The Lessons Appointed for Use on the Feast of
William Laud
Archbishop of Canterbury, 1645 January 10

Hebrews 12:5-7,11-14
Matthew 10:32-39
Psalm 73:24-29 or
Psalm 16:5-11

The Preface of a Saint (2)

Keep us, O Lord, constant in faith and zealous in witness, that, like your servant William Laud, we may live in your fear, die in your favor, and rest in your peace; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Hebrews 12:5-7,11-14

You have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as children--

"My child, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, or lose heart when you are punished by him; for the Lord disciplines those whom he loves, and chastises every child whom he accepts."

Endure trials for the sake of discipline. God is treating you as children; for what child is there whom a parent does not discipline?

Now, discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

Psalm 73:24-29

Quam bonus Israel!

24

You will guide me by your counsel, *
and afterwards receive me with glory.

25

Whom have I in heaven but you? *
and having you I desire nothing upon earth.

26

Though my flesh and my heart should waste away, *
God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.

27

Truly, those who forsake you will perish; *
you destroy all who are unfaithful.

28

But it is good for me to be near God; *
I have made the Lord GOD my refuge.

29

I will speak of all your works *
in the gates of the city of Zion.

or

Psalm 16:5-11 Page 600, BCP

Conserva me, Domine

5

O LORD, YOU are my portion and my cup; *
it is you who uphold my lot.

6

My boundaries enclose a pleasant land; *
indeed, I have a goodly heritage.

7

I will bless the LORD who gives me counsel; *
my heart teaches me, night after night.

8

I have set the LORD always before me; *
because he is at my right hand I shall not fall.

9

My heart, therefore, is glad, and my spirit rejoices; *
my body also shall rest in hope.

10

For you will not abandon me to the grave, *
nor let your holy one see the Pit.

11

I You will show me the path of life; *
in your presence there is fullness of joy,
and in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.

Matthew 10:32-39

Jesus said, "Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.

"Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.

For I have come to set a man against his father,
and a daughter against her mother,
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;
and one's foes will be members of one's own household.

Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it."

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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