Epiphany 4

Lord and Provider,

You who dressed priests for glory and beauty, in judgment and holiness, you who embroidered them with fruit, you the everlasting vinedresser, clothe us also with the righteousness of your son, to bear the fruit of his word, the seed you scatter so freely and widely.

Let us abide in the eternal word, who for us made his own days fleeting, who gathered up all righteous wealth in life that we might gather. Hear us, and deliver us, but do not depart from us. Let us neither depart from him, though the world despise us. Let us bear in holy silence any price for our confession. Every seed must die to bring forth life. Teach us to follow with patience the Lord of life.