O everlasting God, who hast ordained and constituted the services
of Angels and men in a wonderful order: Mercifully grant that,
as thy holy Angels alway do thee service in heaven, so by thy
appointment they may succour and defend us on earth; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.
FOR THE EPISTLE. Rev. xii. 7.
There was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against
the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed
not, neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the
great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the devil
and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world; he was cast out into
the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a
loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength,
and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the
accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before
our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the
Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their
lives unto the death. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that
dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea:
for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because
he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
THE GOSPEL. St Matth. xviii. 1.
At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the
greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child
unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say
unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children,
ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore
shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest
in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little
child in my name, receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of
these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him
that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were
drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of
offences: for it must needs be that offences come: but woe to
that man by whom the offence cometh. Wherefore if thy hand or
thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it
is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than
having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from
thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye,
rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell-fire. Take heed
that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you,
that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father
which is in heaven.
SAINT LUKE THE EVANGELIST _October_ 18.