The Lessons Appointed for Use on the Feast of
John Chrysostom
Bishop of Constantinople, 407 January 27

Jeremiah 1:4-10
Luke 21:12-15
Psalm 49:1-8 or
Psalm 34:15-22

The Preface of a Saint (2)

O God, you gave your servant John Chrysostom grace eloquently to proclaim your righteousness in the great congregation, and fearlessly to bear reproach for the honor of your Name: Mercifully grant to all bishops and pastors such excellence in preaching, and faithfulness in ministering your Word, that your people may be partakers with them of the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Jeremiah 1:4-10

Now the word of the LORD came to me saying,

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,

and before you were born I consecrated you;

I appointed you a prophet to the nations."

Then I said, "Ah, Lord GOD! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy." But the LORD said to me,

"Do not say, `I am only a boy';

for you shall go to all to whom I send you,

and you shall speak whatever I command you,

Do not be afraid of them,

for I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD."

Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth; and the LORD said to me,

"Now I have put my words in your mouth.

See, today I appoint you over nations and over kingdoms,

to pluck up and to pull down,

to destroy and to overthrow,

to build and to plant."

Psalm 49:1-8 Page 652, BCP

Audite haec, omnes

1

Hear this, all you peoples;
hearken, all you who dwell in the world, *
you of high degree and low, rich and poor together.

2

My mouth shall speak of wisdom, *
and my heart shall meditate on understanding.

3

I will incline my ear to a proverb *
and set forth my riddle upon the harp.

4

Why should I be afraid in evil days, *
when the wickedness of those at my heels surrounds me,

5

The wickedness of those who put their trust in their goods, *
and boast of their great riches?

6

We can never ransom ourselves, *
or deliver to God the price of our life;

7

For the ransom of our life is so great, *
that we should never have enough to pay it,

8

In order to live for ever and ever, *
and never see the grave.

or

Psalm 34:15-22 Page 628, BCP

Benedicam Dominum

15

The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, *
and his ears are open to their cry.

16

The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, *
to root out the remembrance of them from the earth.

17

The righteous cry, and the LORD hears them *
and delivers them from all their troubles.

18

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted *
and will save those whose spirits are crushed.

19

Many are the troubles of the righteous, *
but the LORD will deliver him out of them all.

20

He will keep safe all his bones; *
not one of them shall be broken.

21

Evil shall slay the wicked, *
and those who hate the righteous will be punished.

22

The LORD ransoms the life of his servants, *
and none will be punished who trust in him.

Luke 21:12-15

Jesus said, "But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict."

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 Churches 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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