INTROIT. In medio Ecclesiae. Ecclus. 15.
In the midst of the Church he opened his mouth: and the Lord
filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding: he clothed
him with a robe of glory. Ps. 92. 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.
WE beseech thee, O Lord, graciously to hear the prayers which
we offer unto thee on this festival of thy holy Confessor and
Bishop, Saint Basil: 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 bonds of the sins which we have committed. Through.
The Epistle. 2 Timothy 4:1-8 [From Mass 13, In medio Ecclesiae.]
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.
Gradual. Ps. 37. The mouth of the righteous
is exercised in wisdom: and his tongue will be talking of judgement.
V.; The law of God is in his heart: and his goings shall not
slide.
Alleluia, alleluia. V. Ps. 89. I have found David my servant,
with my holy oil have I anointed him. Alleluia.
The Gospel. St Luke 14:25-35 25 And there went great multitudes
with him: and he turned, and said unto them,
26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother,
and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his
own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me,
cannot be my disciple.
28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not
down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient
to finish it?
29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not
able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth
not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand
to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth
an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all
that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
34 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith
shall it be seasoned?
35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill;
but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
OFFERTORY. Ps. 89. My truth also and my mercy shall be with
him: and in my Name shall his horn be exalted.
SECRET. Grant, O Lord, we pray thee,
that our devout observance of this yearly festival of thy Confessor
and Bishop Saint Basil may render us thy servants acceptable
unto thy loving-kindness: that the oblation of this our bounden
duty and service may be profitable unto him in the reward of
his godliness, and obtain for us thy servants the bountiful gifts
of thy grace. Through.
COMMUNION. St.
Luke 12. A faithful and wise steward, whom his Lord hath made
ruler over his household: to give them their portion of meat
in due season.
POSTCOMMUNION. O God, who rewardest the souls
of them that put their trust in thee: grant, we beseech thee;
that we who keep the solemn feast of Saint Basil thy Bishop and
Confessor, may by his prayers obtain the pardon of thy mercy.
Through.