Episcopal Readings

Episcopal Readings for the Feast of Elizabeth
Princess of Hungary, 1231

November 19 (E)

The following Collect and Readings are taken from Lesser Feasts and Fasts, a publication of the Episcopal Church, USA.

Tobit 12:6b-9
Psalm 146:4-9 or Psalm 112:1-9
Matthew 25:31-40

The Collect

Almighty God, by your grace your servant Elizabeth of Hungary recognized and honored Jesus in the poor of this world: Grant that we, following her example, may with love and gladness serve those in any need or trouble, in the name and for the sake of Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen

First Reading
Tobit 12:6b-9

"Bless God and acknowledge him in the presence of all the living for the good things he has done for you. Bless and sing praise to his name. With fitting honor declare to all people the deeds of God. Do not be slow to acknowledge him. It is good to conceal the secret of a king, but to acknowledge and reveal the works of God, and with fitting honor to acknowledge him. Do good and evil will not overtake you. Prayer with fasting is good, but better than both is almsgiving with righteousness. A little with righteousness is better than wealth with wrongdoing. It is better to give alms than to lay up gold. For almsgiving saves from death and purges away every sin. Those who give alms will enjoy a full life."

The Psalm

Psalm 146:4-9
Lauda, anima mea

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!

Psalm 112:1-9
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 Reading
Matthew 25:31-40

Jesus said, "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, `Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.' Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' And the king will answer them, `Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.' "