Irenaeus of Lyon, Bishop and Theologian, c.202

The Collect:

Rite I:
Almighty God, who didst strength thy servant Irenaeus to defend thy truth against every blast of vain doctrine: Keep us, we pray, steadfast in thy true religion, that in constancy and peace we may walk in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Rite II:
Almighty God, who strengthened servant Irenaeus to defend thy truth against every blast of vain doctrine: Keep us, we pray, steadfast in your true religion, that in constancy and peace we may walk in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

First Lesson: 2 Timothy 2:22b-26

Pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. ²³Have nothing to do with stupid and senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. ²⁴And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to everyone, an apt teacher, patient, ²⁵correcting opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant that they will repent and come to know the truth, ²⁶and that they may escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

Psalm: Psalm 85:8-13

⁸ I will listen to what the Lord God is saying, *
       for he is speaking peace to his faithful people
       and to those who turn their hearts to him.
⁹ Truly, his salvation is very near to those who fear him, *
       that his glory may dwell in our land.
¹⁰ Mercy and truth have met together; *
       righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
¹¹ Truth shall spring up from the earth, *
       and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
¹² The Lord will indeed grant prosperity, *
       and our land will yield its increase.
¹³ Righteousness shall go before him, *
       and peace shall be a pathway for his feet.

Gospel: Luke 11:33-36

³³ ‘No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar, but on the lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. ³⁴Your eye is the lamp of your body. If your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light; but if it is not healthy, your body is full of darkness. ³⁵Therefore consider whether the light in you is not darkness. ³⁶If then your whole body is full of light, with no part of it in darkness, it will be as full of light as when a lamp gives you light with its rays.’

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