Last Sunday after Christmas: The Transfiguration

Kindly find posted below the proper proposed for liturgical use on the Last Sunday after Christmas, 26 February 2006. For those local churches celebrating according to eastern rites, also posted below is the proper for Ash Monday, marking the beginning of the Great Lent. This proper may be inserted at Ramsho (vespers, evening prayer) on Sunday evening, accompanied by the imposition of ashes. The proper is also suitable for western-rite usage on Ash Wednesday. May the Lord bless you and your loved ones through the remainder of Christmastide.


Last Sunday after Christmas: "The Transfiguration of Jesus"

Prayer:
Almighty Father, your Son was revealed in majesty before he suffered death on the cross. Through your Spirit give us the vision to perceive your Son's glory, so that we may be strengthened to suffer with him and be transformed into his likeness, from glory unto glory. We ask this through your incarnate Word, Christ Jesus our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Corpus of Lectionary Citations:

Torah or History:
Exodus 24:12-18
Exodus 34:29-35

Psalm 99

Wisdom:
Job 5:8-16
Prophets:
Daniel 7:9-10,13-14

Deuterocanonical:
Sirach 45:6-22

Apostolic Epistle:
2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2
2 Corinthians 4:3-6
Philippians 3:12-4:1

Apostolic Account:
Revelation 19:1-8

Gospel:
Matthew 17:1-9
Mark 9:2-13
Luke 9:28-36

Proposed Readings for the Divine Liturgy:

Year A (2008)
Exodus 24:12-18
Psalm 99
Revelation 19:1-8
Matthew 17:1-9

Year B (2006)
Exodus 34:29-35
Psalm 99
Revelation 19:1-8
Mark 9:2-13

Year C (2007)
Daniel 7:9-10,13-14
Psalm 99
Revelation 19:1-8
Luke 9:28-36

Post-Communion Prayer:
Gracious Father, we are ever grateful for the gift of your incarnate Word. From this eucharist send us forth to be joyful messengers of your saving goodness. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.


The Beginning of Lent : Ash Monday (eastern rites)
or Ash Wednesday (western rites)

Prayer:
Merciful Father, your Spirit awakens deep within our souls the awareness of our sinfulness and of our need of your healing mercy. Your Son Jesus taught that you forgive the sins of those who approach you with humble and contrite hearts. May your Spirit inspire our repentance, conversion, and renewal and lead us from ashes to Pascha (Easter) unto the forgiveness of sins and the fullness of your kingdom. We ask this through your Son, our Lord Christ Jesus, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Proposed Lectionary Citations:

Year A, B, and C
Joel 2:12-18
Psalm 51:3-6,12-14,17
2 Corinthians 5:20--6:2
Matthew 6:1-6,16-18

Imposition of Ashes:
Priest: Remember ... that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return.
or
Priest: Repent and believe in the gospel.

Post-Communion Prayer:
Gracious Father, we thank you for the nourishment that you have shared with us to encourage and strengthen us, as your Spirit leads us to growth in holiness. Through that same Spirit lead us unto the fullness of new life. We ask this through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Eighth Sunday after Christmas

Kindly find posted below propers, one of which may be selected for liturgical use on the Eighth Sunday after Christmas, 19 February 2006. Also posted below are the rubrical principles pertaining to the use of the optional propers for the latter Sundays of Christmastide, i.e. those Sundays falling between the 5th Sunday after Christmas (Wedding at Cana) and the Last Sunday after Christmas (Transfiguration) in any given liturgical year. The propers for Christmastide 10-15 are still in preparation, anticipated to be ready for the publication of the final version of the lectionary to be included in our synodical Book of Common Prayer. May the Lord bless you and your loved ones throughout the remainder of Christmastide.


Christmastide 8: "The Cure of the Paralytic at Capernaum"

[or optional proper for latter Christmastide]

Prayer:
Almighty Father, your Spirit manifested your glory and led many to faith through the miracles of your Son. As we recall the cure of the paralytic at Capernaum, transform us through your Son's compassion and love, so that our lives may become inseparable from his. We ask this through your incarnate Word, Christ Jesus our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Corpus of Lectionary Citations:

Torah or History:
Exodus 15:25b-26
Psalm 107:10-13

Wisdom:
Psalm 6:1-4
Job 5:17-27

Prophets:
Isaiah 43:18-21

Deuterocanonical:
Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 43:1-5

Apostolic Epistle:
1 Peter 2:24

Apostolic Account:
Acts 8:4-8
Acts 9:32-35

Gospel:
Matthew 9:1-8
Mark 2:1-12
Luke 5:18-26

Proposed Readings for the Divine Liturgy:

Year A (2008)
Isaiah 43:18-25
Psalm 107:10-13
Acts 8:4-8
Matthew 9:1-8

Year B (2006)
Isaiah 43:18-25
Psalm 107:10-13
Acts 9:32-35
Mark 2:1-12

Year C (2007)
Isaiah 43:18-25
Psalm 107:10-13
Acts 8:4-8 or Acts 9:32-35
Luke 5:17-26

Post-Communion Prayer:
Gracious Father, we are ever grateful for the gift of your incarnate Word. From this eucharist send us forth to be joyful messengers of your saving goodness. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.



Christmastide 9: "The Cure of the Man with a Shriveled Hand"

[or optional proper for latter Christmastide]

Prayer:
Almighty Father, your Spirit manifested your glory and led many to faith through the miracles of your Son. As we recall the cure of the man with a shriveled hand, transform us through your Son's compassion and love, so that our lives may become inseparable from his. We ask this through your incarnate Word, Christ Jesus our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Corpus of Lectionary Citations:

Torah or History:
Exodus 22:25-27
2 Chronicles 30:7-9
Psalm 107:14-16

Wisdom:
Psalm 40:1-5
Psalm 103:1-5,19-22

Prophets:
Isaiah 6:9-10
Jeremiah 17:14-15

Deuterocanonical:
2 Maccabees 10:1-8

Apostolic Epistle:
Colossians 1:24--2:3

Apostolic Account:
Acts 8:9-13

Gospel:
Matthew 12:9-13
Mark 3:1-6
Luke 5:17-26

Proposed Readings for the Divine Liturgy:

Year A (2008)
Exodus 22:25-27
Psalm 107:14-16
Acts 8:9-13
Matthew 12:9-13

Year B (2006)
2 Chronicles 30:7-9
Psalm 107:14-16
Acts 8:9-13
Mark 3:1-6

Year C (2007)
Isaiah 6:9-10
Psalm 107:14-16
Acts 8:9-13
Luke 5:17-26

Post-Communion Prayer:
Gracious Father, we are ever grateful for the gift of your incarnate Word. From this eucharist send us forth to be joyful messengers of your saving goodness. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.



Rubrical Principles for the Latter Sundays of Christmastide

(1) This portion of the Christmastide lectionary is comprised of readings that focus on the gospel miracles occurring after the wedding at Cana and prior to the transfiguration of Jesus. These miracles constitute various epiphanies of the incarnate Word of God and thus are appropriately included in the spiritual reflections of the season of Christmas.

(2) As the number of available latter Christmastide propers exceeds the greatest possible number of Sundays that follow the Fifth Sunday after Christmas (Cana Sunday), the pastors of the local churches may select from the available propers of Christmastide 6-15 those propers needed to cover the Sundays between the 5th Sunday after Christmas (Cana Sunday) and the Last Sunday after Christmas (Transfiguration Sunday), in order to meet the perceived needs of their local churches.

(3) However, the latter Christmastide propers must be selected and utilized sequentially. For example, if in a given liturgical year there are only two Sundays between Cana Sunday and Transfiguration Sunday, and if the pastor should select the proper for Christmastide 8 for use on the Sixth Sunday after Christmas, then the propers for Christmastide 9-15 would be available for selection for the Seventh Sunday after Christmas.

Seventh Sunday after Christmas

Proposed for liturgical use on the Seventh Sunday after Christmas, 12 February 2006, this proper was previously posted on the group list for the various local churches of the Synod. May the Lord bless you and your loved ones throughout Christmastide.


Christmastide 7: "The Cure of a Leper"

[or optional proper for latter Christmastide]

Prayer:
Almighty Father, your Spirit manifested your glory and led many to faith through the miracles of your Son. As we recall the cure of the leper, transform us through your Son's compassion and love, so that our lives may become inseparable from his. We ask this through your incarnate Word, Christ Jesus our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Corpus of Lectionary Citations:

Torah or History:
Leviticus 13:1-17
Leviticus 13:44-59
Leviticus 14
2 Kings 5:1-19

Psalm 107:4-9

Wisdom:
Job 30:16-19

Prophets:
Isaiah 3:18--4:1

Deuterocanonical:
Wisdom 17:1-14

Apostolic Epistle:
James 3:6-12
James 4:11-12
James 5:13-15

Apostolic Account:
Acts 19:11-12

Gospel:
Matthew 8:1-4
Mark 1:40-45
Luke 5:12-19

Proposed Readings for the Divine Liturgy:

Year A (2008)
Leviticus 13:1-17 [or 2 Kings 5:1-19]
Psalm 107:4-9
Acts 19:11-12
Matthew 8:1-4

Year B (2006)
Leviticus 13:40-46 [or 2 Kings 5:1-19]
Psalm 107:4-9
Acts 19:11-12
Mark 1:40-45

Year C (2007)
Leviticus 14:1-32 [or 2 Kings 5:1-19]
Psalm 107:4-9
Acts 19:11-12
Luke 5:12-19

Post-Communion Prayer:
Gracious Father, we are ever grateful for the gift of your incarnate Word. From this eucharist send us forth to be joyful messengers of your saving goodness. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sixth Sunday after Christmas

Please find posted below the proper for the Sixth Sunday after Christmas, 5 February 2006, which should have instead been posted earlier this week. I apologize for the lateness of this offering. The two days lost for the funeral near Kokomo were rather overwhelming. However, the remaining propers for latter Christmastide are relatively close to completion.

Psalm 107, which is relatively large, has been divided up for use throughout the Sundays of latter Christmastide, since it repeats praise of God for working wonders among his people. For the later proper regarding the miracle of Jesus stilling the storm, the relevant Psalm verses are especially appropriate, as you will see when that selection is ready for posting!

It is still my hope to have a large-enough block available for at least some choices among the various miracles (epiphanies) for use throughout the remaining Sundays of Christmastide prior to Transfiguration Sunday. The rubrical notes will be posted along with the subsequent offerings for latter Christmastide. May the Lord bless you and your loved ones throughout Christmastide.


Christmastide 6: "The Cure of Peter's Mother-in-Law"

[or optional proper for latter Christmastide]

Prayer:
Almighty Father, your Spirit manifested your glory and led many to faith through the miracles of your Son. As we recall the cure of Peter's mother-in-law, transform us through your Son's compassion and love, so that our lives may become inseparable from his. We ask this through your incarnate Word, Christ Jesus our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Corpus of Lectionary Citations:

Torah or History:
Deuteronomy 28:1-14
Deuteronomy 28:15-35

Psalm 107:1-3

Wisdom:
Job 7:1-7
Psalm 146

Prophets:
Isaiah 49:8-11
Isaiah 62:6-9

Deuterocanonical:
2 Maccabees 15:20-24

Apostolic Epistle:
Hebrews 2:1-4

Apostolic Account:
Acts 28:7-10

Gospel:
Matthew 8:14-15
Mark 1:29-31
Luke 4:38-39

Proposed Readings for the Divine Liturgy:

Year A (2008)
Deuteronomy 28:1-6
Psalm 107:1-3
Acts 28:7-10
Matthew 8:14-15

Year B (2006)
Job 7:1-7
Psalm 107:1-3
Acts 28:7-10
Mark 1:29-31

Year C (2007)
Deuteronomy 28:15-35
Psalm 107:1-3
Acts 28:7-10
Luke 4:38-39

Post-Communion Prayer:
Gracious Father, we are ever grateful for the gift of your incarnate Word. From this eucharist send us forth to be joyful messengers of your saving goodness. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.