Epistle Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:58-16:3
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast,
immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your
labor is not in vain in the Lord.
Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I
have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also:
On the first day of the week let each one of you lay
something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections
when I come.
And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters,
I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem.
Gospel Reading: Luke 5:17-26
Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that
there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out
of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord
was present to heal them.
Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed. And
they sought to bring him in and lay him before Him.
And when they could not find how they might bring him in,
because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with
his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus.
So when He saw their faith, He said to him, "Man, your sins are
forgiven you."
And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who
is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"
But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said
to them, "Why are you reasoning in your hearts?
"Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to
say, 'Rise up and walk'?
"But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth
to forgive sins"; He said to the man who was paralyzed, "I say to you,
arise, take up your bed, and go to your house."
Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been
lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.
And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were
filled with fear, saying, "We have seen strange things today!"
Saints and Feasts
Gregory the Illuminator, Bishop of Armenia; Mardonios & Stratonikos the Martyrs
