Epistle Reading: Philippians 3:1-8
Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to
write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.
Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the
mutilation!
For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the
Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,
though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If
anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so:
circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of
the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a
Pharisee;
concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the
righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
But what things were gain to me, these I have counted
loss for Christ.
But indeed I also count all things loss for the
excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have
suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain
Christ
Gospel Reading: Luke 7:17-30
And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the
surrounding region.
Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these
things.
And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to
Jesus, saying, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"
When the men had come to Him, they said, "John the Baptist has
sent us to You, saying, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?' "
And that very hour He cured many people of their infirmities,
afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many who were blind He gave sight.
Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the
things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the
lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the
gospel preached to them.
"And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."
When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to
the multitudes concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to
see? A reed shaken by the wind?
"But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft
garments? Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are
in kings' courts.
"But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you,
and more than a prophet.
"This is he of whom it is written: 'Behold, I send My
messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.'
"For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a
greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom
of God is greater than he."
And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors
justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John.
But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God for
themselves, not having been baptized by him.
Saints and Feasts
Charitina the Martyr; Methodia the Righteous of Kimolos; Eudokimos the Unknown of Mount Athos; Peter, Alexis, Jonah, Hermogenes & Tikhon, Metropolitans of Moscow
