S FRANCIS OF ASSISI
4 October
The Collect
O God, you ever delight to reveal yourself
to the childlike and lowly of heart:
grant that, following the example of the blessed Francis,
we may count the wisdom of this world as foolishness
and know only Jesus Christ and him crucified,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
The Old Testament Reading
Micah 6.6-8
6‘With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt-offerings, with calves a year old? 7Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with tens of thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?’ 8He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
The Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 100
R The Lord is good;
his mercy is everlasting.
1 O be joyful in the Lord, all you lands;
serve the Lord with gladness
and come before his presence with a song. R
2 Know this: the Lord himself is God;
he himself has made us and we are his;
we are his people and the sheep of his pasture. R
3 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and call upon his name. R
The New Testament Reading
Galatians 6.14-end
14May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything! 16As for those who will follow this rule – peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. 17From now on, let no one make trouble for me; for I carry the marks of Jesus branded on my body. 18May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
The Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia. He was as the morning star,
and as of the sun shining upon the temple of the Most High. Alleluia.
The Holy Gospel
Luke 12.22-34
22He said to his disciples, ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. 23For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? 26If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest? 27Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. 28But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you – you of little faith! 29And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. 30For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
32‘Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Introduction to the Peace
In the spirit of St Francis, we are called to promote the way of love and unity with all creation. Let us be strengthened by the peace of Christ that we may be peacemakers, the children of God.
The Postcommunion Prayer
Merciful God,
who gave such grace to your servant Francis
that he served you with singleness of heart
and loved you above all things:
help us, whose communion with you
has been renewed in this sacrament,
to forsake all that holds us back from following Christ
and to grow into his likeness from glory to glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Blessing
May our Blessèd Lady pray for you;
may Saint Francis pray for you;
may Saint Clare pray for you;
may all Franciscan saints pray for you;
may all God’s angels befriend you to watch over you and protect you;
may our Lord Jesus give you his blessing of peace;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you
this Francistide and always. Amen.
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