John Bosco

The Collect

Loving God, who tenderly cares for children and orphans: Fill us with love like that shown forth in the witness of John Bosco, that we may give ourselves completely to your service and to the salvation of all; through your Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Old Testament

Isaiah 59:14-16

Justice is turned back,
and righteousness stands at a distance;

for truth stumbles in the public square,
and uprightness cannot enter.

Truth is lacking,
and whoever turns from evil is despoiled.

The Lord saw it, and it displeased him
that there was no justice.

He saw that there was no one,
and was appalled that there was no one to intervene;

so his own arm brought him victory,
and his righteousness upheld him.

The Psalm

Psalm 25:4-9

Ad te, Domine, levavi

4 Lead me in your truth and teach me, *
for you are the God of my salvation;
in you have I trusted all the day long.

5 Remember, O LORD, your compassion and love, *
for they are from everlasting.

6 Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions; *
remember me according to your love
and for the sake of your goodness, O LORD.

7 Gracious and upright is the LORD; *
therefore he teaches sinners in his way.

8 He guides the humble in doing right *
and teaches his way to the lowly.

9 All the paths of the LORD are love and faithfulness *
to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

The New Testament

Philippians 4:4-9

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

The Gospel

Mark 13:10-16*

Jesus said, "The good news must first be proclaimed to all nations. When they bring you to trial and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say; but say whatever is given you at that time, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

"But when you see the desolating sacrilege set up where it ought not to be (let the reader understand), then those in Judea must flee to the mountains; someone on the housetop must not go down or enter the house to take anything away; someone in the field must not turn back to get a coat."

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*While this is the gospel reading specified by Holy Women, Holy Men, it is almost certainly a typographical mistake, a transposition, and should have been Mark 10:13-16, the passage which includes Jesus' instruction to "Let the little children come to me...." That reading would be appropriate for honoring a man who devoted his life to the service of orphans.

The Lessons Appointed for Use on
the Feast of