Almighty God, who hast given thine only Son to be unto us both a
sacrifice for sin, and also an ensample of godly life: Give us
grace that we may always most thankfully receive that his inestimable
benefit, and also daily endeavour ourselves to follow the blessed
steps of his most holy life; through the same Jesus Christ our
Lord. _Amen_.
THE EPISTLE. 1 St Peter ii. 19.
This is thank-worthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure
grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be
buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when
ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently; this is
acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because
Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should
follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his
mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he
suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that
judgeth righteously: who his own self bare our sins in his own
body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto
righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as
sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and
Bishop of your souls.
THE GOSPEL. St John x. 11.
Jesus said, I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his
life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the
shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and
leaveth the sheep, and fleeth; and the wolf catcheth them, and
scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an
hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd,
and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me,
even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold; them also I
must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one
fold, and one shepherd.