Melania the Elder, Monastic, 410

The Collect:

Rite I:
Most High and Merciful God, who didst call thy servant Melania to forsake earthly comforts that she might devote herself to studying the scriptures and to welcoming the poor: Instruct us in the ways of poverty and the grace of hospitality, that we might comfort those who have no place to rest and teach the way of thy love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Rite II:
Most High and Merciful God, who called your servant Melania to forsake earthly comforts in order to devote herself to studying the scriptures and to welcoming the poor: Instruct us in the ways of poverty and the grace of hospitality, that we might comfort those who have no place to rest and teach the way of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

First Lesson: Exodus 4:24–26

²⁴On the way, at a place where they spent the night, the Lord met him and tried to kill him. ²⁵But Zipporah took a flint and cut off her son’s foreskin, and touched Moses’ feet with it, and said, ‘Truly you are a bridegroom of blood to me!’ ²⁶So he let him alone. It was then she said, ‘A bridegroom of blood by circumcision.’

Psalm: Psalm 119:65–72

⁶⁵ O Lord, you have dealt graciously with your servant, *
       according to your word.
⁶⁶ Teach me discernment and knowledge, *
       for I have believed in your commandments.
⁶⁷ Before I was afflicted I went astray, *
       but now I keep your word.
⁶⁸ You are good and you bring forth good; *
       instruct me in your statutes.
⁶⁹ The proud have smeared me with lies, *
       but I will keep your commandments with my whole heart.
⁷⁰ Their heart is gross and fat, *
       but my delight is in your law.
⁷¹ It is good for me that I have been afflicted, *
       that I might learn your statutes.
⁷² The law of your mouth is dearer to me *
       than thousands in gold and silver.

Gospel: Mark 8:14–21

¹⁴Now the disciples had forgotten to bring any bread; and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. ¹⁵And he cautioned them, saying, ‘Watch out—beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.’ ¹⁶They said to one another, ‘It is because we have no bread.’ ¹⁷And becoming aware of it, Jesus said to them, ‘Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? ¹⁸Do you have eyes, and fail to see? Do you have ears, and fail to hear? And do you not remember? ¹⁹When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?’ They said to him, ‘Twelve.’ ²⁰‘And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?’ And they said to him, ‘Seven.’ ²¹Then he said to them, ‘Do you not yet understand?’ 

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