John of the Cross, Poet, Teacher of the Faith, 1591

https://almanac.oremus.org/2024-12-14

Purple / white

Exciting Holiness
Song of Songs 2.8-end
Psalm 121.1-4, 7, 8
1 Corinthians 2.1-10
John 14.18-23

Holy Communion
Ecclesiasticus 48.1-4, 9-11 or
2 Kings 2.9-12
Psalm 80.1-4, 18-19
Matthew 17.10-13

Morning Prayer
Psalm 145 (or) 41, 42, 43
Isaiah 49.1-13
1 Thessalonians 4.13-end

Evening Prayer
Psalms 93, 94 (or) 45, 46
Isaiah 35
Matthew 16.1-12

Collect

O God, the judge of all,
who gave your servant John of the Cross
a warmth of nature, a strength of purpose
and a mystical faith
that sustained him even in the darkness:
shed your light on all who love you
and grant them union of body and soul
in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Post Communion

God of truth,
whose Wisdom set her table
and invited us to eat the bread and drink the wine
of the kingdom:
help us to lay aside all foolishness
and to live and walk in the way of insight,
that we may come with John of the Cross to the eternal feast of heaven;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Collect on the Eve of Advent 3

O Lord Jesus Christ,
who at your first coming sent your messenger
to prepare your way before you:
grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries
may likewise so prepare and make ready your way
by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just,
that at your second coming to judge the world
we may be found an acceptable people in your sight;
for you are alive and reign with the Father
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.