The Lessons Appointed for Use on the Feast of
Bernard
Abbot of Clairvaux, 1153 August 20

Ecclesiasticus 39:1-10
John 15:7-11
Psalm 139:1-9 or
Psalm 19:7-11(12-14)

The Preface of a Saint (1)

O God, by whose grace your servant Bernard of Clairvaux, kindled with the flame of your love, became a burning and a shining light in your Church: Grant that we also may be aflame with the spirit of love and discipline, and walk before you as children of light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Ecclesiasticus 39:1-10

He seeks out the wisdom of all the ancients,

and is concerned with prophecies;

he preserves the sayings of the famous

and penetrates the subtleties of parables;

he seeks out the hidden meanings of proverbs

and is at home with the obscurities of parables.

He serves among the great

and appears before rulers;

he travels in foreign lands

and learns what is good and evil in the human lot.

He sets his heart to rise early

to seek the Lord who made him,

and to petition the Most High;

he opens his mouth in prayer

and asks pardon for his sins.

If the great Lord is willing,

he will be filled with the spirit of understanding;

he will pour forth words of wisdom of his own

and give thanks to the Lord in prayer.

The Lord will direct his counsel and knowledge,

as he meditates on his mysteries.

He will show the wisdom of what he has learned,

and will glory in the law of the Lord's covenant.

Many will praise his understanding;

it will never be blotted out.

His memory will not disappear,

and his name will live through all generations.

Nations will speak of his wisdom,

and the congregation will proclaim his praise.

Psalm 139:1-9 Page 794, BCP

Domine, probasti

1

LORD, you have searched me out and known me; *
you know my sitting down and my rising up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.

2

You trace my journeys and my resting-places *
and are acquainted with all my ways.

3

Indeed, there is not a word on my lips, *
but you, O LORD, know it altogether.

4

You press upon me behind and before *
and lay your hand upon me.

5

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; *
it is so high that I cannot attain to it.

6

Where can I go then from your Spirit? *
where can I flee from your presence?

7

If I climb up to heaven, you are there; *
if I make the grave my bed, you are there also.

8

If I take the wings of the morning *
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

9

Even there your hand will lead me *
and your right hand hold me fast.

or

Psalm 19:7-11(12-14) Page 607, BCP

Caeli enarrant

7

The law of the LORD is perfect
and revives the soul; *
the testimony of the LORD is sure
and gives wisdom to the innocent.

8

The statutes of the LORD are just
and rejoice the heart; *
the commandment of the LORD is clear
and gives light to the eyes.

9

The fear of the LORD is clean
and endures for ever; *
the judgments of the LORD are true
and righteous altogether.

10

More to be desired are they than gold,
more than much fine gold, *
sweeter far than honey,
than honey in the comb.

11

By them also is your servant enlightened, *
and in keeping them there is great reward.

12

Who can tell how often he offends? *
cleanse me from my secret faults.

13

Above all, keep your servant from presumptuous sins;
let them not get dominion over me; *
then shall I be whole and sound,
and innocent of a great offense.

14

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my
heart be acceptable in your sight, *
O LORD, my strength and my redeemer.

John 15:7-11

Jesus said, "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete."

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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