Epistle Reading: 2 Corinthians 11:31-12:9
The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is
blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.
In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was
guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to apprehend
me;
but I was let down in a basket through a window in
the wall, and escaped from his hands.
It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will
come to visions and revelations of the Lord:
I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago; whether
in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God
knows; such a one was caught up to the third heaven.
And I know such a man; whether in the body or out of
the body I do not know, God knows;
how he was caught up into Paradise and heard
inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not
boast, except in my infirmities.
For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a
fool; for I will speak the truth. But I forbear, lest anyone should think
of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.
And lest I should be exalted above measure by the
abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a
messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.
Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three
times that it might depart from me.
And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you,
for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will
rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Gospel Reading: Luke 6:31-36
"And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them
likewise.
"But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to
you? For even sinners love those who love them.
"And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit
is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
"And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back,
what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as
much back.
"But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing
in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the
Highest. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.
"Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
Epistle Reading: Philippians 2:5-11
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
who, being in the form of God, did not consider it
robbery to be equal with God,
but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a
servant, and coming in the likeness of men.
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled
Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the
cross.
Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him
the name which is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of
those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,
and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ
is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Gospel Reading: Luke 10:38-42,11:27-28
Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village;
and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.
And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet
and heard His word.
But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she
approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me
to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me."
And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are
worried and troubled about many things.
"But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part,
which will not be taken away from her."
And it happened, as He spoke these things, that a certain
woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, "Blessed is the womb
that bore You, and the breasts which nursed You!"
But He said, "More than that, blessed are those who hear the
word of God and keep it!"
Saints and Feasts
The Holy Protection of the Theotokos; Ananias, Apostle of the 70; Romanos the Melodist
