The Lesser Feast of Mechthild of Magdeburg, Mystic

Learn more about today’s Feast

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Page numbers listed are from The Book of Common Prayer.

Opening Sentence, page 103
Officiant: O God, make speed to save us.
People: O Lord, make haste to help us.
All: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

Psalm 71:17-23, page 684
17 O God, you have taught me since I was young, *
                and to this day I tell of your wonderful works.
18 And now that I am old and gray-headed, O God, do not forsake me, *
                till I make known your strength to this generation
                and your power to all who are to come.
19 Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the heavens; *
                you have done great things; who is like you, O God?
20 You have showed me great troubles and adversities, *
                but you will restore my life and bring me up again from the deep places of the earth.
21 You strengthen me more and more; *
                you enfold and comfort me,
22 Therefore I will praise you upon the lyre for your faithfulness, O my God; *
                I will sing to you with the harp, O Holy One of Israel.
23 My lips will sing with joy when I play to you, *
                and so will my soul, which you have redeemed.
               
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *       
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Reading: Mark 8:22–26
Jesus and his disciples came to Bethsaida. Some people brought a blind man to him and begged him to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village; and when he had put saliva on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Can you see anything?” And the man looked up and said, “I can see people, but they look like trees, walking.” Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he looked intently and his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Then he sent him away to his home, saying, “Do not even go into the village.”

Reflection

The Prayers, pages 106-107
Officiant: Lord have mercy.
People: Christ have mercy.
Officiant: Lord have mercy.

All:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

Officiant: Lord, hear our prayer;
People: And let our cry come to you.

Officiant: Let us pray.
Draw the souls of your people into your love, O God, that like your servant Mechthild, we may yearn to be fully yours, for you know us better than we can know ourselves; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and for ever. Amen.


Intercessions and Thanksgivings

Dismissal, page 107
Officiant: Let us bless the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.

Officiant: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.