Third Sunday of Lent
First Class
Station at Saint Lawrence outside the walls.

Latin Mass Text

Introit: Ps. xxiv. 15-16

My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for He shall pluck my feet out of the snare. Look Thou upon me and have mercy on me, for I am alone and poor. [Ps.] To Thee, O Lord, have I lifted my soul. In Thee, O Lord, I put my trust. Let me not be put to shame. Glory be. My eyes.

Collect:

We beseech Thee, almighty God, regard the desires of Thine humble servants, and stretch forth the right hand of Thy majesty to be our defense.

Orations for Lent (Quadragesima)

Epistle: Ephesians v. 1-9

A reading from the epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Ephesians.
Brethren: Be imitators of God, as very dear children, and walk in love, as Christ also loved us, and delivered Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God to ascend in fragrant odor. But immorality, or every uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as becomes saints; or obscenity, or foolish talk, or scurrility, which are out of place; but rather thanksgiving. For know this, and understand, that no fornicator, or unclean person, or covetous one (for that is idolatry) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one lead you astray with empty words; for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the children of disobedience. Do not, then, become partakers with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk then as children of light, for the fruit of the light is in all goodness, and justice, and truth.

Gradual: Ps. ix. 20, 4

Arise, O Lord, let no man be strengthened. Let the nations be judged in Thy sight. When my enemy shall be turned back, they shall be weakened and perish before Thy face.

Tract: Ps. cxxii. 1-3

To Thee have I lifted mine eyes, who dwellest in heaven. Behold, as the eyes of servants are on the hands of their masters. As the eyes of the handmaid are on the hands of her mistress, so are our eyes unto the Lord, our God, until He have mercy on us. Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us.

Gospel: Luke xi. 14-28
+   The continuation of the holy Gospel according to Luke.

At that time, Jesus was casting out a devil, and the same was dumb. And when He had cast out the devil, the dumb man spoke. And the crowds marvelled. But some of them said, "By Beelzebub, the prince of devils, He casts out devils." And others, to test Him, demanded from Him a sign from heaven. But He, seeing their thoughts, said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and house will fall upon house. If then, Satan is divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? Because you say that I cast out devils by Beelzebub, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore, they shall be your judges. But, if I cast out devils by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you."
    "When the strong man, fully armed, guards his courtyard, his property is undisturbed. But if one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he will take away all his weapons that he relied upon, and will divide his spoils. He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters."
    "When the unclean spirit has gone out of a man, he roams through waterless places in search of rest, and finding none he says, `I will return to my house, which I left.' And when he has come, he finds the place swept and adorned. Then he goes, and he takes with him seven other evil spirits, even more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there; and the last state of the man becomes worse than the first."
    Now it came to pass as He said these things, that a certain woman lifted up her voice from the crowd and said to Him, "Blessed is the womb that bore Thee, and the breasts that nursed Thee." But He said, "Rather blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it."

Credo.

Offertory: Ps. xvii. 9-12

The justices of the Lord are right, rejoicing hearts, and his judgments are sweeter than honey and the honey comb, for Thy servant observes them.

Secret

May this victim, we beseech Thee, O Lord, cleanse away our sins, sanctifying Thy servants in both soul and body for the celebration of this sacrifice.

Orations for Lent (Quadragesima)

Preface of Lent:

Communion: Ps. lxxxiii. 4-5

The sparrow hath found herself a house, and the turtle a nest, where she may lay her young ones. Thine altars, O Lord of Hosts, my King and my God: blessed are they that dwell in Thy house; they shall praise Thee for ever and ever.

Postcommunion:

Mercifully absolve us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, from all guilt, and deliver us from all danger, whom Thou does grant to partake of so great a mystery.

Orations for Lent (Quadragesima)

V. Let us bless the Lord.
R. Thanks be to God.