Occurring Scripture for the Hour of Matins
Ferias of the Fifth Full Week after Epiphany
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Fifth Sunday after EpiphanyLesson i
The beginning of the first Epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to Timothy
1 Timothy 1:1-4Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the commandment of God our Savior, and of Christ Jesus our hope: To Timothy, his beloved son in faith. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father, and from Christ Jesus our Lord. As I desired you to remain at Ephesus when I went into Macedonia, that you might charge some not to teach otherwise, Not to give heed to fables and endless genealogies: which furnish questions rather than the edification of God, which is in faith.
Lesson ii
1 Timothy 1:5-11Now the end of the commandment is charity, from a pure heart, and a good conscience, and an unfeigned faith. From which things some going astray, are turned aside unto vain babbling: Desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither the things they say, nor what they affirm. But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully: Knowing this, that the law is not made for the just man, but for the unjust and disobedient, for the ungodly, and for sinners, for the wicked and defiled, for murderers of fathers, and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For fornicators, for those who defile themselves with mankind, for man-stealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and whatever other thing is contrary to sound doctrine, Which is according to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God, which hath been committed to my trust.
Lesson iii
1 Timothy 1:12-16I give thanks to him who hath strengthened me, even to Christ Jesus our Lord, for that he hath counted me faithful, putting me in the ministry; Who before was a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and contumelious. But I obtained the mercy of God, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. Now the grace of our Lord hath abounded exceedingly with faith and love, which is in Christ Jesus. A faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into this world to save sinners, of whom I am the greatest. But for this cause have I obtained mercy: that in me first Christ Jesus might show forth all patience, an example for those who shall believe in him unto life everlasting.
Lesson iv
From the Sermons of Saint Augustine, Bishop
Number 8, On the words of the ApostlesThis is a saying made for man, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into this world to save sinners. Listen to the words of the Gospel: "The Son of man [has] come to seek, and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). If man had not been lost, the Son of man would not have come. Therefore, man had been lost; God came to us made Man, and man was found; man had perished by his own free will, God made Man came by grace which sets free.
Lesson v
Do you ask how free-will avails to evil? Call to mind a sinner: Do you ask what God made Man availed to help? Consider in Him the grace that sets free. There is no example which so shows what avails the free will of man, when it is taken possession of by pride, to use it without God's help, of evil is there no greater and plainer example, than the first man. The first man fell and where had he been if the second Man had not come? As the first was man, so was the second Man, and therefore is this saying a saying. made for man.
Lesson vi
Neither is there any example that shows what we receive of the tenderness of the grace and the abundance of the all-powerful might of God, as the Man Who is the Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus. For what do we say, my brethren? I speak to them that have been raised in the Catholic Church, or who have been reconciled to that Church. We know and hold that the Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, as touching on His Manhood, is of the same nature as we. For our flesh is not of one nature, and His Flesh of another nature, neither our soul of one nature and His Soul of another nature. He took upon Himself the same nature which He had freely ordained to save.
Nocturn III
Lesson vii
The continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
Matthew 13:24-30
At that time, Jesus said to the people a parable: "The kingdom of heaven is likened to a man that sowed good seeds in his field. But while men were asleep, his enemy came and over sowed cockle among the wheat and went his way. And when the blade sprung up, and had brought forth fruit, then appeared also the cockle. And the servants of the good man of the house coming said to him: 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in thy field? whence then has it cockle?' And he said to them: 'An enemy has done this.' And the servants said to him: 'Do you want us to go and gather it up?' And he said: 'No, lest perhaps gathering up the cockle, you root up the wheat also together with it. Allow both to grow until the harvest, and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers: Gather up first the cockle, and bind it into bundles to burn, but the wheat gather ye into my barn.'"
An homily of Saint Augustine, Bishop
Quest. Evang. Matthew xi., Book 4.When the Shepherds of the Church wax careless, and since the Apostles sleep the sleep of death, there comes the devil, and sows those whom the Lord called a "seed of evil-doers." Now, are these "seed of evil-doers" the heretics, or Catholics of bad lives? It is possible to call even the heretics a "seed of evil-doers" because they have sprung up from the seed of the Gospel, and been begotten in the Name of Christ, though afterwards they have turned after crooked ways and lying doctrines.
Lesson viii
But whereas it is written that they were sown in the midst of the wheat, we ought perhaps to understand that they are of one communion with the righteous. Nevertheless, inasmuch as the Lord said, "The field is the world" [verse 38], (and not, the Church,) we may well understand that the seed of evil doers are the heretics, since in this world they are mingled together with the good, not in one common Communion, but only under one common name of Christian. But they which are of one faith with the good seed, and yet are themselves worthless, may more fitly be likened to straw than to tares, since the straw springs from one soil and one root with the good ear.
Lesson ix
However, as touching the net cast into the sea, and enclosing a great multitude of fishes, both bad and good, we may well understand that by the bad are meant Catholics of bad lives. For the sea is one thing whereby we may understand to be signified the world; and the net another, which seems to signify our faith, or the Communion of one Church. Between heretics and sinful Catholics there is this difference, that heretics believe a lie, and sinful Catholics believe the truth, but live not as they believe.
Collect:
Let us pray:
In Thine infinite goodness, we beseech Thee, O Lord, to watch over Thy household, that even as it relies solely upon the hope of Thy heavenly grace, so it may ever be defended by Thy protection.
Lesson i
A reading from the Epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to Timothy
1 Timothy 3:1-7A faithful saying: "if a man desires the office of a bishop, he desires a good work." It behooves, therefore, a bishop to be blameless, the husband of one wife, sober, prudent, of good behavior, chaste, given to hospitality, a teacher, Not given to wine, no striker, but modest, not quarrelsome, not covetous, but One that rules well his own house, having his children in subjection with all chastity. But if a man knows not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God? Not a neophyte: lest being puffed up with pride, he falls into the judgment of the devil. Moreover he must have a good testimony of them who are without: lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Lesson ii
1 Timothy 3:8-13Deacons in like manner chaste, not double tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre: Holding the mystery of faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved: and so let them minister, having no crime. The women in like manner chaste, not slanderers, but sober, faithful in all things. Let deacons be the husbands of one wife: who rule well their children, and their own houses. For they that have ministered well, shall purchase to themselves a good degree, and much confidence in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Lesson iii
1 Timothy 3:14-16; 4:1These things I write to you, hoping that I shall come to thee shortly. But if I tarry long, that you may know how you ought to behave yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. And evidently great is the mystery of godliness, which was manifested in the flesh, was justified in the spirit, appeared unto angels, has been preached unto the Gentiles, is believed in the world, is taken up in glory. Now the Spirit manifestly says, that in the last times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to spirits of error, and doctrines of devils, Speaking lies in hypocrisy, and having their conscience seared, Forbidding to marry, to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving by the faithful, and by them that have known the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be rejected that is received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
Lesson i
Here begins the second Epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to Timothy
2 Timothy 1:1-5Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God, according to the promise of life, which is in Christ Jesus. To Timothy my dearly beloved son, grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from Christ Jesus our Lord. I give thanks to God, whom I serve from my forefathers with a pure conscience, that without ceasing, I have a remembrance of you in my prayers, night and day. Desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, Calling to mind that faith which is in you unfeigned, which also dwelt first in your grandmother Lois, and in your mother Eunice, and I am certain that in you also.
Lesson ii
2 Timothy 1:6-9For which cause I admonish you, that you stir up the grace of God which is in you, by the imposition of my hands. For God has not given us the spirit of fear: but of power, and of love, and of sobriety. Be not therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but labor with the gospel, according to the power of God, Who has delivered us and called us by His holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the times of the world.
Lesson iii
2 Timothy 1:10-13But is now made manifest by the illumination of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has destroyed death, and has brought to light life and incorruption by the Gospel: Wherein I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and teacher of the Gentiles. For which cause I also suffer these things: but I am not ashamed. For I know Whom I have believed, and I am certain that He is able to keep that which I have committed to Him, against that day. Hold the form of sound words, which you have heard of me in faith, and in the love which is in Christ Jesus.
Lesson i
A reading from the second Epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to Timothy
2 Timothy 3:1-5Know also this, that, in the last days, shall come dangerous times. Men shall be lovers of themselves, covetous, haughty, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, wicked, Without affection, without peace, slanderers, incontinent, unmerciful, without kindness, Traitors, stubborn, puffed up, and lovers of pleasures more than of God: Having an appearance indeed of godliness, but denying the power thereof. Now these avoid.
Lesson ii
2 Timothy 3:6-9For of these sort are they who creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, who are led away with divers desires: Ever learning, and never attaining to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Mambres resisted Moses, so these also resist the truth, men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no farther; for their folly shall be manifest to all men, as theirs also was.
Lesson iii
2 Timothy 3:10-13But you hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, patience, Persecutions, afflictions: such as came upon me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra: what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord delivered me. And all that will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall grow worse and worse: erring, and driving into error.
Lesson i
Here begins the Epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to Titus
Titus 1:1-4Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of the elect of God and the acknowledging of the truth, which is according to godliness: Unto the hope of life everlasting, which God, Who does not lie, has promised before the times of the world: But has in due times manifested his word in preaching, which is committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior: To Titus my beloved son, according to the common faith, grace and peace from God the Father, and from Christ Jesus our Savior.
Lesson ii
Titus 1:5-9For this cause I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are wanting, and should ordain priests in every city, as I also appointed you: If any be without crime, the husband of one wife, having faithful children, not accused of riot, or unruly. For a bishop must be without crime, as the steward of God: not proud, not subject to anger, not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre: But given to hospitality, gentle, sober, just, holy, continent: Embracing that faithful word which is according to doctrine, that he may be able to exhort in sound doctrine, and to convince the gainsayers.
Lesson iii
Titus 1:10-15For there are also many disobedient, vain talkers, and seducers: especially they who are of the circumcision: Who must be reproved, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. One of them a prophet of their own, said, "The Cretins are always liars, evil beasts, slothful bellies." This testimony is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; Not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men, who turn themselves away from the truth. All things are clean to the clean: but to them that are defiled, and to unbelievers, nothing is clean: but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.
Lesson i
A reading from the second Epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to Titus
2 Titus 2:15;3:1-2These things speak, and exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise you. Admonish them to be subject to princes and powers, to obey at a word, to be ready to every good work. To speak evil of no man, not to be litigious, but gentle: showing all mildness towards all men.
Lesson ii
2 Titus 3:3-7For we ourselves also were some time unwise, incredulous, erring, slaves to divers desires and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But when the goodness and kindness of God our Savior appeared: Not by the works of justice, which we have done, but according to His mercy, He saved us, by the laver of regeneration, and renovation of the Holy Ghost; Whom He has poured forth upon us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Savior: That, being justified by His grace, we may be heirs, according to hope of life everlasting.
Lesson iii
2 Titus 3:8-11It is a faithful saying: and these things I will have you affirm constantly: that they, who believe in God, may be careful to excel in good works. These things are good and profitable to men. But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law. For they are unprofitable and vain. A man that is a heretic, after the first and second admonition, avoid: Knowing that he, that is such an one, is subverted, and sins, being condemned by his own judgment.
Lesson i
Here begins the Epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to Philemon
Philemon 1-6Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy, a brother: to Philemon, our beloved and fellow laborer; And to Appia, our dearest sister, and to Archippus, our fellow soldier, and to the church which is in your house: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God, always making a remembrance of you in my prayers. Hearing of your charity and faith, which you have in the Lord Jesus, and towards all the saints: That the communication of your faith may be made evident in the acknowledgment of every good work, that is in you in Christ Jesus.
Lesson ii
Philemon 7-14For I have had great joy and consolation in thy charity, because the bowels of the saints have been refreshed by you, my brother. Wherefore though I have much confidence in Christ Jesus, to command you that which is to the purpose: For charity sake I rather beseech, whereas you are such a one, as Paul an old man, and now a prisoner also of Jesus Christ. I beseech you for my son, whom I have begotten in my bands, Onesimus, who has heretofore been unprofitable to you, but now is profitable both to me and to you, whom I have sent back to thee. Do receive him as my own bowels. Whom I would have retained with me, that in your stead he might have ministered to me in the bands of the Gospel:
Lesson iii
Philemon 15-19But without your counsel I would do nothing: that your good deed might not be as it were of necessity, but voluntary. For perhaps he departed for a season from you, that you might receive him again for ever: Not now as a servant, but instead of a servant, a most dear brother, especially to me: but how much more to you both in the flesh and in the Lord? If therefore thou count me a partner, receive him as myself. And if he has wronged you in any thing, or is in your debt, put that to my account. I Paul have written it with my own hand: I will repay it: not to say to you, that you owe me your own self also. Yea, brother. May I enjoy you in the Lord. Refresh my bowels in the Lord.
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.
