18 February 2017 - Saint Simeon, Bishop & Martyr

Simple - Red 

INTROIT Ecclus. 45.30.

The Lord made to him a covenant of peace, and made him a prince: that the dignity of the priesthood should be to him forever. Ps. 131.1. O Lord, remember David: and all his meekness. V.: Glory be.

COLLECT

Look down upon our weakness, almighty God; and since the weight of our deeds bears us down, may the glorious intercession of Blessed Simeon, thy Bishop and Martyr, protect us. Through.

EPISTLE James 1.12-18.

Dearly Beloved: Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for, when he hath been proved, he shall receive the crown of life which God hath promised to them that love him. Let no man, when he is tempted, say that he is tempted by God. For God is not a tempter of evils: and he tempteth no man. But every man is tempted by his own concupiscence, being drawn away and allured. Then, when concupiscence hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin. But sin, when it is completed, begetteth death. Do not err, therefore, my dearest brethren. Every best gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no change nor shadow of alteration. For of his own will hath he begotten us by the word of truth, that we might be some beginning of his creature.

GRADUAL Ps. 88.21-23.

I have found David, my servant: with my holy oil I have anointed him: for my hand shall help him, and my arm shall strengthen him. V:. The enemy shall have no advantage over him, nor the son of iniquity have power to hurt him.

Tract Ps. 20.3-4

Thou hast given him his heart's desire; and hast not withholden from him the will of his lips.
V.: For thou hast prevented him with blessings of sweetness.
V.: Thou hast set on his head a crown of precious stones.

+ The Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Luke (14.26-33)

At that time, Jesus said: 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. And whosoever doth not carry his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, having a mind to build a tower, doth not first sit down and reckon the charges that are necessary, whether he have wherewithal to finish it: Lest, after he hath laid the foundation and is not able to finish it, all that see it begin to mock him, Saying: This man began to build and was not able to finish. Or, what king, about to go to make war against another king, doth not first sit down and think whether he be able, with ten thousand, to meet him that, with twenty thousand, cometh against him? Or else, while the other is yet afar off, sending an embassy, he desireth conditions of peace. So likewise every one of you that doth not renounce all that he possesseth cannot be my disciple.

OFFERTORY Ps. 88.25.

My truth and my mercy shall be with him: and in my Name shall his horn be exalted.

SECRET

Graciously receive, O Lord, the sacrifice offered to thee by the merits of blessed Simeon, thy Martyr and Bishop, and grant that it may be to us an unfailing help. Through.

COMMUNION Ps. 88.36-38.

Once I have sworn by my holiness: his seed shall endure for ever; and his throne as the sun before me, and as the moon perfect for ever: and a faithful witness in heaven.

POSTCOMMUNION

Refreshed by partaking of thy holy Gift, we beseech thee, O Lord, our God, that through the intercession of Blessed Simeon, thy Martyr and Bishop, we may perceive the fruit of the rite which we celebrate. Through.