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The Eighteenth Sunday After Trinity
Intent: Commemoration of the Saints
THE COLLECT
We glorify and thank Thee, O Indwelling One, for the abiding presence among us of Thy glorious and holy saints who were and are and are to come. We humbly recognize that they indeed are the corners of our cosmos, the pillars of the perfection of mankind, and the revealers of reality. Do Thou, O Holy One, ever affirm within us Thy powers of holiness, that in the fullness of the time of our perfection we might join the ranks of thy leaders of light and become providers of purpose and helpers of Thy holy hand.
Amen.
THE LESSON
The lesson is taken from the Book of Enoch the Prophet:
Blessed are ye, O saints and elect, for glorious is your lot. The saints shall exist in the light of the sun, and the elect in the light of everlasting life, the days of whose life shall never terminate; nor shall the days of the saints be numbered, who seek for light, and obtain righteousness with the Lord of spirits. Peace be to the saints with the Lord of the world. Henceforward shall the saints be told to seek in heaven the secret of righteousness, the portion of faith; for like the sun has it arisen upon the earth, while darkness passed away. There shall be light interminable: nor shall they enter upon the enumeration of time: for darkness shall be previously destroyed, and light shall increase before the Lord of spirits: before the Lord of spirits shall the light of righteousness increase for ever.
THE GOSPEL
The gospel is taken from the Gospel according to St. Matthew:
The kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them another five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained another two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoned with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought another five talents, saying: Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents; behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him: Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said: Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents; behold, I gave gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him: Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he who had received one talent came and said: Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, and I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth; lo, there thou hast what is thine. But his lord answered and said unto him: Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou oughtest to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance; but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
A Homily for the Eighteenth Sunday After Trinity
presented by the Most Reverend Stephan A. Hoeller, bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostic
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