Sergius of Radonezh, Monastic, 1392

The Collect:

Rite I:
O God, whose blessed Son became poor that we, through his poverty, might be rich: Deliver us from an inordinate love of this world, that we, inspired by the devotion of thy servant Sergius, may 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 and the Holy Ghost, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Rite II:
O God, whose blessed Son became poor that we, through his poverty, might be rich: Deliver us from an inordinate love of this world, that we, inspired by the devotion of your servant Sergius, may 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: Ecclesiasticus 29:1–9

¹ The merciful lend to their neighbours;
    by holding out a helping hand they keep the commandments.
² Lend to your neighbour in his time of need;
    repay your neighbour when a loan falls due.
³ Keep your promise and be honest with him,
    and on every occasion you will find what you need.
⁴ Many regard a loan as a windfall,
    and cause trouble to those who help them.
⁵ One kisses another’s hands until he gets a loan,
    and is deferential in speaking of his neighbour’s money;
but at the time for repayment he delays,
    and pays back with empty promises,
    and finds fault with the time.
⁶ If he can pay, his creditor[a] will hardly get back half,
    and will regard that as a windfall.
If he cannot pay, the borrower[b] has robbed the other of his money,
    and he has needlessly made him an enemy;
he will repay him with curses and reproaches,
    and instead of glory will repay him with dishonour.
⁷ Many refuse to lend, not because of meanness,
    but from fear[c] of being defrauded needlessly.

⁸ Nevertheless, be patient with someone in humble circumstances,
    and do not keep him waiting for your alms.
⁹ Help the poor for the commandment’s sake,
    and in their need do not send them away empty-handed.

Psalm: Psalm 39:4-8 

⁴ My heart was hot within me;
while I pondered, the fire burst into flame; *
I spoke out with my tongue:
⁵ Lord, let me know my end and the number of my days, *
so that I may know how short my life is.
⁶ You have given me a mere handful of days,
and my lifetime is as nothing in your sight; *
truly, even those who stand erect are but a puff of wind.
⁷ We walk about like a shadow,
and in vain we are in turmoil; *
we heap up riches and cannot tell who will gather them.
⁸ And now, what is my hope? *
O Lord, my hope is in you.

Second Lesson: 1 John 2:15-17 

¹⁵ Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; ¹⁶ for all that is in the world—the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches—comes not from the Father but from the world. ¹⁷ And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live for ever.

Gospel: Mark 2:23–28

²³ One sabbath he was going through the cornfields; and as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. ²⁴ The Pharisees said to him, ‘Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?’ ²⁵ And he said to them, ‘Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need of food? ²⁶ He entered the house of God, when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and he gave some to his companions.’ ²⁷ Then he said to them, ‘The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath; ²⁸ so the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.’

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