Twenty-first Sunday After Pentecost
Introit
Esther 13:9, 10, 11
All things are in Thy will, O Lord; and there is none that can resist Thy will: for Thou hast made all things, heaven and earth, and all things that are under the cope of heaven: Thou art Lord of all. Ps. Blessed are the undefiled who walk in the way: who walk in the law of the Lord. Glory be to the Father.
Collect
O Lord, we beseech Thee, to keep Thy household in continual godliness that, through Thy protection, it may be free from all adversities, and devotedly given to serve Thee in good works to the glory of Thy Name. Through our Lord.
Epistle
Ephesians 6:10-17
Brethren: Be strengthened in the Lord, and in the might of His power. Put you on the armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the deceits of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and pow- ers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places. Therefore take unto you the armour of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and to stand in all things perfect. Stand therefore having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of justice, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace in all things taking the shield of faith, wherewith you may be able to extinguish all the fiery darts of the most wicked one. And take unto you the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Gradual
Psalm 89:1-2
Thou hast been our refuge from generation to generation. Before the mountains were made, or the earth and the world was formed from eternity and to eternity Thou art God.
Alleluia
Ps. 113:1
Alleluia, alleluia. When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a barba- rous people. Alleluia.
Gospel
Matthew 18:23-35
At that time, Jesus spoke to His disciples this parable: The kingdom of Heaven is likened to a king, who would take an account of his servants. And when he had begun to take the account, one was brought to him that owed him ten thousand talents: and as he had not wherewith to pay it, his lord commanded that he should be sold, and his wife and children, and all that he had, and payment be made. But that servant falling down, besought him saying: Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And the lord of that servant, being moved with pity, let him go and forgave him the debt. But when that servant was gone out, he found one of his fellow servants that owed him a hundred pence: and laying hold of him, he throttled him, saying: Pay what thou owest. And his fellow- servant falling down besought him, saying: have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not but went and cast him into prison till he paid the debt. Now his fellow servants, seeing what was done, were very much grieved and they came and told their lord all that was done. Then his lord called him and saith to him: Thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all the debt, because thou besoughtest me; shouldst not thou have had compassion also on thy fellow-servant, even as I had compassion on thee? And his lord being angry, delivered him to the torturers, until he paid all the debt. So also shall my Heavenly Father do to you, if you forgive not every one his brother from your hearts.
Offertory
Job 1
There was a man in the land of Hus, whose name was Job, simple, and upright, and fearing God: whom Satan besought that he might tempt: and power was given him from the Lord over his possessions and his flesh; and he destroyed all his substance and his children; and wounded his flesh also with a grievous ulcer.
Secret
Mercifully receive, O Lord, these offerings, by which Thou art pleased to be appeased and in Thy powerful goodness to restore our salvation. Through our Lord.
Communion
Psalm 118: 81, 84, 86
My soul is in Thy salvation, and in Thy word have I hoped: when wilt Thou exe- cute judgment on them that persecute me? the wicked have persecuted me: help me, O Lord my God.
Postcommunion
We who have received the Food of immortality, beseech Thee, O Lord: that what we have taken with our mouth, we may follow after with a pure mind. Through our Lord.