THE 23RD SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

INTROIT. Dicit Dominus. Jer. 29.
THUS saith the Lord: I know the thoughts that I think toward you, thoughts of peace, and not of evil: ye shall call upon me, and I will hearken unto you: and will turn away your captivity from all the nations. Ps. 85. Lord, thou art become gracious unto thy land: thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob. V. Glory be.

COLLECT. O GOD, our refuge and strength, who art the author of all godliness: be ready, we beseech thee, to hear the devout prayers of thy Church; and grant that those things which we ask faithfully we may obtain effectually. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. [Who.]

First Lesson:  Isaiah 45:1, 4-6

[1] Thus says the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped, to subdue nations before him and ungird the loins of kings, to open doors before him that gates may not be closed: [4] For the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel my chosen, I call you by your name,
I surname you, though you do not know me. [5] I am the LORD, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I gird you, though you do not know me, [6] that men may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the LORD, and there is no other.

Psalm 96

[1] O sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth!
[2] Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.
[3] Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!
[4] For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.
[5] For all the gods of the peoples are idols; but the LORD made the heavens.
[6] Honor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
[7] Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!
[8] Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts!
[9] Worship the LORD in holy array; tremble before him, all the earth!
[10] Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns! Yea, the world is established, it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.”
[11] Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
[12] let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the wood sing for joy
[13] before the LORD, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with his truth.  Glory be to the Father……………….

EPISTLE. Philippians 3:17-21
17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

GRADUAL. Ps. 44. It is thou, O Lord, that savest us from our enemies: and puttest them to confusion that hate us. V. We make our boast of God all day long, and will praise thy Name for ever. Alleluia, alleluia. V. Ps. 130. Out of the deep have I called unto thee, O Lord: Lord hear my voice. Alleluia.

GOSPEL. St. Matthew 22:15-22
15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.
16 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. 17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? 19 Show me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.
20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? 21 They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s. 22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.

OFFERTORY. Ps. 130. Out of the deep have I called unto thee, O Lord: Lord, hear my voice: out of the deep have I called unto thee, O Lord.