O almighty and everlasting God, who didst give to thine Apostle
Bartholomew grace truly to believe and to preach thy Word: Grant,
we beseech thee, unto thy Church, to love that Word which he
believed, and both to preach and receive the same; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. _Amen_.
FOR THE EPISTLE. Acts v. 12.
By the hands of the Apostles were many signs and wonders wrought
among the people: (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's
porch: and of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the
people magnified them: and believers were the more added to the
Lord, multitudes both of men and women:) insomuch that they
brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds
and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by
might overshadow some of them. There came also a multitude out of
the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and
them which were vexed with unclean spirits; and they were healed
every one.
THE GOSPEL. St Luke xxii. 24.
And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be
accounted the greatest. And he said unto them, The kings of the
Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise
authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be
so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger;
and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is
greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he
that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. Ye
are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I
appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;
that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on
thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
SAINT MATTHEW THE APOSTLE _September_ 21.