Cyril of Jerusalem, Bishop and Theologian, 386

The Collect:

Rite I:
Strengthen, O God, thy church in the sacraments of thy grace, that we, in union with the teaching and prayers of thy servant Cyril of Jerusalem, may enter more fully into thy Paschal mystery; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Rite II:
Strengthen, O God, your church in the sacraments of your grace, that we, in union with the teaching and prayers of your servant Cyril of Jerusalem, may enter more fully into your Paschal mystery; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

First Lesson: Ecclesiasticus 47:2-10

² As the fat is set apart from the offering of well-being,
    so David was set apart from the Israelites.
³ He played with lions as though they were young goats,
    and with bears as though they were lambs of the flock.
⁴ In his youth did he not kill a giant,
    and take away the people’s disgrace,
when he whirled the stone in the sling
    and struck down the boasting Goliath?
⁵ For he called on the Lord, the Most High,
    and he gave strength to his right arm
to strike down a mighty warrior,
    and to exalt the power of his people.
⁶ So they glorified him for the tens of thousands he conquered,
    and praised him for the blessings bestowed by the Lord,
    when the glorious diadem was given to him.
⁷ For he wiped out his enemies on every side,
    and annihilated his adversaries the Philistines;
    he crushed their power to our own day.
⁸ In all that he did he gave thanks
    to the Holy One, the Most High, proclaiming his glory;
he sang praise with all his heart,
    and he loved his Maker.
⁹ He placed singers before the altar,
    to make sweet melody with their voices.
¹⁰ He gave beauty to the festivals,
    and arranged their times throughout the year,
while they praised God’s[e] holy name,
    and the sanctuary resounded from early morning.

Psalm: Psalm 34:1–8

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!

Gospel: Mark 9:38–41

³⁸John said to him, ‘Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.’ ³⁹But Jesus said, ‘Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterwards to speak evil of me. ⁴⁰Whoever is not against us is for us. ⁴¹For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.

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