Readings for the Feast of St. Ambrose Bishop of Milan
+ 397
according to the use of the Episcopal Church
Feast Day: December 7
First Reading: Ecclesiasticus 2:7-11,16-18 Psalm: Psalm 27:5-11 or
Psalm 33:1-5,20-21 Gospel Reading: Luke 12:35-37,42-44
Collect:
O God, who gave your servant Ambrose grace eloquently to proclaim your righteousness in the great congregation, and fearlessly to bear reproach for the honor of your Name: Mercifully grant to all bishops and pastors such excellence in preaching and faithfulness in ministering your Word, that your people may be partakers with them of the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
First Reading: Ecclesiasticus 2:7-11,16-18 You who fear the Lord, wait for his mercy;
do not stray, or else you may fall.
You who fear the Lord, trust in him,
and your reward will not be lost.
You who fear the Lord, hope for good things,
for lasting joy and mercy.
Consider the generations of old and see:
has anyone trusted in the Lord and been disappointed?
Or has anyone persevered in the fear of the Lord and been forsaken?
Or has anyone called upon him and been neglected?
For the Lord is compassionate and merciful;
he forgives sins and saves in time of distress.
Those who fear the Lord seek to please him,
and those who love him are filled with his law.
Those who fear the Lord prepare their hearts,
and humble themselves before him.
Let us fall into the hands of the Lord,
but not into the hands of mortals;
for equal to his majesty is his mercy,
and equal to his name are his works.
Psalm 27:5-11 Dominus illuminatio
5
One thing have I asked of the LORD;
one thing I seek; *
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days
of my life;
6
To behold the fair beauty of the LORD *
and to seek him in his temple.
7
For in the day of trouble he shall keep me safe
in his shelter; *
he shall hide me in the secrecy of his dwelling
and set me high upon a rock.
8
Even now he lifts up my head *
above my enemies round about me.
9
Therefore I will offer in his dwelling an oblation
with sounds of great gladness; *
I will sing and make music to the LORD.
10
Hearken to my voice, O LORD, when I call; *
have mercy on me and answer me.
11
You speak in my heart and say, "Seek my face." *
Your face, LORD, will I seek.
or
Psalm 33:1-5,20-21 Exultate, justi
1
Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous; *
it is good for the just to sing praises.
2
Praise the LORD with the harp; *
play to him upon the psaltery and lyre.
3
Sing for him a new song; *
sound a fanfare with all your skill upon the trumpet.
4
For the word of the LORD is right, *
and all his works are sure.
5
He loves righteousness and justice; *
the loving-kindness of the LORD fills the whole earth.
20
Our soul waits for the LORD; *
he is our help and our shield.
21
Indeed, our heart rejoices in him, *
for in his holy Name we put our trust.
Gospel: Luke 12:35-37,42-44 Jesus said to his disciples, "Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them.
And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and prudent manager whom his master will put in charge of his slaves, to give them their allowance of food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions."