The Lessons Appointed for Use

on the Feast of

William Wilberforce

1833

Galatians 3:23-29
Matthew 25:31-40
Psalm 146:4-9 or
Psalm 112:1-9

The Preface of a Saint (2)

Let your continual mercy, O Lord, kindle in your Church the never-failing gift of love, that, following the example of your servant William Wilberforce, we may have grace to defend the poor, and maintain the cause of those who have no helper; for the sake of him who gave his life for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Galatians 3:23-29

Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise.

Psalm 146:4-9 Page 803, BCP

Lauda, anima mea

4

Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help!*
whose hope is in the LORD their God;

5

Who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them; *
who keeps his promise for ever;

6

Who gives justice to those who are oppressed, *
and food to those who hunger.

7

The LORD sets the prisoners free;
the LORD opens the eyes of the blind; *
the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down;

8

The LORD loves the righteous;
the LORD cares for the stranger; *
he sustains the orphan and widow,
but frustrates the way of the wicked.

9

The LORD shall reign for ever, *
your God, O Zion, throughout all generations.
Hallelujah!

or

Psalm 112:1-9 Page 755, BCP

Beatus vir

1

Hallelujah!
Happy are they who fear the Lord *
and have great delight in his commandments!

2

Their descendants will be mighty in the land; *
the generation of the upright will be blessed.

3

Wealth and riches will be in their house, *
and their righteousness will last for ever.

4

Light shines in the darkness for the upright; *
the righteous are merciful and full of compassion.

5

It is good for them to be generous in lending *
and to manage their affairs with justice.

6

For they will never be shaken; *
the righteous will be kept in everlasting remembrance.

7

They will not be afraid of any evil rumors; *
their heart is right;
they put their trust in the Lord.

8

Their heart is established and will not shrink, *
until they see their desire upon their enemies.

9

They have given freely to the poor, *
and their righteousness stands fast for ever;
they will hold up their head with honor.

Matthew 25:31-40

Jesus said, "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, `Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.' Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' And the king will answer them, `Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.' "

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the USA, and used by permission.

The text of the Psalm is from the Book of Common Prayer