Readings

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September 3: [Phoebe, Deacon]

The Collect of the Day

Phoebe

Eternal God, who raised up Phoebe as a deacon in your church and minister of your Gospel; Grant us that same grace that, assisted by her prayers and example, we too may take the Gospel to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Phoebe

Eternal God, who didst raise up Phoebe as a deacon in thy church and minister of thy Gospel; Grant unto us the same grace, that aided by her prayers and example, we too may take the Gospel unto the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Phoebe appears once in Paul’s letter to the Romans, (16:1) where she is referred to as both a deacon in the church at Cenchreae, near Corinth, and a benefactor of Paul and others.

The fact that Paul commends her to the Roman church at the end of the letter suggests the possibility that she was the messenger, which would speak highly of Paul’s trust in her. There may even have been more to her mission, as Paul commands the Christians in Rome to help her in whatever she needs.

It is unknown what other impact she had in the early church, but she is an example of the many early workers who supported Paul in the spreading of the Gospel, often personally carrying that message across the Empire. We may often think that Paul did it all himself, or at least with the help of only a few of the more prominent individuals such as Luke. But the brief mention of Phoebe gives us an example of the many women and men whose calling was to work faithfully in the background to ensure that the gospel would spread throughout the world.

Lessons and Psalm

First Lesson

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Psalm

33Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, *and I shall keep it to the end.

34Give me understanding, and I shall keep your law; *I shall keep it with all my heart.

35Make me go in the path of your commandments, *for that is my desire.

36Incline my heart to your decrees *and not to unjust gain.

37Turn my eyes from watching what is worthless; *give me life in your ways.

38Fulfill your promise to your servant, *which you make to those who fear you.

39Turn away the reproach which I dread, *because your judgments are good.

40Behold, I long for your commandments; *in your righteousness preserve my life.

Gospel

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Luke 22:24–27

24 A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. 25 But he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26 But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

Romans 16:1–7

1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church at Cenchreae, 2 so that you may welcome her in the Lord as is fitting for the saints, and help her in whatever she may require from you, for she has been a benefactor of many and of myself as well. 3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, who work with me in Christ Jesus, 4 and who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5 Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert in Asia for Christ. 6 Greet Mary, who has worked very hard among you. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my relatives who were in prison with me; they are prominent among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.