Preface of Apostles and Ordinations

The Collect

Strengthen, O God, your Church in the sacraments of your grace, that we, in union with the teaching and prayers of your servant Cyril of Jerusalem, may enter more fully into your Paschal mystery; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The First Reading

Ecclesiasticus 47:2–10

As the fat is set apart from the offering of well-being,
so David was set apart from the Israelites.

He played with lions as though they were young goats,
and with bears as though they were lambs of the flock.

In his youth did he not kill a giant,
and take away the people’s disgrace,

when he whirled the stone in the sling
and struck down the boasting Goliath?

For he called on the Lord, the Most High,
and he gave strength to his right arm

to strike down a mighty warrior,
and to exalt the power of his people.

So they glorified him for the tens of thousands he conquered,
and praised him for the blessings bestowed by the Lord,
when the glorious diadem was given to him.

For he wiped out his enemies on every side,
and annihilated his adversaries the Philistines;
he crushed their power to our own day.

In all that he did he gave thanks
to the Holy One, the Most High, proclaiming his glory;

he sang praise with all his heart,
and he loved his Maker.

He placed singers before the altar,
to make sweet melody with their voices.

He gave beauty to the festivals,
and arranged their times throughout the year,

while they praised God’s holy name,
and the sanctuary resounded from early morning.

The Psalm

Psalm 34:1-8

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!

The Gospel

Mark 9:38–41

John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward."

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