Nativity of Our Lady (Octave) (15-9-2013) The Collect WE thank - TopicsExpress

Nativity of Our Lady (Octave) (15-9-2013) The Collect WE thank Thee, O God, for that most sweet and laudable pattern set before us by the holy Lady Mary, who provides the conditions for the incarnation of Wisdom; and we pray that on this the Festival of her Nativity we may open ourselves to the possibility that Wisdom may also be born within our hearts; through Christ our Lord. R. Amen. O God, in whom is no variableness neither shadow of turning; we thank you for your unchanging holy Law which provides that perfect justice rules the world, and pray for wisdom that in understanding this, we may accept the world as it is and in it live our lives justly, who lives and reigns, Father, Son and Spirit, one God for evermore. R. Amen. The Epistle The portion of Scripture appointed for the Epistle is taken from the eighth chapter of the Book of the Wisdom of Solomon, beginning at the first verse. WISDOM reacheth from one end of the world to the other; mightily and sweetly doth she order all things. In that she is conversant with God, she hath magnified her nobility; yea, the Lord of all things Himself loved her. For she is privy to the mysteries of the knowledge of God, and a lover of His works. If riches be a possession to be desired in this life, what is richer than Wisdom, that worketh all things? And if prudence work, who of all that are is a more cunning worker than she? If a man love righteousness, her labours are virtues; for she teacheth temperance and prudence, justice and fortitude, than which men can have nothing more profitable in their fife. By means of her I shall obtain immortality, for she is the mother of fair love, and of patience and perseverance, and of holy hope. Thou shalt put her on as a robe of honour, and shalt put her about thee as a crown of joy. Here endeth the Epistle. The Gospel The holy Gospel is taken from the first chapter of the Gospel according to St. Luke, beginning at the thirty-ninth verse. MARY arose in those days, and went into the hill country, into a city of Juda, and entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elizabeth. And it came to pass that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, she was filled with the Holy Ghost, and she spake out with a loud voice, and said: Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. Whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For lo! as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. Blessed is she that believeth; for there shall be a performance of these things which were told her from the Lord. And Mary said: My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For He hath regarded the lowliness of His handmaiden; for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For He that is mighty hath magnified me; and holy is His Name. Here endeth the Gospel.