Prayer Before Reading Holy Scripture
O Master Who loves mankind, illuminate our hearts with the pure light of Your divine knowledge and open the eyes of our mind to understand the teachings of Your Gospel. Instill in us also the fear of Your blessed commandments, that we may overcome all carnal desires, entering upon a spiritual life and understanding and acting in all things according to Your holy will. For You are the enlightenment of our souls and bodies, O Christ God, and to You we give glory together with Your eternal Father and Your all-holy, gracious and life-giving Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
Epistle Reading: Hebrews 13:7-16
Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word
of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines.
For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which
have not profited those who have been occupied with them.
We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle
have no right to eat.
For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into
the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp.
Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people
with His own blood, suffered outside the gate.
Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing
His reproach.
For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to
come.
Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of
praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such
sacrifices God is well pleased.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 5:14-19
"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden.
"Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on
a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your
good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the
Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
"For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass
away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is
fulfilled.
"Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these
commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of
heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the
kingdom of heaven.
Saints and Feasts
Synaxis of The Three Hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, & John Chrysostom; Hippolytos, Pope of Rome; Athanasia the Martyr & her 3 daughters
