The Lessons Appointed for Use on the Feast of
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Pastor and Theologian, 1945 April 9

Proverbs 3:1-7
Matthew 13:47-52
Psalm 119:89-96

Preface of a Saint (2)

Gracious God, the Beyond in the midst of our life, you gave grace to your servant Dietrich Bonhoeffer to know and to teach the truth as it is in Jesus Christ, and to bear the cost of following him; Grant that we, strengthened by his teaching and example, may receive your word and embrace its call with an undivided heart; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Proverbs 3:1-7

My child, do not forget my teaching,

but let your heart keep my commandments;

for length of days and years of life and abundant welfare they will give you.

Do not let loyalty and faithfulness forsake you;

bind them around your neck,

write them on the tablet of your heart.

So you will find favor and good repute

in the sight of God and of people.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

and do not rely on your own insight.

In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make straight your paths.

Do not be wise in your own eyes;

fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

Psalm 119:89-96 Page 770, BCP

In aeternum, Domine

89

O LORD, your word is everlasting; *
it stands firm in the heavens.

90

Your faithfulness remains from one generation to another; *
you established the earth, and it abides.

91

By your decree these continue to this day, *
for all things are your servants.

92

If my delight had not been in your law, *
I should have perished in my affliction.

93

I will never forget your commandments, *
because by them you give me life.

94

I am yours; oh, that you would save me! *
for I study your commandments.

95

Though the wicked lie in wait for me to destroy me, *
I will apply my mind to your decrees.

96

I see that all things come to an end, *
but your commandment has no bounds.

Matthew 13:47-52

Jesus said, "The kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

"Have you understood all this?" They answered, "Yes." And he said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old."

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 Collects, Psalms and Canticles are from the Book of Common Prayer, 1979.

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