Occurring Scripture for the Hour of Matins
Ferias of the Fourth Full Week after Epiphany
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday SaturdayNocturn I
Lesson i
Here begins the Epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Philippians
Philippians 1:1-7Paul and Timothy, the servants of Jesus Christ; to all the saints in Christ Jesus, who are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons. Grace be unto you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God in every remembrance of you, Always in all my prayers making supplication for you all, with joy; For your communication in the gospel of Christ from the first day until now. Being confident of this very thing, that he, who hath begun a good work in you, will perfect it unto the day of Christ Jesus. As it is meet for me to think this for you all, for that I have you in my heart; and that in my bands, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of my joy.
Lesson ii
Philippians 1:8-14For God is my witness, how I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your charity may more and more abound in knowledge, and in all understanding: That you may approve the better things, that you may be sincere and without offence unto the day of Christ, Filled with the fruit of justice, through Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. Now, brethren, I desire you should know, that the things which have happened to me, have fallen out rather to the furtherance of the gospel: So that my bands are made manifest in Christ, in all the court, and in all other places; And many of the brethren in the Lord, growing confident by my bands, are much more bold to speak the word of God without fear.
Lesson iii
Philippians 1:15-18Some indeed, even out of envy and contention; but some also for good will preach Christ. Some out of charity, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel. And some out of contention preach Christ not sincerely: supposing that they raise affliction to my bands. But what then? So that by all means, whether by pretense, or by truth, Christ be preached: in this also I rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
Lesson iv
From the Book of Moral (Reflections on Job) of Pope Saint Gregory the Great
Book IV, Chapter 304We refresh the body lest it should grow too weak and fail us; we chasten it by abstinence, lest it should wax gross, and become lord over us; we strengthen it with exercise, lest it perish by not using it; and straightway we give it rest, lest it faint through weariness; we succor it with raiment, lest the cold should blight it; and we strip it of the raiment with with we have clothed it, lest the heat should afflict it. In all these so many offices we serve the corruptible. Upon what is all this care spent but upon that over which hangs the doom of weakness and change?
Lesson v
Therefore Saint Paul tells: "For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of Him Who hath subjected the same in hope because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God" (Romans 8:20). The creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly for when man had of his own free will abdicated his state of unchangeable blessedness, the just sentence of death was passed upon him, and whether he willed or not, he became subject to the state of change and corruption. But the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption when it shall rise again incorruptible and be made partaker of the glory of the children of God.
Lesson vi
Where, then, the elect are still subject to sorrow, being yet bound by the sentence of corruption; but when we shall have put off this corruptible form we shall be loosed from that sentence, and shall sorrow no more. For though we earnestly desire to appear before God, we are still hindered by the burden of this dying body. Rightly then are we called prisoners, since we are not free to go where we want, that is to say, to God; and rightly did the prisoner Paul, yearning after the things which are eternal, and still weighed down with the burden of this corruptible, rightly did he cry out "I have a desire to depart and to be with Christ," (Cf. Philippians 1:23). He would not have felt this keenness if he had not felt himself bound down.
Lesson vii
The continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
Matthew 8:23-27At that time, when Jesus entered into the boat, His disciples followed Him: And behold, a great tempest arose in the sea, so that the boat was covered with waves: But He was asleep. And His disciples came to Him and woke Him, saying, "Lord, save us, for we are perishing." And Jesus said to them, "Why are you so fearful, O ye of little faith?" Then rising up, He commanded the winds and the sea, and there came a great calm. But the men wondered, saying, "What manner of man is this, that the winds and the sea obey Him?"
An Homily of Saint Jerome, Priest
Book I, Commentary on Matthew 8The fifth sign that He did was when He took ship at Capernaum, and commanded the winds and the sea; the sixth, when, in the country of Genesareth, He suffered the devils to enter into the swine; the seventh, when, as He came into His own city, He cured the man sick of the palsy lying on a bed. The first man sick of the palsy that He cured was the centurion's servant.
Lesson viii
But He was asleep; and His disciples came to Him, and awoke Him, saying "Lord, save us." There is a type of this in the history of Jonah, who, when the storm arose, was lying fast asleep, and whom the sailors woke to help them; who also saved the sailors by commanding them to throw him into the sea, the said casting of him into the sea, being, as we know, a figure of Christ's Passion. "Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea." From these words we understand that all things, which have been made, are sentient to their Maker. All things which He rebuked or commanded, heard His voice. This is not the error of the heretics who will have it that everything is alive, but part of the majesty of the Creator, Who makes to feel Him those things which we cannot make to feel us.
Lesson ix
But the men marveled, saying "What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?" It was not His disciples that marveled, but the sailors, and the others that were in the ship. If however, any one wants to withstand this, our interpretation and to maintain that it was the disciples who marveled, we are ready to answer them that they who knew not before the power of the Savior deserve to be stripped of the title of "disciples," and to be called simply "the men."
Collect:
Let us pray:
O God, who knowest us to be set in the midst of dangers so great that, by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always withstand; grant us health of mind and body, that being helped by Thee, we may overcome the things which we suffer for our sins. Through our Lord.Lesson i
A reading from the Epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Philippians
Philippians 4:1-3Therefore, my dearly beloved brethren, and most desired, my joy and my crown; so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. I beg of Evodia, and I beseech Syntyche, to be of one mind in the Lord. And I entreat you also, my sincere companion, help those women who have labored with me in the gospel, with Clement and the rest of my fellow laborers, whose names are in the book of life.
Lesson ii
Philippians 4:4-7Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say, rejoice. Let your modesty be known to all men. The Lord is nigh. Be nothing solicitous; but in every thing, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Lesson iii
Philippians 4:8-10For the rest, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever modest, whatsoever just, whatsoever holy, whatsoever lovely, whatsoever of good fame, if there be any virtue, if any praise of discipline, think on these things. The things which you have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, these do ye, and the God of peace shall be with you. Now I rejoice in the Lord exceedingly, that now at length your thought for me has flourished again, as you did also think; but you were busied.
Lesson i
Here begins the Epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Colossians
Colossians 1:1-8Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God, and Timothy, a brother, To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ Jesus, who are at Colossa. Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God, and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you. Hearing your faith in Christ Jesus, and the love which you have towards all the saints. For the hope that is laid up for you in heaven, which you have heard in the word of the truth of the gospel, Which is come unto you, as also it is in the whole world, and brings forth fruit and growz, even as it does in you, since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth. As you learned of Epaphras, our most beloved fellow servant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ Jesus; Who also hath manifested to us your love in the spirit.
Lesson ii
Colossians 1:9-12Therefore we also, from the day that we heard it, cease not to pray for you, and to beg that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom, and spiritual understanding: That you may walk worthy of God, in all things pleasing; being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God: Strengthened with all might, according to the power of his glory, in all patience and longsuffering with joy, Giving thanks to God the Father, who has made us worthy to be partakers of the lot of the saints in light:
Lesson iii
Colossians 1:13-18Who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love, In Whom we have redemption through His blood, the remission of sins; Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For in Him were all things created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominations, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him and in Him. And He is before all, and by Him all things consist. And He is the head of the Body, the Church, Who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He may hold the primacy:
Lesson i
A reading from the Epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Colossians
Colossians 3:12-15Put 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 hath forgiven you, so do you also. But 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.
Lesson ii
Colossians 3:16-21Let 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. 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. Wives, be subject to your husbands, as it behoves in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter towards them. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to indignation, lest they be discouraged.
Lesson iii
Colossians 3:22-25; 4:1-2Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not serving to the eye, as pleasing men, but in simplicity of heart, fearing God. Whatsoever you do, do it from the heart, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that you shall receive of the Lord the reward of inheritance. Serve ye the Lord Christ. For he that does wrong, shall receive for that which he has done wrongfully: and there is no respect of persons with God. Masters, do to your servants that which is just and equal: knowing that you also have a master in heaven. Be instant in prayer; watching in it with thanksgiving:
Lesson i
Here begins the first Eoistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians
1 Thessalonians 1:1-5Paul and Sylvanus and Timothy: to the church of the Thessalonians, in God the Father, and in the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be to you and peace. We give thanks to God always for you all; making a remembrance of you in our prayers without ceasing, Being mindful of the work of your faith, and labor, and charity, and of the enduring of the hope of our Lord Jesus Christ before God and our Father: Knowing, brethren beloved of God, your election: For our gospel has not been unto you in word only, but in power also, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much fullness, as you know what manner of men we have been among you for your sakes.
Lesson ii
1 Thessalonians 1:6-10And you became followers of us, and of the Lord; receiving the word in much tribulation, with joy of the Holy Ghost: So that you were made a pattern to all that believe in Macedonia and in Achaia. For from you was spread abroad the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia, and in Achaia, but also in every place, your faith which is towards God, is gone forth, so that we need not to speak any thing. For they themselves relate of us, what manner of entering in we had unto you; and how you turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God. And to wait for His Son from heaven (whom He raised up from the dead,) Jesus, Who has delivered us from the wrath to come.
Lesson iii
1 Thessalonians 2:1-6For you know, brethren, that our entrance unto you was not in vain: But having suffered many things before, and been shamefully treated (as you know) at Philippi, we had confidence in our God, to speak to you the Gospel of God very carefully. For our exhortation was not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in deceit: But as we were approved by God that the Gospel should be committed to us: even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, who proves our hearts. For neither have we used, at any time, the speech of flattery, as you know; nor taken an occasion of covetousness, God is witness: Nor sought we glory of men, neither of you, nor of others. Whereas we might have been burdensome to you, as the apostles of Christ: but we became little ones in the midst of you, as if a nurse should cherish her children:
Lesson i
A reading from the first Epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians
1 Thessalonians 4:1-5For the rest therefore, brethren, we pray and beseech you in the Lord Jesus, that as you have received from us, how you ought to walk, and to please God, so also you would walk, that you may abound the more. For you know what precepts I have given to you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that you should abstain from fornication; That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor: Not in the passion of lust, like the Gentiles that know not God:
Lesson ii
1 Thessalonians 4:6-8And that no man overreach, nor circumvent his brother in business: because the Lord is the avenger of all these things, as we have told you before, and have testified. For God has not called us unto uncleanness, but unto sanctification. Therefore, he that despises these things, despises not man, but God, who also has given his holy Spirit in us.
Lesson iii
1 Thessalonians 4:9-11But as touching the charity of brotherhood, we have no need to write to you: for yourselves have learned of God to love one another. For indeed you do it towards all the brethren in all Macedonia. But we entreat you, brethren, that you abound more: And that you use your endeavor to be quiet, and that you do your own business, and work with your own hands, as we commanded you: and that you walk honestly towards them that are without; and that you want nothing of any man's.
Lesson i
Here begins the second Epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians 1:1-5Paul, and Sylvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace unto you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. We are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you towards each other, abounds: So that we ourselves also glory in you in the churches of God, for your patience and faith, and in all your persecutions and tribulations, which you endure, For an example of the just judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which also you suffer.
Lesson ii
2 Thessalonians 1:6-12Seeing it is a just thing with God to repay tribulation to them that trouble you: And to you who are troubled, rest with us when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven, with the angels of his power: In a flame of fire, giving vengeance to them who know not God, and who obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Who shall suffer eternal punishment in destruction, from the face of the Lord, and from the glory of His power: When He shall come to be glorified in His saints, and to be made wonderful in all them who have believed; because our testimony was believed upon you in that day. Therefore also we pray always for you; that our God would make you worthy of His vocation, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith in power; That the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God, and of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Lesson iii
2 Thessalonians 2:1-4And we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of our gathering together unto him: That you be not easily moved from your sense, nor be terrified, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by epistle, as sent from us, as if the day of the Lord were at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means, for unless there comes a revolt first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition, Who opposes, and is lifted up above all that is called God, or that is worshipped, so that he sits in the temple of God, showing himself as if he were God.
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.
