Today's Scripture Readings

THE ELDER, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth:

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers,

who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well,

because they went forth for His name's sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles.

We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.

I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us.

Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.

Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.

Demetrius has a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself. And we also bear witness, and you know that our testimony is true.

I had many things to write, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink;

but I hope to see you shortly, and we shall speak face to face. Peace to you. Our friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.

And it came to pass, when He came near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mountain called Olivet, that He sent two of His disciples,

saying, "Go into the village opposite you, where as you enter you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Loose him and bring him here.

"And if anyone asks you, 'Why are you loosing him?' thus you shall say to him, 'Because the Lord has need of him.' "

So those who were sent departed and found it just as He had said to them.

But as they were loosing the colt, the owners of it said to them, "Why are you loosing the colt?"

And they said, "The Lord has need of him."

Then they brought him to Jesus. And they threw their own garments on the colt, and they set Jesus on him.

And as He went, they spread their clothes on the road.

Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen,

saying: " 'Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD!' Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"

And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, " Teacher, rebuke Your disciples."

But He answered and said to them, "I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out."

Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover must be killed.

And He sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat."

So they said to Him, "Where do You want us to prepare?"

And He said to them, "Behold, when you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house which he enters.

"Then you shall say to the master of the house, 'The Teacher says to you, "Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?" '

"Then he will show you a large, furnished upper room; there make ready."

So they went and found it as He had said to them, and they prepared the Passover.

And when the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him.

Then He said to them, "With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer;

"for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God."

Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, "Take this and divide it among yourselves;

"for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes."

And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me."

Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.

"But behold, the hand of My betrayer is with Me on the table.

"And truly the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!"

Then they began to question among themselves, which of them it was who would do this thing.

But there was also rivalry among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest.

And He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ' benefactors.'

"But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves.

"For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.

"But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials.

"And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me,

"that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.

"But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."

But he said to Him, "Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death."

Then He said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me."

And He said to them, "When I sent you without money bag, sack, and sandals, did you lack anything?" So they said, "Nothing."

Then He said to them, "But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a sack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.

"For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: 'And He was numbered with the transgressors.' For the things concerning Me have an end."

Then they said, "Lord, look, here are two swords." And He said to them, "It is enough."

And coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him.

Porphyrius, Bishop of Gaza; The Holy Great Martyr Photine, the Samaritan Women; Holy Martyr Theocletus; John Claphas the new Martyr