The Lessons Appointed for Use on the Feast of
Theodore of Tarsus
Archbishop of Canterbury, 690 September 19

2 Timothy 2:1-5,10
Matthew 24:42-47
Psalm 34:9-14 or
Psalm 112:1-9

The Preface of a Saint (1)

Almighty God, you called your servant Theodore of Tarsus from Rome to the see of Canterbury, and gave him gifts of grace and wisdom to establish unity where there had been division, and order where there had been chaos: Create in your Church, by the operation of the Holy Spirit, such godly union and concord that it may proclaim, both by word and example, the Gospel of the Prince of Peace; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

2 Timothy 2:1-5,10

You then, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus; and what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well. Share in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving in the army gets entangled in everyday affairs; the soldier's aim is to please the enlisting officer. And in the case of an athlete, no one is crowned without competing according to the rules.
Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

Psalm 34:9-14 Page 628, BCP

Benedicam Dominum

9

Fear the LORD, you that are his saints, *
for those who fear him lack nothing.

10

The young lions lack and suffer hunger, *
but those who seek the LORD lack nothing that is good.

11

Come, children, and listen to me; *
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

12

Who among you loves life *
and desires long life to enjoy prosperity?

13

Keep your tongue from evil-speaking *
and your lips from lying words.

14

Turn from evil and do good; *
seek peace and pursue it.

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 24:42-47

Jesus said to his disciples, "Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.

"Who then is the faithful and wise slave, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give the other slaves their allowance of food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions."

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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