Of a Monastic II

Collect:
O God, whose blessed Son became poor that we through his poverty might be rich: Deliver us, we pray thee from an inordinate love of this world, that, inspired by the devotion of thy servant N., we may serve thee with singleness of heart, and attain to the riches of the age to come; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

or this

O God, by whose grace thy servant N., enkindled with the flame of thy love, became a burning and a shining light in thy Church: Grant that we also may be aflame with the spirit of love and discipline, and may ever walk before thee as children of light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, liveth and reigneth, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

First Lesson: Acts 2:42-47a
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.

Second Lesson: 2 Corinthians 6:1-10
As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. For he says,

"In the time of my favor I heard you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you."

I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.

Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

Psalm: 133

  1. Oh, how good and pleasant it is, *
    when brethren live together in unity!
  2. It is like fine oil upon the head *
    that runs down upon the beard,
  3. Upon the beard of Aaron, *
    and runs down upon the collar of his robe.
  4. It is like the dew of Hermon *
    that falls upon the hills of Zion.
  5. For there the LORD has ordained the blessing: *
    life for evermore.

or
119:161-168

  1. Rulers have persecuted me without a cause, *
    but my heart stands in awe of your word.
  2. I am as glad because of your promise *
    as one who finds great spoils.
  3. As for lies, I hate and abhor them, *
    but your law is my love.
  4. Seven times a day do I praise you, *
    because of your righteous judgments.
  5. Great peace have they who love your law; *
    for them there is no stumbling block.
  6. I have hoped for your salvation, O LORD, *
    and I have fulfilled your commandments.
  7. I have kept your decrees *
    and I have loved them deeply.
  8. I have kept your commandments and decrees, *
    for all my ways are before you.

Gospel: Matthew 6:24-33
"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, `What shall we eat?' or `What shall we drink?' or `What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Collect & Psalm from the Book of Common Prayer
Other excerpts from the New International Bible