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: James 1:1-8
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.
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
Forefeast of the Nativity of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; Ignatius the God-Bearer, Bishop of Antioch; Our Righteous Father Philogonius, Bishop of Antioch; John the New Martyr of Thassos
