Athanasius

Athanasius
Bishop of Alexandria, 373
May 2

Readings for the Eucharist
according to the order of the Episcopal Church

1 John 5:1-5
Matthew 10:22-32
Psalm 71:1-8 or
Psalm 112:1-9

The Collect

Uphold your Church, O God of truth, as you upheld your servant Athanasius, to maintain and proclaim boldly the catholic faith against all opposition, trusting solely in the grace of your eternal Word, who took upon himself our humanity that we might share his divinity; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

First Reading
1 John 5:1-5

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

Psalm 71:1-8

In te, Domine, speravi

1: In you, O LORD, have I taken refuge; *
let me never be ashamed.
2: In your righteousness, deliver me and set me free; *
incline your ear to me and save me.
3: Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe; *
you are my crag and my stronghold.
4: Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, *
from of the clutches of the evildoer and the oppressor.
5: For you are my hope, O LORD God, *
my confidence since I was young.
6: I have been sustained by you ever since I was born;
from my mother's womb you have been my strength; *
my praise shall be always of you.
7: I have become a portent to many; *
but you are my refuge and my strength.
8: Let my mouth be full of your praise *
and your glory all the day long.

Psalm 112
Beatus vir

1: Hallelujah!
Happy are they who fear the Lord *
and have great delight in his commandments!
2: Their descendants will be mighty in the land; *
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3: Wealth and riches will be in their house, *
and their righteousness will last for ever.
4: Light shines in the darkness for the upright; *
the righteous are merciful and full of compassion.
5: It is good for them to be generous in lending *
and to manage their affairs with justice.
6: For they will never be shaken; *
the righteous will be kept in everlasting remembrance.
7: They will not be afraid of any evil rumors; *
their heart is right;
they put their trust in the Lord.
8: Their heart is established and will not shrink, *
until they see their desire upon their enemies.
9: They have given freely to the poor, *
and their righteousness stands fast for ever;
they will hold up their head with honor.

Gospel
Matthew 10:22-32

Jesus said to the twelve, "You will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

"A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household!

"So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.

"Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven."

Preface (Epiphany)
Because in the mystery of the Word made flesh, you have caused a new light to shine in our hearts, to give the knowledge of your glory in the face of your son Jesus Christ our Lord.