# Blessed be God (Callan)/Gospels, Epistles And Prayers For The Sundays Of The Christian Year

GOSPELS, EPISTLES AND PRAYERS FOR THE SUNDAYS AND FEASTS OF THE CHRISTIAN YEAR
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
PRAYER
O LORD, we pray Thee, raise up Thy power, and come, that by Thy protection we may deserve to be rescued from the threatening dangers of our sins, and to be saved by Thy deliverance. Who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen.
Epistle. Rom. xiii. 11-14
BRETHREN: — Knowing the time, that it is now the hour for us to awake from sleep. For now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, and the day is at hand. Let us therefore cast off the works of ​darkness, and put on the armor of light. As in the day let us walk becomingly; not in banquetings and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in contention and jealousy. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provisions for the flesh in its lusts.
Gospel. Luke xxi. 25-33.
AT that time: — Jesus said to His disciples: There will be signs in the sun, and moon, and stars; and on the earth distress of nations, by reason of the confusion of the sound of the sea and of the waves, men withering away for fear and expectation of the things which are coming upon the world: For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of man coming on a cloud with great power and majesty. But when these things begin to come to pass, look up, and lift up your heads: because your redemption is at hand. And He spake to them a similitude: See the fig-tree, and all the trees: when they now shoot forth their fruit, ye know that summer is nigh. So also, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that the kingdom of God Is at hand. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away till all things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
PRAYER
STIR up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the ways of Thine only-begotten Son, that by His coming we may be worthy to serve Thee with purified minds. Through the same our Lord Jesus Christ. AMEN.
Epistle. Rom. xv. 4-13.
BRETHREN:—Whatever things were written, were written for our instruction; that through patience and the consolation of the Scriptures, we may have hope. Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of one mind one toward another, according to Jesus Christ: that unanimously with one mouth ye may honor God, and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; wherefore receive one another, as Christ also received you to the glory of God. For I say that Christ Jesus was minister of circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises of the fathers. But that the Gentiles glorify God for mercy, as it written: Therefore will I praise Thee among the Gentiles, O Lord, and will sing to Thy name. and again He saith: Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with His people. And again: Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles, and glorify Him, all ye people. And again Isaias said: There shall be a root of Jesse, and He who shall rise up to rule the Gentiles, ​in Him the Gentiles shall hope. Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing: that ye may abound in hope and in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Gospel. Matt. xi. 2-10.
AT that time:— When John in the prison had heard of the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, and said to Him: Art Thou He who should come, or must we look for another? And Jesus answered and said to them: Go and relate to John what ye hear and see. The blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead rise again, the poor have the Gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who shall not be scandalized m Me. And as they departed, Jesus began to speak to the crowd: concerning John: What went you out into the desert to see? a reed shaken by the wind? But what went ye out to see? a man clothed in soft garments? Behold, they who are clothed in soft garments are In the palaces of kings. But what went ye out to see? a prophet? Yea, I tell you and more than a prophet; for this is he of whom It is written: Behold, I send My messenger before Thy face, who shall prepare Thy way before Thee.
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
PRAYER
O LORD, we beseech Thee, mercifully incline Thine ears unto our prayers, and enlighten the darkness of our minds by the grace of Thy heavenly visitation. Who livest and reignest, etc. AMEN.
Epistle. Philipp. iv. 4-7.
BRETHREN:— Rejoice in the Lord always: again I say, rejoice. Let your moderation be known to all men: the Lord is nigh. Be anxious about nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God. And may the peace of God, which surpasseth all understanding, guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Gospel. John i. 19-28.
AT that time: — The Jews sent from Jerusalem priests and Levites to him, to ask him: Who art thou? And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed: I am not the Christ. And they asked him: What then? Art thou Elias? And he said: I am not. Art thou the prophet? And he answered: No. They said therefore to him; Who art thou, that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What sayest thou of thy​Page:Blessedbegodcomp00call.pdf/644 ​Page:Blessedbegodcomp00call.pdf/645 ​Page:Blessedbegodcomp00call.pdf/646 ​Page:Blessedbegodcomp00call.pdf/647 ​Page:Blessedbegodcomp00call.pdf/648 ​Page:Blessedbegodcomp00call.pdf/649 ​Page:Blessedbegodcomp00call.pdf/650 ​Page:Blessedbegodcomp00call.pdf/651 ​Page:Blessedbegodcomp00call.pdf/652 ​Page:Blessedbegodcomp00call.pdf/653 ​Page:Blessedbegodcomp00call.pdf/654 ​Page:Blessedbegodcomp00call.pdf/655 ​Page:Blessedbegodcomp00call.pdf/656 ​Page:Blessedbegodcomp00call.pdf/657 ​Page:Blessedbegodcomp00call.pdf/658 ​Page:Blessedbegodcomp00call.pdf/659 ​Page:Blessedbegodcomp00call.pdf/660 ​Page:Blessedbegodcomp00call.pdf/661 ​Page:Blessedbegodcomp00call.pdf/662 ​Page:Blessedbegodcomp00call.pdf/663 ​Page:Blessedbegodcomp00call.pdf/664 ​Page:Blessedbegodcomp00call.pdf/665 ​Page:Blessedbegodcomp00call.pdf/666