Occurring Scripture for the Hour of Matins
Week of the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday SaturdayLesson i
A reading from the Second Book of Kings
2 Kings 12:1-4And the Lord sent Nathan to David: and when he was come to him, he said to him: "There were two men in one city, the one rich, and the other poor. The rich man had exceeding many sheep and oxen. But the poor man had nothing at all but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up, and which had grown up in his house together with his children, eating of his bread, and drinking of his cup, and sleeping in his bosom: and it was to him as a daughter. And when a certain stranger was come to the rich man, he spared to take of his own sheep and oxen, to make a feast for that stranger, who was come to him, but took the poor man's ewe, and dressed it for the man that was come to him."
Lesson ii
2 Kings 12:5-9And David's anger being exceedingly kindled against that man, he said to Nathan: "As the Lord lives, the man who has done this is a child of death. He shall restore the ewe fourfold, because he did this thing, and had no pity." And Nathan said to David: "You are the man. Thus says the Lord the God of Israel: 'I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul, and gave you your master's house and your master's wives into your bosom, and gave you the house of Israel and Juda: and if these things be little, I shall add far greater things unto thee. Why therefore have you despised the word of the Lord, to do evil in My sight? you have killed Urias the Hethite with the sword, and taken his wife to be your wife, and have slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.
Lesson iii
2 Kings 12:10-16Therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me, and have taken the wife of Urias the Hethite to be your wife. Thus says the Lord: Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house, and I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of the sun. For you did it secretly: but I will do this thing in the sight of all Israel, and in the sight of the sun.'" And David said to Nathan: "I have sinned against the Lord." And Nathan said to David: "The Lord also has taken away your sin: you shall not die. Nevertheless, because you have given occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, for this thing, the child that is born to you, shall surely die." And Nathan returned to his house. The Lord also struck the child which the wife of Urias had borne to David, and his life was despaired of. And David besought the Lord for the child: and David kept a fast, and going in by himself lay upon the ground.
Lesson iv
The Defense of David of Saint Ambrose, Bishop
i. 2.In how many things does each one of us transgress every hour! And nevertheless not one of all us common men thinks it good to confess his sin. Yet that strong and great King would not suffer the acknowledgment of his iniquity to remain, even for a moment, hidden in his own heart. With eager confession and bitter sorrow, he admitted that he had sinned against the Lord. Which of you will easily find me now some honored and wealthy person, who will not take it ill if I rebuke him for a fault of which he is guilty? But David, amid the splendor of a throne and' the certainty of Divine revelation, when he was rebuked by one of his subjects for his grievous transgression, was not roused to anger, but contrariwise, acknowledged his sin with groans and affliction.
Lesson v.
The heartfelt sorrow of David moved the Lord to compassion, so that Nathan said "Because you have repented, the Lord also has put away your sin. The instant gift of pardon declares the depth of the King's repentance, which was able to obtain the forgiveness of so grievous a transgression. Other men, when they are rebuked by priests, only aggravate the seriousness of their sins by seeking to deny or to excuse them, and thereby make deeper their fall by means of that which should have helped them up. But the saints of the Lord who will to fight a good fight of godliness until the end and to finish their course by saving their souls, nevertheless, they may by chance have fallen like other men, have done so rather through man's weakness than through lust for iniquity, and rise more eager to go on than before. Shame goads them on to fly to higher things. So that not only is their fall not to be reckoned to have hampered them, but rather to have quickened their speed.
Lesson vi
David sinned; and so oftentimes do other kings. David repented with groaning and tears; other kings oftentimes do not. He admitted his guilt; he implored forgiveness; he cast himself down upon the ground, and there wept over his crime; he fasted; he prayed; by publishing his sorrow he left an everlasting witness of his acknowledgment. What lesser men blush to do, the King was not ashamed to own. They who are answerable to law are bold to deny their crimes, and too haughty to ask pardon. Not so he, though he could be haled before no earthly judgment seat. That he sinned was a matter flowing from his nature; that he asked for pardon, his own repentance. To fall is common to all men, but his confession was his own. To transgress thus was nature; to efface his guilt, greatness.
Lesson vii
The continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Mark 8:1-9
Mark 8:1-9In those days again, when there was a great multitude, and had nothing to eat; calling His disciples together, He said to them: "I have compassion on the multitude, for behold they have now been with Me three days, and have nothing to eat. And if I send them away fasting to their homes, they will faint on the way; for some of them came from far off." And his disciples answered him: "Where in this wilderness can any one find enough bread to fill them?" And he asked them: "How many loaves do you have?" They said: "Seven." And taking the seven loaves, giving thanks, He broke and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and they set them before the people. And they had a few little fishes; and He blessed them, and commanded them to be set before them. [8] And they did eat and were filled; and they took up that which was left of the fragments, seven baskets. And they that had eaten were about four thousand; and he sent them away.
A homily of Saint Ambrose, Bishop.
Book 6 on Luke chapter9 (near the beginning).The food of heavenly grace was not distributed until that woman, who is a type of the Church, was healed of the issue of blood, and after that the Lord had sent His disciples to preach the kingdom of God. But consider to whom He gave it. He gave it not to the idle, not to those who dwell in cities (that is not to the Jewish officials), not to those drawn to worldly splendor, but to those seeking Christ in the desert. Such as are not given to niceness are they whom Christ receives, and unto whom the Word of God speaketh, not of earthly things, but of the kingdom of God. And if any bear in them the running sores of carnal passion, He heals them.
Lesson viii
And then it came to pass that, as He had healed them that had need of healing, He fed their hunger with spiritual meat. Thus it is that no man takes Christ's meat, unless he be first healed, and they, that are bidden to the supper, are first cured by the invitation. The lame receive the power to walk, that they may be able to come; the blind cannot see the door of the house of the Lord, unless light be given them.
Lesson ix
Everywhere is preserved the order of the Sacraments. The sinful soul is first healed by the remission of sins, and afterward is filled at the Table of the Lord even though this multitude now present is of such as do not yet feed on those strong meats, nor pasture their starving spirits upon the Body and Blood of Christ, as do they of a manlier faith. To use the words of Paul, I have fed you with milk and not with meat, for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. The five loaves are, as it were, your milk; the stronger meat will be the Body of Christ; the more generous cup, the Blood of the Lord.
Let us pray:
Collect:
O God of all power and might, who art the giver of all good things, implant in our hearts the love of Thy name; increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and by Thy mercy keep us in the same. Through our Lord....
Lesson i
A reading from the Second Book of Kings
2 Kings 13:22-25But Absalom spoke not to Amnon neither good nor evil: for Absalom hated Amnon because he had ravished his sister Thamar. And it came to pass after two years, that the sheep of Absalom were shorn in Baalhasor, which is near Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king's sons: And he came to the king, and said to him: "Behold your servant's sheep are shorn. Let the king, I pray, with his servants come to his servant." And the king said to Absalom: "Nay, my son, do not ask that we should all come, and be chargeable to you." And when he pressed him, and he would not go, he blessed him.
Lesson ii
2 Kings 13:26-29And Absalom said: If you will not come, at least let my brother Amnon, I beseech you, come with us. And the king said to him: It is not necessary that he should go with you. But Absalom pressed him, so that he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him. And Absalom made a feast as it were the feast of a king. And Absalom had commanded his servants, saying: "Take notice when Amnon becomes drunk with wine, and when I shall say to you: 'Strike him, and kill him,' fear not: for it is I that command you: take courage, and be valiant men." And the servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded them. And all the king's sons arose and got up every man upon his mule, and fled.
Lesson iii
2 Kings 13:30-34And while they were yet on the way, a rumor came to David, saying: "Absalom has slain all the king's sons, and there is not one of them left." Then the king rose up, and rent his garments: and fell upon the ground, and all his servants, that stood about him, rent their garments. But Jonadab the son of Semmaa, David's brother, answering, said: "Let not my lord the king think that all the king's sons are slain: Amnon only is dead, for he was appointed by the mouth of Absalom from the day that he ravished his sister Thamar. Now therefore let not my lord the king take this thing into his heart, saying: 'All the king's sons are slain': for Amnon only is dead." But Absalom fled away:
Lesson i
A reading from the Second Book of Kings
2 Kings 14:4-7And when the woman of Thecua was come in to the king, she fell before him upon the ground, and worshipped, and said: "Save me, O king. And the king said to her: "What is the matter?" She answered: "Alas, I am a widow woman: for my husband is dead. And your handmaid had two sons: and they quarreled with each other in the field, and there was none to part them: and the one struck the other, and slew him. And behold the whole kindred rising against your handmaid, said: "'Deliver him that has slain his brother, that we may kill him for the life of his brother, whom he slew, and that we may destroy the heir': and they seek to quench my spark which is left, and will leave my husband no name, nor remainder upon the earth."
Lesson ii
2 Kings 14:10-14And the king said: If any one says anything against you, bring him to me, and be shall not touch you any more. And she said: "Let the king remember the Lord his God, that the next of kin be not multiplied to take revenge, and that they may not kill my son." And he said: "As the Lord lives, not one hair of your son shall fall to the earth." Then the woman said: "Let your handmaid speak one word to my lord the king." And he said: "Speak." And the woman said: "Why have you thought such a thing against the people of God, and why has the king spoken this word, to sin, and not bring home again his own exile? We all die, and like waters that return no more, we fall down into the earth: neither will God have a soul to perish, but reconsiders, meaning that he that is cast off should not altogether perish."
Lesson iii
2 Kings 14:19-21And the king said: "Is not the hand of Joab with you in all this?" The woman answered, and said: "By the health of your soul, my lord, O king, it is neither on the left hand, nor on the right, in all these things which my lord the king has spoken: for your servant Joab, commanded me, and put all these words into the mouth of your handmaid. That I should come about with this form of speech, your servant Joab, commanded this: but you, my lord, O king, art wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to understand all things upon earth." And the king said to Joab: "Behold I am appeased and have granted thy request: Go therefore and fetch back the boy Absalom."
Lesson i
A Reading from the Second Book of Kings
2 Kings 15:1-3Now after these things Absalom made himself chariots, and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. And Absalom rising up early stood by the entrance of the gate, and when any man had business to come to the king's judgment, Absalom called him to him, and said: "From what city art you?" He answered, and said: your servant is of such a tribe of Israel." And Absalom answered him: "your words seem to me good and just. But there is no man appointed by the king to hear you.
Lesson ii
2 Kings 15:3-6And Absalom said: "O that they would make me judge over the land, that all that have business might come to me, that I might do them justice." Moreover when any man came to him to salute him, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him. And this he did to all Israel that came for judgment, to be heard by the king, and he enticed the hearts of the men of Israel.
Lesson iii
2 Kings 15:7-10And after forty years, Absalom said to king David: "Let me go, and pay my vows which I have vowed to the Lord in Hebron. For thy servant made avow, when he was in Gessur of Syria, saying: 'If the Lord shall bring me again into Jerusalem I will offer sacrifice to the Lord.'" And king David said to him: "Go in peace." And he arose, and went to Hebron. And Absalom sent spies into all the tribes of Israel, saying: "As soon as you shall hear the sound of the trumpet, say ye: 'Absalom reigns in Hebron.'"
Lesson i
A Reading from the Second Book of Kings
2 Kings 15:13-15And there came a messenger to David, saying: "All Israel with their whole heart follows Absalom." And David said to his servants, that were with him in Jerusalem: "Arise and let us flee: for we shall not otherwise escape from the face of Absalom: make haste to go out, lest he come and overtake us, and bring ruin upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword." And the king's servants said to him: "Whatsoever our lord the king shall command, we your servants will willingly execute."
Lesson ii
2 Kings 15:16-18And the king went forth, and all his household on foot: and the king left ten women, his concubines, to keep the house: And the king going forth and all Israel on foot, stood afar off from the house: And all his servants walked by him, and the bands of the Cerethi, and the Phelethi, and all the Gethites, valiant warriors, six hundred men who had followed him from Geth on foot, went before the king.
Lesson iii
2 Kings 15:19-20And the king said to Ethai the Gethite: "Why do you come with us? return and dwell with the king, for you are a stranger, and have come out of your own place. Yesterday you came, and today you shall be forced to go forth with us? but I shall go wherever I am going: return, and take back your brethren with you, and the Lord will show you mercy, and truth, because you have shown grace and fidelity.
Lesson i
A Reading from the Second Book of Kings
2 Kings 16:5-8And king David came as far as Bahurim: and behold there came out from there a man of the kindred of the house of Saul named Semei, the son of Gera, and coming out he cursed as he went on. And he threw stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people, and all the warriors walked on the right, and on the left side of the king. And thus said Semei when he cursed the king: "Come out, come out, you man of blood, and you man of Belial. The Lord has repaid you for all the blood of the house of Saul: because you have usurped the kingdom in his stead, and the Lord hath given the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son: and behold your evils press upon you, because you are a man of blood.
Lesson ii
2 Kings 16:9-10And Abisai the son of Sarvia said to the king: "Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? I will go, and cut off his head." And the king said: "What have I to do with you, ye sons of Sarvia? Let him alone and let him curse: for the Lord hath bid him curse David: and who is he that shall dare say, 'why hath he done so?'"
Lesson iii
2 Kings 16:11-12And the king said to Abisai, and to all his servants: "Behold my son, who came forth from my body, seeks my life: how much more now a son of Jemini? let him alone that he may curse as the Lord hath bidden him. Perhaps the Lord may look upon my affliction, and the Lord may render me good for the cursing of this day."
Lesson i
A Reading from the Second Book of Kings
2 Kings 18:6-8So the people went out into the field against Israel and the battle was fought in the forest of Ephraim. And the people of Israel were defeated there by David's army, and a great slaughter was made that day of twenty thousand men. And the battle there was scattered over the face of all the country, and there were many more of the people whom the forest consumed, than whom the sword devoured that day.
Lesson ii
2 Kings 18:9-12And it happened that Absalom, riding on a mule, met the servants of David: and as the mule went under a thick and large oak, his head stuck in the oak: and while he hung between the heaven and the earth, the mule on which he rode passed on. And one saw this and told Joab, saying: "I saw Absalom hanging upon an oak." And Joab said to the man that told him: "If you saw him, why did you not stab him to the ground, and I would have given you ten sicles of silver, and belt? And he said to Joab: "If you wouldst have paid down in my hands a thousand pieces of silver, I would not lay my hands upon the king's son: for in our hearing he king charged thee, and Abisai, and Ethai, saying: 'Save me the boy Absalom.'"
Lesson iii
2 Kings 18:14-17And Joab said: "Not as you wilt, but I will set upon him in thy sight." So he took three lances in his hand, and thrust them into the heart of Absalom: and whilst he yet panted for life, sticking on the oak, ten young men, armor bearers of Joab, ran up, and striking him slew him. And Joab sounded the trumpet, and kept back the people from pursuing after Israel in their flight, being willing to spare the multitude. And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the forest, and they laid an exceeding great heap of stones upon him: but all Israel fled to their own dwellings.
On feasts of the Saints or in the Saturday Office of the Blessed Virgin the second and third lessons are concatenated; the third then being of the feast.
