Almighty God, who through thy only-begotten Son Jesus Christ hast
overcome death, and opened unto us the gate of everlasting life:
We humbly beseech thee, that as by thy special grace preventing us
thou dost put into our minds good desires, so by thy continual
help we may bring the same to good effect; through Jesus Christ
our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost,
ever one God, world without end. _Amen_.
FOR THE EPISTLE. Acts x. 34.
Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God
is no respecter of persons; but in every nation he that feareth
him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word
which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by
Jesus Christ; (he is Lord of all;) that word, I say, ye know,
which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee,
after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of
Nazareth with the Holy Ghost, and with power; who went about doing
good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil: for God
was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did,
both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew,
and hanged on a tree: him God raised up the third day, and shewed
him openly; not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before
of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose
from the dead. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and
to testify that it is he who was ordained of God to be the Judge
of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that
through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission
of sins.
THE GOSPEL. St Luke xxiv. 13.
Behold, two of his disciples went that same clay to a village
called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.
And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
And it came to pass, that while they communed together, and
reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their
eyes were holden, that they should not know him. And he said unto
them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to
another, as ye walk, and are sad? And the one of them, whose name
was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in
Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass
there in these days? And he said unto them, What things? And they
said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet
mighty in deed and word, before God and all the people: and how
the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to
death, and have crucified him. But we trusted that it had been he
which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to-day is
the third day since these things were done. Yea, and certain women
also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the
sepulchre; and when they found not his body, they came, saying that
they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was
alive. And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre,
and found it even so as the women had said; but him they saw not.
Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all
that the prophets have spoken: ought not Christ to have suffered
these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses,
and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures
the things concerning himself. And they drew nigh unto the village
whither they went; and he made as though he would have gone
further: but they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it
is towards evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to
tarry with them. And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them,
he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And
their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of
their sight. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn
within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened
to us the Scriptures? And they rose up the same hour, and returned
to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, arid them
that were with them, saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath
appeared to Simon. And they told what things were done in the way,
and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.