Today's Readings

Paul, the servant of our Lord Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, appointed to the Gospel of God.

Ephesians 2 : 13 - 18

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,

having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace,

and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.

And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near.

For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

The grace of God the Father be with you all.

May his blessing be upon us.

1 Peter 4 : 8 - 13

And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins."

Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.

As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;

but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

Do not love the world or the things in the world.

The world passes away, and its desires; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

The Acts of our fathers the apostles, may their blessings be with us.

Acts 20 : 1 - 6

After the uproar had ceased, Paul called the disciples to himself, embraced them, and departed to go to Macedonia.

Now when he had gone over that region and encouraged them with many words, he came to Greece

and stayed three months. And when the Jews plotted against him as he was about to sail to Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia.

And Sopater of Berea accompanied him to Asia--also Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.

These men, going ahead, waited for us at Troas.

But we sailed away from Philippi after the Days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days joined them at Troas, where we stayed seven days.

The word of the Lord shall grow, multiply, be mighty, and be confirmed, in the holy Church of God.

From the Psalms of our teacher David the prophet, and the Good King.

Psalms 74 : 12,13,22,23

For God is my King from of old, Working salvation in the midst of the earth.

You divided the sea by Your strength; You broke the heads of the sea serpents in the waters.

Arise, O God, plead Your own cause; Remember how the foolish man reproaches You daily.

Do not forget the voice of Your enemies; The tumult of those who rise up against You increases continually.

Hallelujah.

Divine Gospel

Our Lord God, Savior, and King of us all, Jesus Christ, the Living Son of God to whom be glory forever.

John 7 : 14 - 29

Now about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught.

And the Jews marveled, saying, "How does this Man know letters, having never studied?"

Jesus answered them and said, "My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me.

If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.

He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.

Did not Moses give you the law, yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill Me?"

The people answered and said, "You have a demon. Who is seeking to kill You?"

Jesus answered and said to them, "I did one work, and you all marvel.

Moses therefore gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath.

If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the law of Moses should not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath?

Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment."

Now some of them from Jerusalem said, "Is this not He whom they seek to kill?

But look! He speaks boldly, and they say nothing to Him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is truly the Christ?

However, we know where this Man is from; but when the Christ comes, no one knows where He is from."

Then Jesus cried out, as He taught in the temple, saying, "You both know Me, and you know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know.

But I know Him, for I am from Him, and He sent Me."

Not to be read in the Church during this time of the year.

From the Psalms of our teacher David the prophet.

Psalms 119 : 49,50

Remember the word to Your servant, Upon which You have caused me to hope.

This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life.

From the Psalms of our teacher David the prophet.

Psalms 119 : 33 - 34

Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes, And I shall keep it to the end.

Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.