The Lessons Appointed for Use on
All Saints' Day
All Years BCP, Service II

Ecclesiasticus 2:(1-6)7-11
Ephesians 1:(11-14)15-23
Luke 6:20-26(27-36)
Psalm 149

Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Ecclesiasticus 2:(1-6)7-11

[My child, when you come to serve the Lord,

prepare yourself for testing.

Set your heart right and be steadfast,

and do not be impetuous in time of calamity.

Cling to him and do not depart,

so that your last days may be prosperous.

Accept whatever befalls you,

and in times of humiliation be patient.

For gold is tested in the fire,

and those found acceptable, in the furnace of humiliation.

Trust in him, and he will help you;

make your ways straight, and hope in him.]

You who fear the Lord, wait for his mercy;

do not stray, or else you may fall.

You who fear the Lord, trust in him,

and your reward will not be lost.

You who fear the Lord, hope for good things,

for lasting joy and mercy.

Consider the generations of old and see:

has anyone trusted in the Lord and been disappointed?

Or has anyone persevered in the fear of the Lord and been forsaken?

Or has anyone called upon him and been neglected?

For the Lord is compassionate and merciful;

he forgives sins and saves in time of distress.

Psalm 149 Page 807, BCP

Cantate Domino

1

Hallelujah!
Sing to the LORD a new song; *
sing his praise in the congregation of the faithful.

2

Let Israel rejoice in his Maker; *
let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.

3

Let them praise his Name in the dance; *
let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.

4

For the LORD takes pleasure in his people *
and adorns the poor with victory.

5

Let the faithful rejoice in triumph; *
let them be joyful on their beds.

6

Let the praises of God be in their throat *
and a two-edged sword in their hand;

7

To wreak vengeance on the nations *
and punishment on the peoples;

8

To bind their kings in chains *
and their nobles with links of iron;

9

To inflict on them the judgment decreed; *
this is glory for all his faithful people.
Hallelujah!

Ephesians 1:(11-14)15-23

[In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God's own people, to the praise of his glory.]

I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Luke 6:20-26(27-36)

Jesus looked up at his disciples and said:

"Blessed are you who are poor,

for yours is the kingdom of God.

"Blessed are you who are hungry now,

for you will be filled.

"Blessed are you who weep now,

for you will laugh.

"Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.

"But woe to you who are rich,

for you have received your consolation.

"Woe to you who are full now,

for you will be hungry.

"Woe to you who are laughing now,

for you will mourn and weep.

"Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets

["But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."]

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, and used by permission.

The Collects, Psalms and Canticles are from the Book of Common Prayer, 1979.

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