Let us pray (in silence) [that God energises us to fulfil our purpose]
Pause
Grant, O God,
that we may love you with our whole being,
and love all people as you would have us love them,
through Jesus Christ, our Saviour,
who is alive with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
The collect used today by the majority of Christians was not in a Trent/Reformation-era rite. It is from a prayer in June in the Verona/Leonine Sacramentary (the oldest surviving book of the Roman Rite, with material from the 5th and 6th Century). I will consider incorporating this into my Book of Prayers in Common.
Concede nobis, Domine Deus noster,
ut te tota mente veneremur,
et omnes homines rationabili diligamus affectu.
Domine Deus noster – Lord our God
mente – literally: mind; but my rendition (above) draws on Matthew 22:36-38, Mark 12:2-31, Luke 10:26-28 (cf John 13:34). Real knowing (mente) God translates to loving and serving.
veneremur – venerate. We venerate saints; we do more than venerate God.
rationabili diligamus affectu –
diligo is about valuing
affectus affection
rationabili – rational
So we must love people as God would have us love them.
English versions (other than mine above):
Lord our God,
help us to love you with all our hearts
and to love all men as you love them.
[ICEL 1973]
Teach us, Lord God,
to worship you with undivided hearts
and to cherish all people with true and faithful love.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
[1998 Missal translation]
Grant us, Lord our God,
that we may honour you with all our mind,
and love everyone in truth of heart.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
[Current Missal translation]
Resources beyond this site:
Textweek
Preaching Resources Down Under
Girardian Reflection on the Lectionary
Candlemas Resources
Sing we of the Blessed Mother
Candlemas
Anglican Church of Or
As well as above RCL approach, this Sunday can also be:
NZPB/HKMA 1989-2005 (page 644) The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple
Two Year Series 1 Sam 1:20-28; Rom 12:1-8; Lk 2:22-40
Three Year Series Malachi 3:1-4; Ps 24; Heb 2:14-18; Lk 2:22-40
NZPB/HKMA 2020 (page 715 The Presentation of Jesus in the TempleMalachi 3:1-4; Ps 84 or Ps 24:7-10; Heb 2:14-18; Lk 2:22-40)
BCP 1662: The Fourth Sunday after The Epiphany (Romans 13:1ff; Mt 8:23ff)
BCP 1662: The Sunday called Septuagesima or the Third Sunday before Lent (1 Cor 9:24ff; Mt 20:1ff)
NZPB/HKMA 1989-2005 (page 565): The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany (Readings Year 2: Ps 48; Ps 119:73-80; Jer 26:1-16; Rom 11:25-36 Jn 11:45-57)
NZPB/HKMA 1989-2005 (page 569): The Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany Septuagesima (Readings Year 2: Ps 8; Ps 147; Gen 1:26-31; Rev 21:1-7; Mk 7:31-37)
NZPB/HKMA 1989-2005 (page 708): The Fourth Ordinary Sunday [Three Year Series] (differs from RCL above: Psalm 95; 1 Cor 7:32-35)
…and then there’s commemorating a certain saint on January 31 [See Common Worship Calendar; Celebrating Eucharist Calendar]
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