The Lessons Appointed for Use on the Feast of
Teresa of Avila
Nun October 15

Romans 8:22-27
Matthew 5:13-16
Psalm 42:1-7 or
Psalm 139:1-9

Preface of Baptism

O God, by your Holy Spirit you moved Teresa of Avila to manifest to your Church the way of perfection: Grant us, we pray, to be nourished by her excellent teaching, and enkindle within us a keen and unquenchable longing for true holiness; through Jesus Christ, the joy of loving hearts, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Romans 8:22-27

We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Psalm 42:1-7 Page 643, BCP

Quemadmodum

1

As the deer longs for the water-brooks, *
so longs my soul for you, O God.

2

My soul is athirst for God, athirst for the living God; *
when shall I come to appear before the presence of God?

3

My tears have been my food day and night, *
while all day long they say to me,
"Where now is your God?"

4

I pour out my soul when I think on these things: *
how I went with the multitude and led them into the house of God,

5

With the voice of praise and thanksgiving, *
among those who keep holy-day.

6

Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul? *
and why are you so disquieted within me?

7

Put your trust in God; *
for I will yet give thanks to him,
who is the help of my countenance, and my God.

or

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.

Matthew 5:13-16

Jesus said, "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.

"You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."

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.

Return to The Lectionary Page.