The Lessons Appointed for Use on the Feast of the
Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary
July 26

Genesis 17:1-8
Luke 1:26-33
Psalm 132:11-19 or
Psalm 85:8-13

The Preface of the Incarnation

Almighty God, heavenly Father, we remember in thanksgiving this day the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary; and we pray that we all may be made one in the heavenly family of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Genesis 17:1-8

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said to him, "I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless. And I will make my covenant between me and you, and will make you exceedingly numerous." Then Abram fell on his face; and God said to him, "As for me, this is my covenant with you: You shall be the ancestor of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the ancestor of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. I will establish my covenant between me and you, and your offspring after you throughout their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. And I will give to you, and to your offspring after you, the land where you are now an alien, all the land of Canaan, for a perpetual holding; and I will be their God."

Psalm 132:11-19 Page 786, BCP

Memento, Domine

11

The LORD has sworn an oath to David; *
in truth, he will not break it:

12

"A son, the fruit of your body *
will I set upon your throne.

13

If your children keep my covenant
and my testimonies that I shall teach them, *
their children will sit upon your throne for evermore."

14

For the LORD has chosen Zion; *
he has desired her for his habitation:

15

"This shall be my resting-place for ever; *
here will I dwell, for I delight in her.

16

I will surely bless her provisions, *
and satisfy her poor with bread.

17

I will clothe her priests with salvation, *
and her faithful people will rejoice and sing.

18

There will I make the horn of David flourish; *
I have prepared a lamp for my Anointed.

19

As for his enemies, I will clothe them with shame; *
but as for him, his crown will shine."

or

Psalm 85:8-13 Page 709, BCP

Benedixisti, Domine

8

I will listen to what the LORD God is saying, *
for he is speaking peace to his faithful people
and to those who turn their hearts to him.

9

Truly, his salvation is very near to those who fear him, *
that his glory may dwell in our land.

10

Mercy and truth have met together; *
righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

11

Truth shall spring up from the earth, *
and righteousness shall look down from heaven.

12

The LORD will indeed grant prosperity, *
and our land will yield its increase.

13

Righteousness shall go before him, *
and peace shall be a pathway for his feet.

Luke 1:26-33

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."

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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