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The Sunday Next Before Advent
Intent: Adoration of God
THE COLLECT
Adoration be to Thee, O God of Life and Light, in and through whom the liberation of creation shall be accomplished, when there shall be no darkness nor dazzling but one pure union of light and dark, no sound nor silence but one perfect harmony, no hopes nor fears but one full possession, no discords nor opposites but one single truth, no beginning nor ending but one eternity, in the completion of Thy Wisdom, in the splendor of Thy Glory and the fruition of Thy Love.
Amen.
THE LESSON
The lesson is taken from the Hymn of the Creatures of the Holy Francis of Assisi:
O most high, almighty, good God, to Thee belongeth praise, glory, honor and blessing. Praise be my God, with all His creatures, and especially our brother the sun, who brings us the day and who brings us the light. Fair is he, and shining with very great splendor. O God, he signifies to us Thee. Praise be my God for our sister the moon, and for the stars, the which he set dear and lovely in heaven. Praise be my God for our brother the wind, and for air and cloud, calms and all weather, by which Thou upholdest in life all creatures. Praise be my God for our sister water, who is very serviceable unto us, and humble and precious and clear. Praise be my God for our brother fire, through whom Thou givest us light in the darkness; and he is bright and pleasant and very mighty and strong. Praise be my God for our mother the earth, the which doth sustain and keep us, and bringeth forth diverse fruits, and flowers of many colors and grass. Praise ye and bless ye God and give thanks unto Him, and serve Him with great humility.
THE GOSPEL
The gospel is taken from the Gospel according to St. Thomas:
Jesus said: Whoever knows the All but fails to know himself lacks everything. Jesus said: If you bring forth that within yourselves, that which you have will save you. If you do not have that within yourselves, that which you do not have within you will kill you. Jesus said: Why do you wash the outside of the cup? Do you not understand that he who made the inside is also he who made the outside? His disciples said to Him: When will the kingdom come? Jesus said: It will not come by expectation; they will not say: “See, here,” or “See, there.” But the kingdom of the Father is spread upon the earth and men do not see it. Jesus said: Whoever drinks from my mouth shall become as I am and I myself will become he, and the hidden things shall be revealed to him. I am the All, the All came forth from me, and the All attained to me. Cleave a piece of wood, I am there; lift up the stone and you will find me there.