Introit. Ecclesiasticus 1:14-15
The love of God is honorable wisdom: and they to whom she shall show herself, love her by the sight, and by the knowledge of her great works. (Ps. 83: 2) How lovely are Thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts my soul longeth and fainteth for the courts of the Lord. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. The love of God is honorable wisdom: and they to whom she shall show herself, love her by the sight, and by the knowledge of her great works.
Collect.
O God,Who didst purpose to draw all things unto Thy only-begotten Son when He was lifted up from the earth, mercifully grant that we, by the merits and example of Thy seraphic confessor Joseph, being lifted above all earthly desires, may be worthy to come unto Him. Who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
Epistle. 1 Corinthians 13:1-8
Brethren: If I speak with tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am becoming as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal. And if I should have prophecy and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I should have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And if I should distribute all my goods to feed the poor, and if I should deliver my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity is patient, is kind: charity envieth not; dealeth not perversely; is not puffed up; is not ambitious; seeketh not her own; is not provoked to anger; thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejolceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never falleth away: whether prophecies shall be made void, or tongues shall cease, or knowledge shall be destroyed.
Gradual. Psalms 20:4-5
O Lord, Thou hast prevented him with blessings of sweetness: Thou hast set on his head a crown of precious stones. He asked life of Thee, and Thou hast given him length of days forever, and for ages of ages.
Gradual. Psalms 20:4-5
O Lord, Thou hast prevented him with blessings of sweetness: Thou hast set on his head a crown of precious stones. He asked life of Thee, and Thou hast given him length of days forever, and for ages of ages.
Lesser Alleluia. Ecclesiasticus 11:13
Alleluia, alleluia. The eye of God hath looked upon him for good, and hath lifted him up from his low estate, and hath exalted his head. Alleluia.
Gospel. Matthew 22:1-14
At that time, Jesus spoke to the chief priests and the Pharisees in parables, saying: The kingdom of Heaven is likened to a king, who made a marriage for his son; and he sent his servants, to call them that were invited to the marriage, and they would not come. Again he sent other servants, saying: “Tell them that were invited: Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come ye to the marriage.” But they neglected and went their way, one to his farm, and another to his merchandise; and the rest laid their hands on his servants, and having treated them abusively, put them to death. But when the king heard of it, he was angry and sending his armies, he destroyed those murderers, and burnt their city. Then he saith to his servants: “The marriage indeed is ready, but they that were invited were not worthy, Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as you shall find, call to the marriage.” And his servants going forth into the ways, gathered together all that they found, both bad and good and the marriage was filled with guests. And the king went in to see the guests, and he saw there a man who had not on a wedding garment: and he saith to him: “Friend, how came thou in hither, not having on a wedding garment?” But he was silent. Then the king said to the waiters: “Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the exterior darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Offertory. Psalms 34:13
But as for me, when they were troublesome to me, I was clothed with haircloth. I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer shall be turned into my bosom.
Secret.
We offer Thee sacrifices of praise, O Lord, in commemoration of Thy saints, by whom we trust to be delivered both from present and from future evils. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
Communion. Psalms 68:30-31
I am poor and sorrowful: Thy salvation, O God, hath set me up. I will praise the name of God with a canticle: and I will magnify Him with praise.
Postcommunion.
Refreshed with celestial food and drink, O our God, we humbly beseech Thee that we may be defended by the prayers of the saint whose feast we commemorate, and of whom we have received these blessings. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.