heat;
for the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd,
and he will guide them to springs of the water of life,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’
This is the word of the Lord.
Revelation 7.13–end
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
The disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
‘If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of stumbling blocks! Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to the one by whom the stumbling block comes!’
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Matthew 18.1–7
Post Communion
Eternal God,
who gave us this holy meal
in which we have celebrated the glory of the cross
and the victory of your martyr Agnes:
by our communion with Christ
in his saving death and resurrection,
give us with all your saints the courage to conquer evil
and so to share the fruit of the tree of life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
22 January
Vincent of Saragossa
Deacon, first Martyr of Spain
England: Commemoration
If celebrated otherwise, Common of Martyrs
Vincent was born in Saragossa in Aragon in the latter part of the third century and was ordained to the diaconate by Valerian, his bishop in that city. When the persecution under Diocletian began, both men were brought before the Roman governor but, because Valerian stammered badly, he relied on Vincent to speak for them both. Vincent spoke eloquently for both his bishop and his church, proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ and condemning paganism. He so angered the governor that he was immediately condemned to a painful death, reputedly on the gridiron. Thus he lived and gave his life in the tradition of Stephen, the first martyr and also a deacon; he died in the year 304 and his feast has been celebrated on this day since the persecutions ended in 312.
23 January
Francis de Sales
Bishop of Geneva, Teacher of the Faith
Wales: V
See 24 January
24 January
Cadoc
Abbot
Wales: V
If celebrated otherwise, Common of Religious
Cadoc was born of royal parentage about the year 497, and was educated at the monastic school of Tathan at Caerwent (Gwent). He established a monastery at Llancarfan, in the Vale of Glamorgan, which soon became famous. The twelfth century Life of St Cadoc tells us: ‘There eagerly flowed together, from various districts of the whole of Britannia, very many clerics to St Cadoc, like rivers to the sea, that they might attain to imitate his wisdom and practice; for he always welcomed eagerly all, who steadily toiled in the services of God and paid heed to the divine scriptures.’ Cadoc made visits to Ireland, to study in the monastery of Lismor, and there was a frequent interchange between Llancarfan and Irish monasteries. With the coming of the Yellow Plague in the year 547, Cadoc fled to Brittany and established churches there. He returned to Llancarfan to rule as abbot-king of Glamorgan; and in his old age retired to Beneventum, probably near Brecon. There in the year 577 he was murdered by a soldier entering the church.
Collect
Almighty God,
who called Cadoc to proclaim the gospel to this nation:
give us, your servants, such faith and power of love
that, as we rejoice in his triumph,
we may profit by his example;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit
be all honour and glory
now and for ever.
24 January
Francis de Sales
White
Bishop of Geneva, Teacher of the Faith
England: Lesser Festival – Scotland: Commemoration
23 January – Wales: V
Francis de Sales was born in 1567 in the castle at Sales in Savoy. He was educated in Paris and Padua, first as a legal advocate and then as a priest. His preaching against Calvinism began in 1593 to win back the Chablais to Roman Catholicism, and in 1599 he was appointed Bishop-Coadjutor of Geneva. He moved to Annecy, from where he administered his diocese when he became the diocesan bishop in 1602. In his preaching and writings, particularly his book Introduction to the Devout Life, Francis concentrated on putting prayer and meditation within the reach of all Christians. He died at Lyons on 28 December 1622 and his body was translated to Annecy on this day in 1623.
Collect
Holy God,
who called your bishop Francis de Sales
to bring many to Christ through his devout life
and to renew your Church with patience and understanding:
grant that we may, by word and example,
reflect your gentleness and love to all we meet;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
A reading from the Book of Proverbs.
Happy
