Almighty and everliving God, we humbly beseech thy Majesty, that,
as thy only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple in
substance of our flesh, so we may be presented unto thee with
pure and clean hearts, by the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
_Amen_.
FOR THE EPISTLE. Mal. iii. 1.
Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way
before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his
temple; even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in;
behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. But who may abide
the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for
he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers soap. And he shall
sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; and he shall purify the
sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may
offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Then shall the
offerings of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in
the days of old, and as in former years. And I will come near to
you to judgement, and I will be a swift witness against the
sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers,
and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the
widow and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from
his right, and fear not me, saith the Lord of hosts.
THE GOSPEL. St Luke ii. 22.
And when the days of her purification, according to the law of
Moses, were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to
present him to the Lord; (as it is written in the law of the
Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to
the Lord;) and to offer a sacrifice, according to that which is
said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtle-doves, or two young
pigeons. And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name
was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for
the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And
it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not
see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by
the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the
child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then took
he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now
lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared
before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles,
and the glory of thy people Israel. And Joseph and his mother
marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. And Simeon
blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child
is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for
a sign which shall be spoken against; (yea, a sword shall pierce
through thy own soul also;) that the thoughts of many hearts may
be revealed. And there was one Anna a prophetess, the daughter of
Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser; she was of a great age, and had
lived with an husband seven years from her virginity: and she was
a widow of about fourscore and four years; which departed not from
the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord,
and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in
Jerusalem. And when they had performed all things according to
the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee to their own city
Nazareth. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled
with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon him.
SAINT MATTHIAS'S DAY _February_ 24.