Of a Theologian and Teacher I

Collect:
O God, who by thy Holy Spirit dost give to some the word of wisdom, to others the word of knowledge, and to others the word of faith: We praise thy Name for the gifts of grace manifested in thy servant N., and we pray that thy Church may never be destitute of such gifts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

or this

Almighty God, who didst give to thy servant N. special gifts of grace to understand and teach the truth as it is in Christ Jesus: Grant, we beseech thee, that by this teaching we may know you, the one true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

First Lesson: Wisdom 7:7-14
I too am a mortal man, the same as all the rest, and a descendant of the first man formed of earth. And in my mother's womb I was molded into flesh in a ten-month period — body and blood, from the seed of man, and the pleasure that accompanies marriage. And I too, when born, inhaled the common air, and fell upon the kindred earth; wailing, I uttered the first sound common to all.

In swaddling clothes and with constant care I was nurtured. For no king has any different origin or birth. but one is the entry into life for all; and in one same way they leave it.

Therefore I prayed, and prudence was given me; I pleaded, and the spirit of Wisdom came to me.

Second Lesson: 1 Corinthians 2:6-10, 13-16
We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written:

"No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him"
but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

13his is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment:

"For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?"

But we have the mind of Christ.

Psalm: 119:97-104

  1. Oh, how I love your law! *
    all the day long it is in my mind.
  2. Your commandment has made me wiser than my enemies, *
    and it is always with me.
  3. I have more understanding than all my teachers, *
    for your decrees are my study.
  4. I am wiser than the elders, *
    because I observe your commandments.
  5. I restrain my feet from every evil way, *
    that I may keep your word.
  6. I do not shrink from your judgments, *
    because you yourself have taught me.
  7. How sweet are your words to my taste! *
    they are sweeter than honey to my mouth.
  8. Through your commandments I gain understanding; *
    therefore I hate every lying way.

Gospel: John 17:18-23
As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Collect & Psalm from the Book of Common Prayer
Other excerpts from the New International Bible

Common of Saints