O God, who, through the preaching of the blessed Apostle Saint
Paul, hast caused the light of the Gospel to shine throughout
the world: Grant, we beseech thee, that we, having his wonderful
conversion in remembrance, may shew forth our thankfulness unto
thee for the same, by following the holy doctrine which he taught;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.
FOR THE EPISTLE. Acts ix. 1.
And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against
the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, and desired
of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found
any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring
them bound unto Jerusalem. And, as he journeyed, he came near
Damascus, and suddenly there shined round about him a light from
heaven. And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto
him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art
thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest:
it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he, trembling
and astonished, said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the
Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be
told thee what thou must do. And the men which journeyed with him
stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul
arose from the earth, and when his eyes were opened he saw no man;
but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And
he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and
to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold,
I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into
the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of
Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for behold, he prayeth,
and hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias, coming in, and
putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Then
Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how
much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem; and here he
hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on
thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way; for he is a
chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and
kings, and the children of Israel: for I will shew him how great
things he must suffer for my name's sake. And Ananias went his
way, and entered into the house; and, putting his hands on him,
said, Brother Saul, the Lord, (even Jesus that appeared unto
thee in the way as thou earnest,) hath sent me, that thou mightest
receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And
immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales; and
he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. And when
he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain
days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway
he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
But all that heard him were amazed, and said, Is not this he that
destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came
hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the
chief priests? But Saul increased the more in strength, and
confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this
is very Christ.
THE GOSPEL. St Matth. xix. 27.
Peter answered and said unto Jesus, Behold, we have forsaken all,
and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said
unto them, Verily I say unto you, that ye which have followed me,
in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of
his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the
twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses,
or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children,
or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundred-fold, and
shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be
last, and the last shall be first.