Kal for January

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THE CIRCUMCISION OF CHRIST, OR, THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS (1 JAN)

On January 1st, we celebrate the Circumcision of Christ. Since we are more squeamish than our ancestors, modern calendars often list it as the feast of the Holy Name of Jesus, but the other emphasis is the older. Every Jewish boy was circumcised (and formally named) on the eighth day of his life, and so, one week after Christmas, we celebrate the occasion when Our Lord first shed His blood for us. It is a fit close for a week of martyrs, and reminds us that to suffer for Christ is to suffer with Him.

PRAYERS (traditional language): Almighty God, who madest thy blessed Son to be circumcised, and obedient to the law for man; Grant us the true circumcision of the Spirit; that, our hearts, and all our members, being mortified from all worldly and carnal lusts, we may in all things obey thy blessed will; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Eternal Father, who didst give to thine incarnate Son the holy name of Jesus to be the sign of our salvation: Plant in every heart, we beseech thee, the love of him who is the Savior of the world, even our Lord Jesus Christ; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting.

PRAYERS (contemporary language): Almighty God, who caused your blessed Son to be circumcised, and obedient to the law for man; Grant us the true circumcision of the Spirit; that, having been cleansed in body and mind from every sinful desire, we may in all things obey your blessed will; through the same your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Eternal Father, who gave to your incarnate Son the holy name of Jesus to be the sign of our salvation: Plant in every heart, we pray, the love of him who is the Savior of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting.

FOR ALL YEARS

FIRST READING: Exodus 34:1-8 (When the Israelites had broken the Law, God proclaimed His Name before Moses and renewed the Law.)

PSALM 8 (O LORD, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!)

EPISTLE: Romans 1:1-7 (Jesus was Son of David by the rules of flesh, but was the Son of God by the power of the Spirit.)

ALTERNATE EPISTLE (YEAR A ONLY): Philippians 2:9-13 ("at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow")

THE HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 2:15-21 (The visit of the shepherds to the manger; the circumcision)

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PRAYER (traditional language) O God, who didst wonderfully create, and yet more wonderfully restore, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, thy Son Jesus Christ; who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

PRAYER (contemporary language) O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

FOR ALL YEARS

FIRST READING: Jeremiah 31:7-14 (Rejoice, for the LORD restores his scattered people.)

PSALM 84 (or 84:1-8) (How lovely is the dwelling place of the LORD!)

EPISTLE: Ephesians 1:3-6,15-19a (Praise to God, who has made us His offspring through Jesus Christ. Prayer that we may be given an understanding of the glorious inheritance that is ours.)

THE HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 2:13-15,19-23 (The flight into Egypt, and the return to Nazareth)

AN ALTERNATE READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 2:41-52 (The visit to the Temple when Jesus was twelve years old)

AN ALTERNATE READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 2:1-12 (The coming of the Wise Men (NOTE: This duplicates the reading for the Feast of the Epiphany on 6 January))

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THE FEAST OF THE HOLY EPIPHANY (6 January)

PRAYER (traditional language) O God, who by the leading of a star didst manifest thy only-begotten Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know thee now by faith, to thy presence, where we may behold thy glory face to face; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

PRAYER (contemporary language) O God, who by the leading of a star manifested your only Son to the Peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

FOR ALL YEARS

FIRST READING: Isaiah 60:1-6,9 ("Nations shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising... all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and proclaim the glory of the LORD.")

PSALM 72 (or 72:1-2,10-17) (Kings from afar shall bring tribute to the King's Son.)

EPISTLE: Ephesians 3:1-12 (God, who formerly chose the Jewish people as His special instrument to prepare the world for the coming of Christ, now in the fulness of time wills through the saving work of Christ to expand His covenant with the Jewish people so as to include the Gentiles, and bring the whole of existence into harmony with Himself.)

THE HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 2:1-12 (The coming of the Magi, or Wise Men)

NOTE ON THE READINGS: The readings from Isaiah and the Psalms, as given above, speak of kings bringing tribute. It is perhaps worth noting, that Matthew does not say that they were kings, or even that they were Gentiles, and, contrary to his usual practice in his Infancy Narrative, does not refer to these passages from the Jewish Scriptures.

NOTE ON THE FEAST: "Epiphany" is a word of Greek origin, related to such English words as "theophany," "phenotype," and "phenomenon." It means an appearance, a displaying, a showing forth, a making clear or public or obvious. On this day, Christians have traditionally celebrated the making known of Jesus Christ to the world.

Several events have been thought of as special instances of the making known of Our Lord, such as: His birth; the coming of the Magi; His Baptism; His first miracle at Cana. Current majority usage, at least in the West, celebrates His birth on 25 December, the coming of the Magi on 6 January, and His Baptism on the next Sunday. On the following Sundays up to the beginning of Lent, we remember Our Lord's public preaching of the kingdom, particularly the earlier stages of that preaching when opposition had not yet crystallized. On the Last Sunday after Epiphany (the Sunday before Lent), we commemorate the Transfiguration, the climax of this first phase of our Lord's public ministry.

Today, then, we commemorate the visit of the Magi, a token of the day when all the peoples of the earth will acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord, God, and Savior. The visit of the Magi is recorded in the second chapter of Matthew. MAGI (MAGOI), the Latin (Greek) plural of MAGUS (MAGOS), referred originally to the priests of Parsiism, the monotheistic religion preached in Persia by Zoroaster in about the sixth century BC. In later years it came to mean magicians, priests, physicians, scribes, scholars, or learned men. From it we derive our word "magic." The KJV Bible translates the word as "wise men." Matthew tells us how they came to Jerusalem and then to Bethlehem, and gave gifts to the infant Jesus. (For a discussion of whether this is a historical event, send the message GET INFANCY PART1 to LISTSERV@ASUACAD.BITNET or to LISTSERV@ASUVM.INRE.ASU.EDU See also parts 2,3, and 4.) In poem and picture, the wise men came to be thought of as three kings, and in many countries (particularly Spanish-speaking ones), children receive gifts, not on 25 December, but on 6 January in memory of the gifts that the wise men brought to the Holy Child. Christian writers have interpreted the gold as a sign that Jesus is King, the Frankincense as a sign that He is God, and the myrrh (used in embalming) as a sign that He is by His death and Resurrection the Savior of the world. This imagery is found in the song, "We Three Kings of Orient Are." The three gifts are also understood a a sign of three responses that we ought to make to Christ. See the following hymn:

THE BLESSED BIRTH

That so thy Blessed Birth, O Christ, might through the world be spread about, the star appeared in the East, whereby the Gentiles found thee out; and offered thee Myrrh, Incense, Gold, thy three-fold office to unfold.

Tears that from true repentance drop, instead of Myrrh present will we: for Incense we will offer up our prayers and praises unto thee; and bring for Gold each pious deed, which doth from saving faith proceed.

And as those wise men never went to visit Herod any more, so, finding thee, we will repent our courses followed heretofore; and that we homeward may retire the way by thee we will enquire.

George Wither (1588-1667) in his HYMNES AND SONGS OF THE CHURCH, 1623

There is a musical setting by H. Walford Davies (1869-1941)

HYMN FOR THE EPIPHANY SEASON

Songs of thankfulness and praise, Jesus, Lord, to thee we raise, manifested by the star to the sages from afar; Branch of royal David's stem in thy birth at Bethlehem; anthems be to thee addrest, God in man made manifest.

Manifest at Jordan's stream, Prophet, Priest, and King supreme; and at Cana, wedding guest, in thy Godhead manifest; manifest in power divine, changing water into wine; anthems be to thee addrest, God in man made manifest.

Manifest in making whole palsied limbs and fainting soul; manifest in valiant fight, quelling all the devil's might; manifest in gracious will, ever bringing good from ill; anthems be to thee addrest, God in man made manifest.

Manifest on mountain height, shining in resplendent light, where disciples filled with awe thy transfigured glory saw. When from there thou leddest them steadfast to Jerusalem, cross and Easter day attest God in man made manifest.

Grant us grace to see thee, Lord, mirrored in thy holy word; may we imitate thee now, and be pure, as pure art thou; that we like to thee may be at thy great epiphany; and may praise thee, ever blest, God in man made manifest.

Christopher Wordsworth (1807-1885) Stanza Four by F. Bland Tucker (1895-1984)

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PRAYER (traditional language) Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan didst proclaim him thy beloved Son and anoint him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with thee and the same Spirit liveth and reigneth, one God, in glory everlasting.

PRAYER (contemporary language) Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting.

First Sunday after Epiphany:

FOR ALL YEARS

FIRST READING: Isaiah 42:1-9 ("Behold my chosen, in whom my soul delights; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; ...a covenent to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.")

PSALM 89:20-29 ("I will make him my firstborn, and higher than the kings of the earth.")

EPISTLE: Acts 10:34-38 (Peter said: You know the word which God sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ--he is Lord of all.)

THE HOLY GOSPEL (YEAR A): Matthew 3:13-17 THE HOLY GOSPEL (YEAR B): Mark 1:7-11 THE HOLY GOSPEL (YEAR C): Luke 3:15-16,21-22 (The Baptism of Jesus by John, and the voice from heaven: "This is my Beloved Son."))

HYMN

When Jesus went to Jordan's stream His Father's will obeying, and was baptized by John, there came a voice from heaven saying, "This is my dear beloved Son upon whom rests my favor." And till God's will is fully done he will not bend or waver, for he is Christ the Savior.

The Holy Spirit then was shown, a dove on him descending; the Triune God is thus made known in Christ as love unending. He taught, he healed, he raised the dead, yet, in his great endeavor to save us, his own blood was shed; but death could hold him never. He rose, and lives forever.

He came by water and by blood to heal our lost condition; he cleanses, reconciles to God, and gives the Great Commission. Then let us not heed worldly lies nor rest upon our merit, but trust in Christ, who will baptize with water and the Spirit that we may life inherit.

Martin Luther (Christ unser Herr zum Jordan kam) (1483-1546) paraphrase by F. Bland Tucker (1895-1984) Hymnal 1982 (Episcpopal) The Lutheran Book of Worship has a version beginning: "To Jordan came the Christ our Lord".

Note: "the Great Commission" refers to the command to preach the Gospel to all nations (Matthew 28:18-20)

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PRAYER (traditional language) Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that thy people, illumined by thy Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ's glory, that he may be known, worshiped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, one God, now and for ever.

PRAYER (contemporary language) Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ's glory, that he may be known, worshiped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever.

FOR YEAR A

FIRST READING: Isaiah 49:1-7 ("The LORD called me from the womb.... He says: 'I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.'")

PSALM 40:1-10 (A song about trusting in God, and about obeying His will -- applied to the Messiah in Hebrews 10)

EPISTLE 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 (Paul greets the Church in Corinth, called into the fellowship of Christ.)

THE HOLY GOSPEL: John 1:29-41 (John the Baptist tells two of his disciples about Jesus, and they follow him.)

FOR YEAR B

FIRST READING: 1 Samuel 3:1-10(11-20) (The child Samuel is called to be a prophet of the LORD.)

PSALM 63:1-8 (The Psalmist expresses his longing for God, and the delight that he takes in the worship of God.)

EPISTLE: 1 Corinthians 6:11b-20 (Now that we are sanctified, and united with Christ, let us live accordingly.)

THE HOLY GOSPEL: John 1:43-51 (Philip and Nathaniel are added to the company of the disciples of Jesus.)

FOR YEAR C

FIRST READING: Isaiah 62:1-5 ("The nations, O Zion, shall see your vindication.")

PSALM 96 (The LORD comes to judge the earth in righteousness.)

EPISTLE 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 (There are different gifts, but one Spirit)

THE HOLY GOSPEL: John 2:1-11 ("...This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory, and his disciples believed on him.")

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OCTAVE OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY (18-25 January)

January 18 is the Feast of the Confession of Peter ("Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God" Matthew 16:18). January 25 is the Feast of the Conversion of Paul. Many Christians observe the eight days from January 18 to January 25 inclusive as a time of special prayer that all Christians may be one with their Lord and with one another, joined in faith and love. I invite the members of this list to join in offering such prayers, always but especially during these eight days. Several prayers often used in this connection are printed below. (NOTE: those who cannot hear the word "Catholic" without thinking "Pope" may wish to substitute the word "universal" when joining in these prayers.)

PRAYERS (traditional language) Blessed Lord Jesus Christ, who saidst unto thine apostles, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you;" regard not our sins, but the faith of thy Church, and grant unto her that peace and unity which is according to thy will, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and ever.

O gracious Father, we humbly beseech thee for thy holy Catholic church; that thou wouldst be pleased to fill it with all truth, in all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it it in error, direct it; where in anything it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, establish it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of him who died and rose again, and ever liveth to make intercession for us, Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord.

O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Saviour, the Prince of Peace; Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions. Take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatsoever else may hinder us from godly union and concord: that as there is but one Body and one Spirit, and one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

PRAYERS (contemporary language) Blessed Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your apostles, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you;" do not consider our sins, but the faith of your Church, and give her that peace and unity which is according to your will, who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and ever.

Gracious Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church. Fill it with all truth, in all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it it in error, direct it; where in anything it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of him who died and rose again, and ever lives to make intercession for us, Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord.

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PRAYER (traditional language) Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

PRAYER (contemporary language) Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

FOR YEAR A

FIRST READING: Amos 3:1-8 (Amos speaks of his duty and calling as a prophet to preach and to warn the people of judgement.)

PSALM 139:1-17 ("Thou hast covered me in my mother's womb... all my organs were written in thy book when as yet there was none of them.")

EPISTLE: 1 Corinthians 1:10-17 (Paul reminds his readers that they are one in Christ, and that there ought not to be quarrels and divisions among them.)

THE HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 4:12-23 (Jesus begins his public preaching in Galilee, and calls four fishermen to become "fishers of men".)

FOR YEAR B

FIRST READING: Jeremiah 3:21--4:2 (Let Israel return to the LORD, and all nations shall be blessed thereby.)

PSALM 130 ("Out of the deep have I cried unto thee, O LORD! Lord, hear my voice.")

EPISTLE: 1 Corinthians 7:17-23 (Whether Jewish or Gentile, whether slaves or free, all are called to follow Christ.)

THE HOLY GOSPEL: Mark 1:14-20 (Jesus begins his public preaching in Galilee, and calls four fishermen to become "fishers of men".)

FOR YEAR C

FIRST READING: Nehemiah 8:2-10 (When the people returned from exile, Ezra read the Law before them all)

PSALM 113 (Praise the LORD, who raises the poor from the dust)

EPISTLE 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 (The Church is like a human body, in which different organs have different functions, each acting for the good of the whole)

THE HOLY GOSPEL Luke 4:14-21 (Jesus begins to preach in Galilee, and at Nazareth)

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PRAYER (traditional language) Almighty and everlasting God, who dost govern all things in heaven and earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of thy people, and in our time grant us thy peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

PRAYER (contemporary language) Almighty and everlasting God, who govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

FOR YEAR A

FIRST READING: Micah 6:1-8 (The LORD requires us to be just, and merciful, and humble.)

PSALM 37:1-18 (The meek (i.e. those who trust in the LORD) will inherit the land. Quoted in the Gospel reading.)

EPISTLE: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 (earthly wisdom and heavenly wisdom)

THE HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 5:1-12 (The Beatitudes -- the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus describes those who are blessed by the standards of the Kingdom of God.)

NOTE ON THE HOLY GOSPEL: It has been argued that the entire Sermon on the Mount is an expansion of and commentatary on the Eight Beatitudes with which it begins. For a brief statement of this theory, send the message GET SERMON MOUNT to LISTSERV@ASUACAD or to LISTSERV@ASUVM.INRE.ASU.EDU

FOR YEAR B

FIRST READING: Deuteronomy 18:15-20 (The LORD tells the people through Moses that He will raise up for them a prophet like Moses.)

PSALM 111 ("The works of His hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.")

EPISTLE: 1 Corinthians 8:1b-13 (Since false gods have no objective existence, and an idol is nothing but a lump of stone, it follows that offering meat to an idol does not change the character of the meat, and that eating such meat is not in itself wrong. But it is wrong to appear to worship false gods, if by so doing you betray your brother into offering them real worship. Do not let your liberty destroy someone whom Christ died to save.)

THE HOLY GOSPEL: Mark 1:21-28 (Jesus teaches in the synagogue at Capernaum, and heals a possessed man.)

FOR YEAR C

FIRST READING: Jeremiah 1:4-10 (From before my birth the LORD has appointed me a prophet, saying, "Do not fear men, for I am with you.")

PSALM 71:1-17 (or 71:1-6,15-17) (Although many of my listeners reject and revile me, I will continue to praise the saving acts of God.)

EPISTLE: 1 Corinthians 14:12b-20 (The gifts of the Spirit are given to build up the Church. If I pray in an unknown tongue, without interpretation, my listeners are not benefitted.)

THE HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 4:21-32 (Jesus teaches in Nazareth, but the people reject Him. He goes to Capernaum, and teaches there.)

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FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION (FEB 2)

Counting forward from December 25 as Day One, we find that Day Forty is February 2. A Jewish woman is in semi-seclusion for 40 days after giving birth to a son, and accordingly it is on February 2 that we celebrate the coming of Mary and Joseph with the infant Jesus to the Temple at Jerusalem to offer sacrifice, both on behalf of Mary and on behalf of Jesus as a first-born male. As they did so, they were greeted by the aged Simeon. In a Sunday-School pageant, I once saw, the narrator said, "And now Simeon bursts into a spontaneous song of praise, assisted by the Temple Choir." His song, called the NUNC DIMITTIS, has always had a prominent role in Christian worship. It has often been rendered in verse. I append one example.

Lord God, thou now hast set thy servant free, G-GGAGceddc-- to part in peace according to thy word. eefgGcBAAG-- Mine eyes have seen the Saviour, Christ the Lord ddef--cccfed-- prepared by thee for all the worlds to see; dpdBGceddc-- to shine on nations lost in darkest night, cfgaadggrg-- the glory of thy people, and their light. Gcdedfeddc--

(The versification is by Rae E Whitney, found in the Episcopal Hymnal 1982. The melody shown at the right is SONG 1 by Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625). Note the convention of denoting the black keys (beginning with c#) by p q r s t, and that of using a dash to mark the continuation of the previous note for another beat.)

PRAYER (traditional language)

Almighty and everliving God, we humbly beseech thee that, as thy only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple in substance of our mortal flesh, so we may be presented unto thee with pure and clean hearts by the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

PRAYER (contemporary language)

Almighty and everliving God, we humbly pray that, just as your only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple in the substance of our mortal flesh, so we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts by the same your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with yhouand the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

FIRST READING: Malachi 3:1-4 (Behold, I send my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple.)

PSALM 84:1-6 (O how amiable are thy dwellings, thou LORD of hosts!)

EPISTLE Hebrew 2:14-18 (Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same nature.)

THE HOLY GOSPEL Luke 2:22-40 (When Jesus was forty days old, Joseph and Mary took him to the Temple, to make the required offering. There an old man named Simeon, righteous and devout, prophesied concerning the child, and so did an aged woman named Anna.)

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PRAYER (traditional language) Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us, we beseech thee, the liberty of that abundant life which thou hast manifested to us in thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

PRAYER (contemporary language) Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

FOR YEAR A

FIRST READING: Habakkuk 3:2-6,17-19 (A vision of the glory and majesty of the LORD as he comes to save his people)

PSALM 27 ("The LORD is my light and my salvation: whom then shall I fear")

EPISTLE: 1 Corinthians 2:1-11 ("No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no human heart has imagined, the welcome that God has prepared for his friends.")

THE HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 5:13-20 (Christians are to be the salt of the earth, the light of the world. Their holiness must not fall short of keeping the Moral Law, but must go beyond it.)

FOR YEAR B

FIRST READING: 2 Kings 4:8-37 (or 4:18-21,32-37) (A married couple built an extra room, so that Elisha would have a place to stay whenever he was in Shunem. They were childless, and he told them, "You will have a son." They did, but in a few years the child died. The woman went to Elisha, and he came, and raised the child to life.)

PSALM 142 (Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies.)

EPISTLE: 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 (To participate in the Lord's Supper is to be joined to Christ. To participate in pagan sacrifices is to be joined with demons. Steer clear of pagan sacrifices.)

THE HOLY GOSPEL: Mark 1:29-39 (Jesus heals Simon Peter's mother-in-law, and others in Capernaum, withdraws to pray, and returns to preach and heal.)

FOR YEAR C

FIRST READING: Judges 6:11-24a (God calls Gideon to deliver his people)

PSALM 85 ("Mercy and truth are met together")

EPISTLE 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 (Christ died, rose, appeared to various witnesses)

THE HOLY GOSPEL Luke 5:1-11 (Jesus calls Peter, Andrew, James, and John to follow Him)

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PRAYER (traditional language) O God, the strength of all those who put their trust in thee: Mercifully accept our prayers; and because through the weakness of our mortal nature, we can do no good thing without thee, grant us the help of thy grace, that in keeping thy commandments we may please thee both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

PRAYER (contemporary language) O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you: Mercifully accept our prayers; and because in our weakness we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your grace, that in keeping your commandments we may please you both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

FOR YEAR A

FIRST READING: Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 15:11-20 (The writer warns us against blaming God, or anyone else, for our sins. The choice is ours.)

Do not say, "The Lord is to blame for my going astray"; it is for you to avoid what he hates. Do not say, "It was he who led me into error"; he has no use for a sinner. The Lord hates every kind of vice; you cannot love vice and still fear him. When in the beginning God created the human race, he left them free to take their own decisions; If you choose, you can observe the commandments; you can keep faith if you are so minded. He has set before you fire and water: reach out and make your choice. Mortals are offered life or death: whichever they prefer will be given them. For great is the wisdom of the Lord; he is mighty in power, all-seeing; his eyes are on those who fear him; no human action escapes his notice. He has commanded no one to be impious; to none has he given license to sin.

ALTERNATE FIRST READING: Deuteronomy 30:15-20 (Moses in his farewell to the people of Israel: If you forget the statutes that the LORD has given you, you will cease to exist as a people. If you keep them, you will be blessed. I have set before you this day cursing and blessing, death and life. Therefore, choose life!)

PSALM 119:1-16 (or 119:9-16) (The psalmist rejoices in the Law as a revelation of God's holiness, and undertakes to live according to its precepts.)

EPISTLE: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 (You ought to be running the Christian race, but if you quarrel and form factions, one of Paul, another of Apollos, then you are still in the starting gate.)

THE HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 5:21-24,27-30,33-37 (Jesus tells us that genuine discipleship means more than simply avoiding murder, adultery, and the like. It involves a complete transformation of heart and life.)

FOR YEAR B

FIRST READING: 2 Kings 5:1-15ab (The prophet Elisha cures Naaman, the general of the army of the king of Syria, of leprosy.)

PSALM 42 (or 42:1-7) (The Psalmist longs for the presence of God, as a thirsty deer longs for a spring of water. For a metrical setting, see Proper 1, Year B in the file cal.may.)

EPISTLE: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (In a race, there are many runners, but only one winner. Run to win. Train to win.)

THE HOLY GOSPEL: Mark 1:40-45 (Jesus heals a leper.)

FOR YEAR C

FIRST READING: Jeremiah 17:5-10 (The man who trusts in man is like a desert shrub. The man who trusts in God is like a tree by a river.)

PSALM 1 (The godly are like a sturdy tree by a river, with roots firm and deep. The ungodly are like chaff carried away by the wind.)

EPISTLE: 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 (If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised, and our faith is all a mistake. But in fact Christ has been raised, and so prepared the way for us.)

THE HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 6:17-26 (Jesus speaks of the kingdom of God, and how it will overturn present notions of who are fortunate. Many who laugh now will weep then, and vice versa.)

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PRAYER (traditional language) 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, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Holy Ghost, one God, now and for ever.

PRAYER (contemporary language) O Lord, who have taught us that without love whatever we do is worth nothing; Send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts your greatest gift, which is love, the true bond of peace and of all virtue, without which whoever lives is accounted dead before you. Grant this for the sake of your only Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

FOR YEAR A

FIRST READING: Leviticus 19:1-2,9-18 (You shall all be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy. You shall care for the poor. You shall not steal or lie, or postpone paying your workers. You shall not pervert justice, or hate your neighbor, or bear a grudge.)

PSALM 71 (or 71:16-24) (I will praise thee, O God, for thy righteous deeds.)

EPISTLE: 1 Corinthians 3:10-11,16-23 (You all are the building which Apollos and others and I have been commissioned to erect, the temple of God in which he dwells.)

THE HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 5:38-48 (Jesus said: Your fathers were told, "An eye for an eye," but I tell you, "Do not resist an evil man." Your fathers were told, "Love your neighbor," but I tell you, "Do good to your enemies, just as God gives rain and sun to good men and bad. Be perfect, as your Heavenly Father is perfect.")

FOR YEAR B

FIRST READING: Isaiah 43:18-25 ("I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, and will not remember your sins.")

PSALM 32 (or 32:1-8) (Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven.)

EPISTLE: 2 Corinthians 1:18-22 (Paul says that his dealings with the Corinthians have been consistent and trustworthy, being rooted in Jesus Christ, who is consistent and trustworthy.)

THE HOLY GOSPEL: Mark 2:1-12 (Jesus heals a paralyzed man, but first tells him that his sins are forgiven, which shocks some of his hearers.)

FOR YEAR C

FIRST READING: Genesis 45:3-11,21-28 (Joseph, whose brothers have wronged him, and who has not seen them for 18 years, reveals himself and tells them to fetch their father and join him in Egypt until the famine is over.)

PSALM 37:1-18 (or 37:3-10) (Trust in the LORD, and in the end, all shall be well. It may seem that the wicked prosper and the godly do not, but that will be remedied.)

EPISTLE: 1 Corinthians 15:35-38,42-50 (The kernel of wheat that is planted is far surpassed in beauty by the green stalk that springs from it. Just so, seeing the body that is buried is no preparation for the glory of the resurrected body.)

THE HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 6:27-38 (Jesus said: As you wish men to do to you, do so to them. As for loving those who love them, do not even criminals do that? Be like God, who is good even to the ungrateful and the selfish.)

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PRAYER (traditional language) Most loving Father, who willest us to give thanks for all things, to dread nothing but the loss of thee, and to cast all our care on thee who carest for us: Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, ang grant that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which thou hast manifested unto us in thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

PRAYER (contemporary language) Most loving Father, whose will it is for us to give thanks for all things, to fear nothing but the loss of you, and to cast all our care on you who care for us: Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which you have manifested to us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

FOR YEAR A

FIRST READING: Isaiah 49:8-18 (Thus says the LORD: I will feed my people and give them springs of water, and comfort them. They have no cause for anxiety.)

PSALM 62 (or 62:6-14) ( "For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my refuge, my fortress; I shall not be shaken." )

EPISTLE: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5(6-7)8-13 (The Corinthians, says Paul, are comfortable and smug. The Apostles, on the other hand, are without security, homeless, earning their bread from hand to mouth, subject to arrest without notice.)

THE HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 6:24-34 (Do not be anxious about your life, about whether your earthly future is secure. Will worrying make it more so? God feeds the birds, and clothes the anemones in gorgeous colors. He will care for you.)

FOR YEAR B

FIRST READING: Hosea 2:14-23 (Israel has turned her back on the LORD, like an unfaithful wife. But God, having chastised Israel, will restore and forgive her. Their former love will be renewed, and all shall be well.)

PSALM 103 (or 103:1-6) (Praise the LORD, who forgives our sins and heals our diseases, and saves us from destruction.)

EPISTLE: 2 Corinthians 3:(4-11)17--4:2 (The Law of Moses showed that men were worthy of death, and yet receiving it made Moses' face glorious and shining. Surely the ministry of Christ, which delivers us from death, is far more glorious.)

THE HOLY GOSPEL: Mark 2:18-22 (Jesus is asked why his disciples do not fast. He answers: My presence is reason enough for feasting.)

FOR YEAR C

FIRST READING: Jeremiah 7:1-7(8-15) (Do not think that your sacrifices will protect you from disaster, if you follow false gods, if you steal, murder, commit adultery, or swear falsely.)

PSALM 92 (or 92:1-5,11-14) (Thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy works, and I will rejoice in giving praise for the operatios of thy hands.)

EPISTLE: 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 (The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised. Death, where is thy victory?)

THE HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 6:39-49 (Do not censure your brother's faults and ignore your own. A tree is known by its fruit. Follow my commands, and you build on rock; else you build on sand.)

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