Ocurring Scripture for the Hour of Matins
First Week after the Octave of Easter
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday 5 Thursday Friday Saturday
Low SundayLesson i
A reading from the letter of Blessed Paul the Apostle to the Colossians
Colossians 3:1-7Therefore, if you be risen with Christ, seek the things that are above; where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God: Mind the things that are above, not the things that are upon the earth. For you are dead; and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ shall appear, Who is your life, then you also shall appear with Him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, lust, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is the service of idols. For which things the wrath of God cometh upon the children of unbelief, In which you also walked some time, when you lived in them.
Lesson ii
Colossians 3:8-13But now put you also all away: anger, indignation, malice, blasphemy, filthy speech out of your mouth. Lie not one to another: stripping yourselves of the old man with his deeds, And putting on the new, him who is renewed unto knowledge, according to the image of Him that created him. Where there is neither Gentile nor Jew, circumcision nor un-circumcision, Barbarian nor Scythian, bond nor free. But Christ is all, and in all. Put ye on therefore, as the elect of God, holy, and beloved, the bowels of mercy, benignity, humility, modesty, patience: Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if any have a complaint against another: even as the Lord has forgiven you, so do you also.
Lesson iii
Colossians 3:15-17But above all these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection: And let the peace of Christ rejoice in your hearts, wherein also you are called in one body: and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you abundantly, in all wisdom: teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual canticles, singing in grace in your hearts to God. All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.
Lesson iv
From the Sermons of Saint Augustine, Bishop
1st Sermon for the Octave of the Pasch, the 157th for the Seasons.The Feast of this day is the end of the Paschal solemnity, and therefore it is today that the newly baptized put off their white garments : but, though they lay aside the outward mark of washing in their raiment, the mark of that washing in their souls remains to eternity. Now are the days of the Passover, that is, of God's passing over our iniquity by His pardon and remission; and therefore our first duty is so to sanctify the mirth of these holy days, that our bodily recreation may be taken without defilement to our spiritual cleanness. Let us strive that our relaxation may be sober and our freedom holy, holding ourselves carefully aloof from anything like excess, drunkenness or lechery. Let us try so to keep in our souls their Lenten cleansing, that if our Fasting has left us anything yet not won, we may still be able to seek it.
Lesson v
At discourse concerns all them which are committed unto my spiritual charge; but, nevertheless, since the first happy week of your Sacramental life draws this day to a close, I address myself especially to you who are the new olive-plants of holiness round about the Table of the Lord (cf. Psalm127: 5), to you, who have but a little while been born again of water and the Holy Ghost, (cf. John 3: 5), to you, O holy generation (cf. 1 Peter 2:9) to you, O new creation (cf. Galatians 6:15), to you, the excellence of my dignity, (cf. Genesis 59:3), and the fruit of my labor, "my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and my crown, all ye who now stand so fast in the Lord" (Phillipians 5: 1). To you I address the words of the Apostle (Romans 13: 12): "Behold! the night is past! the day is come! Cast off therefore the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying: but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ."
Lesson vi
We have, says Peter (2 Peter 1:19), "a more sure word of Prophecy, to which you do well to take heed, as to a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns, and the day-star arises in your hearts." "Let your loins therefore be girded about, and your lights burning in your hands, and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding" (Luke 12:35-36). Behold, the days come, of which the Lord said, "A little while, and ye shall not see Me, and again a little while and ye shall see Me" (John 16:16). Now is the hour whereof He said "Ye shall weep and lament, but the work shall rejoice" (John 16:20), that is to say, this present life, wherein we walk "as strangers and pilgrims" (1 Peter 2:11), far away from Him Who is our Home, this present life is very full of trials. But, Jesus said, "but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man shall take from you" (John 16:22).
Lesson vii
The continuation of the Holy Gospel according to John
John 20: 19-31Now when it was late that same day, the first of the week, and the doors were shut, where the disciples were gathered together, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them: "Peace be to you." And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. The disciples therefore were glad, when they saw the Lord. He said therefore to them again: "Peace be to you. As the Father hath sent Me, I also send you." When He had said this, He breathed on them; and He said to them: "Receive ye the Holy Ghost. Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained." Now Thomas, one of the twelve, who is called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him: "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them: "Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." And after eight days again His disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said: "Peace be to you." Then He said to Thomas: "Put in thy finger here, and see My hands; and bring here thy hand, and put it into My side; and be not faithless, but believing." Thomas answered, and said to Him: "My Lord, and my God." Jesus said to him: "Because thou has seen Me, Thomas, thou has believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and have believed." Many other signs also did Jesus in the sight of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God: and that believing, you may have life in His name.
An Homily of Pope Saint Gregory the Great
On the Gospels XXVIWhen we hear this passage of the Gospel read, a question straightway knocks at the door of our minds. How was it that the Body of the risen Lord was a real Body, if It was able to pass through closed doors into the assembly of His disciples? But we ought to know that the works of God are no more wonderful when they can be understood by man's reason, and faith has lost her worth when her subject-matter is the subject-matter of human demonstration. Nevertheless, those very works of our Redeemer which are in themselves impossible to be understood, must be thought over in conjunction with His other works, that we may be led to believe in wonderful things, by means of things more wonderful still. That Body of the Lord, Which came into the assembly of the disciples through closed doors, was the same, Which at Its birth, had become manifest to the eyes of men by passing out of the cloister of the Virgin's womb without breaking the seal of her virginity. What wonder is it if that Body which had come out of the Virgin's womb, without opening the matrix, albeit It was already then on Its way to die, now that It was risen again from the dead and imbued forever with undying life, what wonder is it, I say, if that Body passed through closed doors?
Lesson viii
But since the beholders doubted the reality of that Body that they saw, He showed them His Hands and His Side, and allowed them to handle that same Flesh which had just passed through the closed doors. In this there were two strange things manifested—things which according to our understanding are contrary, one to the other. His risen Body was incorruptible and yet palpable. For whatever can be touched, must be subject to corruption; and whatever is not subject to corruption, cannot be touched. But, in a way altogether wonderful and incomprehensible, our Redeemer after His Resurrection revealed Himself in a Body at once palpable and incorruptible : revealed Himself in an incorruptible Body, that we might learn to seek a like glorification; and in a palpable Body, for the strengthening of our faith. He revealed Himself in a Body at once incorruptible and palpable, that He might thereby make manifest the fact that His Risen Body was unaltered in nature, albeit transfigured in glory.
Lesson ix
Then said Jesus to them again: "Peace be unto you. As My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you," that is, as My Father, Who is God, hath sent Me, Who am God, even so do I, Who am Man, send you, who are men. The Father sent the Son, Whom He appointed to be made Man for the redemption of mankind. He willed Him to be sent into the world to suffer, even though He Whom He sent to suffer was the Son of His love. The Lord sent His chosen Apostles into the world, not to be happy in the world, but, as He Himself had been sent, to suffer. As the Father loved the Son and yet sent Him to suffer, even so does the Lord love His disciples, even though He sends them into the world, to suffer there; and therefore it is well said: "As My Father has sent Me, even so I send you" that is, while I send you into the wild storm of persecution, I love you all the same, I love you, yes, I love you with a love like that love of the Father for Me, Who sent Me into the world to bear agony therein.
Let us pray: Grant, we beseech, O Almighty God, that we for whom the Feast of the Pasch has drawn to an end, may in our life and manner ever keep new the healthful influence of the same. Through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Lesson i
A reading from the Acts of Apostles
Acts 1:1-8The former treatise I made, O Theophilus, of all things which Jesus began to do and to teach, until the day on which, giving commandments by the Holy Ghost to the apostles whom He had chosen, He was taken up. To whom also He showed himself alive after His passion, by many proofs, for forty days appearing to them, and speaking of the kingdom of God. And eating together with them, He commanded them, that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but should "wait for the promise of the Father, which you have heard (said He) by My mouth. For John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost, not many days hence." They therefore who were come together, asked him, saying: "Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?" But He said to them: It is not for you to know the times or moments, which the Father has put in his own power: But you shall receive the power of the Holy Ghost coming upon you, and you shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the uttermost part of the earth.
Lesson ii
Acts 1:9-15 9And when he had said these things, while they looked on, he was raised up: and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they were beholding him going up to heaven, behold two men stood by them in white garments. Who also said: "Ye men of Galilee, why stand you looking up to heaven? This Jesus who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come, as you have seen him going into heaven." Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount that is called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, within a sabbath day's journey. And when they had come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James of Alpheus, and Simon Zelotes, and Jude the brother of James. 15 All these were persevering with one mind in prayer with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
Lesson iii
Acts 1:15-26In those days Peter rising up in the midst of the brethren, said: (now the number of persons together was about an hundred and twenty:) Men, brethren, the scripture must be fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was the leader of them that apprehended Jesus: Who was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. And he indeed has possessed a field of the reward of iniquity, and being hanged, burst asunder in the midst: and all his bowels gushed out. And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem: so that the same field was called in their tongue, Haceldama, that is to say, "The field of blood." For it is written in the book of Psalms: "Let their habitation become desolate, and let there be none to dwell therein" (Psalm 68:26). And his bishopric let another take. Wherefore of these men who have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus came in and went out among us, beginning from the baptism of John, until the day wherein he was taken up from us, one of these must be made a witness with us of His resurrection. And they appointed two, Joseph, called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And praying, they said: Thou, Lord, who knows the hearts of all men, show which of these two thou has chosen to take the place of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas has fallen by his transgression, that he might go to his own place. And they gave them lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Lesson i
A reading from the Acts of Apostles
Acts 2:1-8And when the days of the Pentecost were accomplished, they were all together in one place: And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a mighty wind coming, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them parted tongues as it were of fire, and it sat upon every one of them: And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they began to speak with divers tongues, according as the Holy Ghost gave them to speak. Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem, Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. And when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded in mind, because that every man heard them speak in his own tongue. And they were all amazed, and wondered, saying: "Behold, are not all these, that speak, Galileans? And how have we heard, every man our own tongue wherein we were born?"
Lesson ii
Acts 2:15-21But Peter standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke to them: "Ye men of Judea, and all you that dwell in Jerusalem, be this known to you, and with your ears receive my words. For these are not drunk, as you suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day: But this is that which was spoken of by the prophet Joel: And it shall come to pass, in the last days," says the Lord, "I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. And upon my servants indeed, and upon my handmaids will I pour out in those days of my spirit, and they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders in the heaven above, and signs on the earth beneath: blood and fire, and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and manifest day of the Lord come. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved."
Lesson iii
Acts 2:22-27Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you, by miracles, and wonders, and signs, which God did by him, in the midst of you, as you also know: This same being delivered up, by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, you by the hands of wicked men have crucified and slain. Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the sorrows of hell, as it was impossible that he should be held by it. For David said concerning him: "I foresaw the Lord before my face: because he is at my right hand, that I may not be moved. For this my heart hath been glad, and any tongue hath rejoiced: moreover my flesh also shall rest in hope. Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, nor suffer thy Holy One to see corruption" (Psalm 15:8-10).
Lesson i
A reading from the Acts of Apostles
Acts 3:1-6Now Peter and John went up into the temple at the ninth hour of prayer. And a certain man who was lame from his mother's womb, was carried: whom they laid every day at the gate of the temple, which is called Beautiful, that he might ask alms of them that went into the temple. He, when he had seen Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked to receive an alms. But Peter with John fastening his eyes upon him, said: Look upon us. But he looked earnestly upon them, hoping that he should receive something of them. But Peter said: Silver and gold I have none; but what I have, I give thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, arise, and walk.
Lesson ii
Acts 3:7-11And taking him by the right hand, he lifted him up, and forthwith his feet and soles received strength. And he leaping up, stood, and walked, and went in with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God. And they knew him, that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened to him. And as he held Peter and John, all the people ran to them to the porch which is called Solomon's, greatly wondering.
Lesson iii
Acts 3:12-16But Peter seeing, made answer to the people: "Ye men of Israel, why wonder you at this? or why look you upon us, as if by our strength or power we had made this man to walk? The God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus, whom you indeed delivered up and denied before the face of Pilate, when he judged he should be released. But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you. But the author of life you killed, whom God hath raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses. And in the faith of his name, this man, whom you have seen and known, hath his name strengthened; and the faith which is by him, hath given this perfect soundness in the sight of you all."
Lesson i
A reading from the Acts of Apostles
Acts 5:1-6But a certain man named Ananias, with Saphira his wife, sold a piece of land, and by fraud kept back part of the price of the land, his wife being privy thereunto: and bringing a certain part of it, laid it at the feet of the apostles. But Peter said: "Ananias, why has Satan tempted thy heart, that thou should lie to the Holy Ghost, and by fraud keep part of the price of the land? Whilst it remained, did it not remain to thee? and after it was sold, was it not in thy power? Why hast thou conceived this thing in thy heart? Thou hast not lied to men, but to God." And Ananias hearing these words, fell down, and gave up the ghost. And there came great fear upon all that heard it. 6 And the young men rising up, removed him, and carrying him out, buried him.
Lesson ii
Acts 5:7-11And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what had happened, came in. And Peter said to her: "Tell me, woman, whether you sold the land for so much?" And she said: "Yea, for so much." And Peter said unto her: "Why have you agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold the feet of them who have buried thy husband are at the door, and they shall carry thee out." Immediately she fell down before his feet, and gave up the ghost. And the young men coming in, found her dead: and carried her out, and buried her by her husband. And there came great fear upon the whole church, and upon all that heard these things.
Lesson iii
Acts 5:12-16And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. But of the rest no man durst join himself unto them; but the people magnified them. And the multitude of men and women who believed in the Lord, was more increased: Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that when Peter came, his shadow at the least, might overshadow any of them, and they might be delivered from their infirmities. And there came also together to Jerusalem a multitude out of the neighboring cities, bringing sick persons, and such as were troubled with unclean spirits; who were all healed.
Lesson i
A reading from the Acts of Apostles
Acts 8:9-13There was therefore great joy in that city. Now there was a certain man named Simon, who before had been a magician in that city, seducing the people of Samaria, giving out that he was some great one: To whom they all gave ear, from the least to the greatest, saying: This man is the power of God, which is called great. And they were attentive to him, because, for a long time, he had bewitched them with his magical practices. But when they had believed Philip preaching of the kingdom of God, in the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also; and being baptized, he adhered to Philip. And being astonished, wondered to see the signs and exceeding great miracles which were done.
Lesson ii
Acts 8:15-19Now when the apostles, who were in Jerusalem, had heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John. Who, when they were come, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost. For he was not as yet come upon any of them; but they were only baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands upon them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw, that by the imposition of the hands of the apostles, the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying:" Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I shall lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost."
Lesson iii
Acts 8:19-25But Peter said to him: "Keep thy money to thyself, to perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast no part nor lot in this matter. For thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Do penance therefore for this thy wickedness; and pray to God, that perhaps this thought of thy heart may be forgiven thee. For I see thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bonds of iniquity." Then Simon answering, said: "Pray you for me to the Lord, that none of these things which you have spoken may come upon me."
Lesson i
A reading from the Acts of Apostles
Acts 10:1-8And there was a certain man in Caesarea, named Cornelius, a centurion of that which is called the Italian band; a religious man, and fearing God with all his house, giving much alms to the people, and always praying to God. This man saw in a vision manifestly, about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in unto him, and saying to him: Cornelius. And he, beholding him, being seized with fear, said: "What is it, Lord?" And he said to him: "thy prayers and thy alms are ascended for a memorial in the sight of God. And now send men to Joppe, and call hither one Simon, who is surnamed Peter: He lodges with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side. He will tell thee what thou must do." And when the angel who spoke to him was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a soldier who feared the Lord, of them that were under him. To whom when he had related all, he sent them to Joppe.
Lesson ii
Acts 10:9-17And on the next day, whilst they were going on their journey, and drawing nigh to the city, Peter went up to the higher parts of the house to pray, about the sixth hour. And being hungry, he was desirous to taste somewhat. And as they were preparing, there came upon him an ecstasy of mind. And he saw the heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending, as it were a great linen sheet let down by the four corners from heaven to the earth: Wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts, and creeping things of the earth, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him: "Arise, Peter; kill and eat." But Peter said: "Far be it from me; for I never did eat any thing that is common and unclean." And the voice spoke to him again the second time: "That which God hath cleansed, do not thou call common." And this was done thrice; and presently the vessel was taken up into heaven. Now, whilst Peter was doubting within himself, what the vision that he had seen should mean, behold the men who were sent from Cornelius, inquiring for Simon's house, stood at the gate.
Lesson ii
Acts 10:35-51And Peter opening his mouth, said: In very deed I perceive, that God is not a respecter of persons. But in every nation, he that feareth him, and worketh justice, is acceptable to him. God sent the word to the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (He is Lord of all.) You know the word which hath been published through all Judea: for it began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached, Jesus of Nazareth: how God anointed him with the Holy Ghost, and with power, who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things that he did in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed, hanging him upon a tree. Him God raised up the third day, and gave him to be made manifest, Not to all the people, but to witnesses preordained by God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he arose again from the dead.
Let us pray: Grant, we beseech, O Almighty God, that we for whom the Feast of the Passover hath now drawn to an end, may in our life and manner ever keep new the healthful influence of the same. Through our Lord Jesus Christ.
