Occurring Scripture for the Hour of Matins
Fourth Week of August
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday SaturdayLesson i
Here begins the book of Ecclesiasticus
Ecclesiasticus1:1-5All wisdom is from the Lord God, and has been always with Him, and is before all time. Who has numbered the sand of the sea, and the drops of rain, and the days of the world? Who has measured the height of heaven, and the breadth of the earth, and the depth of the abyss? Who has searched out the wisdom of God that goes before all things? Wisdom has been created before all things, and the understanding of prudence from everlasting. The word of God on high is the fountain of wisdom, and her ways are everlasting commandments.
Lesson ii
Ecclesiasticus1:6-10To whom has the root of wisdom been revealed, and who has known her wise counsels? To whom has the discipline of wisdom been revealed and made manifest? and who has understood the multiplicity of her steps? There is one most high Creator Almighty, and a powerful King, and greatly to be feared, who sits upon His throne, and is the God of dominion. He created her in the Holy Ghost, and saw her, and numbered her, and measured her. And He poured her out upon all His works, and upon all flesh according to His gift, and has given her to them that love Him.
Lesson iii
Ecclesiasticus1:11-16The fear of the Lord is honor, and glory, and gladness, and a crown of joy. The fear of the Lord shall delight the heart, and shall give joy, and gladness, and length of days. It shall go well in the latter end with him that fears the Lord, and in the day of his death he shall be blessed. The love of God is honorable wisdom. And they to whom she shall show herself love her by the sight, and by the knowledge of her great works. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and was created with the faithful in the womb, it walks with chosen women, and is known with the just and faithful.
Lesson iv
From the Book of Moral Reflections on Job of Pope Saint Gregory the Great
Book I, Chapter 10 on Job iThere are some who are careless with their true life, greedy of the things which pass away, but as to the things which are eternal, either they don't understand them—or, understanding them, hold them to be of little importance. They feel no sorrow, nor do they know how to take wise advice—in forgetfulness of the heavenly possessions which they have lost, they deem themselves happy in their goods. They don't lift up their eyes to the light of truth for which they were created—no keen desire ever makes them cast a longing look toward the everlasting Fatherland. Ignoring the primary end for which they were made, they fix their affections upon the exile which they are enduring, instead of upon their home, and make merry in the blindness which they are suffering, as though it were glorious day-light.
Lesson v
But, on the other hand, the understandings of the elect, while they apprehend the things which pass away, perceive them to be indeed nothings, and work towards grasping the true end to which they were created—and since nothing outside God satisfies them, their thought, wearied by the intensity of speculation, finds rest in the hope for, and the contemplation of, their Maker. They are eager to take their place among the citizens above, and each one of them, although still placed in the world as concerns his body, ascends above the world in heart and mind. They bemoan the hardships of the exile which they are enduring, and rouse themselves by the constant action of their love, to look to their Fatherland above. Therefore when such a one sees with grief that by sin he has lost an eternal inheritance, he finds this healthy counsel—to reckon but lightly the things of time through which he is passing, and as the wise course he has chosen matures, to ignore these perishing things, the deeper grows his sorrow that he has not yet attained the things which endure.
Lesson vi
We must also realize that they who are headlong in their courses, feel no sorrow of heart. Those who live without thought, who leave themselves recklessly to the guidance of events, escape the weariness of thought. He that orders his life by prudent consideration, looks carefully around him before each thing that he does—like a man who, before advancing on an uncertain way, tries the ground with his foot, taking thought beforehand, lest some sudden and evil thing should happen to him. He considers whether or not what he wants to do is forbidden to him by caution; whether or not he is too hasty about things which were better put off to another season, lest evil should overcome him by open attack upon his lusts, or even good undo him by the in-bringing of vain glory.
The remaining lessons and collect are from the current Sunday after Pentecost
Lesson i
Ecclesiasticus1:22-26The fear of the Lord is a crown of wisdom, filling up peace and the fruit of salvation: And it has seen, and numbered her: but both are the gifts of God. Wisdom shall distribute knowledge, and understanding of prudence: and exalts the glory of them that hold her. The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord: and the branches thereof live long. In the treasures of wisdom is understanding, and religious perfection of knowledge: but to sinners wisdom is an abomination.
Lesson ii
Ecclesiasticus1:27-33
The fear of the Lord drives out sin: For he who is without fear, cannot be justified: for the wrath of his high spirits is his ruin. A patient man shall bear for a time, and afterwards joy shall be restored to him. A good understanding will hide his words for a time, and the lips of many shall declare his wisdom. In the treasures of wisdom is the signification of discipline: But the worship of God is an abomination to a sinner. Son, if you desire wisdom, keep justice, and God will give her to you.
Lesson iii
Ecclesiasticus1:34-40For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and discipline—and that which is agreeable to Him is faith, and meekness: and He will fill up his treasures. Be not incredulous to the fear of the Lord: and come not to Him with a double heart. Be not a hypocrite in the sight of men, and let not your lips be a stumbling-block to you. Watch over them, lest you fall, and bring dishonor upon your soul, and God discover your secrets, and cast you down in the midst of the congregation. Because you came to the Lord wickedly, and your heart is full of guile and deceit.
Lesson i
Ecclesiasticus 2:1-3Son, when you come to the service of God, stand in justice and in fear, and prepare your soul for temptation. Humble your heart, and endure: incline your ear, and receive the words of understanding: and make not haste in the time of clouds. Wait on God with patience: join yourself to God, and endure, that your life may be increased in the latter end.
Lesson ii
Ecclesiasticus 2:4-6Take all that shall be brought upon you: and in your sorrow endure, and in your humiliation keep patience. For gold and silver are tried in the fire, but acceptable men in the furnace of humiliation. Believe God, and He will recover you: and direct your way, and trust in Him. Keep His fear, and grow old therein.
Lesson iii
Ecclesiasticus 2:7-12You that fear the Lord, wait for His mercy: and go not aside from him, lest you fall. You that fear the Lord, believe Him: and your reward shall not be made void. You that fear the Lord, hope in Him: and mercy shall come to you for your delight. You that fear the Lord, love Him, and your hearts shall be enlightened. My children behold the generations of men: and know that no one who has hoped in the Lord has been confounded. For who has continued in His commandment, and has been forsaken? or who has called upon Him, and He despised him?
Lesson i
Ecclesiasticus 3:1-4The sons of wisdom are the church of the just: and their generation, obedience and love. Children, hear the judgment of your father, so that you may be saved. For God has made the father honorable to the children: and seeking the judgment of the mothers, has confirmed it upon the children. He that loves God, shall obtain pardon for his sins by prayer, and shall refrain himself from them, and shall be heard in the prayer of days. And he that honors his mother is as one that lays up a treasure.
Ecclesiasticus 3:5-8
He that honors his father shall have joy in his own children, and in the day of his prayer he shall be heard. He that honors his father shall enjoy a long life: and he that obeys the father, shall be a comfort to his mother. He that fears the Lord, honors his parents, and will serve them as his masters who brought him into the world. Honor your father, in work and word, and all patience, that a blessing may come upon you from him, and his blessing may remain in the latter end.
Ecclesiasticus 3:9-15
The father's blessing establishes the houses of the children: but the mother's curse roots up the foundation. Glory not in the dishonor of your father: for his shame is no glory to you. For the glory of a man is from the honor of his father, and a father without honor is the disgrace of the son. Son, support the old age of your father, and grieve him not in his life; and if his understanding fails, have patience with him, and despise him not when you are in your strength: for relieving the father shall not be forgotten.
Lesson i
Ecclesiasticus 3:22-26Seek not the things that are too high for you, and search not into things above your ability: but the things that God has commanded you, think on them always, and in many of His works be not curious. For it is not necessary for you to see with your eyes those things that are hid. In unnecessary matters be not over curious, and in many of His works you shall not be inquisitive. For many things are shown to you above the understanding of men. And the suspicion of them has deceived many, and has detained their minds in vanity.
Ecclesiasticus 3:27-30
A hard heart shall fear evil at the last: and he that loves danger shall perish in it. A heart that goes two ways shall not have success, and the perverse of heart shall stumble over his duplicity. A wicked heart shall be laden with sorrows, and the sinner will add sin to sin. The congregation of the proud shall not be healed: for the plant of wickedness shall take root in them, and it shall not be perceived.
Ecclesiasticus 3:31-34
The heart of the wise is understood in wisdom, and a good ear will hear wisdom with all desire. A wise heart, which has understanding, will abstain from sins, and in the works of justice shall have success. Water quenches a flaming fire, and alms resist sins: And God provides for him that shows favor: He remembers him afterwards, and in the time of his fall he shall find a sure stay.
Lesson i
Ecclesiasticus 4:1-4Son, defraud not the poor of alms, and turn not away your eyes from the poor. Despise not the hungry soul: and provoke not the poor in his want. Afflict not the heart of the needy, and defer not to give to him that is in distress. Reject not the petition of the afflicted: and turn not away thy face from the needy.
Ecclesiasticus 4:5-7
Turn not away thy eyes from the poor for fear of anger: and leave not to them that ask of you to curse you behind your back. For the prayer of him that curses you in the bitterness of his soul, shall be heard, for He that made him will hear him. Make yourself affable to the congregation of the poor, and humble your soul to the ancient, and bow your head to a great man.
Ecclesiasticus 4:8-11
Bow down your ear cheerfully to the poor, and pay what you owe, and answer him peaceable words with mildness. Deliver him that suffers wrong out of the hand of the proud: and be not fainthearted in your soul. In judging, be merciful to the fatherless as a father, and as a husband to their mother. And you shall be an obedient son of the most High, and He will have mercy on you more than a mother.
Lesson i
Ecclesiasticus 4:23-28Son, observe the time, and fly from evil. For your soul's sake, be not ashamed to speak the truth. For there is a shame that brings sin, and there is a shame that brings glory and grace. Accept no discreditation of your own person, nor a lie against your soul. Reverence not your neighbor in his fall from grace: and refrain not to speak in the time of salvation. Hide not your wisdom in her beauty.
Lesson ii
Ecclesiasticus 4:29-33For by the tongue wisdom is discerned: and understanding, and knowledge, and learning by the word of the wise, and steadfastness in the works of justice. Never speak against the truth, but be ashamed of the lie of your ignorance. Be not ashamed to confess your sins, but do not submit yourself to every man for sin. Resist not the mighty, and do not strive against the stream of the river. Strive for justice for your soul, and even unto death fight for justice, and God will overthrow your enemies for you.
Lesson iii
Ecclesiasticus 4:34-36Be not hasty in your tongue: and slack and remiss in your works. Be not as a lion in your house, terrifying them of your household, and oppressing them that are under you. Let not your hand be stretched out to receive, and shut when you should give.
In an Office of three lessons, ii and iii above are concatenated and the third is taken from the proper of saints or the Saturday Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
