thing for justice’ sake, blessed are ye. And be not afraid of their fear, and be not troubled; But sanctify the Lord Christ in your hearts.
Gradual • Ps. 83, 10, 9
Behold, O God our protector, and look on Thy servants. O Lord God of hosts, give ear to the prayers of Thy servants.
Alleluia, alleluia. Ps. 20, 1. In Thy strength, O Lord, the king shall joy; and in Thy salvation, he shall rejoice exceedingly. Alleluia.
Gospel • Matt. 5, 20-24
Continuation of the Holy Gospel According to St. Matthew.
[Christ’s sermon upon the mount. The eight beatitudes.]
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, Except your justice abound more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. You have heard that it was said to them of old: Thou shalt not kill. And whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment. But I say to you, that whosoever is angry with his brother, shall be in danger of the judgment. And whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council. And whosoever shall say, Thou Fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. If therefore thou offer thy gift at the altar, and there thou remember that thy brother hath any thing against thee; Leave there thy offering before the altar, and go first to be reconciled to thy brother: and then coming thou shalt offer thy gift.
Offertory • Ps. 15, 7, 8
I will bless the Lord, Who hath given me understanding: I set God always in my sight; for He is at my right hand, that I be not moved.
Secret
Be propitiated, O Lord, by our supplications, and graciously accept these oblations of Thy servants and Thy handmaidens, that what each has offered to the honor of Thy name may profit for the salvation of all. Through our Lord.
Communion • Ps. 26, 4
One thing I have asked of the Lord, this will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
Postcommunion
Grant, us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, whom Thou hast filled with the heavenly gift, that we be cleansed of our hidden sins and delivered from the snares of our enemies. Through our Lord.