The Collect.
WE beseech thee, O Lord, graciously to hear the prayers which
we offer unto thee on this feast of blessed Leo, thy Confessor
and Bishop: that, like as he was found worthy to do thee faithful
service, so, by the succour of his merits, we may be delivered
from the chastisement which we have deserved. Through.
The Epistle. 2 Timothy 4:1-8
1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ,
who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his
kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove,
rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;
but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers,
having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall
be turned unto fables.
5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work
of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure
is at hand.
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have
kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day:
and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
The Gospel. St Matthew 5:13-20
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his
savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good
for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot
of men.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill
cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel,
but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in
the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your
good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets:
I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one
jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all
be fulfilled.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments,
and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom
of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall
be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed
the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no
case enter into the kingdom of heaven.