INTROIT. Justis ut palma florebit. Ps. 92.
THE righteous shall flourish like a palm-tree: and shall spread
abroad like a cedar in Libanus: such as are planted in the house
of the Lord shall flourish in the court of the house of our God.
Ps. ibid. It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord:
and to sing praises unto thy Name, O most highest. V. Glory be.
The Collect.
O GOD, who makest us glad with the yearly feast of thy Confessor
Saint Paul: mercifully grant that as we now observe his heavenly
birthday; so we may follow him in all virtuous and godly living.
[Through]
The Epistle. Philippians 3:7-12
7 BRETHREN: what things were gain to me, those I counted loss
for Christ.
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency
of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered
the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may
win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which
is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ,
the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and
the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto
his death;
11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the
dead.
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already
perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for
which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
GRADUAL. Ps. 92. The righteous shall flourish like a palm-tree:
and shall spread abroad as a cedar in Libanus in the house of
the Lord. V. To tell of thy lovingkindess early in the morning:
and of thy truth in the night-season.
Alleluia, alleluia. V. Hos. 14. The righteous shall blossom
as the lily: and shall flourish for ever before the Lord. Alleluia.
The Gospel. St Matthew 11:25-30
25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father,
Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things
from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.
27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man
knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the
Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal
him.
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and
I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and
lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
OFFERTORY. Ps. 21. The righteous shall rejoice
in thy strength, O Lord: exceeding glad shall he be of thy salvation:
thou hast given him his heart's desire.
SECRET.
GRANT, we beseech thee, O Lord, that we who, trusting in this
our sacrifice of praise, do offer it before thee to the honour
of thy Saints, may by the same be delivered from all evils both
in this life and in that which is to come. Through.
COMMUNION. Ps. 64. The righteous shall rejoice
in the Lord and put his trust in him: and all they that are true
of heart shall be glad.
POSTCOMMUNION.
O GOD, who hast vouchsafed to feed us with heavenly meat and
drink: mercifully grant that, like as we have received the same
in devout remembrance of thy Confessor Saint Paul; so we may
evermore be defended by his intercession. Through.