The Lessons Appointed for Use on the Feast of
Fabian
Bishop and Martyr of Rome, 250
according to the use of the Episcopal Church
January 20
The Collect
O God, in your providence you singled out the holy martyr Fabian as worthy to be chief pastor of your people, and guided him so to strengthen your Church that it stood fast in the day of persecution: Grant that those whom you call to any ministry in the Church may be obedient to your call in all humility, and be enabled to carry out their tasks with diligence and faithfulness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
2 Esdras 2:42-48
I, Ezra, saw on Mount Zion a great multitude that I could not number, and they all were praising the Lord with songs. In their midst was a young man of great stature, taller than any of the others, and on the head of each of them he placed a crown, but he was more exalted than they. And I was held spellbound. Then I asked an angel, "Who are these, my lord:" He answered and said to me, "These are they who have put off mortal clothing and have put on the immortal, and have confessed the name of God. Now they are being crowned and receive palms." Then I said to the angel, "Who is that young man who is placing crowns on them and putting palms in their hands?" He answered and said to me, "He is the Son of God, whom they confessed in the world." So I began to praise those who had stood valiantly for the name of the Lord. Then the angel said to me, "Go, tell my people how great and how many are the wonders of the Lord God that you have seen."
The Psalm or Matthew 10:16-22 Jesus told the twelve disciples, "See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved."
Psalm
110:1-4
Dixit Dominus
until I make your enemies your footstool."
saying, "Rule over your enemies round about you.
in the beauty of holiness have I begotten you,
like dew from the womb of the morning."
"You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek."
will smite kings in the day of his wrath; *
he will rule over the nations.
Psalm
126
In convertendo
then were we like those who dream.
and our tongue with shouts of joy.
"The LORD has done great things for them."
and we are glad indeed.
like the watercourses of the Negev.
will reap with songs of joy.
will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves.
Saints