O Lord, we beseech thee mercifully to receive the prayers of thy
people which call upon thee; and grant that they may both perceive
and know what things they ought to do, and also may have grace
and power faithfully to fulfil the same; through Jesus Christ our
Lord. _Amen_.
THE EPISTLE. Rom. xii. 1.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye
present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto
God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to
this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect
will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every
man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than
he ought to think, but to think soberly, according as God hath
dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many
members in one body, and all members have not the same office; so
we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one
of another.
THE GOSPEL. St Luke ii. 41.
Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the
passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to
Jerusalem, after the custom of the feast. And when they had
fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried
behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's
journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem,
seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found
him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both
hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him
were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they
saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why
hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought
thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought
me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? And
they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he
went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto
them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And
Jesus increased in wisdom, and stature, and in favour with God and
man.