Occurring Scripture for the Hour of Matins
Ferias of the Second Full Week after Epiphany
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday SaturdayNocturn I
Lesson i
Here begins the second epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians
2 Corinthians 1:1-5Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother: to the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints that are in all Achaia: Grace unto you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort. Who comforts us in all our tribulation; that we also may be able to comfort them who are in all distress, by the exhortation wherewith we also are exhorted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us: so also by Christ does our comfort abound.
Lesson ii
2 Corinthians 1:6-7Now whether we are in tribulation, it is for your exhortation and salvation: or whether we are comforted, it is for your consolation: or whether we are exhorted, it is for your exhortation and salvation, which works the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer. That our hope for you may be steadfast: knowing that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so shall you be also of the consolation.
Lesson iii
2 Corinthians 1:1-5For we would not have you ignorant ,brethren, of our tribulation, which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure above our strength, so that we were weary even of life. But we had in ourselves the answer of death, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead. Who has delivered and does deliver us out of such great dangers: in Whom we trust that He will yet also deliver us. You helping further in prayer for us: that for this gift obtained for us, by the means of many persons, thanks may be given by many in our behalf.
Nocturn II
Lesson iv
A sermon of Saint John Chrysostom
Preface for the letters of Saint PaulAs I listen intently to the reading of St. Paul's Epistles, often two or three times a week, whenever we commemorate the holy martyrs, I am filled with joy, delighting in the sound of that spiritual trumpet. And as I recognize the voice of a friend, I am roused, and enkindled with love so that I almost seem to see him present, and to hear him speaking. But nevertheless I am grieved, and am troubled, that all do not know this great man as he deserves to be known. Indeed, many are so ignorant that they do not even know how many epistles he wrote. But this ignorance is not due to a want of intelligence on their part, but because they will not carefully study the writings of this great man.
Lesson v
For what we know, if we know anything, we do not know it owing to any superlative talent or penetration, but, being strongly drawn towards this great man, we never cease from reading his works. For so it is that those who love any one usually know better than others what he has done, because they take the trouble to learn all about him. The blessed Paul himself shows that this is so, when he says to the Philippians (1:7): "As it is meet for me to think this for you all: for that I have you in my heart; and in my bands, and in the defense and confirmation of the Gospel."
Lesson vi
And if you also will diligently attend to the reading, you will have no need of other instruction. Most true are those words of Christ: "Seek and you shall find: knock and it shall be opened unto you" (Matthew 7:7; Luke 11:9). For the rest, since many of those who are assembled here are charged with the care of a wife, and with providing for a family, and with the bringing-up of children, and therefore cannot devote themselves wholly to this study; let them at least bestir themselves to receive what others have gathered; showing as much eagerness in listening to what is said about him as in acquiring wealth. For though it is unseemly to demand from you no more than this, yet it is to be wished that you do this at least.
Nocturn III
Lesson vii
The continuation of the Holy Gospel according to John
John 2:1-11At that time, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee: and the mother of Jesus was there. And Jesus also was invited, and His disciples, to the marriage. And the wine failing, the mother of Jesus said to Him: They have no wine. And Jesus said to her: "Woman, what is that to Me and to thee? My hour is not yet come." His mother said to the waiters: "Whatsoever He shall say to you, do ye." Now there were set there six water pots of stone, according to the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three measures apiece. Jesus said to them: "Fill the water pots with water." And they filled them up to the brim. And Jesus said to them: "Draw out now, and carry to the chief steward of the feast." And they carried it. And when the chief steward had tasted the water made wine, and knew not whence it was, but the waiters knew who had drawn the water; the chief steward called the bridegroom, and said to him: "Every man at first sets forth good wine, and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse. But you have kept the good wine until now." This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee; and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.
An homily of Saint Augustine, Bishop
Tract IX on JohnEven setting aside any mystical interpretation, the fact that the Lord was pleased to be asked, and to go to a marriage, shows plainly enough that He is the Author of marriage, and blesses it. There were yet to be those of whom the Apostle has warned us as forbidding to marry; who say that marriage is a bad thing in itself, and a work of the devil. (Cf. 1 Timothy 4:1-5) Yet we read in the Gospel that when the Lord was asked, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? He answered that it was not lawful, except it were for fornication. In which answer ye will remember that He used these words: "What God hath joined together, let not man put asunder" (Matthew 19:6; Mark 10:9).
Lesson viii
They who are well instructed in the Catholic religion know that God is the Author and Blesser of marriage; and that, whereas joining together in marriage is of God, divorce is of the devil. But it is lawful for a man to put away his wife in case of fornication, For by not keeping a wife's faith to her husband she herself has first willed not to be wife. They also who have made a vow of their virginity to God and have thereby attained to an higher degree of honour and holiness in the Church, are not unmarried, for they are a special part of the marriage of the whole Church, which is the Bride of Christ.
Lesson ix
The Lord, being asked, went to the marriage, to strengthen the marriage tie, and to shed light on the hidden meaning of matrimony. In that marriage feast the Bridegroom to whom it was said, "You have kept the good wine until now," was a figure of the Lord Christ, Who has kept until now the good wine, namely the Gospel.
Lesson i
From he epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians
2 Corinthians 3:1-3Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need (as some do) epistles of commendation to you, or from you? You are our epistle, written in our hearts, which is known and read by all men: Being manifested, that you are the epistle of Christ, ministered by us, and written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in the fleshly tables of the heart.
Lesson ii
2 Corinthians 3:4-8And such confidence we have, through Christ, towards God. Not that we are sufficient to think any thing of ourselves, as of ourselves: but our sufficiency is from God. Who also has made us fit ministers of the new testament, not in the letter, but in the spirit. For the letter kills, but the spirit gives life. Now if the ministration of death, engraved with letters upon stones, was glorious; so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses, for the glory of his countenance, which is made void (Cf. Exodus 34:29-35): How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather in glory?
Lesson iii
2 Corinthians 3:9-14For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more the ministration of justice abounds in glory. For even that which was glorious in this part was not glorified, by reason of the glory that excels. For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remains is in glory. Having therefore such hope, we use much confidence: And not as Moses put a veil upon his face, that the children of Israel might not steadfastly look on the face of that which is made void. But their senses were made dull. For, until this present day, the selfsame veil, in the reading of the old testament, remains not taken away (because in Christ it is made void).
Lesson i
A reading from the second epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians
2 Corinthians 5:1-4For we know, if our earthly house of this habitation be dissolved, that we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in heaven. For in this also we groan, desiring to be clothed with our habitation that is from heaven. Yet so that we be found clothed, not naked. For we also, who are in this tabernacle, do groan, being burdened; because we would not be unclothed, but clothed upon, that that which is mortal may be swallowed up by life.
Lesson ii
2 Corinthians 5:6-10Therefore having always confidence, knowing that, while we are in the body, we are absent from the Lord. (For we walk by faith, and not by sight.) But we are confident, and have a good will to be absent rather from the body, and to be present with the Lord. And therefore we labor, whether absent or present, to please him. For we must all be manifested before the judgment seat of Christ, that every one may receive the proper things of the body, according as he has done, whether it be good or evil.
Lesson iii
2 Corinthians 5:11-15Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we use persuasion to men; but to God we are manifest. And I trust also that in your consciences we are manifest. We commend not ourselves again to you, but give you occasion to glory in our behalf; that you may have somewhat to answer them who glory in face, and not in heart. For whether we be transported in mind, it is to God; or whether we be sober, it is for you. For the charity of Christ presses us: judging this, that if one died for all, then all were dead. And Christ died for all; that they also who live, may not now live to themselves, but unto him who died for them, and rose again.
Lesson i
A reading from the second epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians
2 Corinthians 7:1-3Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of the flesh and of the spirit, perfecting sanctification in the fear of God. Receive us. We have injured no man, we have corrupted no man, we have overreached no man. I speak not this to your condemnation. For we have said before, that you are in our hearts, to die together, and to live together.
Lesson ii
2 Corinthians 7:4-7Great is my confidence for you, great is my glorying for you. I am filled with comfort: I exceedingly abound with joy in all our tribulation. For also when we had come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we suffered all tribulation; combats without, fears within. But God, who comforts the humble, comforted us by the coming of Titus. And not by his coming only, but also by the consolation, wherewith he was comforted in you, relating to us your desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced the more.
Lesson iii
2 Corinthians 7:8-10For although I made you sorrowful by my epistle, I do not repent; and if I did repent, seeing that the same epistle (although but for a time) did make you sorrowful; Now I am glad: not because you were made sorrowful; but because you were made sorrowful unto penance. For you were made sorrowful according to God, that you might suffer damage by us in nothing. For the sorrow that is according to God works penance, steadfast unto salvation; but the sorrow of the world works death.
Lesson i
A reading from the second epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians
2 Corinthians 10:1-3Now I Paul myself beseech you, by the mildness and modesty of Christ—I who in presence indeed am lowly among you, but being absent, am bold toward you. But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present, with that confidence wherewith I am thought to be bold, against some, who reckon us as if we walked according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
Lesson ii
2 Corinthians 10:4-7For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty to God unto the pulling down of fortifications, destroying counsels, And every height that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every understanding unto the obedience of Christ; And having in readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience shall be fulfilled. See the things that are according to outward appearance. If any man trust to himself, that he is Christ's, let him think this again with himself, that as he is Christ's, so are we also.
Lesson iii
2 Corinthians 10:8-12For if also I should boast somewhat more of our power, which the Lord hath given us unto edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed. But that I may not be thought as it were to terrify you by epistles, "For his epistles indeed," say they, "are weighty and strong; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible," Let such a one think this, that such as we are in word by epistles, when absent, such also we will be indeed when present. For we dare not match, or compare ourselves with some, that commend themselves; but we measure ourselves by ourselves, and compare ourselves with ourselves.
Lesson i
A reading from the second epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians
2 Corinthians 12:1-4If I must glory (it is not expedient indeed), but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ above fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not, or out of the body, I know not; God knows), such a one caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man (whether in the body, or out of the body, I know not: God knows), That he was caught up into paradise, and heard secret words, which it is not granted to man to utter.
Lesson ii
2 Corinthians 12:5-9For such an one I will glory; but for myself I will glory nothing, but in my infirmities. For though I should have a mind to glory, I shall not be foolish; for I will say the truth. But I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he sees in me, or any thing he hears from me. And lest the greatness of the revelations should exalt me, there was given me a sting of my flesh, an angel of Satan, to buffet me. For which thing thrice I besought the Lord, that it might depart from me. And He said to me: "My grace is sufficient for you; for power is made perfect in infirmity.
Lesson iii
2 Corinthians 12:9-11Gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. For which cause I please myself in my infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ. For when I am weak, then am I powerful. I have become foolish: you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you: for I have no way come short of them that are above measure apostles, although I be nothing.
Lesson i
A reading from the second epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians
2 Corinthians 13:1-4Behold, this is the third time I am coming to you: In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word stand. I have told before, and foretell, as present, and now absent, to them that sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again, I will not spare. Do you seek a proof of Christ that speaks in me, who towards you is not weak, but is mighty in you? For although he was crucified through weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him: but we shall live with Him by the power of God towards you.
Lesson ii
2 Corinthians 13:5-9Try your own selves if you be in the faith; prove ye yourselves. Know you not your own selves, that Christ Jesus is in you, unless perhaps you be reprobates? But I trust that you shall know that we are not reprobates. Now we pray God, that you may do no evil, not that we may appear approved, but that you may do that which is good, and that we may be as reprobates. For we can do nothing against the truth; but for the truth. For we rejoice that we are weak, and you are strong. This also we pray for, your perfection.
Lesson iii
2 Corinthians 13:10-13Therefore I write these things, being absent, that, being present, I may not deal more severely, according to the power which the Lord has given me unto edification, and not unto destruction. For the rest, brethren, rejoice, be perfect, take exhortation, be of one mind, have peace; and the God of peace and of love shall be with you. Salute one another with a holy kiss. All the saints salute you. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the charity of God, and the communication of the Holy Ghost be with you all. Amen.
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.
