September 21st
Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist
Introit: Ps. xxxvi: 30-31
The mouth of the just man shall meditate wisdom, and his tongue shall speak judgment: the law of his God is in his heart. (P.T. Alleluia, alleluia.) [Ps.] Do not emulate evil doers, nor envy those that work iniquity. Glory be. The mouth of the just man.
Collect:
May we be assisted, O Lord, by the prayers of the blessed apostle and evangelist, Matthew, that what our effort obtaineth not, may be granted us by his intercession. Through our Lord
Ezechiel i: 10-14
A reading from the Prophet Exechiel:
And as for the likeness of the faces of the four living creatures: there was the face of a man, and the face of a lion on the right side of all the four: and the face of an ox, on the left side of all the four: and the face of an eagle over all the four. And their faces, and their wings were stretched upward: two wings of every one were joined, and two covered their bodies: And every one of them went straight forward: whither the impulse of the spirit was to go, thither they went: and they turned not when they went. And as for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like that of burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps. This was the vision running to and fro in the midst of the living creatures, a bright fire, and lightning going forth from the fire. And the living creatures ran and returned like flashes of lightning.Gradual Ps. cxi: 1, 2
Blessed is the man that fears the Lord: he shall delight exceedingly in His commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth. The generation of the righteous shall be blessed.
Alleluia. Alleluia. The glorious choir of the Apostles praises Thee, O Lord.Matthew ix: 9-13
The Continuation of the Holy Gospel According to Matthew
At that time, when Jesus passed on from hence, he saw a man sitting in the custom house, named Matthew; and he said to him: «Follow me.» And he rose up and followed him. And it came to pass as he was sitting at meat in the house, behold many publicans and sinners came, and sat down with Jesus and his disciples. And the Pharisees seeing it, said to his disciples: Why does your master eat with publicans and sinners? But Jesus hearing it, said: «They that are in health need not a physician, but they that are ill. Go then and learn what this means, I will have mercy and not sacrifice. For I am not come to call the just, but to call sinners.
Offertory Psalm xx: 4-5
O Lord, Thou hast set on his head a crown of precious stones: he asked life of Thee, and Thou didst grant it to him, alleluia.
Secret
May the oblation of Thy Church, we pray Thee, O Lord, be commended by the supplications of Thy blessed apostle and evangelist Matthew, by whose glorious preaching it is instructed. We offer Thee, O Lord, sacrifices of praise in commemoration of Thy saints, by whom we trust to be delivered from evils both present and future. Through our Lord
Communion Psalm xx: 6
His glory is great in Thy salvation; glory and great beauty shalt Thou lay upon him, O Lord.
Postcommunion:
Having received the sacraments, O Lord, we pray Thee, by the intercession of blessed Matthew, Thine apostle and evangelist, that what has been celebrated for his glory may profit for the healing of our souls. Through our Lord.
