Alfred, King, 899

The Collect:

Rite I:
O God, who didst call thy servant Alfred to an earthly throne that he might advance thy heavenly kingdom and didst give him zeal for thy church and love for thy people: Grant that we, inspired by his example and prayers, may remain steadfast in the work thou hast given us to do for the building up of thy reign of love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Rite II:
O God, who called your servant Alfred to an earthly throne that he might advance your heavenly kingdom and gave him zeal for your church and love for your people: Grant that we, inspired by his example and prayers, may remain steadfast in the work you have given us to do for the building up of your reign of love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

First Lesson: Wisdom 6:1-11

¹ Listen therefore, O kings, and understand;
   learn, O judges of the ends of the earth.
² Give ear, you that rule over multitudes,
   and boast of many nations.
³ For your dominion was given you from the Lord,
   and your sovereignty from the Most High;
   he will search out your works and inquire into your plans.
⁴ Because as servants of his kingdom you did not rule rightly,
   or keep the law,
   or walk according to the purpose of God,
⁵ he will come upon you terribly and swiftly,
   because severe judgement falls on those in high places.
⁶ For the lowliest may be pardoned in mercy,
   but the mighty will be mightily tested.
⁷ For the Lord of all will not stand in awe of anyone,
   or show deference to greatness;
   because he himself made both small and great,
   and he takes thought for all alike.
⁸ But a strict inquiry is in store for the mighty.
⁹ To you then, O monarchs, my words are directed,
   so that you may learn wisdom and not transgress.
¹⁰ For they will be made holy who observe holy things in holiness,
    and those who have been taught them will find a defence.
¹¹ Therefore set your desire on my words;
    long for them, and you will be instructed.

Psalm: Psalm 21:1-7

¹ The king rejoices in your strength, O Lord; *
       how greatly he exults in your victory!
² You have given him his heart’s desire; *
       you have not denied him the request of his lips.
³ For you meet him with blessings of prosperity, *
       and set a crown of fine gold upon his head.
⁴ He asked you for life, and you gave it to him: *
       length of days, for ever and ever.
⁵ His honor is great, because of your victory; *
       splendor and majesty have you bestowed upon him.
⁶ For you will give him everlasting felicity *
       and will make him glad with the joy of your presence.
⁷ For the king puts his trust in the Lord; *
       because of the loving-kindness of the Most High, he will not fall.

Gospel: Luke 6:43-49

⁴³ ‘No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; ⁴⁴for each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. ⁴⁵The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks.

⁴⁶ ‘Why do you call me “Lord, Lord”, and do not do what I tell you? ⁴⁷I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them. ⁴⁸That one is like a man building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when a flood arose, the river burst against that house but could not shake it, because it had been well built. ⁴⁹But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against it, immediately it fell, and great was the ruin of that house.’

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