The Collect
Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Reading
Job 42:1-6, 10-17
Then Job answered the LORD:
“I know that you can do all things,
and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
`Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’
Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
`Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you declare to me.’
I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”And the LORD restored the fortunes of Job when he had prayed for his friends; and the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. Then there came to him all his brothers and sisters and all who had known him before, and they ate bread with him in his house; they showed him sympathy and comforted him for all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him; and each of them gave him a piece of money and a gold ring. The LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; and he had fourteen thousand sheep,
six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand donkeys. He also had seven sons and three daughters. He named the first Jemimah, the second Keziah, and the third Keren-happuch. In all the land there were no women so beautiful as Job’s daughters; and their father gave them an inheritance along with their brothers. After this Job lived one hundred and forty years, and saw his children, and his children’s children, four generations. And Job died, old and full of days.
The Response
Psalm 34:1-8, (19-22) Page 627, BCP
Benedicam Dominum
1 I will bless the LORD at all times;
*his praise shall ever be in my mouth.2 I will glory in the LORD;
*let the humble hear and rejoice.3 Proclaim with me the greatness of the LORD;
*let us exalt his Name together.4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me
*and delivered me out of all my terror.5 Look upon him and be radiant,
*and let not your faces be ashamed.6 I called in my affliction and the LORD heard me
* and saved me from all my troubles.7 The angel of the LORD encompasses those who fear him,
* and he will deliver them.8 Taste and see that the LORD is good;
* happy are they who trust in him![19 Many are the troubles of the righteous,
* but the LORD will deliver him out of them all.20 He will keep safe all his bones;
*not one of them shall be broken.21 Evil shall slay the wicked,
*and those who hate the righteous will be punished.22 The LORD ransoms the life of his servants,
* and none will be punished who trust in him.]
or
The Old Testament
Jeremiah 31:7-9
Thus says the LORD:
Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, “Save, O LORD, your people, the remnant of Israel.” See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north, and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, those with child and those in labor, together; a great company, they shall return here. With weeping they shall come, and with consolations I will lead them back, I will let them walk by brooks of water,
in a straight path in which they shall not stumble; for I have become a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.
The Psalm
Psalm 126 Page 782, BCP
In convertendo1 When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,
* then were we like those who dream.2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter,
* and our tongue with shouts of joy.3 Then they said among the nations,
* “The LORD has done great things for them.”4 The LORD has done great things for us,
*and we are glad indeed.5 Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
*like the watercourses of the Negev.6 Those who sowed with tears
*will reap with songs of joy.7 Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed,
* will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves.
The Epistle
Hebrews 7:23-28
The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office; but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he has no need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people; this he did once for all when he offered himself. For the law appoints as high priests those who are subject to weakness, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.
The Gospel
Mark 10:46-52
<p>Jesus and his disciples came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take
heart; get up, he is calling you.” So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way. </p>
