The Lessons Appointed for Use on the Feast of
Alban
First Martyr of Britain, c.304 June 22

1 John 3:13-16
Matthew 10:34-42
Psalm 34:1-8 or
Psalm 31:1-5

Preface of a Saint(3)

Almighty God, by whose grace and power your holy martyr Alban triumphed over suffering and was faithful even to death: Grant us, who now remember him in thanksgiving, to be so faithful in our witness to you in this world, that we may receive with him the crown of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

1 John 3:13-16

Do not be astonished, brothers and sisters, that the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life because we love one another. Whoever does not love abides in death. All who hate a brother or sister are murderers, and you know that murderers do not have eternal life abiding in them. We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us-- and we ought to lay down our lives for one another.

Psalm 34:1-8 Page 627, BCP

Benedicam Dominum

1

I will bless the LORD at all times; *
his praise shall ever be in my mouth.

2

I will glory in the LORD; *
let the humble hear and rejoice.

3

Proclaim with me the greatness of the LORD; *
let us exalt his Name together.

4

I sought the LORD, and he answered me *
and delivered me out of all my terror.

5

Look upon him and be radiant, *
and let not your faces be ashamed.

6

I called in my affliction and the LORD heard me *
and saved me from all my troubles.

7

The angel of the LORD encompasses those who fear him, *
and he will deliver them.

8

Taste and see that the LORD is good; *
happy are they who trust in him!

or

Psalm 31:1-5 Page 622, BCP

In te, Domine, speravi

1

In you, O LORD, have I taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame; *
deliver me in your righteousness.

2

Incline your ear to me; *
make haste to deliver me.

3

Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe,
for you are my crag and my stronghold; *
for the sake of your Name, lead me and guide me.

4

Take me out of the net that they have secretly set for me, *
for you are my tower of strength.

5

Into your hands I commend my spirit, *
for you have redeemed me,
O LORD, O God of truth.

Matthew 10:34-42

Jesus said, "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.

For I have come to set a man against his father,
and a daughter against her mother,
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;
and one's foes will be members of one's own household.

Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.

"Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple-- truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward."

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the USA, and used by permission.

The Collects, Psalms and Canticles are from the Book of Common Prayer, 1979.

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