O almighty and most merciful God, of thy bountiful goodness keep
us, we beseech thee, from all things that may hurt us; that we,
being ready both in body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish those
things that thou wouldest have done; through Jesus Christ our
Lord. _Amen_.
THE EPISTLE. Ephes. v. 15.
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not
unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not
drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
speaking to yourselves in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs;
singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks
always for all things unto God and the Father, in the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ; submitting yourselves one to another in the
fear of God.
THE GOSPEL. St Matth. xxii. 1.
Jesus said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, who
made a marriage for his son; and sent forth his servants to call
them that were bidden to the wedding; and they would not come.
Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are
bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and my fatlings
are killed, and all things are ready; come unto the marriage. But
they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another
to his merchandise: and the remnant took his servants, and entreated
them spitefully, and slew them. But when the king heard thereof,
he was wroth; and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those
murderers, and burnt up their city. Then saith he to his servants,
The wedding is ready, but they who were bidden were not worthy. Go
ye therefore into the high-ways, and as many as ye shall find bid
to the marriage. So those servants went out into the high-ways, and
gathered together all, as many as they found, both bad and good;
and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the king came
in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a
wedding-garment. And he saith unto him, Friend, how earnest thou
in hither, not having a wedding-garment? And he was speechless.
Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and
take him away, and cast him into outer darkness: there shall be
weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are
chosen.