The Lectern
Ordinary TimegreenThe long green season: not lesser, but the ordered weeks in which most of a life is actually lived.
The table, set for today: a psalm, a chapter of the Gospel read continuously through the year, and one voice from the shelves. The same page for everyone — come back tomorrow and it is laid again.
Friday — the weekly day of penance. Kept in memory of the Cross since the first century; the old custom abstains from meat, or offers another penance in its place.
The company of the day
On the morrow we keep the feast of the holy Confessor Ninian, Bishop of Galloway in Scotland, of whom mention is made upon the 16th day of this present month of September.
The Roman Martyrology, on this day →
The readings
The Psalm
Psalm 118
O give thanks to the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endures for ever. Let Israel now say, that his mercy endures for ever. Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endures for ever. Let them now that fe…
Lantern Modern Standard
The Gospel
Matthew 1
The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham fathered Isaac; and Isaac fathered Jacob; and Jacob fathered Judas and his brothers; And Judas fathered Perez and Zara of Tamar…
read continuously, Matthew to John
A voice from the shelves
The Confessions of St. Augustine · Book I 1
Great art Thou, O Lord, and greatly to be praised; great is Thy power, and Thy wisdom infinite. And Thee would man praise; man, but a particle of Thy creation; man, that bears about him his mortality, the witness of h…
St. Augustine
Were you paying attention?
Three questions about today's page — optional, and nothing is saved.
1. Which psalm is at the Lectern today?
2. Which Gospel chapter is set for today?
3. Which voice from the shelves is open today?
Keeping company
The full cloud of witnesses is on the Saints calendar; longer roads through Scripture live in the reading plans. Every reading above can be listened to — press ▶ Listen at the bottom of any chapter.