Epistle Reading: Hebrews 4:1-13
Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let
us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it.
For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them;
but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with
faith in those who heard it.
For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: "
So I swore in My wrath, they shall not enter My rest," although the works
were finished from the foundation of the world.
For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in
this way: "And God rested on the seventh day from all His works";
and again in this place: "They shall not enter My rest."
Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those
to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience,
again He designates a certain day, saying in David, "Today,"
after such a long time, as it has been said: "Today, if you will hear His
voice, do not harden your hearts."
For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not
afterward have spoken of another day.
There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.
For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from
his works as God did from His.
Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone
fall after the same example of disobedience.
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than
any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and
of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the
heart.
And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all
things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
Gospel Reading: Luke 21:12-29
"But before all these things, they will lay their hands on
you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and
you will be brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake.
"But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.
"Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate
beforehand on what you will answer;
"for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your
adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.
"You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives
and friends; and they will send some of you to your death.
"And you will be hated by all for My name's sake.
"But not a hair of your head shall be lost.
"In your patience possess your souls.
"But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know
that its desolation is near.
"Then let those in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who
are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country
enter her.
"For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which
are written may be fulfilled.
"But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are
nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land
and wrath upon this people.
"And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away
captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until
the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
"And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the
stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and
the waves roaring;
"men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of
those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will
be shaken.
"Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with
power and great glory.
"Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up
your heads, because your redemption draws near."
And He spoke to them a parable: "Look at the fig tree, and all
the trees.
Saints and Feasts
Polyeuctus the Martyr of Melitene in Armenia; Eustratios the Wonderworker; Peter, Bishop of Sebaste, brother of Basil the Great and Gregory of Nyssa; Afterfeast of the Theophany of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; Philip, Metropolitan of Moscow
