THE 22ND SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

INTROIT. Si iniquitates. Ps. 130  IF THOU, O Lord, wilt be extreme to mark what is done amiss, O Lord, who may abide it? For there is mercy with thee, O God of Israel. Ps. ibid. Out of the deep have I called unto thee, O Lord: Lord hear my voice. V. Glory be.

COLLECT. LORD, we beseech thee to keep thy household the Church in continual godliness; that through thy protection it may be free from all adversities, and devoutly given to serve thee in good works, to the glory of thy Name. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. [Who.]

First Lesson:  Sirach 27:30 – 28:1-7 [30]

Anger and wrath, these also are abominations, and the sinful man will possess them.  [1] He that takes vengeance will suffer vengeance from the Lord, and he will firmly establish his sins. [2] Forgive your neighbor the wrong he has done, and then your sins will be pardoned when you pray. [3] Does a man harbor anger against another, and yet seek for healing from the Lord? [4] Does he have no mercy toward a man like himself, and yet pray for his own sins? [5] If he himself, being flesh, maintains wrath, who will make expiation for his sins? [6] Remember the end of your life, and cease from enmity, remember destruction and death, and be true to the commandments. [7] Remember the commandments, and do not be angry with your neighbor; remember the covenant of the Most High, and overlook ignorance.

Psalm 103 A Psalm of David.

[1] Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name!
[2] Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,
[3] who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,
[4] who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
[5] who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
[6] The LORD works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed.
[7] He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.
[8] The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
[9] He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger for ever.
[10] He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor requite us according to our iniquities.
[11] For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
[12] as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
[13] As a father pities his children, so the LORD pities those who fear him.
[14] For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.
[15] As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field;
[16] for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.
[17] But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children,
[18] to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.
[19] The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.
[20] Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, hearkening to the voice of his word!
[21] Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers that do his will!
[22] Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!

EPISTLE. Philippians 1:3-11
3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, 5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; 6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: 7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. 8 For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; 11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

GRADUAL. Ps. 133. Behold, how good and joyful a thing it is, brethren, to dwell together in unity. V. It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down unto the beard, even unto Aaron’s beard. Alleluia, alleluia. v. Ps. 115. Ye that fear the Lord, put your trust in the Lord: he is their helper and defender. Alleluia.

GOSPEL. St. Matthew 18:21-35
21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. 23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

OFFERTORY. Esth. 14. Remember me, O Lord, King of all power: and give me eloquent speech in my mouth that my words may be pleasing at thy sight.

A sermon for Advent 3

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