Holy Cross Day, September 14

Collect:
Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ was lifted high upon the cross that he might draw the whole world unto himself: Mercifully grant that we, who glory in the mystery of our redemption, may have grace to take up our cross and follow him; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

First Lesson: Proverbs 3:1-6
My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you prosperity.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

Second Lesson: 2 Timothy 3:14-17
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Psalm: 119:33-40

  1. Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes, *
          and I shall keep it to the end.
  2. Give me understanding, and I shall keep your law; *
          I shall keep it with all my heart.
  3. Make me go in the path of your commandments, *
          for that is my desire.
  4. Incline my heart to your decrees *
          and not to unjust gain.
  5. Turn my eyes from watching what is worthless; *
          give me life in your ways.
  6. Fulfill your promise to your servant, *
          which you make to those who fear you.
  7. Turn away the reproach which I dread, *
          because your judgments are good.
  8. Behold, I long for your commandments; *
          in your righteousness preserve my life.

Gospel: Matthew 9:9-13
As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.

While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"

On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Collect & Psalm from the Book of Common Prayer
Other excerpts from the New International Bible

Holy Days