Grant, O merciful God, that as thine holy Apostle Saint James,
leaving his father and all that he had, without delay was obedient
unto the calling of thy Son Jesus Christ, and followed him; so we,
forsaking all worldly and carnal affections, may be evermore ready
to follow thy holy commandments; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
_Amen_.
FOR THE EPISTLE. Acts xi. 27, and part of Chapter xii.
In those days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. And there
stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit,
that there should be great dearth throughout all the world; which
came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples,
every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto
the brethren which dwelt at Judaea: which also they did, and sent
it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. Now about that
time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of
the Church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to
take Peter also.
THE GOSPEL. St Matth. xx. 20.
Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons,
worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. And he said
unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my
two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the
left, in thy kingdom. But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not
what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink
of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?
They say unto him, We are able. And he saith unto them, Ye shall
drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am
baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not
mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared
of my Father. And when the ten heard it, they were moved with
indignation against the two brethren. But Jesus called them unto
him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise
dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority
upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will
be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will
be chief among you, let him be your servant: even as the Son of
man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give
his life a ransom for many.
| THE TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD
|
| _August_ 6.
|
| THE COLLECT.
|
| O almighty and everlasting God, whose blessed Son revealed
| himself to his chosen Apostles when he was transfigured on the
| holy mount, and amidst the excellent glory spake with Moses and
| Elias of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem:
| Grant to us thy servants that beholding the brightness of thy
| countenance we may be strengthened to bear the cross; through
| the same Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.
|
| THE EPISTLE. 2 St Peter i. 16.
|
| We have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known
| unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were
| eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father
| honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the
| excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
| And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with
| him in the holy mount.
|
| THE GOSPEL. St Matth. xvii. 1.
|
| After six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother,
| and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, and was
| transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun,
| and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there
| appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Then
| answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us
| to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles;
| one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet
| spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a
| voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in
| whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. And when the disciples
| heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And
| Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
| And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save
| Jesus only. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus
| charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son
| of man be risen again from the dead.
SAINT BARTHOLOMEW THE APOSTLE _August_ 24.