Saint Norbert, Bishop

1I testify before God, and before Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead through his return and his kingdom: 2that you should preach the word urgently, in season and out of season: reprove, entreat, rebuke, with all patience and doctrine. 3For there shall be a time when they will not endure sound doctrine, but instead, according to their own desires, they will gather to themselves teachers, with itching ears, 4and certainly, they will turn their hearing away from the truth, and they will be turned toward fables. 5But as for you, truly, be vigilant, laboring in all things. Do the work of an Evangelist, fulfilling your ministry. Show self-restraint. 6For I am already being worn away, and the time of my dissolution presses close. 7I have fought the good fight. I have completed the course. I have preserved the faith. 8As for the remainder, a crown of justice has been reserved for me, one which the Lord, the just judge, will render to me in that day, and not only to me, but also to those who look forward to his return. Hurry to return to me soon.

8Let my mouth be filled with praise, so that I may sing your glory, your greatness all day long.

9Do not cast me off in the time of old age. Do not abandon me when my strength will fail.

…

14But I will always have hope. And I will add more to all your praise.

15My mouth will announce your justice, your salvation all day long. For I have not known letters.

16I will enter into the powers of the Lord. I will be mindful of your justice alone, O Lord.

17You have taught me from my youth, O God. And so I will declare your wonders continuously,

…

22Therefore, I will confess your truth to you, with the instruments of the Psalter. O God, I will sing psalms to you with stringed instruments, O Holy One of Israel.

38And he said to them in his doctrine: “Beware of the scribes, who prefer to walk in long robes and to be greeted in the marketplace, 39and to sit in the first chairs in the synagogues, and to have the first seats at feasts, 40who devour the houses of widows under the pretense of long prayers. These shall receive the more extensive judgment.” 41And Jesus, sitting opposite the offertory box, considered the way in which the crowd cast coins into the offertory, and that many of the wealthy cast in a great deal. 42But when one poor widow had arrived, she put in two small coins, which is a quarter. 43And calling together his disciples, he said to them: “Amen I say to you, that this poor widow has put in more than all those who contributed to the offertory. 44For they all gave from their abundance, yet truly, she gave from her scarcity, even all that she had, her entire living.”