The Collect.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who, for the defence of the honour
of holy images, didst endue thy blessed Saint John with heavenly
learning and wondrous strength of spirit: grant unto us, we pray
thee, that, by his intercession, and example; we may so honour
the images of thy Saints, that we may follw them in all true
godliness, and feel the effectual succour of their advocacy.
Through.
For the Epistle. Wisdom 10:10
The Lord guided the righteous in right paths, shewed him the
kingdom of God, and gave him knowledge of holy things: made him
right in his travels, and multiplied the fruit of his labours.
In the covetousness of such as oppressed him he stood by him,
and made him right. He defended him from his enemies, and kept
him safe from those that lay in wait, and in a sore conflict
he gave him the victory; that he might know that godliness is
stronger than all. When the righteous was sold, wisdom forsook
him not, but delivered him from sin: she went down with him into
the pit, and left him not in bonds, till she brought him the
sceptre of the kingdom, and power against those that oppressed
him: as for those that had accused him, she shewed them to be
liars, and gave him perpetual glory, O Lord our God.
The Gospel. St Luke 6:6
And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered
into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right
hand was withered. And the scribes and Pharisees watched him,
whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find
an accusation against him. But he knew their thoughts, and said
to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth
in the midst. And he arose and stood forth. Then said Jesus unto
them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days
to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it? And
looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch
forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole
as the other. And they were filled with madness; and communed
one with another what they might do to Jesus.