Epistle Reading: 1 Timothy 1:8-14
But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully,
knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous
person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for
sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers
of mothers, for manslayers,
for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars,
for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound
doctrine,
according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which
was committed to my trust.
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me,
because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry,
although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an
insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with
faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
Gospel Reading: Luke 14:25-35
And great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to
them,
"If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and
mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also,
he cannot be My disciple.
"And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot
be My disciple.
"For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit
down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it;
"lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to
finish it, all who see it begin to mock him,
"saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.'
"Or what king, going to make war against another king, does
not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to
meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?
"Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends
a delegation and asks conditions of peace.
"So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has
cannot be My disciple.
"Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall
it be seasoned?
"It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men
throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"
Saints and Feasts
Philip the Apostle; Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessaloniki; Holy Great New Martyr Constantine of Hydra
