Epistle Reading: 1 John 2:7-17
Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old
commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is
the word which you heard from the beginning.
Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true
in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light
is already shining.
He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in
darkness until now.
He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no
cause for stumbling in him.
But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in
darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has
blinded his eyes.
I write to you, little children, because your sins are
forgiven you for His name's sake.
I write to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is
from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome
the wicked one. I write to you, little children, because you have known the
Father.
I have written to you, fathers, because you have known Him
who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you
are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the
wicked one.
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone
loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world; the lust of the flesh, the lust
of the eyes, and the pride of life; is not of the Father but is of the
world.
And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who
does the will of God abides forever.
Gospel Reading: Mark 14:3-9
And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat
at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of
spikenard. And she broke the flask and poured it on His head.
But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and
said, "Why was this fragrant oil wasted?
"For it might have been sold for more than three hundred
denarii and given to the poor." And they criticized her sharply.
But Jesus said, "Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has
done a good work for Me.
"For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish
you may do them good; but Me you do not have always.
"She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to
anoint My body for burial.
"Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached
throughout the whole world, what this woman did will also be spoken of as a
memorial to her."
Saints and Feasts
No Fast; Pamphilus the Martyr & his Companions; Flavianos, Patriarch of Constantinople; Romanos the Younger