Epistle Reading: James 1:1-18
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the
twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings.
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect
and complete, lacking nothing.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to
all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts
is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from
the Lord;
he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation,
but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the
field he will pass away.
For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it
withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes.
So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has
been proved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised
to those who love Him.
Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for
God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.
But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own
desires and enticed.
Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and
sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and
comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or
shadow of turning.
Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that
we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.
Gospel Reading: Mark 10:11-16
So He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries
another commits adultery against her.
"And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she
commits adultery."
Then they brought young children to Him, that He might touch
them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them.
But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to
them, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of
such is the kingdom of God.
"Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the
kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it."
And He took them up in His arms, put His hands on them, and
blessed them.
Saints and Feasts
Xenia, Deaconess of Rome; Vavylas the Holy Martyr; Xenia of St. Petersburg, Fool-for-Christ
