Daily Office - Aug 14

Maximilian Kolbe, Friar, Martyr, 1941
Psalm 119.105-128
Your word is a lantern to my feet and a light upon my path.
I have sworn and will fulfil it, to keep your righteous judgements.
I am troubled above measure;
give me life, O Lord, according to your word.
Accept the freewill offering of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me your judgements.
My soul is ever in my hand, yet I do not forget your law.

The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I have not strayed from your commandments.
Your testimonies have I claimed as my heritage for ever; for they are the very joy of my heart.
I have applied my heart to fulfil your statutes:
always, even to the end.

I hate those who are double-minded, but your law do I love.
You are my hiding place and my shield and my hope is in your word.
Away from me, you wicked!
I will keep the commandments of my God.
Sustain me according to your promise, that I may live, and let me not be disappointed in my hope.
Hold me up and I shall be saved, and my delight shall be ever in your statutes.
You set at nought those who depart from your statutes, for their deceiving is in vain.
You consider all the wicked as dross;
therefore I love your testimonies.
My flesh trembles for fear of you and I am afraid of your judgements.
I have done what is just and right;
O give me not over to my oppressors.

Stand surety for your servant’s good;
let not the proud oppress me.
My eyes fail with watching for your salvation and for your righteous promise.
O deal with your servant according to your faithful love and teach me your statutes.
I am your servant; O grant me understanding, that I may know your testimonies.

Psalm 119.105-128
Your word is a lantern to my feet and a light upon my path.
I have sworn and will fulfil it, to keep your righteous judgements.
I am troubled above measure;
give me life, O Lord, according to your word.
Accept the freewill offering of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me your judgements.
My soul is ever in my hand, yet I do not forget your law.
The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I have not strayed from your commandments.
Your testimonies have I claimed as my heritage for ever; for they are the very joy of my heart.
I have applied my heart to fulfil your statutes:
always, even to the end.
I hate those who are double-minded, but your law do I love.
You are my hiding place and my shield and my hope is in your word.
Away from me, you wicked!
I will keep the commandments of my God.
Sustain me according to your promise, that I may live,
and let me not be disappointed in my hope.
Hold me up and I shall be saved,
and my delight shall be ever in your statutes.
You set at nought those who depart from your statutes,
for their deceiving is in vain.
You consider all the wicked as dross;
therefore I love your testimonies.
My flesh trembles for fear of you and I am afraid of your judgements.
I have done what is just and right;
O give me not over to my oppressors.
Stand surety for your servant’s good;
let not the proud oppress me.
My eyes fail with watching for your salvation and for your righteous promise.
O deal with your servant according to your faithful love and teach me your statutes.
I am your servant; O grant me understanding, that I may know your testimonies.
It is time for you to act, O Lord, for they frustrate your law.
Therefore I love your commandments above gold, even much fine gold.
Therefore I direct my steps by all your precepts, and all false ways I utterly abhor.

Proverbs 9
Wisdom has built her house,
   she has hewn her seven pillars.
She has slaughtered her animals, she has mixed her wine,
   she has also set her table.
She has sent out her servant-girls, she calls
   from the highest places in the town,
‘You that are simple, turn in here!’
   To those without sense she says,
‘Come, eat of my bread
   and drink of the wine I have mixed.
Lay aside immaturity, and live,
   and walk in the way of insight.’

Whoever corrects a scoffer wins abuse;
   whoever rebukes the wicked gets hurt.
A scoffer who is rebuked will only hate you;
   the wise, when rebuked, will love you.
Give instruction to the wise, and they will become wiser still;
   teach the righteous and they will gain in learning.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
   and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
For by me your days will be multiplied,
   and years will be added to your life.
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself;
   if you scoff, you alone will bear it.

The foolish woman is loud;
   she is ignorant and knows nothing.
She sits at the door of her house,
   on a seat at the high places of the town,
calling to those who pass by,
   who are going straight on their way,
‘You who are simple, turn in here!’
   And to those without sense she says,
‘Stolen water is sweet,
   and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.’
But they do not know that the dead are there,
   that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

Mark 5.35-end
While he was still speaking, some people came from the leader’s house to say, ‘Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?’ But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, ‘Do not fear, only believe.’ He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. When he had entered, he said to them, ‘Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.’ And they laughed at him. Then he put them all outside, and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, ‘Talitha cum’, which means, ‘Little girl, get up!’ And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement. He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

The Collect
O God, you declare your almighty power
most chiefly in showing mercy and pity:
mercifully grant to us such a measure of your grace,
that we, running the way of your commandments,
may receive your gracious promises,
and be made partakers of your heavenly treasure;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.