Clare of Assisi, Monastic, 1253

The Collect:

Rite I:
O God, whose blessed Son became poor that we, through his poverty, might become rich: Deliver us, we pray thee, from an inordinate love of this world, that we, inspired by the devotion of thy servant Clare, might serve thee with singleness of heart and attain to the riches of the age to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Rite II:
O God, whose blessed Son became poor that we, through his poverty, might become rich: Deliver us from an inordinate love of this world, that we, inspired by the devotion of your servant Clare, might serve you with singleness of heart and attain to the riches of the age to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

First Lesson: Ecclesiastes 5:8–15

⁸If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and right, do not be amazed at the matter; for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them. ⁹But all things considered, this is an advantage for a land: a king for a ploughed field.

¹⁰The lover of money will not be satisfied with money; nor the lover of wealth, with gain. This also is vanity.

¹¹When goods increase, those who eat them increase; and what gain has their owner but to see them with his eyes?

¹²Sweet is the sleep of labourers, whether they eat little or much; but the surfeit of the rich will not let them sleep.

¹³There is a grievous ill that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owners to their hurt, ¹⁴and those riches were lost in a bad venture; though they are parents of children, they have nothing in their hands. ¹⁵As they came from their mother’s womb, so they shall go again, naked as they came; they shall take nothing for their toil, which they may carry away with their hands.

Psalm: Psalm 63:1-8

¹ O God, you are my God; eagerly I seek you; *
       my soul thirsts for you, my flesh faints for you,
       as in a barren and dry land where there is no water.
² Therefore I have gazed upon you in your holy place, *
       that I might behold your power and your glory.
³ For your loving-kindness is better than life itself; *
       my lips shall give you praise.
⁴ So will I bless you as long as I live *
       and lift up my hands in your Name.
⁵ My soul is content, as with marrow and fatness, *
       and my mouth praises you with joyful lips,
⁶ When I remember you upon my bed, *
       and meditate on you in the night watches.
⁷ For you have been my helper, *
       and under the shadow of your wings I will rejoice.
⁸ My soul clings to you; *
       your right hand holds me fast.

Gospel: Luke 12:32-34

³² ‘Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. ³³Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. ³⁴For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

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