Margaret of Scotland, Queen, 1093

The Collect:

Rite I:
O God, who didst call thy servant Margaret to an earthly throne that she might advance thy heavenly kingdom, and gave her zeal for thy Church and love for thy people: Mercifully grant that we also may be fruitful in good works and attain to the glorious crown of thy saints; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Rite II:
O God, you called your servant Margaret to an earthly throne that she might advance your heavenly kingdom, and gave her zeal for your Church and love for your people: Mercifully grant that we also may be fruitful in good works, and attain to the glorious crown of your saints; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

First Lesson: Proverbs 31:10–20

¹⁰     A capable wife who can find?
           She is far more precious than jewels.
¹¹     The heart of her husband trusts in her,
           and he will have no lack of gain.
¹²     She does him good, and not harm,
           all the days of her life.
¹³     She seeks wool and flax,
           and works with willing hands.
¹⁴     She is like the ships of the merchant,
           she brings her food from far away.
¹⁵     She rises while it is still night
           and provides food for her household
           and tasks for her servant-girls.
¹⁶     She considers a field and buys it;
           with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
¹⁷     She girds herself with strength,
           and makes her arms strong.
¹⁸     She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
           Her lamp does not go out at night.
¹⁹     She puts her hands to the distaff,
           and her hands hold the spindle.
²⁰     She opens her hand to the poor,
           and reaches out her hands to the needy.

Psalm: Psalm 146:4–9

⁴ Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help! *
       whose hope is in the Lord their God;
⁵ Who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them; *
       who keeps his promise for ever;
⁶ Who gives justice to those who are oppressed, *
       and food to those who hunger.
⁷ The Lord sets the prisoners free;
  the Lord opens the eyes of the blind; *
       the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;
⁸ The Lord loves the righteous;
  the Lord cares for the stranger; *
       he sustains the orphan and widow,
       but frustrates the way of the wicked.
⁹ The Lord shall reign for ever, *
       your God, O Zion, throughout all generations.
       Hallelujah!

Gospel: Matthew 13:44–46

⁴⁴ ‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

⁴⁵ ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; ⁴⁶on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

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