The Lessons Appointed for Use on the Feast of
Tikhon
Patriarch of Russia, Confessor and Ecumenist 1925 April 7

Jeremiah 31:10-14
2 Peter 1:3-11
Matthew 5:3-16
Psalm 72

The Preface of Trinity Sunday

Holy God, holy and mighty, you call us together into one communion and fellowship: Open our eyes, we pray, as you opened the eyes of your servant Tikhon, that we may see the faithfulness of others as we strive to be steadfast in the faith delivered to us, that the world may see and know you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be glory and praise unto ages of ages. Amen.

Jeremiah 31:10-14

Hear the word of the LORD, O nations,

and declare it in the coastlands far away;

say, "He who scattered Israel will gather him,

and will keep him as a shepherd a flock."

For the LORD has ransomed Jacob,

and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him.

They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion,

and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the LORD,

over the grain, the wine, and the oil,

and over the young of the flock and the herd;

their life shall become like a watered garden,

and they shall never languish again.

Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance,

and the young men and the old shall be merry.

I will turn their mourning into joy,

I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.

I will give the priests their fill of fatness,

and my people shall be satisfied with my bounty,

says the LORD.

Psalm 72 Page 685, BCP

Deus, judicium

1

Give the King your justice, O God, *
and your righteousness to the King's Son;

2

That he may rule your people righteously *
and the poor with justice;

3

That the mountains may bring prosperity to the people, *
and the little hills bring righteousness.

4

He shall defend the needy among the people; *
he shall rescue the poor and crush the oppressor.

5

He shall live as long as the sun and moon endure, *
from one generation to another.

6

He shall come down like rain upon the mown field, *
like showers that water the earth.

7

In his time shall the righteous flourish; *
there shall be abundance of peace till the moon shall be no more.

8

He shall rule from sea to sea, *
and from the River to the ends of the earth.

9

His foes shall bow down before him, *
and his enemies lick the dust.

10

The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall pay tribute, *
and the kings of Arabia and Saba offer gifts.

11

All kings shall bow down before him, *
and all the nations do him service.

12

For he shall deliver the poor who cries out in distress, *
and the oppressed who has no helper.

13

He shall have pity on the lowly and poor; *
he shall preserve the lives of the needy.

14

He shall redeem their lives from oppression and violence, *
and dear shall their blood be in his sight.

15

Long may he live!
and may there be given to him gold from Arabia; *
may prayer be made for him always,
and may they bless him all the day long.

16

May there be abundance of grain on the earth,
growing thick even on the hilltops; *
may its fruit flourish like Lebanon,
and its grain like grass upon the earth.

17

May his Name remain for ever
and be established as long as the sun endures; *
may all the nations bless themselves in him and
call him blessed.

18

Blessed be the Lord GOD, the God of Israel, *
who alone does wondrous deeds!

19

And blessed be his glorious Name for ever! *
and may all the earth be filled with his glory.
Amen. Amen.

2 Peter 1:3-11

His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Thus he has given us, through these things, his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of lust, and may become participants of the divine nature. For this very reason, you must make every effort to support your faith with goodness, and goodness with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with endurance, and endurance with godliness, and godliness with mutual affection, and mutual affection with love. For if these things are yours and are increasing among you, they keep you from being ineffective and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For anyone who lacks these things is nearsighted and blind, and is forgetful of the cleansing of past sins. Therefore, brothers and sisters, be all the more eager to confirm your call and election, for if you do this, you will never stumble. For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly provided for you.

Matthew 5:3-16

Jesus said,

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
"Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
"You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.
"You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."

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.

Return to The Lectionary Page.