Hebrews 11: 1- 2, 8- 19

11:1	Now, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not apparent.
11:2	For this reason, the ancients were given testimony.
11:8	By faith, the one called Abraham obeyed, going out to the place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
11:9	By faith, he stayed in the Land of the Promise as if in a foreign land, dwelling in cottages, with Isaac and Jacob, co-heirs of the same promise.
11:10	For he was awaiting a city having firm foundations, whose designer and builder is God.
11:11	By faith also, Sarah herself, being barren, received the ability to conceive offspring, even though she was past that age in life. For she believed him to be faithful, who had promised.
11:12	Because of this, there were also born, from one who himself was as if dead, a mulititude like the stars of heaven, who are, like the sand of the seashore, innumerable.
11:13	All of these passed away, adhering to faith, not having received the promises, yet beholding them from afar and saluting them, and confessing themselves to be sojourners and guests upon the earth.
11:14	For those who speak in this way are themselves indicating that they seek a homeland.
11:15	And if, indeed, they had been mindful of the very place from which they departed, they certainly would have returned in time.
11:16	But now they hunger for a better place, that is, Heaven. For this reason, God is not ashamed to be called their God. For he has prepared a city for them.
11:17	By faith, Abraham, when he was tested, offered Isaac, so that he who had received the promises was offering up his only son.
11:18	To him, it was said, “Through Isaac, shall your offspring be summoned,”
11:19	indicating that God is even able to raise up from the dead. And thus, he also established him as a parable.

Mark 4: 35- 41

4:35	And on that day, when evening had arrived, he said to them, “Let us cross over.”
4:36	And dismissing the crowd, they brought him, so that he was in one boat, and other boats were with him.
4:37	And a great wind storm occurred, and the waves broke over the boat, so that the boat was being filled.
4:38	And he was in the stern of the boat, sleeping on a pillow. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, does it not concern you that we are perishing?”
4:39	And rising up, he rebuked the wind, and he said to the sea: “Silence. Be stilled.” And the wind ceased. And a great tranquility occurred.
4:40	And he said to them: “Why are you afraid? Do you still lack faith?” And they were struck with a great fear. And they said to one another, “Who do you think this is, that both wind and sea obey him?”

Hebrews 10: 32- 39

10:32	But call to mind the former days, in which, after being enlightened, you endured a great struggle of afflictions.
10:33	And certainly, in one way, by insults and tribulations, you were made a spectacle, but in another way, you became the companions of those who were the object of such behavior.
10:34	For you even had compassion on those who were imprisoned, and you accepted with gladness being deprived of your goods, knowing that you have a better and more lasting substance.
10:35	And so, do not lose your confidence, which has a great reward.
10:36	For it is necessary for you to be patient, so that, by doing the will of God, you may receive the promise.
10:37	“For, in a little while, and somewhat longer, he who is to come will return, and he will not delay.
10:38	For my just man lives by faith. But if he were to draw himself back, he would not please my soul.”
10:39	So then, we are not sons who are drawn away to perdition, but we are sons of faith toward the securing of the soul

Mark 4: 26- 32

4:26	And he said: “The kingdom of God is like this: it is as if a man were to cast seed on the land.
4:27	And he sleeps and he arises, night and day. And the seed germinates and grows, though he does not know it.
4:28	For the earth bears fruit readily: first the plant, then the ear, next the full grain in the ear.
4:29	And when the fruit has been produced, immediately he sends out the sickle, because the harvest has arrived.”
4:30	And he said: “To what should we compare the kingdom of God? Or to what parable should we compare it?
4:31	It is like a grain of mustard seed which, when it has been sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds which are in the earth.
4:32	And when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all the plants, and it produces great branches, so much so that the birds of the air are able to live under its shadow.”
4:33	And with many such parables he spoke the word to them, as much as they were able to hear.
4:34	But he did not speak to them without a parable. Yet separately, he explained all things to his disciples.

Hebrews 10: 19- 25

10:19	And so, brothers, have faith in the entrance into the Holy of Holies by the blood of Christ,
10:20	and in the new and living Way, which he has initiated for us by the veil, that is, by his flesh,
10:21	and in the Great Priest over the house of God.
10:22	So, let us draw near with a true heart, in the fullness of faith, having hearts cleansed from an evil conscience, and bodies absolved with clean water.
10:23	Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope, without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful.
10:24	And let us be considerate of one another, so as to prompt ourselves to charity and to good works,
10:25	not deserting our assembly, as some are accustomed to do, but consoling one another, and even more so as you see that the day is approaching.

Mark 4: 21- 25

4:21	And he said to them: “Would someone enter with a lamp in order to place it under a basket or under a bed? Would it not be placed upon a lampstand?
4:22	For there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed. Neither was anything done in secret, except that it may be made public.
4:23	If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”
4:24	And he said to them: “Consider what you hear. With whatever measure you have measured out, it shall be measured back to you, and more shall be added to you.
4:25	For whoever has, to him it shall be given. And whoever has not, from him even what he has shall be taken away.”

Hebrews 10: 11- 18

10:11	And certainly, every priest stands by, ministering daily, and frequently offering the same sacrifices, which are never able to take away sins.
10:12	But this man, offering one sacrifice for sins, sits at the right hand of God forever,
10:13	awaiting that time when his enemies will be made his footstool.
10:14	For, by one oblation, he has brought to fulfillment, for all time, those who are sanctified.
10:15	Now the Holy Spirit also testifies for us about this. For afterward, he said:
10:16	“And this is the testament which I will commit to them after those days, says the Lord. I will instill my laws in their hearts, and I will inscribe my laws on their minds.
10:17	And I will no longer remember their sins and iniquities.”
10:18	Now, when there is a remission of these things, there is no longer an oblation for sin.

Mark 4: 1- 20

4:1	And again, he began to teach by the sea. And a great crowd was gathered to him, so much so that, climbing into a boat, he was seated on the sea. And the entire crowd was on the land along the sea.
4:2	And he taught them many things in parables, and he said to them, in his doctrine:
4:3	“Listen. Behold, the sower went out to sow.
4:4	And while he was sowing, some fell along the way, and the birds of the air came and ate it.
4:5	Yet truly, others fell upon stony ground, where it did not have much soil. And it rose up quickly, because it had no depth of soil.
4:6	And when the sun was risen, it was scorched. And because it had no root, it withered away.
4:7	And some fell among thorns. And the thorns grew up and suffocated it, and it did not produce fruit.
4:8	And some fell on good soil. And it brought forth fruit that grew up, and increased, and yielded: some thirty, some sixty, and some one hundred.”
4:9	And he said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.”
4:10	And when he was alone, the twelve, who were with him, questioned him about the parable.
4:11	And he said to them: “To you, it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God. But to those who are outside, everything is presented in parables:
4:12	‘so that, seeing, they may see, and not perceive; and hearing, they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they may be converted, and their sins would be forgiven them.’ ”
4:13	And he said to them: “Do you not understand this parable? And so, how will you understand all the parables?
4:14	He who sows, sows the word.
4:15	Now there are those who are along the way, where the word is sown. And when they have heard it, Satan quickly comes and takes away the word, which was sown in their hearts.
4:16	And similarly, there are those who were sown upon stony ground. These, when they have heard the word, immediately accept it with gladness.
4:17	But they have no root in themselves, and so they are for a limited time. And when next tribulation and persecution arises because of the word, they quickly fall away.
4:18	And there are others who are sown among thorns. These are those who hear the word,
4:19	but worldly tasks, and the deception of riches, and desires about other things enter in and suffocate the word, and it is effectively without fruit.
4:20	And there are those who are sown upon good soil, who hear the word and accept it; and these bear fruit: some thirty, some sixty, and some one hundred.”

Reading

The Letter to the Hebrews   10: 1-10

10:1	For the law contains the shadow of future good things, not the very image of these things. So, by the very same sacrifices which they offer ceaselessly each year, they can never cause these to approach perfection.
10:2	Otherwise, they would have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, once cleansed, would no longer be conscious of any sin.
10:3	Instead, in these things, a commemoration of sins is made every year.
10:4	For it is impossible for sins to be taken away by the blood of oxen and goats.
10:5	For this reason, as Christ enters into the world, he says: “Sacrifice and oblation, you did not want. But you have fashioned a body for me.
10:6	Holocausts for sin were not pleasing to you.
10:7	Then I said, ‘Behold, I draw near.’ At the head of the book, it has been written of me that I should do your will, O God.”
10:8	In the above, by saying, “Sacrifices, and oblations, and holocausts for sin, you did not want, nor are those things pleasing to you, which are offered according to the law;
10:9	then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God,’ ” he takes away the first, so that he may establish what follows.
10:10	For by this will, we have been sanctified, through the one time oblation of the body of Jesus Christ.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to Mark   3: 31-35

3:31	And his mother and brothers arrived. And standing outside, they sent to him, calling him.
3:32	And the crowd was sitting around him. And they said to him, “Behold, your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.”
3:33	And responding to them, he said, “Who is my mother and my brothers?”
3:34	And looking around at those who were sitting all around him, he said: “Behold, my mother and my brothers.
3:35	For whoever has done the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister and mother.”

Hebrews 9: 15, 24- 28

9:15	And thus he is the Mediator of the new testament, so that, by his death, he intercedes for the redemption of those transgressions which were under the former testament, so that those who have been called may receive the promise of an eternal inheritance.

9:24	For Jesus did not enter by means of holy things made with hands, mere examples of the true things, but he entered into Heaven itself, so that he may appear now before the face of God for us.
9:25	And he did not enter so as to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters into the Holy of Holies each year, with the blood of another.
9:26	Otherwise, he would need to have suffered repeatedly since the beginning of the world. But now, one time, at the consummation of the ages, he has appeared in order to destroy sin though his own sacrifice.
9:27	And in the same manner as it has been appointed for men to die one time, and after this, to be judged,
9:28	so also Christ was offered, one time, in order to empty the sins of so many. He shall appear a second time without sin, for those who await him, unto salvation.

Mark 3: 22- 30

3:22	And the scribes who had descended from Jerusalem said, “Because he has Beelzebub, and because by the prince of demons does he cast out demons.”
3:23	And having called them together, he spoke to them in parables: “How can Satan cast out Satan?
3:24	For if a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom is not able to stand.
3:25	And if a house is divided against itself, that house is not able to stand.
3:26	And if Satan has risen up against himself, he would be divided, and he would not be able to stand; instead he reaches the end.
3:27	No one is able to plunder the goods of a strong man, having entered into the house, unless he first binds the strong man, and then he shall plunder his house.
3:28	Amen I say to you, that all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and the blasphemies by which they will have blasphemed.
3:29	But he who will have blasphemed against the Holy Spirit shall not have forgiveness in eternity; instead he shall be guilty of an eternal offense.”
3:30	For they said: “He has an unclean spirit.”

Nehemiah 8: 2- 6, 8- 10

8:2	Therefore, Ezra the priest brought the law before the multitude of men and women, and all those who were able to understand, on the first day of the seventh month.
8:3	And he read it openly in the street which was before the water gate, from morning even until midday, in the sight of the men and women, and those who understood. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the book.
8:4	Then Ezra the scribe stood upon a step of wood, which he had made for speaking. And standing beside him were Mattithiah, and Shemaiah, and Anaiah, and Uriah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right. And on the left were Pedaiah, Mishael, and Malchijah, and Hashum, and Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
8:5	And Ezra opened the book before all the people. For he stood out above all the people. And when he had opened it, all the people stood up.
8:6	And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people responded, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. And they bowed down, and they adored God, facing the ground.
8:8	And they read from the book of the law of God, distinctly and plainly, so as to be understood. And when it was read, they did understand.
8:9	Then Nehemiah (the same is the cupbearer) and Ezra, the priest and scribe, and the Levites, who were interpreting for all the people, said: “This day has been sanctified to the Lord our God. Do not mourn, and do not weep.” For all of the people were weeping, as they were listening to the words of the law.
8:10	And he said to them: “Go, eat fat foods and drink sweet drinks, and send portions to those who have not prepared for themselves. For it is the holy day of the Lord. And do not be sad. For the joy of the Lord is also our strength.”

First Corinthians 12: 12- 30

12:12	For just as the body is one, and yet has many parts, so all the parts of the body, though they are many, are only one body. So also is Christ.
12:13	And indeed, in one Spirit, we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether servant or free. And we all drank in the one Spirit.
12:14	For the body, too, is not one part, but many.
12:15	If the foot were to say, “Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body,” would it then not be of the body?
12:16	And if the ear were to say, “Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body,” would it then not be of the body?
12:17	If the whole body were the eye, how would it hear? If the whole were hearing, how would it smell?
12:18	But instead, God has placed the parts, each one of them, in the body, just as it has pleased him.
12:19	So if they were all one part, how would it be a body?
12:20	But instead, there are many parts, indeed, yet one body.
12:21	And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need for your works.” And again, the head cannot say to the feet, “You are of no use to me.”
12:22	In fact, so much more necessary are those parts of the body which seem to be weaker.
12:23	And though we consider certain parts of the body to be less noble, we surround these with more abundant dignity, and so, those parts which are less presentable end up with more abundant respect.
12:24	However, our presentable parts have no such need, since God has tempered the body together, distributing the more abundant honor to that which has the need,
12:25	so that there might be no schism in the body, but instead the parts themselves might take care of one another.
12:26	And so, if one part suffers anything, all the parts suffer with it. Or, if one part finds glory, all the parts rejoice with it.
12:27	Now you are the body of Christ, and parts like any part.
12:28	And indeed, God has established a certain order in the Church: first Apostles, second Prophets, third Teachers, next miracle-workers, and then the grace of healing, of helping others, of governing, of different kinds of languages, and of the interpretation of words.
12:29	Are all Apostles? Are all Prophets? Are all Teachers?
12:30	Are all workers of miracles? Do all have the grace of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?

Luke 1: 1- 4, 4: 14- 21

1:1	Since, indeed, many have attempted to set in order a narrative of the things that have been completed among us,
1:2	just as they have been handed on to those of us who from the beginning saw the same and were ministers of the word,
1:3	so it seemed good to me also, having diligently followed everything from the beginning, to write to you, in an orderly manner, most excellent Theophilus,
1:4	so that you might know the truthfulness

4:14	And Jesus returned, in the power of the Spirit, into Galilee. And his fame spread throughout the entire region.
4:15	And he taught in their synagogues, and he was magnified by everyone.
4:16	And he went to Nazareth, where he had been raised. And he entered into the synagogue, according to his custom, on the Sabbath day. And he rose up to read.
4:17	And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. And as he unrolled the book, he found the place where it was written:
4:18	“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; because of this, he has anointed me. He has sent me to evangelize the poor, to heal the contrite of heart,
4:19	to preach forgiveness to captives and sight to the blind, to release the broken into forgiveness, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord and the day of retribution.”
4:20	And when he had rolled up the book, he returned it to the minister, and he sat down. And the eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on him.
4:21	Then he began to say to them, “On this day, this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

Acts 22: 3- 16

22:3	And he said: “I am a Jewish man, born at Tarsus in Cilicia, but raised in this city beside the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the truth of the law of the fathers, zealous for the law, just as all of you also are to this day.
22:4	I persecuted this Way, even unto death, binding and delivering into custody both men and women,
22:5	just as the high priest and all those greater by birth bear witness to me. Having received letters from them to the brothers, I journeyed to Damascus, so that I might lead them bound from there to Jerusalem, so that they might be punished.
22:6	But it happened that, as I was traveling and was approaching Damascus at midday, suddenly from heaven a great light shone around me.
22:7	And falling to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’
22:8	And I responded, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.’
22:9	And those who were with me, indeed, saw the light, but they did not hear the voice of him who was speaking with me.
22:10	And I said, ‘What should I do, Lord?’ Then the Lord said to me: ‘Rise up, and go to Damascus. And there, you shall be told all that you must do.’
22:11	And since I could not see, because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by my companions, and I went to Damascus.
22:12	Then a certain Ananias, a man in accord with the law, having the testimony of all the Jews who were living there,
22:13	drawing near to me and standing close by, said to me, ‘Brother Saul, see!’ And in that same hour, I looked upon him.
22:14	But he said: ‘The God of our fathers has preordained you, so that you would come to know his will and would see the Just One, and would hear the voice from his mouth.
22:15	For you shall be his witness to all men about those things which you have seen and heard.
22:16	And now, why do you delay? Rise up, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, by invoking his name.’

or, Acts 9: 1- 22

9:1	Now Saul, still breathing threats and beatings against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,
9:2	and he petitioned him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that, if he found any men or women belonging to this Way, he could lead them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
9:3	And as he made the journey, it happened that he was approaching Damascus. And suddenly, a light from heaven shone around him.
9:4	And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
9:5	And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goad.”
9:6	And he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do you want me to do?”
9:7	And the Lord said to him, “Rise up and go into the city, and there you will be told what you ought to do.” Now the men who were accompanying him were standing stupefied, hearing indeed a voice, but seeing no one.
9:8	Then Saul rose up from the ground. And upon opening his eyes, he saw nothing. So leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus.
9:9	And in that place, he was without sight for three days, and he neither ate nor drank.
9:10	Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias. And the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias!” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
9:11	And the Lord said to him: “Rise up and go into the street that is called Straight, and seek, in the house of Judas, the one named Saul of Tarsus. For behold, he is praying.”
9:12	(And Paul saw a man named Ananias entering and imposing hands upon him, so that he might receive his sight.)
9:13	But Ananias responded: “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem.
9:14	And he has authority here from the leaders of the priests to bind all who invoke your name.”
9:15	Then the Lord said to him: “Go, for this one is an instrument chosen by me to convey my name before nations and kings and the sons of Israel.
9:16	For I will reveal to him how much he must suffer on behalf of my name.”
9:17	And Ananias departed. And he entered the house. And laying his hands upon him, he said: “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, he who appeared to you on the way by which you arrived, sent me so that you would receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
9:18	And immediately, it was as if scales had fallen from his eyes, and he received his sight. And rising up, he was baptized.
9:19	And when he had taken a meal, he was strengthened. Now he was with the disciples who were at Damascus for some days.
9:20	And he was continuously preaching Jesus in the synagogues: that he is the Son of God.
9:21	And all who heard him were astonished, and they said, “Is this not the one who, in Jerusalem, was fighting against those invoking this name, and who came here for this: so that he might lead them away to the leaders of the priests?”
9:22	But Saul was increasing to a greater extent in ability, and so he was confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus, by affirming that he is the Christ.

Mark 16: 15- 18

16:15	And he said to them: “Go forth to the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature.
16:16	Whoever will have believed and been baptized will be saved. Yet truly, whoever will not have believed will be condemned.
16:17	Now these signs will accompany those who believe. In my name, they shall cast out demons. They will speak in new languages.
16:18	They will take up serpents, and, if they drink anything deadly, it will not harm them. They shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they will be well.”

Hebrews 8: 6- 13

8:6	But now he has been granted a better ministry, so much so that he is also the Mediator of a better testament, which has been confirmed by better promises.
8:7	For if the former one had been entirely without fault, then a place certainly would not have been sought for a subsequent one.
8:8	For, finding fault with them, he says: “Behold, the days shall arrive, says the Lord, when I will consummate a New Testament over the house of Israel and the house of Judah,
8:9	not according to the testament which I made with their fathers, on the day when I took them by the hand, so that I might lead them away from the land of Egypt. For they did not remain in my testament, and so I disregarded them, says the Lord.
8:10	For this is the testament which I will set before the house of Israel, after those days, says the Lord. I will instill my laws in their minds, and I will inscribe my laws on their hearts. And so, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
8:11	And they will not teach, each one his neighbor, and each one his brother, saying: ‘Know the Lord.’ For all shall know me, from the least, even to the greatest of them.
8:12	For I will forgive their iniquities, and I will no longer remember their sins.”
8:13	Now in saying something new, he has made the former old. But that which decays and grows old is close to passing away.

Mark 3: 13- 19

3:13	And ascending onto a mountain, he called to himself those whom he willed, and they came to him.
3:14	And he acted so that the twelve would be with him, and so that he might send them out to preach.
3:15	And he gave them authority to cure infirmities, and to cast out demons:
3:16	and he imposed on Simon the name Peter;
3:17	and also he imposed on James of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, the name ‘Boanerges,’ that is, ‘Sons of Thunder;’
3:18	and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus, and Simon the Canaanite,
3:19	and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

Reading

The Letter to the Hebrews   7: 25- 8: 6

7:25	And for this reason, he is able, continuously, to save those who approach God through him, since he is ever alive to make intercession on our behalf.
7:26	For it was fitting that we should have such a High Priest: holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted higher than the heavens.
7:27	And he has no need, daily, in the manner of other priests, to offer sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people. For he has done this once, by offering himself.
7:28	For the law appoints men as priests, though they have infirmities. But, by the word of the oath that is after the law, the Son has been perfected for eternity.

8:1	Now the main point in the things that have been stated is this: that we have so great a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of Majesty in the heavens,
8:2	who is the minister of holy things, and of the true tabernacle, which was established by the Lord, not by man.
8:3	For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices. Therefore, it is necessary for him also to have something to offer.
8:4	And so, if he were upon the earth, he would not be a priest, since there would be others to offer gifts according to the law,
8:5	gifts which serve as mere examples and shadows of the heavenly things. And so it was answered to Moses, when he was about to complete the tabernacle: “See to it,” he said, “that you make everything according to the example which was revealed to you on the mountain.”
8:6	But now he has been granted a better ministry, so much so that he is also the Mediator of a better testament, which has been confirmed by better promises.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to Mark    3: 7-12

3:7	But Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea. And a great crowd followed him from Galilee and Judea,
3:8	and from Jerusalem, and from Idumea and across the Jordan. And those around Tyre and Sidon, upon hearing what he was doing, came to him in a great multitude.
3:9	And he told his disciples that a small boat would be useful to him, because of the crowd, lest they press upon him.
3:10	For he healed so many, that as many of them as had wounds would rush toward him in order to touch him.
3:11	And the unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell prostrate before him. And they cried out, saying,
3:12	“You are the Son of God.” And he strongly admonished them, lest they make him known.

Hebrews 11: 1- 2, 8- 19

11:1	Now, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not apparent.
11:2	For this reason, the ancients were given testimony.
11:8	By faith, the one called Abraham obeyed, going out to the place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
11:9	By faith, he stayed in the Land of the Promise as if in a foreign land, dwelling in cottages, with Isaac and Jacob, co-heirs of the same promise.
11:10	For he was awaiting a city having firm foundations, whose designer and builder is God.
11:11	By faith also, Sarah herself, being barren, received the ability to conceive offspring, even though she was past that age in life. For she believed him to be faithful, who had promised.
11:12	Because of this, there were also born, from one who himself was as if dead, a mulititude like the stars of heaven, who are, like the sand of the seashore, innumerable.
11:13	All of these passed away, adhering to faith, not having received the promises, yet beholding them from afar and saluting them, and confessing themselves to be sojourners and guests upon the earth.
11:14	For those who speak in this way are themselves indicating that they seek a homeland.
11:15	And if, indeed, they had been mindful of the very place from which they departed, they certainly would have returned in time.
11:16	But now they hunger for a better place, that is, Heaven. For this reason, God is not ashamed to be called their God. For he has prepared a city for them.
11:17	By faith, Abraham, when he was tested, offered Isaac, so that he who had received the promises was offering up his only son.
11:18	To him, it was said, “Through Isaac, shall your offspring be summoned,”
11:19	indicating that God is even able to raise up from the dead. And thus, he also established him as a parable.

Mark 4: 35- 41

4:35	And on that day, when evening had arrived, he said to them, “Let us cross over.”
4:36	And dismissing the crowd, they brought him, so that he was in one boat, and other boats were with him.
4:37	And a great wind storm occurred, and the waves broke over the boat, so that the boat was being filled.
4:38	And he was in the stern of the boat, sleeping on a pillow. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, does it not concern you that we are perishing?”
4:39	And rising up, he rebuked the wind, and he said to the sea: “Silence. Be stilled.” And the wind ceased. And a great tranquility occurred.
4:40	And he said to them: “Why are you afraid? Do you still lack faith?” And they were struck with a great fear. And they said to one another, “Who do you think this is, that both wind and sea obey him?”

Hebrews 10: 32- 39

10:32	But call to mind the former days, in which, after being enlightened, you endured a great struggle of afflictions.
10:33	And certainly, in one way, by insults and tribulations, you were made a spectacle, but in another way, you became the companions of those who were the object of such behavior.
10:34	For you even had compassion on those who were imprisoned, and you accepted with gladness being deprived of your goods, knowing that you have a better and more lasting substance.
10:35	And so, do not lose your confidence, which has a great reward.
10:36	For it is necessary for you to be patient, so that, by doing the will of God, you may receive the promise.
10:37	“For, in a little while, and somewhat longer, he who is to come will return, and he will not delay.
10:38	For my just man lives by faith. But if he were to draw himself back, he would not please my soul.”
10:39	So then, we are not sons who are drawn away to perdition, but we are sons of faith toward the securing of the soul

Mark 4: 26- 32

4:26	And he said: “The kingdom of God is like this: it is as if a man were to cast seed on the land.
4:27	And he sleeps and he arises, night and day. And the seed germinates and grows, though he does not know it.
4:28	For the earth bears fruit readily: first the plant, then the ear, next the full grain in the ear.
4:29	And when the fruit has been produced, immediately he sends out the sickle, because the harvest has arrived.”
4:30	And he said: “To what should we compare the kingdom of God? Or to what parable should we compare it?
4:31	It is like a grain of mustard seed which, when it has been sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds which are in the earth.
4:32	And when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all the plants, and it produces great branches, so much so that the birds of the air are able to live under its shadow.”
4:33	And with many such parables he spoke the word to them, as much as they were able to hear.
4:34	But he did not speak to them without a parable. Yet separately, he explained all things to his disciples.

Hebrews 10: 19- 25

10:19	And so, brothers, have faith in the entrance into the Holy of Holies by the blood of Christ,
10:20	and in the new and living Way, which he has initiated for us by the veil, that is, by his flesh,
10:21	and in the Great Priest over the house of God.
10:22	So, let us draw near with a true heart, in the fullness of faith, having hearts cleansed from an evil conscience, and bodies absolved with clean water.
10:23	Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope, without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful.
10:24	And let us be considerate of one another, so as to prompt ourselves to charity and to good works,
10:25	not deserting our assembly, as some are accustomed to do, but consoling one another, and even more so as you see that the day is approaching.

Mark 4: 21- 25

4:21	And he said to them: “Would someone enter with a lamp in order to place it under a basket or under a bed? Would it not be placed upon a lampstand?
4:22	For there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed. Neither was anything done in secret, except that it may be made public.
4:23	If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”
4:24	And he said to them: “Consider what you hear. With whatever measure you have measured out, it shall be measured back to you, and more shall be added to you.
4:25	For whoever has, to him it shall be given. And whoever has not, from him even what he has shall be taken away.”

Hebrews 10: 11- 18

10:11	And certainly, every priest stands by, ministering daily, and frequently offering the same sacrifices, which are never able to take away sins.
10:12	But this man, offering one sacrifice for sins, sits at the right hand of God forever,
10:13	awaiting that time when his enemies will be made his footstool.
10:14	For, by one oblation, he has brought to fulfillment, for all time, those who are sanctified.
10:15	Now the Holy Spirit also testifies for us about this. For afterward, he said:
10:16	“And this is the testament which I will commit to them after those days, says the Lord. I will instill my laws in their hearts, and I will inscribe my laws on their minds.
10:17	And I will no longer remember their sins and iniquities.”
10:18	Now, when there is a remission of these things, there is no longer an oblation for sin.

Mark 4: 1- 20

4:1	And again, he began to teach by the sea. And a great crowd was gathered to him, so much so that, climbing into a boat, he was seated on the sea. And the entire crowd was on the land along the sea.
4:2	And he taught them many things in parables, and he said to them, in his doctrine:
4:3	“Listen. Behold, the sower went out to sow.
4:4	And while he was sowing, some fell along the way, and the birds of the air came and ate it.
4:5	Yet truly, others fell upon stony ground, where it did not have much soil. And it rose up quickly, because it had no depth of soil.
4:6	And when the sun was risen, it was scorched. And because it had no root, it withered away.
4:7	And some fell among thorns. And the thorns grew up and suffocated it, and it did not produce fruit.
4:8	And some fell on good soil. And it brought forth fruit that grew up, and increased, and yielded: some thirty, some sixty, and some one hundred.”
4:9	And he said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.”
4:10	And when he was alone, the twelve, who were with him, questioned him about the parable.
4:11	And he said to them: “To you, it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God. But to those who are outside, everything is presented in parables:
4:12	‘so that, seeing, they may see, and not perceive; and hearing, they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they may be converted, and their sins would be forgiven them.’ ”
4:13	And he said to them: “Do you not understand this parable? And so, how will you understand all the parables?
4:14	He who sows, sows the word.
4:15	Now there are those who are along the way, where the word is sown. And when they have heard it, Satan quickly comes and takes away the word, which was sown in their hearts.
4:16	And similarly, there are those who were sown upon stony ground. These, when they have heard the word, immediately accept it with gladness.
4:17	But they have no root in themselves, and so they are for a limited time. And when next tribulation and persecution arises because of the word, they quickly fall away.
4:18	And there are others who are sown among thorns. These are those who hear the word,
4:19	but worldly tasks, and the deception of riches, and desires about other things enter in and suffocate the word, and it is effectively without fruit.
4:20	And there are those who are sown upon good soil, who hear the word and accept it; and these bear fruit: some thirty, some sixty, and some one hundred.”

Reading

The Letter to the Hebrews   10: 1-10

10:1	For the law contains the shadow of future good things, not the very image of these things. So, by the very same sacrifices which they offer ceaselessly each year, they can never cause these to approach perfection.
10:2	Otherwise, they would have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, once cleansed, would no longer be conscious of any sin.
10:3	Instead, in these things, a commemoration of sins is made every year.
10:4	For it is impossible for sins to be taken away by the blood of oxen and goats.
10:5	For this reason, as Christ enters into the world, he says: “Sacrifice and oblation, you did not want. But you have fashioned a body for me.
10:6	Holocausts for sin were not pleasing to you.
10:7	Then I said, ‘Behold, I draw near.’ At the head of the book, it has been written of me that I should do your will, O God.”
10:8	In the above, by saying, “Sacrifices, and oblations, and holocausts for sin, you did not want, nor are those things pleasing to you, which are offered according to the law;
10:9	then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God,’ ” he takes away the first, so that he may establish what follows.
10:10	For by this will, we have been sanctified, through the one time oblation of the body of Jesus Christ.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to Mark   3: 31-35

3:31	And his mother and brothers arrived. And standing outside, they sent to him, calling him.
3:32	And the crowd was sitting around him. And they said to him, “Behold, your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.”
3:33	And responding to them, he said, “Who is my mother and my brothers?”
3:34	And looking around at those who were sitting all around him, he said: “Behold, my mother and my brothers.
3:35	For whoever has done the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister and mother.”

Hebrews 9: 15, 24- 28

9:15	And thus he is the Mediator of the new testament, so that, by his death, he intercedes for the redemption of those transgressions which were under the former testament, so that those who have been called may receive the promise of an eternal inheritance.

9:24	For Jesus did not enter by means of holy things made with hands, mere examples of the true things, but he entered into Heaven itself, so that he may appear now before the face of God for us.
9:25	And he did not enter so as to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters into the Holy of Holies each year, with the blood of another.
9:26	Otherwise, he would need to have suffered repeatedly since the beginning of the world. But now, one time, at the consummation of the ages, he has appeared in order to destroy sin though his own sacrifice.
9:27	And in the same manner as it has been appointed for men to die one time, and after this, to be judged,
9:28	so also Christ was offered, one time, in order to empty the sins of so many. He shall appear a second time without sin, for those who await him, unto salvation.

Mark 3: 22- 30

3:22	And the scribes who had descended from Jerusalem said, “Because he has Beelzebub, and because by the prince of demons does he cast out demons.”
3:23	And having called them together, he spoke to them in parables: “How can Satan cast out Satan?
3:24	For if a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom is not able to stand.
3:25	And if a house is divided against itself, that house is not able to stand.
3:26	And if Satan has risen up against himself, he would be divided, and he would not be able to stand; instead he reaches the end.
3:27	No one is able to plunder the goods of a strong man, having entered into the house, unless he first binds the strong man, and then he shall plunder his house.
3:28	Amen I say to you, that all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and the blasphemies by which they will have blasphemed.
3:29	But he who will have blasphemed against the Holy Spirit shall not have forgiveness in eternity; instead he shall be guilty of an eternal offense.”
3:30	For they said: “He has an unclean spirit.”

Nehemiah 8: 2- 6, 8- 10

8:2	Therefore, Ezra the priest brought the law before the multitude of men and women, and all those who were able to understand, on the first day of the seventh month.
8:3	And he read it openly in the street which was before the water gate, from morning even until midday, in the sight of the men and women, and those who understood. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the book.
8:4	Then Ezra the scribe stood upon a step of wood, which he had made for speaking. And standing beside him were Mattithiah, and Shemaiah, and Anaiah, and Uriah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right. And on the left were Pedaiah, Mishael, and Malchijah, and Hashum, and Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
8:5	And Ezra opened the book before all the people. For he stood out above all the people. And when he had opened it, all the people stood up.
8:6	And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people responded, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. And they bowed down, and they adored God, facing the ground.
8:8	And they read from the book of the law of God, distinctly and plainly, so as to be understood. And when it was read, they did understand.
8:9	Then Nehemiah (the same is the cupbearer) and Ezra, the priest and scribe, and the Levites, who were interpreting for all the people, said: “This day has been sanctified to the Lord our God. Do not mourn, and do not weep.” For all of the people were weeping, as they were listening to the words of the law.
8:10	And he said to them: “Go, eat fat foods and drink sweet drinks, and send portions to those who have not prepared for themselves. For it is the holy day of the Lord. And do not be sad. For the joy of the Lord is also our strength.”

First Corinthians 12: 12- 30

12:12	For just as the body is one, and yet has many parts, so all the parts of the body, though they are many, are only one body. So also is Christ.
12:13	And indeed, in one Spirit, we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether servant or free. And we all drank in the one Spirit.
12:14	For the body, too, is not one part, but many.
12:15	If the foot were to say, “Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body,” would it then not be of the body?
12:16	And if the ear were to say, “Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body,” would it then not be of the body?
12:17	If the whole body were the eye, how would it hear? If the whole were hearing, how would it smell?
12:18	But instead, God has placed the parts, each one of them, in the body, just as it has pleased him.
12:19	So if they were all one part, how would it be a body?
12:20	But instead, there are many parts, indeed, yet one body.
12:21	And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need for your works.” And again, the head cannot say to the feet, “You are of no use to me.”
12:22	In fact, so much more necessary are those parts of the body which seem to be weaker.
12:23	And though we consider certain parts of the body to be less noble, we surround these with more abundant dignity, and so, those parts which are less presentable end up with more abundant respect.
12:24	However, our presentable parts have no such need, since God has tempered the body together, distributing the more abundant honor to that which has the need,
12:25	so that there might be no schism in the body, but instead the parts themselves might take care of one another.
12:26	And so, if one part suffers anything, all the parts suffer with it. Or, if one part finds glory, all the parts rejoice with it.
12:27	Now you are the body of Christ, and parts like any part.
12:28	And indeed, God has established a certain order in the Church: first Apostles, second Prophets, third Teachers, next miracle-workers, and then the grace of healing, of helping others, of governing, of different kinds of languages, and of the interpretation of words.
12:29	Are all Apostles? Are all Prophets? Are all Teachers?
12:30	Are all workers of miracles? Do all have the grace of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?

Luke 1: 1- 4, 4: 14- 21

1:1	Since, indeed, many have attempted to set in order a narrative of the things that have been completed among us,
1:2	just as they have been handed on to those of us who from the beginning saw the same and were ministers of the word,
1:3	so it seemed good to me also, having diligently followed everything from the beginning, to write to you, in an orderly manner, most excellent Theophilus,
1:4	so that you might know the truthfulness

4:14	And Jesus returned, in the power of the Spirit, into Galilee. And his fame spread throughout the entire region.
4:15	And he taught in their synagogues, and he was magnified by everyone.
4:16	And he went to Nazareth, where he had been raised. And he entered into the synagogue, according to his custom, on the Sabbath day. And he rose up to read.
4:17	And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. And as he unrolled the book, he found the place where it was written:
4:18	“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; because of this, he has anointed me. He has sent me to evangelize the poor, to heal the contrite of heart,
4:19	to preach forgiveness to captives and sight to the blind, to release the broken into forgiveness, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord and the day of retribution.”
4:20	And when he had rolled up the book, he returned it to the minister, and he sat down. And the eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on him.
4:21	Then he began to say to them, “On this day, this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

Acts 22: 3- 16

22:3	And he said: “I am a Jewish man, born at Tarsus in Cilicia, but raised in this city beside the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the truth of the law of the fathers, zealous for the law, just as all of you also are to this day.
22:4	I persecuted this Way, even unto death, binding and delivering into custody both men and women,
22:5	just as the high priest and all those greater by birth bear witness to me. Having received letters from them to the brothers, I journeyed to Damascus, so that I might lead them bound from there to Jerusalem, so that they might be punished.
22:6	But it happened that, as I was traveling and was approaching Damascus at midday, suddenly from heaven a great light shone around me.
22:7	And falling to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’
22:8	And I responded, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.’
22:9	And those who were with me, indeed, saw the light, but they did not hear the voice of him who was speaking with me.
22:10	And I said, ‘What should I do, Lord?’ Then the Lord said to me: ‘Rise up, and go to Damascus. And there, you shall be told all that you must do.’
22:11	And since I could not see, because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by my companions, and I went to Damascus.
22:12	Then a certain Ananias, a man in accord with the law, having the testimony of all the Jews who were living there,
22:13	drawing near to me and standing close by, said to me, ‘Brother Saul, see!’ And in that same hour, I looked upon him.
22:14	But he said: ‘The God of our fathers has preordained you, so that you would come to know his will and would see the Just One, and would hear the voice from his mouth.
22:15	For you shall be his witness to all men about those things which you have seen and heard.
22:16	And now, why do you delay? Rise up, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, by invoking his name.’

or, Acts 9: 1- 22

9:1	Now Saul, still breathing threats and beatings against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,
9:2	and he petitioned him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that, if he found any men or women belonging to this Way, he could lead them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
9:3	And as he made the journey, it happened that he was approaching Damascus. And suddenly, a light from heaven shone around him.
9:4	And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
9:5	And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goad.”
9:6	And he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do you want me to do?”
9:7	And the Lord said to him, “Rise up and go into the city, and there you will be told what you ought to do.” Now the men who were accompanying him were standing stupefied, hearing indeed a voice, but seeing no one.
9:8	Then Saul rose up from the ground. And upon opening his eyes, he saw nothing. So leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus.
9:9	And in that place, he was without sight for three days, and he neither ate nor drank.
9:10	Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias. And the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias!” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
9:11	And the Lord said to him: “Rise up and go into the street that is called Straight, and seek, in the house of Judas, the one named Saul of Tarsus. For behold, he is praying.”
9:12	(And Paul saw a man named Ananias entering and imposing hands upon him, so that he might receive his sight.)
9:13	But Ananias responded: “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem.
9:14	And he has authority here from the leaders of the priests to bind all who invoke your name.”
9:15	Then the Lord said to him: “Go, for this one is an instrument chosen by me to convey my name before nations and kings and the sons of Israel.
9:16	For I will reveal to him how much he must suffer on behalf of my name.”
9:17	And Ananias departed. And he entered the house. And laying his hands upon him, he said: “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, he who appeared to you on the way by which you arrived, sent me so that you would receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
9:18	And immediately, it was as if scales had fallen from his eyes, and he received his sight. And rising up, he was baptized.
9:19	And when he had taken a meal, he was strengthened. Now he was with the disciples who were at Damascus for some days.
9:20	And he was continuously preaching Jesus in the synagogues: that he is the Son of God.
9:21	And all who heard him were astonished, and they said, “Is this not the one who, in Jerusalem, was fighting against those invoking this name, and who came here for this: so that he might lead them away to the leaders of the priests?”
9:22	But Saul was increasing to a greater extent in ability, and so he was confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus, by affirming that he is the Christ.

Mark 16: 15- 18

16:15	And he said to them: “Go forth to the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature.
16:16	Whoever will have believed and been baptized will be saved. Yet truly, whoever will not have believed will be condemned.
16:17	Now these signs will accompany those who believe. In my name, they shall cast out demons. They will speak in new languages.
16:18	They will take up serpents, and, if they drink anything deadly, it will not harm them. They shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they will be well.”

Hebrews 8: 6- 13

8:6	But now he has been granted a better ministry, so much so that he is also the Mediator of a better testament, which has been confirmed by better promises.
8:7	For if the former one had been entirely without fault, then a place certainly would not have been sought for a subsequent one.
8:8	For, finding fault with them, he says: “Behold, the days shall arrive, says the Lord, when I will consummate a New Testament over the house of Israel and the house of Judah,
8:9	not according to the testament which I made with their fathers, on the day when I took them by the hand, so that I might lead them away from the land of Egypt. For they did not remain in my testament, and so I disregarded them, says the Lord.
8:10	For this is the testament which I will set before the house of Israel, after those days, says the Lord. I will instill my laws in their minds, and I will inscribe my laws on their hearts. And so, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
8:11	And they will not teach, each one his neighbor, and each one his brother, saying: ‘Know the Lord.’ For all shall know me, from the least, even to the greatest of them.
8:12	For I will forgive their iniquities, and I will no longer remember their sins.”
8:13	Now in saying something new, he has made the former old. But that which decays and grows old is close to passing away.

Mark 3: 13- 19

3:13	And ascending onto a mountain, he called to himself those whom he willed, and they came to him.
3:14	And he acted so that the twelve would be with him, and so that he might send them out to preach.
3:15	And he gave them authority to cure infirmities, and to cast out demons:
3:16	and he imposed on Simon the name Peter;
3:17	and also he imposed on James of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, the name ‘Boanerges,’ that is, ‘Sons of Thunder;’
3:18	and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus, and Simon the Canaanite,
3:19	and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

Reading

The Letter to the Hebrews   7: 25- 8: 6

7:25	And for this reason, he is able, continuously, to save those who approach God through him, since he is ever alive to make intercession on our behalf.
7:26	For it was fitting that we should have such a High Priest: holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted higher than the heavens.
7:27	And he has no need, daily, in the manner of other priests, to offer sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people. For he has done this once, by offering himself.
7:28	For the law appoints men as priests, though they have infirmities. But, by the word of the oath that is after the law, the Son has been perfected for eternity.

8:1	Now the main point in the things that have been stated is this: that we have so great a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of Majesty in the heavens,
8:2	who is the minister of holy things, and of the true tabernacle, which was established by the Lord, not by man.
8:3	For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices. Therefore, it is necessary for him also to have something to offer.
8:4	And so, if he were upon the earth, he would not be a priest, since there would be others to offer gifts according to the law,
8:5	gifts which serve as mere examples and shadows of the heavenly things. And so it was answered to Moses, when he was about to complete the tabernacle: “See to it,” he said, “that you make everything according to the example which was revealed to you on the mountain.”
8:6	But now he has been granted a better ministry, so much so that he is also the Mediator of a better testament, which has been confirmed by better promises.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to Mark    3: 7-12

3:7	But Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea. And a great crowd followed him from Galilee and Judea,
3:8	and from Jerusalem, and from Idumea and across the Jordan. And those around Tyre and Sidon, upon hearing what he was doing, came to him in a great multitude.
3:9	And he told his disciples that a small boat would be useful to him, because of the crowd, lest they press upon him.
3:10	For he healed so many, that as many of them as had wounds would rush toward him in order to touch him.
3:11	And the unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell prostrate before him. And they cried out, saying,
3:12	“You are the Son of God.” And he strongly admonished them, lest they make him known.

Hebrews 11: 1- 2, 8- 19

11:1	Now, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not apparent.
11:2	For this reason, the ancients were given testimony.
11:8	By faith, the one called Abraham obeyed, going out to the place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
11:9	By faith, he stayed in the Land of the Promise as if in a foreign land, dwelling in cottages, with Isaac and Jacob, co-heirs of the same promise.
11:10	For he was awaiting a city having firm foundations, whose designer and builder is God.
11:11	By faith also, Sarah herself, being barren, received the ability to conceive offspring, even though she was past that age in life. For she believed him to be faithful, who had promised.
11:12	Because of this, there were also born, from one who himself was as if dead, a mulititude like the stars of heaven, who are, like the sand of the seashore, innumerable.
11:13	All of these passed away, adhering to faith, not having received the promises, yet beholding them from afar and saluting them, and confessing themselves to be sojourners and guests upon the earth.
11:14	For those who speak in this way are themselves indicating that they seek a homeland.
11:15	And if, indeed, they had been mindful of the very place from which they departed, they certainly would have returned in time.
11:16	But now they hunger for a better place, that is, Heaven. For this reason, God is not ashamed to be called their God. For he has prepared a city for them.
11:17	By faith, Abraham, when he was tested, offered Isaac, so that he who had received the promises was offering up his only son.
11:18	To him, it was said, “Through Isaac, shall your offspring be summoned,”
11:19	indicating that God is even able to raise up from the dead. And thus, he also established him as a parable.

Mark 4: 35- 41

4:35	And on that day, when evening had arrived, he said to them, “Let us cross over.”
4:36	And dismissing the crowd, they brought him, so that he was in one boat, and other boats were with him.
4:37	And a great wind storm occurred, and the waves broke over the boat, so that the boat was being filled.
4:38	And he was in the stern of the boat, sleeping on a pillow. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, does it not concern you that we are perishing?”
4:39	And rising up, he rebuked the wind, and he said to the sea: “Silence. Be stilled.” And the wind ceased. And a great tranquility occurred.
4:40	And he said to them: “Why are you afraid? Do you still lack faith?” And they were struck with a great fear. And they said to one another, “Who do you think this is, that both wind and sea obey him?”

Hebrews 10: 32- 39

10:32	But call to mind the former days, in which, after being enlightened, you endured a great struggle of afflictions.
10:33	And certainly, in one way, by insults and tribulations, you were made a spectacle, but in another way, you became the companions of those who were the object of such behavior.
10:34	For you even had compassion on those who were imprisoned, and you accepted with gladness being deprived of your goods, knowing that you have a better and more lasting substance.
10:35	And so, do not lose your confidence, which has a great reward.
10:36	For it is necessary for you to be patient, so that, by doing the will of God, you may receive the promise.
10:37	“For, in a little while, and somewhat longer, he who is to come will return, and he will not delay.
10:38	For my just man lives by faith. But if he were to draw himself back, he would not please my soul.”
10:39	So then, we are not sons who are drawn away to perdition, but we are sons of faith toward the securing of the soul

Mark 4: 26- 32

4:26	And he said: “The kingdom of God is like this: it is as if a man were to cast seed on the land.
4:27	And he sleeps and he arises, night and day. And the seed germinates and grows, though he does not know it.
4:28	For the earth bears fruit readily: first the plant, then the ear, next the full grain in the ear.
4:29	And when the fruit has been produced, immediately he sends out the sickle, because the harvest has arrived.”
4:30	And he said: “To what should we compare the kingdom of God? Or to what parable should we compare it?
4:31	It is like a grain of mustard seed which, when it has been sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds which are in the earth.
4:32	And when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all the plants, and it produces great branches, so much so that the birds of the air are able to live under its shadow.”
4:33	And with many such parables he spoke the word to them, as much as they were able to hear.
4:34	But he did not speak to them without a parable. Yet separately, he explained all things to his disciples.

Hebrews 10: 19- 25

10:19	And so, brothers, have faith in the entrance into the Holy of Holies by the blood of Christ,
10:20	and in the new and living Way, which he has initiated for us by the veil, that is, by his flesh,
10:21	and in the Great Priest over the house of God.
10:22	So, let us draw near with a true heart, in the fullness of faith, having hearts cleansed from an evil conscience, and bodies absolved with clean water.
10:23	Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope, without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful.
10:24	And let us be considerate of one another, so as to prompt ourselves to charity and to good works,
10:25	not deserting our assembly, as some are accustomed to do, but consoling one another, and even more so as you see that the day is approaching.

Mark 4: 21- 25

4:21	And he said to them: “Would someone enter with a lamp in order to place it under a basket or under a bed? Would it not be placed upon a lampstand?
4:22	For there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed. Neither was anything done in secret, except that it may be made public.
4:23	If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”
4:24	And he said to them: “Consider what you hear. With whatever measure you have measured out, it shall be measured back to you, and more shall be added to you.
4:25	For whoever has, to him it shall be given. And whoever has not, from him even what he has shall be taken away.”

Hebrews 10: 11- 18

10:11	And certainly, every priest stands by, ministering daily, and frequently offering the same sacrifices, which are never able to take away sins.
10:12	But this man, offering one sacrifice for sins, sits at the right hand of God forever,
10:13	awaiting that time when his enemies will be made his footstool.
10:14	For, by one oblation, he has brought to fulfillment, for all time, those who are sanctified.
10:15	Now the Holy Spirit also testifies for us about this. For afterward, he said:
10:16	“And this is the testament which I will commit to them after those days, says the Lord. I will instill my laws in their hearts, and I will inscribe my laws on their minds.
10:17	And I will no longer remember their sins and iniquities.”
10:18	Now, when there is a remission of these things, there is no longer an oblation for sin.

Mark 4: 1- 20

4:1	And again, he began to teach by the sea. And a great crowd was gathered to him, so much so that, climbing into a boat, he was seated on the sea. And the entire crowd was on the land along the sea.
4:2	And he taught them many things in parables, and he said to them, in his doctrine:
4:3	“Listen. Behold, the sower went out to sow.
4:4	And while he was sowing, some fell along the way, and the birds of the air came and ate it.
4:5	Yet truly, others fell upon stony ground, where it did not have much soil. And it rose up quickly, because it had no depth of soil.
4:6	And when the sun was risen, it was scorched. And because it had no root, it withered away.
4:7	And some fell among thorns. And the thorns grew up and suffocated it, and it did not produce fruit.
4:8	And some fell on good soil. And it brought forth fruit that grew up, and increased, and yielded: some thirty, some sixty, and some one hundred.”
4:9	And he said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.”
4:10	And when he was alone, the twelve, who were with him, questioned him about the parable.
4:11	And he said to them: “To you, it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God. But to those who are outside, everything is presented in parables:
4:12	‘so that, seeing, they may see, and not perceive; and hearing, they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they may be converted, and their sins would be forgiven them.’ ”
4:13	And he said to them: “Do you not understand this parable? And so, how will you understand all the parables?
4:14	He who sows, sows the word.
4:15	Now there are those who are along the way, where the word is sown. And when they have heard it, Satan quickly comes and takes away the word, which was sown in their hearts.
4:16	And similarly, there are those who were sown upon stony ground. These, when they have heard the word, immediately accept it with gladness.
4:17	But they have no root in themselves, and so they are for a limited time. And when next tribulation and persecution arises because of the word, they quickly fall away.
4:18	And there are others who are sown among thorns. These are those who hear the word,
4:19	but worldly tasks, and the deception of riches, and desires about other things enter in and suffocate the word, and it is effectively without fruit.
4:20	And there are those who are sown upon good soil, who hear the word and accept it; and these bear fruit: some thirty, some sixty, and some one hundred.”

Reading

The Letter to the Hebrews   10: 1-10

10:1	For the law contains the shadow of future good things, not the very image of these things. So, by the very same sacrifices which they offer ceaselessly each year, they can never cause these to approach perfection.
10:2	Otherwise, they would have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, once cleansed, would no longer be conscious of any sin.
10:3	Instead, in these things, a commemoration of sins is made every year.
10:4	For it is impossible for sins to be taken away by the blood of oxen and goats.
10:5	For this reason, as Christ enters into the world, he says: “Sacrifice and oblation, you did not want. But you have fashioned a body for me.
10:6	Holocausts for sin were not pleasing to you.
10:7	Then I said, ‘Behold, I draw near.’ At the head of the book, it has been written of me that I should do your will, O God.”
10:8	In the above, by saying, “Sacrifices, and oblations, and holocausts for sin, you did not want, nor are those things pleasing to you, which are offered according to the law;
10:9	then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God,’ ” he takes away the first, so that he may establish what follows.
10:10	For by this will, we have been sanctified, through the one time oblation of the body of Jesus Christ.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to Mark   3: 31-35

3:31	And his mother and brothers arrived. And standing outside, they sent to him, calling him.
3:32	And the crowd was sitting around him. And they said to him, “Behold, your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.”
3:33	And responding to them, he said, “Who is my mother and my brothers?”
3:34	And looking around at those who were sitting all around him, he said: “Behold, my mother and my brothers.
3:35	For whoever has done the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister and mother.”

Hebrews 9: 15, 24- 28

9:15	And thus he is the Mediator of the new testament, so that, by his death, he intercedes for the redemption of those transgressions which were under the former testament, so that those who have been called may receive the promise of an eternal inheritance.

9:24	For Jesus did not enter by means of holy things made with hands, mere examples of the true things, but he entered into Heaven itself, so that he may appear now before the face of God for us.
9:25	And he did not enter so as to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters into the Holy of Holies each year, with the blood of another.
9:26	Otherwise, he would need to have suffered repeatedly since the beginning of the world. But now, one time, at the consummation of the ages, he has appeared in order to destroy sin though his own sacrifice.
9:27	And in the same manner as it has been appointed for men to die one time, and after this, to be judged,
9:28	so also Christ was offered, one time, in order to empty the sins of so many. He shall appear a second time without sin, for those who await him, unto salvation.

Mark 3: 22- 30

3:22	And the scribes who had descended from Jerusalem said, “Because he has Beelzebub, and because by the prince of demons does he cast out demons.”
3:23	And having called them together, he spoke to them in parables: “How can Satan cast out Satan?
3:24	For if a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom is not able to stand.
3:25	And if a house is divided against itself, that house is not able to stand.
3:26	And if Satan has risen up against himself, he would be divided, and he would not be able to stand; instead he reaches the end.
3:27	No one is able to plunder the goods of a strong man, having entered into the house, unless he first binds the strong man, and then he shall plunder his house.
3:28	Amen I say to you, that all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and the blasphemies by which they will have blasphemed.
3:29	But he who will have blasphemed against the Holy Spirit shall not have forgiveness in eternity; instead he shall be guilty of an eternal offense.”
3:30	For they said: “He has an unclean spirit.”

Nehemiah 8: 2- 6, 8- 10

8:2	Therefore, Ezra the priest brought the law before the multitude of men and women, and all those who were able to understand, on the first day of the seventh month.
8:3	And he read it openly in the street which was before the water gate, from morning even until midday, in the sight of the men and women, and those who understood. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the book.
8:4	Then Ezra the scribe stood upon a step of wood, which he had made for speaking. And standing beside him were Mattithiah, and Shemaiah, and Anaiah, and Uriah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right. And on the left were Pedaiah, Mishael, and Malchijah, and Hashum, and Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
8:5	And Ezra opened the book before all the people. For he stood out above all the people. And when he had opened it, all the people stood up.
8:6	And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people responded, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. And they bowed down, and they adored God, facing the ground.
8:8	And they read from the book of the law of God, distinctly and plainly, so as to be understood. And when it was read, they did understand.
8:9	Then Nehemiah (the same is the cupbearer) and Ezra, the priest and scribe, and the Levites, who were interpreting for all the people, said: “This day has been sanctified to the Lord our God. Do not mourn, and do not weep.” For all of the people were weeping, as they were listening to the words of the law.
8:10	And he said to them: “Go, eat fat foods and drink sweet drinks, and send portions to those who have not prepared for themselves. For it is the holy day of the Lord. And do not be sad. For the joy of the Lord is also our strength.”

First Corinthians 12: 12- 30

12:12	For just as the body is one, and yet has many parts, so all the parts of the body, though they are many, are only one body. So also is Christ.
12:13	And indeed, in one Spirit, we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether servant or free. And we all drank in the one Spirit.
12:14	For the body, too, is not one part, but many.
12:15	If the foot were to say, “Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body,” would it then not be of the body?
12:16	And if the ear were to say, “Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body,” would it then not be of the body?
12:17	If the whole body were the eye, how would it hear? If the whole were hearing, how would it smell?
12:18	But instead, God has placed the parts, each one of them, in the body, just as it has pleased him.
12:19	So if they were all one part, how would it be a body?
12:20	But instead, there are many parts, indeed, yet one body.
12:21	And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need for your works.” And again, the head cannot say to the feet, “You are of no use to me.”
12:22	In fact, so much more necessary are those parts of the body which seem to be weaker.
12:23	And though we consider certain parts of the body to be less noble, we surround these with more abundant dignity, and so, those parts which are less presentable end up with more abundant respect.
12:24	However, our presentable parts have no such need, since God has tempered the body together, distributing the more abundant honor to that which has the need,
12:25	so that there might be no schism in the body, but instead the parts themselves might take care of one another.
12:26	And so, if one part suffers anything, all the parts suffer with it. Or, if one part finds glory, all the parts rejoice with it.
12:27	Now you are the body of Christ, and parts like any part.
12:28	And indeed, God has established a certain order in the Church: first Apostles, second Prophets, third Teachers, next miracle-workers, and then the grace of healing, of helping others, of governing, of different kinds of languages, and of the interpretation of words.
12:29	Are all Apostles? Are all Prophets? Are all Teachers?
12:30	Are all workers of miracles? Do all have the grace of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?

Luke 1: 1- 4, 4: 14- 21

1:1	Since, indeed, many have attempted to set in order a narrative of the things that have been completed among us,
1:2	just as they have been handed on to those of us who from the beginning saw the same and were ministers of the word,
1:3	so it seemed good to me also, having diligently followed everything from the beginning, to write to you, in an orderly manner, most excellent Theophilus,
1:4	so that you might know the truthfulness

4:14	And Jesus returned, in the power of the Spirit, into Galilee. And his fame spread throughout the entire region.
4:15	And he taught in their synagogues, and he was magnified by everyone.
4:16	And he went to Nazareth, where he had been raised. And he entered into the synagogue, according to his custom, on the Sabbath day. And he rose up to read.
4:17	And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. And as he unrolled the book, he found the place where it was written:
4:18	“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; because of this, he has anointed me. He has sent me to evangelize the poor, to heal the contrite of heart,
4:19	to preach forgiveness to captives and sight to the blind, to release the broken into forgiveness, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord and the day of retribution.”
4:20	And when he had rolled up the book, he returned it to the minister, and he sat down. And the eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on him.
4:21	Then he began to say to them, “On this day, this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

Acts 22: 3- 16

22:3	And he said: “I am a Jewish man, born at Tarsus in Cilicia, but raised in this city beside the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the truth of the law of the fathers, zealous for the law, just as all of you also are to this day.
22:4	I persecuted this Way, even unto death, binding and delivering into custody both men and women,
22:5	just as the high priest and all those greater by birth bear witness to me. Having received letters from them to the brothers, I journeyed to Damascus, so that I might lead them bound from there to Jerusalem, so that they might be punished.
22:6	But it happened that, as I was traveling and was approaching Damascus at midday, suddenly from heaven a great light shone around me.
22:7	And falling to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’
22:8	And I responded, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.’
22:9	And those who were with me, indeed, saw the light, but they did not hear the voice of him who was speaking with me.
22:10	And I said, ‘What should I do, Lord?’ Then the Lord said to me: ‘Rise up, and go to Damascus. And there, you shall be told all that you must do.’
22:11	And since I could not see, because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by my companions, and I went to Damascus.
22:12	Then a certain Ananias, a man in accord with the law, having the testimony of all the Jews who were living there,
22:13	drawing near to me and standing close by, said to me, ‘Brother Saul, see!’ And in that same hour, I looked upon him.
22:14	But he said: ‘The God of our fathers has preordained you, so that you would come to know his will and would see the Just One, and would hear the voice from his mouth.
22:15	For you shall be his witness to all men about those things which you have seen and heard.
22:16	And now, why do you delay? Rise up, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, by invoking his name.’

or, Acts 9: 1- 22

9:1	Now Saul, still breathing threats and beatings against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,
9:2	and he petitioned him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that, if he found any men or women belonging to this Way, he could lead them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
9:3	And as he made the journey, it happened that he was approaching Damascus. And suddenly, a light from heaven shone around him.
9:4	And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
9:5	And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goad.”
9:6	And he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do you want me to do?”
9:7	And the Lord said to him, “Rise up and go into the city, and there you will be told what you ought to do.” Now the men who were accompanying him were standing stupefied, hearing indeed a voice, but seeing no one.
9:8	Then Saul rose up from the ground. And upon opening his eyes, he saw nothing. So leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus.
9:9	And in that place, he was without sight for three days, and he neither ate nor drank.
9:10	Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias. And the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias!” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
9:11	And the Lord said to him: “Rise up and go into the street that is called Straight, and seek, in the house of Judas, the one named Saul of Tarsus. For behold, he is praying.”
9:12	(And Paul saw a man named Ananias entering and imposing hands upon him, so that he might receive his sight.)
9:13	But Ananias responded: “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem.
9:14	And he has authority here from the leaders of the priests to bind all who invoke your name.”
9:15	Then the Lord said to him: “Go, for this one is an instrument chosen by me to convey my name before nations and kings and the sons of Israel.
9:16	For I will reveal to him how much he must suffer on behalf of my name.”
9:17	And Ananias departed. And he entered the house. And laying his hands upon him, he said: “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, he who appeared to you on the way by which you arrived, sent me so that you would receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
9:18	And immediately, it was as if scales had fallen from his eyes, and he received his sight. And rising up, he was baptized.
9:19	And when he had taken a meal, he was strengthened. Now he was with the disciples who were at Damascus for some days.
9:20	And he was continuously preaching Jesus in the synagogues: that he is the Son of God.
9:21	And all who heard him were astonished, and they said, “Is this not the one who, in Jerusalem, was fighting against those invoking this name, and who came here for this: so that he might lead them away to the leaders of the priests?”
9:22	But Saul was increasing to a greater extent in ability, and so he was confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus, by affirming that he is the Christ.

Mark 16: 15- 18

16:15	And he said to them: “Go forth to the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature.
16:16	Whoever will have believed and been baptized will be saved. Yet truly, whoever will not have believed will be condemned.
16:17	Now these signs will accompany those who believe. In my name, they shall cast out demons. They will speak in new languages.
16:18	They will take up serpents, and, if they drink anything deadly, it will not harm them. They shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they will be well.”

Hebrews 8: 6- 13

8:6	But now he has been granted a better ministry, so much so that he is also the Mediator of a better testament, which has been confirmed by better promises.
8:7	For if the former one had been entirely without fault, then a place certainly would not have been sought for a subsequent one.
8:8	For, finding fault with them, he says: “Behold, the days shall arrive, says the Lord, when I will consummate a New Testament over the house of Israel and the house of Judah,
8:9	not according to the testament which I made with their fathers, on the day when I took them by the hand, so that I might lead them away from the land of Egypt. For they did not remain in my testament, and so I disregarded them, says the Lord.
8:10	For this is the testament which I will set before the house of Israel, after those days, says the Lord. I will instill my laws in their minds, and I will inscribe my laws on their hearts. And so, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
8:11	And they will not teach, each one his neighbor, and each one his brother, saying: ‘Know the Lord.’ For all shall know me, from the least, even to the greatest of them.
8:12	For I will forgive their iniquities, and I will no longer remember their sins.”
8:13	Now in saying something new, he has made the former old. But that which decays and grows old is close to passing away.

Mark 3: 13- 19

3:13	And ascending onto a mountain, he called to himself those whom he willed, and they came to him.
3:14	And he acted so that the twelve would be with him, and so that he might send them out to preach.
3:15	And he gave them authority to cure infirmities, and to cast out demons:
3:16	and he imposed on Simon the name Peter;
3:17	and also he imposed on James of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, the name ‘Boanerges,’ that is, ‘Sons of Thunder;’
3:18	and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus, and Simon the Canaanite,
3:19	and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

Reading

The Letter to the Hebrews   7: 25- 8: 6

7:25	And for this reason, he is able, continuously, to save those who approach God through him, since he is ever alive to make intercession on our behalf.
7:26	For it was fitting that we should have such a High Priest: holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted higher than the heavens.
7:27	And he has no need, daily, in the manner of other priests, to offer sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people. For he has done this once, by offering himself.
7:28	For the law appoints men as priests, though they have infirmities. But, by the word of the oath that is after the law, the Son has been perfected for eternity.

8:1	Now the main point in the things that have been stated is this: that we have so great a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of Majesty in the heavens,
8:2	who is the minister of holy things, and of the true tabernacle, which was established by the Lord, not by man.
8:3	For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices. Therefore, it is necessary for him also to have something to offer.
8:4	And so, if he were upon the earth, he would not be a priest, since there would be others to offer gifts according to the law,
8:5	gifts which serve as mere examples and shadows of the heavenly things. And so it was answered to Moses, when he was about to complete the tabernacle: “See to it,” he said, “that you make everything according to the example which was revealed to you on the mountain.”
8:6	But now he has been granted a better ministry, so much so that he is also the Mediator of a better testament, which has been confirmed by better promises.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to Mark    3: 7-12

3:7	But Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea. And a great crowd followed him from Galilee and Judea,
3:8	and from Jerusalem, and from Idumea and across the Jordan. And those around Tyre and Sidon, upon hearing what he was doing, came to him in a great multitude.
3:9	And he told his disciples that a small boat would be useful to him, because of the crowd, lest they press upon him.
3:10	For he healed so many, that as many of them as had wounds would rush toward him in order to touch him.
3:11	And the unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell prostrate before him. And they cried out, saying,
3:12	“You are the Son of God.” And he strongly admonished them, lest they make him known.

Hebrews 11: 1- 2, 8- 19

11:1	Now, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not apparent.
11:2	For this reason, the ancients were given testimony.
11:8	By faith, the one called Abraham obeyed, going out to the place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
11:9	By faith, he stayed in the Land of the Promise as if in a foreign land, dwelling in cottages, with Isaac and Jacob, co-heirs of the same promise.
11:10	For he was awaiting a city having firm foundations, whose designer and builder is God.
11:11	By faith also, Sarah herself, being barren, received the ability to conceive offspring, even though she was past that age in life. For she believed him to be faithful, who had promised.
11:12	Because of this, there were also born, from one who himself was as if dead, a mulititude like the stars of heaven, who are, like the sand of the seashore, innumerable.
11:13	All of these passed away, adhering to faith, not having received the promises, yet beholding them from afar and saluting them, and confessing themselves to be sojourners and guests upon the earth.
11:14	For those who speak in this way are themselves indicating that they seek a homeland.
11:15	And if, indeed, they had been mindful of the very place from which they departed, they certainly would have returned in time.
11:16	But now they hunger for a better place, that is, Heaven. For this reason, God is not ashamed to be called their God. For he has prepared a city for them.
11:17	By faith, Abraham, when he was tested, offered Isaac, so that he who had received the promises was offering up his only son.
11:18	To him, it was said, “Through Isaac, shall your offspring be summoned,”
11:19	indicating that God is even able to raise up from the dead. And thus, he also established him as a parable.

Mark 4: 35- 41

4:35	And on that day, when evening had arrived, he said to them, “Let us cross over.”
4:36	And dismissing the crowd, they brought him, so that he was in one boat, and other boats were with him.
4:37	And a great wind storm occurred, and the waves broke over the boat, so that the boat was being filled.
4:38	And he was in the stern of the boat, sleeping on a pillow. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, does it not concern you that we are perishing?”
4:39	And rising up, he rebuked the wind, and he said to the sea: “Silence. Be stilled.” And the wind ceased. And a great tranquility occurred.
4:40	And he said to them: “Why are you afraid? Do you still lack faith?” And they were struck with a great fear. And they said to one another, “Who do you think this is, that both wind and sea obey him?”

Hebrews 10: 32- 39

10:32	But call to mind the former days, in which, after being enlightened, you endured a great struggle of afflictions.
10:33	And certainly, in one way, by insults and tribulations, you were made a spectacle, but in another way, you became the companions of those who were the object of such behavior.
10:34	For you even had compassion on those who were imprisoned, and you accepted with gladness being deprived of your goods, knowing that you have a better and more lasting substance.
10:35	And so, do not lose your confidence, which has a great reward.
10:36	For it is necessary for you to be patient, so that, by doing the will of God, you may receive the promise.
10:37	“For, in a little while, and somewhat longer, he who is to come will return, and he will not delay.
10:38	For my just man lives by faith. But if he were to draw himself back, he would not please my soul.”
10:39	So then, we are not sons who are drawn away to perdition, but we are sons of faith toward the securing of the soul

Mark 4: 26- 32

4:26	And he said: “The kingdom of God is like this: it is as if a man were to cast seed on the land.
4:27	And he sleeps and he arises, night and day. And the seed germinates and grows, though he does not know it.
4:28	For the earth bears fruit readily: first the plant, then the ear, next the full grain in the ear.
4:29	And when the fruit has been produced, immediately he sends out the sickle, because the harvest has arrived.”
4:30	And he said: “To what should we compare the kingdom of God? Or to what parable should we compare it?
4:31	It is like a grain of mustard seed which, when it has been sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds which are in the earth.
4:32	And when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all the plants, and it produces great branches, so much so that the birds of the air are able to live under its shadow.”
4:33	And with many such parables he spoke the word to them, as much as they were able to hear.
4:34	But he did not speak to them without a parable. Yet separately, he explained all things to his disciples.

Hebrews 10: 19- 25

10:19	And so, brothers, have faith in the entrance into the Holy of Holies by the blood of Christ,
10:20	and in the new and living Way, which he has initiated for us by the veil, that is, by his flesh,
10:21	and in the Great Priest over the house of God.
10:22	So, let us draw near with a true heart, in the fullness of faith, having hearts cleansed from an evil conscience, and bodies absolved with clean water.
10:23	Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope, without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful.
10:24	And let us be considerate of one another, so as to prompt ourselves to charity and to good works,
10:25	not deserting our assembly, as some are accustomed to do, but consoling one another, and even more so as you see that the day is approaching.

Mark 4: 21- 25

4:21	And he said to them: “Would someone enter with a lamp in order to place it under a basket or under a bed? Would it not be placed upon a lampstand?
4:22	For there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed. Neither was anything done in secret, except that it may be made public.
4:23	If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”
4:24	And he said to them: “Consider what you hear. With whatever measure you have measured out, it shall be measured back to you, and more shall be added to you.
4:25	For whoever has, to him it shall be given. And whoever has not, from him even what he has shall be taken away.”

Hebrews 10: 11- 18

10:11	And certainly, every priest stands by, ministering daily, and frequently offering the same sacrifices, which are never able to take away sins.
10:12	But this man, offering one sacrifice for sins, sits at the right hand of God forever,
10:13	awaiting that time when his enemies will be made his footstool.
10:14	For, by one oblation, he has brought to fulfillment, for all time, those who are sanctified.
10:15	Now the Holy Spirit also testifies for us about this. For afterward, he said:
10:16	“And this is the testament which I will commit to them after those days, says the Lord. I will instill my laws in their hearts, and I will inscribe my laws on their minds.
10:17	And I will no longer remember their sins and iniquities.”
10:18	Now, when there is a remission of these things, there is no longer an oblation for sin.

Mark 4: 1- 20

4:1	And again, he began to teach by the sea. And a great crowd was gathered to him, so much so that, climbing into a boat, he was seated on the sea. And the entire crowd was on the land along the sea.
4:2	And he taught them many things in parables, and he said to them, in his doctrine:
4:3	“Listen. Behold, the sower went out to sow.
4:4	And while he was sowing, some fell along the way, and the birds of the air came and ate it.
4:5	Yet truly, others fell upon stony ground, where it did not have much soil. And it rose up quickly, because it had no depth of soil.
4:6	And when the sun was risen, it was scorched. And because it had no root, it withered away.
4:7	And some fell among thorns. And the thorns grew up and suffocated it, and it did not produce fruit.
4:8	And some fell on good soil. And it brought forth fruit that grew up, and increased, and yielded: some thirty, some sixty, and some one hundred.”
4:9	And he said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.”
4:10	And when he was alone, the twelve, who were with him, questioned him about the parable.
4:11	And he said to them: “To you, it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God. But to those who are outside, everything is presented in parables:
4:12	‘so that, seeing, they may see, and not perceive; and hearing, they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they may be converted, and their sins would be forgiven them.’ ”
4:13	And he said to them: “Do you not understand this parable? And so, how will you understand all the parables?
4:14	He who sows, sows the word.
4:15	Now there are those who are along the way, where the word is sown. And when they have heard it, Satan quickly comes and takes away the word, which was sown in their hearts.
4:16	And similarly, there are those who were sown upon stony ground. These, when they have heard the word, immediately accept it with gladness.
4:17	But they have no root in themselves, and so they are for a limited time. And when next tribulation and persecution arises because of the word, they quickly fall away.
4:18	And there are others who are sown among thorns. These are those who hear the word,
4:19	but worldly tasks, and the deception of riches, and desires about other things enter in and suffocate the word, and it is effectively without fruit.
4:20	And there are those who are sown upon good soil, who hear the word and accept it; and these bear fruit: some thirty, some sixty, and some one hundred.”

Reading

The Letter to the Hebrews   10: 1-10

10:1	For the law contains the shadow of future good things, not the very image of these things. So, by the very same sacrifices which they offer ceaselessly each year, they can never cause these to approach perfection.
10:2	Otherwise, they would have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, once cleansed, would no longer be conscious of any sin.
10:3	Instead, in these things, a commemoration of sins is made every year.
10:4	For it is impossible for sins to be taken away by the blood of oxen and goats.
10:5	For this reason, as Christ enters into the world, he says: “Sacrifice and oblation, you did not want. But you have fashioned a body for me.
10:6	Holocausts for sin were not pleasing to you.
10:7	Then I said, ‘Behold, I draw near.’ At the head of the book, it has been written of me that I should do your will, O God.”
10:8	In the above, by saying, “Sacrifices, and oblations, and holocausts for sin, you did not want, nor are those things pleasing to you, which are offered according to the law;
10:9	then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God,’ ” he takes away the first, so that he may establish what follows.
10:10	For by this will, we have been sanctified, through the one time oblation of the body of Jesus Christ.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to Mark   3: 31-35

3:31	And his mother and brothers arrived. And standing outside, they sent to him, calling him.
3:32	And the crowd was sitting around him. And they said to him, “Behold, your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.”
3:33	And responding to them, he said, “Who is my mother and my brothers?”
3:34	And looking around at those who were sitting all around him, he said: “Behold, my mother and my brothers.
3:35	For whoever has done the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister and mother.”

Hebrews 9: 15, 24- 28

9:15	And thus he is the Mediator of the new testament, so that, by his death, he intercedes for the redemption of those transgressions which were under the former testament, so that those who have been called may receive the promise of an eternal inheritance.

9:24	For Jesus did not enter by means of holy things made with hands, mere examples of the true things, but he entered into Heaven itself, so that he may appear now before the face of God for us.
9:25	And he did not enter so as to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters into the Holy of Holies each year, with the blood of another.
9:26	Otherwise, he would need to have suffered repeatedly since the beginning of the world. But now, one time, at the consummation of the ages, he has appeared in order to destroy sin though his own sacrifice.
9:27	And in the same manner as it has been appointed for men to die one time, and after this, to be judged,
9:28	so also Christ was offered, one time, in order to empty the sins of so many. He shall appear a second time without sin, for those who await him, unto salvation.

Mark 3: 22- 30

3:22	And the scribes who had descended from Jerusalem said, “Because he has Beelzebub, and because by the prince of demons does he cast out demons.”
3:23	And having called them together, he spoke to them in parables: “How can Satan cast out Satan?
3:24	For if a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom is not able to stand.
3:25	And if a house is divided against itself, that house is not able to stand.
3:26	And if Satan has risen up against himself, he would be divided, and he would not be able to stand; instead he reaches the end.
3:27	No one is able to plunder the goods of a strong man, having entered into the house, unless he first binds the strong man, and then he shall plunder his house.
3:28	Amen I say to you, that all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and the blasphemies by which they will have blasphemed.
3:29	But he who will have blasphemed against the Holy Spirit shall not have forgiveness in eternity; instead he shall be guilty of an eternal offense.”
3:30	For they said: “He has an unclean spirit.”

Nehemiah 8: 2- 6, 8- 10

8:2	Therefore, Ezra the priest brought the law before the multitude of men and women, and all those who were able to understand, on the first day of the seventh month.
8:3	And he read it openly in the street which was before the water gate, from morning even until midday, in the sight of the men and women, and those who understood. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the book.
8:4	Then Ezra the scribe stood upon a step of wood, which he had made for speaking. And standing beside him were Mattithiah, and Shemaiah, and Anaiah, and Uriah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right. And on the left were Pedaiah, Mishael, and Malchijah, and Hashum, and Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
8:5	And Ezra opened the book before all the people. For he stood out above all the people. And when he had opened it, all the people stood up.
8:6	And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people responded, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. And they bowed down, and they adored God, facing the ground.
8:8	And they read from the book of the law of God, distinctly and plainly, so as to be understood. And when it was read, they did understand.
8:9	Then Nehemiah (the same is the cupbearer) and Ezra, the priest and scribe, and the Levites, who were interpreting for all the people, said: “This day has been sanctified to the Lord our God. Do not mourn, and do not weep.” For all of the people were weeping, as they were listening to the words of the law.
8:10	And he said to them: “Go, eat fat foods and drink sweet drinks, and send portions to those who have not prepared for themselves. For it is the holy day of the Lord. And do not be sad. For the joy of the Lord is also our strength.”

First Corinthians 12: 12- 30

12:12	For just as the body is one, and yet has many parts, so all the parts of the body, though they are many, are only one body. So also is Christ.
12:13	And indeed, in one Spirit, we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether servant or free. And we all drank in the one Spirit.
12:14	For the body, too, is not one part, but many.
12:15	If the foot were to say, “Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body,” would it then not be of the body?
12:16	And if the ear were to say, “Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body,” would it then not be of the body?
12:17	If the whole body were the eye, how would it hear? If the whole were hearing, how would it smell?
12:18	But instead, God has placed the parts, each one of them, in the body, just as it has pleased him.
12:19	So if they were all one part, how would it be a body?
12:20	But instead, there are many parts, indeed, yet one body.
12:21	And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need for your works.” And again, the head cannot say to the feet, “You are of no use to me.”
12:22	In fact, so much more necessary are those parts of the body which seem to be weaker.
12:23	And though we consider certain parts of the body to be less noble, we surround these with more abundant dignity, and so, those parts which are less presentable end up with more abundant respect.
12:24	However, our presentable parts have no such need, since God has tempered the body together, distributing the more abundant honor to that which has the need,
12:25	so that there might be no schism in the body, but instead the parts themselves might take care of one another.
12:26	And so, if one part suffers anything, all the parts suffer with it. Or, if one part finds glory, all the parts rejoice with it.
12:27	Now you are the body of Christ, and parts like any part.
12:28	And indeed, God has established a certain order in the Church: first Apostles, second Prophets, third Teachers, next miracle-workers, and then the grace of healing, of helping others, of governing, of different kinds of languages, and of the interpretation of words.
12:29	Are all Apostles? Are all Prophets? Are all Teachers?
12:30	Are all workers of miracles? Do all have the grace of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?

Luke 1: 1- 4, 4: 14- 21

1:1	Since, indeed, many have attempted to set in order a narrative of the things that have been completed among us,
1:2	just as they have been handed on to those of us who from the beginning saw the same and were ministers of the word,
1:3	so it seemed good to me also, having diligently followed everything from the beginning, to write to you, in an orderly manner, most excellent Theophilus,
1:4	so that you might know the truthfulness

4:14	And Jesus returned, in the power of the Spirit, into Galilee. And his fame spread throughout the entire region.
4:15	And he taught in their synagogues, and he was magnified by everyone.
4:16	And he went to Nazareth, where he had been raised. And he entered into the synagogue, according to his custom, on the Sabbath day. And he rose up to read.
4:17	And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. And as he unrolled the book, he found the place where it was written:
4:18	“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; because of this, he has anointed me. He has sent me to evangelize the poor, to heal the contrite of heart,
4:19	to preach forgiveness to captives and sight to the blind, to release the broken into forgiveness, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord and the day of retribution.”
4:20	And when he had rolled up the book, he returned it to the minister, and he sat down. And the eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on him.
4:21	Then he began to say to them, “On this day, this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

Acts 22: 3- 16

22:3	And he said: “I am a Jewish man, born at Tarsus in Cilicia, but raised in this city beside the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the truth of the law of the fathers, zealous for the law, just as all of you also are to this day.
22:4	I persecuted this Way, even unto death, binding and delivering into custody both men and women,
22:5	just as the high priest and all those greater by birth bear witness to me. Having received letters from them to the brothers, I journeyed to Damascus, so that I might lead them bound from there to Jerusalem, so that they might be punished.
22:6	But it happened that, as I was traveling and was approaching Damascus at midday, suddenly from heaven a great light shone around me.
22:7	And falling to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’
22:8	And I responded, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.’
22:9	And those who were with me, indeed, saw the light, but they did not hear the voice of him who was speaking with me.
22:10	And I said, ‘What should I do, Lord?’ Then the Lord said to me: ‘Rise up, and go to Damascus. And there, you shall be told all that you must do.’
22:11	And since I could not see, because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by my companions, and I went to Damascus.
22:12	Then a certain Ananias, a man in accord with the law, having the testimony of all the Jews who were living there,
22:13	drawing near to me and standing close by, said to me, ‘Brother Saul, see!’ And in that same hour, I looked upon him.
22:14	But he said: ‘The God of our fathers has preordained you, so that you would come to know his will and would see the Just One, and would hear the voice from his mouth.
22:15	For you shall be his witness to all men about those things which you have seen and heard.
22:16	And now, why do you delay? Rise up, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, by invoking his name.’

or, Acts 9: 1- 22

9:1	Now Saul, still breathing threats and beatings against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,
9:2	and he petitioned him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that, if he found any men or women belonging to this Way, he could lead them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
9:3	And as he made the journey, it happened that he was approaching Damascus. And suddenly, a light from heaven shone around him.
9:4	And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
9:5	And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goad.”
9:6	And he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do you want me to do?”
9:7	And the Lord said to him, “Rise up and go into the city, and there you will be told what you ought to do.” Now the men who were accompanying him were standing stupefied, hearing indeed a voice, but seeing no one.
9:8	Then Saul rose up from the ground. And upon opening his eyes, he saw nothing. So leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus.
9:9	And in that place, he was without sight for three days, and he neither ate nor drank.
9:10	Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias. And the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias!” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
9:11	And the Lord said to him: “Rise up and go into the street that is called Straight, and seek, in the house of Judas, the one named Saul of Tarsus. For behold, he is praying.”
9:12	(And Paul saw a man named Ananias entering and imposing hands upon him, so that he might receive his sight.)
9:13	But Ananias responded: “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem.
9:14	And he has authority here from the leaders of the priests to bind all who invoke your name.”
9:15	Then the Lord said to him: “Go, for this one is an instrument chosen by me to convey my name before nations and kings and the sons of Israel.
9:16	For I will reveal to him how much he must suffer on behalf of my name.”
9:17	And Ananias departed. And he entered the house. And laying his hands upon him, he said: “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, he who appeared to you on the way by which you arrived, sent me so that you would receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
9:18	And immediately, it was as if scales had fallen from his eyes, and he received his sight. And rising up, he was baptized.
9:19	And when he had taken a meal, he was strengthened. Now he was with the disciples who were at Damascus for some days.
9:20	And he was continuously preaching Jesus in the synagogues: that he is the Son of God.
9:21	And all who heard him were astonished, and they said, “Is this not the one who, in Jerusalem, was fighting against those invoking this name, and who came here for this: so that he might lead them away to the leaders of the priests?”
9:22	But Saul was increasing to a greater extent in ability, and so he was confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus, by affirming that he is the Christ.

Mark 16: 15- 18

16:15	And he said to them: “Go forth to the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature.
16:16	Whoever will have believed and been baptized will be saved. Yet truly, whoever will not have believed will be condemned.
16:17	Now these signs will accompany those who believe. In my name, they shall cast out demons. They will speak in new languages.
16:18	They will take up serpents, and, if they drink anything deadly, it will not harm them. They shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they will be well.”

Hebrews 8: 6- 13

8:6	But now he has been granted a better ministry, so much so that he is also the Mediator of a better testament, which has been confirmed by better promises.
8:7	For if the former one had been entirely without fault, then a place certainly would not have been sought for a subsequent one.
8:8	For, finding fault with them, he says: “Behold, the days shall arrive, says the Lord, when I will consummate a New Testament over the house of Israel and the house of Judah,
8:9	not according to the testament which I made with their fathers, on the day when I took them by the hand, so that I might lead them away from the land of Egypt. For they did not remain in my testament, and so I disregarded them, says the Lord.
8:10	For this is the testament which I will set before the house of Israel, after those days, says the Lord. I will instill my laws in their minds, and I will inscribe my laws on their hearts. And so, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
8:11	And they will not teach, each one his neighbor, and each one his brother, saying: ‘Know the Lord.’ For all shall know me, from the least, even to the greatest of them.
8:12	For I will forgive their iniquities, and I will no longer remember their sins.”
8:13	Now in saying something new, he has made the former old. But that which decays and grows old is close to passing away.

Mark 3: 13- 19

3:13	And ascending onto a mountain, he called to himself those whom he willed, and they came to him.
3:14	And he acted so that the twelve would be with him, and so that he might send them out to preach.
3:15	And he gave them authority to cure infirmities, and to cast out demons:
3:16	and he imposed on Simon the name Peter;
3:17	and also he imposed on James of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, the name ‘Boanerges,’ that is, ‘Sons of Thunder;’
3:18	and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus, and Simon the Canaanite,
3:19	and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

Reading

The Letter to the Hebrews   7: 25- 8: 6

7:25	And for this reason, he is able, continuously, to save those who approach God through him, since he is ever alive to make intercession on our behalf.
7:26	For it was fitting that we should have such a High Priest: holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted higher than the heavens.
7:27	And he has no need, daily, in the manner of other priests, to offer sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people. For he has done this once, by offering himself.
7:28	For the law appoints men as priests, though they have infirmities. But, by the word of the oath that is after the law, the Son has been perfected for eternity.

8:1	Now the main point in the things that have been stated is this: that we have so great a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of Majesty in the heavens,
8:2	who is the minister of holy things, and of the true tabernacle, which was established by the Lord, not by man.
8:3	For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices. Therefore, it is necessary for him also to have something to offer.
8:4	And so, if he were upon the earth, he would not be a priest, since there would be others to offer gifts according to the law,
8:5	gifts which serve as mere examples and shadows of the heavenly things. And so it was answered to Moses, when he was about to complete the tabernacle: “See to it,” he said, “that you make everything according to the example which was revealed to you on the mountain.”
8:6	But now he has been granted a better ministry, so much so that he is also the Mediator of a better testament, which has been confirmed by better promises.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to Mark    3: 7-12

3:7	But Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea. And a great crowd followed him from Galilee and Judea,
3:8	and from Jerusalem, and from Idumea and across the Jordan. And those around Tyre and Sidon, upon hearing what he was doing, came to him in a great multitude.
3:9	And he told his disciples that a small boat would be useful to him, because of the crowd, lest they press upon him.
3:10	For he healed so many, that as many of them as had wounds would rush toward him in order to touch him.
3:11	And the unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell prostrate before him. And they cried out, saying,
3:12	“You are the Son of God.” And he strongly admonished them, lest they make him known.

Hebrews 11: 1- 2, 8- 19

11:1	Now, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not apparent.
11:2	For this reason, the ancients were given testimony.
11:8	By faith, the one called Abraham obeyed, going out to the place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
11:9	By faith, he stayed in the Land of the Promise as if in a foreign land, dwelling in cottages, with Isaac and Jacob, co-heirs of the same promise.
11:10	For he was awaiting a city having firm foundations, whose designer and builder is God.
11:11	By faith also, Sarah herself, being barren, received the ability to conceive offspring, even though she was past that age in life. For she believed him to be faithful, who had promised.
11:12	Because of this, there were also born, from one who himself was as if dead, a mulititude like the stars of heaven, who are, like the sand of the seashore, innumerable.
11:13	All of these passed away, adhering to faith, not having received the promises, yet beholding them from afar and saluting them, and confessing themselves to be sojourners and guests upon the earth.
11:14	For those who speak in this way are themselves indicating that they seek a homeland.
11:15	And if, indeed, they had been mindful of the very place from which they departed, they certainly would have returned in time.
11:16	But now they hunger for a better place, that is, Heaven. For this reason, God is not ashamed to be called their God. For he has prepared a city for them.
11:17	By faith, Abraham, when he was tested, offered Isaac, so that he who had received the promises was offering up his only son.
11:18	To him, it was said, “Through Isaac, shall your offspring be summoned,”
11:19	indicating that God is even able to raise up from the dead. And thus, he also established him as a parable.

Mark 4: 35- 41

4:35	And on that day, when evening had arrived, he said to them, “Let us cross over.”
4:36	And dismissing the crowd, they brought him, so that he was in one boat, and other boats were with him.
4:37	And a great wind storm occurred, and the waves broke over the boat, so that the boat was being filled.
4:38	And he was in the stern of the boat, sleeping on a pillow. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, does it not concern you that we are perishing?”
4:39	And rising up, he rebuked the wind, and he said to the sea: “Silence. Be stilled.” And the wind ceased. And a great tranquility occurred.
4:40	And he said to them: “Why are you afraid? Do you still lack faith?” And they were struck with a great fear. And they said to one another, “Who do you think this is, that both wind and sea obey him?”

Hebrews 10: 32- 39

10:32	But call to mind the former days, in which, after being enlightened, you endured a great struggle of afflictions.
10:33	And certainly, in one way, by insults and tribulations, you were made a spectacle, but in another way, you became the companions of those who were the object of such behavior.
10:34	For you even had compassion on those who were imprisoned, and you accepted with gladness being deprived of your goods, knowing that you have a better and more lasting substance.
10:35	And so, do not lose your confidence, which has a great reward.
10:36	For it is necessary for you to be patient, so that, by doing the will of God, you may receive the promise.
10:37	“For, in a little while, and somewhat longer, he who is to come will return, and he will not delay.
10:38	For my just man lives by faith. But if he were to draw himself back, he would not please my soul.”
10:39	So then, we are not sons who are drawn away to perdition, but we are sons of faith toward the securing of the soul

Mark 4: 26- 32

4:26	And he said: “The kingdom of God is like this: it is as if a man were to cast seed on the land.
4:27	And he sleeps and he arises, night and day. And the seed germinates and grows, though he does not know it.
4:28	For the earth bears fruit readily: first the plant, then the ear, next the full grain in the ear.
4:29	And when the fruit has been produced, immediately he sends out the sickle, because the harvest has arrived.”
4:30	And he said: “To what should we compare the kingdom of God? Or to what parable should we compare it?
4:31	It is like a grain of mustard seed which, when it has been sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds which are in the earth.
4:32	And when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all the plants, and it produces great branches, so much so that the birds of the air are able to live under its shadow.”
4:33	And with many such parables he spoke the word to them, as much as they were able to hear.
4:34	But he did not speak to them without a parable. Yet separately, he explained all things to his disciples.

Hebrews 10: 19- 25

10:19	And so, brothers, have faith in the entrance into the Holy of Holies by the blood of Christ,
10:20	and in the new and living Way, which he has initiated for us by the veil, that is, by his flesh,
10:21	and in the Great Priest over the house of God.
10:22	So, let us draw near with a true heart, in the fullness of faith, having hearts cleansed from an evil conscience, and bodies absolved with clean water.
10:23	Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope, without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful.
10:24	And let us be considerate of one another, so as to prompt ourselves to charity and to good works,
10:25	not deserting our assembly, as some are accustomed to do, but consoling one another, and even more so as you see that the day is approaching.

Mark 4: 21- 25

4:21	And he said to them: “Would someone enter with a lamp in order to place it under a basket or under a bed? Would it not be placed upon a lampstand?
4:22	For there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed. Neither was anything done in secret, except that it may be made public.
4:23	If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”
4:24	And he said to them: “Consider what you hear. With whatever measure you have measured out, it shall be measured back to you, and more shall be added to you.
4:25	For whoever has, to him it shall be given. And whoever has not, from him even what he has shall be taken away.”

Hebrews 10: 11- 18

10:11	And certainly, every priest stands by, ministering daily, and frequently offering the same sacrifices, which are never able to take away sins.
10:12	But this man, offering one sacrifice for sins, sits at the right hand of God forever,
10:13	awaiting that time when his enemies will be made his footstool.
10:14	For, by one oblation, he has brought to fulfillment, for all time, those who are sanctified.
10:15	Now the Holy Spirit also testifies for us about this. For afterward, he said:
10:16	“And this is the testament which I will commit to them after those days, says the Lord. I will instill my laws in their hearts, and I will inscribe my laws on their minds.
10:17	And I will no longer remember their sins and iniquities.”
10:18	Now, when there is a remission of these things, there is no longer an oblation for sin.

Mark 4: 1- 20

4:1	And again, he began to teach by the sea. And a great crowd was gathered to him, so much so that, climbing into a boat, he was seated on the sea. And the entire crowd was on the land along the sea.
4:2	And he taught them many things in parables, and he said to them, in his doctrine:
4:3	“Listen. Behold, the sower went out to sow.
4:4	And while he was sowing, some fell along the way, and the birds of the air came and ate it.
4:5	Yet truly, others fell upon stony ground, where it did not have much soil. And it rose up quickly, because it had no depth of soil.
4:6	And when the sun was risen, it was scorched. And because it had no root, it withered away.
4:7	And some fell among thorns. And the thorns grew up and suffocated it, and it did not produce fruit.
4:8	And some fell on good soil. And it brought forth fruit that grew up, and increased, and yielded: some thirty, some sixty, and some one hundred.”
4:9	And he said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.”
4:10	And when he was alone, the twelve, who were with him, questioned him about the parable.
4:11	And he said to them: “To you, it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God. But to those who are outside, everything is presented in parables:
4:12	‘so that, seeing, they may see, and not perceive; and hearing, they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they may be converted, and their sins would be forgiven them.’ ”
4:13	And he said to them: “Do you not understand this parable? And so, how will you understand all the parables?
4:14	He who sows, sows the word.
4:15	Now there are those who are along the way, where the word is sown. And when they have heard it, Satan quickly comes and takes away the word, which was sown in their hearts.
4:16	And similarly, there are those who were sown upon stony ground. These, when they have heard the word, immediately accept it with gladness.
4:17	But they have no root in themselves, and so they are for a limited time. And when next tribulation and persecution arises because of the word, they quickly fall away.
4:18	And there are others who are sown among thorns. These are those who hear the word,
4:19	but worldly tasks, and the deception of riches, and desires about other things enter in and suffocate the word, and it is effectively without fruit.
4:20	And there are those who are sown upon good soil, who hear the word and accept it; and these bear fruit: some thirty, some sixty, and some one hundred.”

Reading

The Letter to the Hebrews   10: 1-10

10:1	For the law contains the shadow of future good things, not the very image of these things. So, by the very same sacrifices which they offer ceaselessly each year, they can never cause these to approach perfection.
10:2	Otherwise, they would have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, once cleansed, would no longer be conscious of any sin.
10:3	Instead, in these things, a commemoration of sins is made every year.
10:4	For it is impossible for sins to be taken away by the blood of oxen and goats.
10:5	For this reason, as Christ enters into the world, he says: “Sacrifice and oblation, you did not want. But you have fashioned a body for me.
10:6	Holocausts for sin were not pleasing to you.
10:7	Then I said, ‘Behold, I draw near.’ At the head of the book, it has been written of me that I should do your will, O God.”
10:8	In the above, by saying, “Sacrifices, and oblations, and holocausts for sin, you did not want, nor are those things pleasing to you, which are offered according to the law;
10:9	then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God,’ ” he takes away the first, so that he may establish what follows.
10:10	For by this will, we have been sanctified, through the one time oblation of the body of Jesus Christ.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to Mark   3: 31-35

3:31	And his mother and brothers arrived. And standing outside, they sent to him, calling him.
3:32	And the crowd was sitting around him. And they said to him, “Behold, your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.”
3:33	And responding to them, he said, “Who is my mother and my brothers?”
3:34	And looking around at those who were sitting all around him, he said: “Behold, my mother and my brothers.
3:35	For whoever has done the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister and mother.”

Hebrews 9: 15, 24- 28

9:15	And thus he is the Mediator of the new testament, so that, by his death, he intercedes for the redemption of those transgressions which were under the former testament, so that those who have been called may receive the promise of an eternal inheritance.

9:24	For Jesus did not enter by means of holy things made with hands, mere examples of the true things, but he entered into Heaven itself, so that he may appear now before the face of God for us.
9:25	And he did not enter so as to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters into the Holy of Holies each year, with the blood of another.
9:26	Otherwise, he would need to have suffered repeatedly since the beginning of the world. But now, one time, at the consummation of the ages, he has appeared in order to destroy sin though his own sacrifice.
9:27	And in the same manner as it has been appointed for men to die one time, and after this, to be judged,
9:28	so also Christ was offered, one time, in order to empty the sins of so many. He shall appear a second time without sin, for those who await him, unto salvation.

Mark 3: 22- 30

3:22	And the scribes who had descended from Jerusalem said, “Because he has Beelzebub, and because by the prince of demons does he cast out demons.”
3:23	And having called them together, he spoke to them in parables: “How can Satan cast out Satan?
3:24	For if a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom is not able to stand.
3:25	And if a house is divided against itself, that house is not able to stand.
3:26	And if Satan has risen up against himself, he would be divided, and he would not be able to stand; instead he reaches the end.
3:27	No one is able to plunder the goods of a strong man, having entered into the house, unless he first binds the strong man, and then he shall plunder his house.
3:28	Amen I say to you, that all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and the blasphemies by which they will have blasphemed.
3:29	But he who will have blasphemed against the Holy Spirit shall not have forgiveness in eternity; instead he shall be guilty of an eternal offense.”
3:30	For they said: “He has an unclean spirit.”

Nehemiah 8: 2- 6, 8- 10

8:2	Therefore, Ezra the priest brought the law before the multitude of men and women, and all those who were able to understand, on the first day of the seventh month.
8:3	And he read it openly in the street which was before the water gate, from morning even until midday, in the sight of the men and women, and those who understood. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the book.
8:4	Then Ezra the scribe stood upon a step of wood, which he had made for speaking. And standing beside him were Mattithiah, and Shemaiah, and Anaiah, and Uriah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right. And on the left were Pedaiah, Mishael, and Malchijah, and Hashum, and Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
8:5	And Ezra opened the book before all the people. For he stood out above all the people. And when he had opened it, all the people stood up.
8:6	And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people responded, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. And they bowed down, and they adored God, facing the ground.
8:8	And they read from the book of the law of God, distinctly and plainly, so as to be understood. And when it was read, they did understand.
8:9	Then Nehemiah (the same is the cupbearer) and Ezra, the priest and scribe, and the Levites, who were interpreting for all the people, said: “This day has been sanctified to the Lord our God. Do not mourn, and do not weep.” For all of the people were weeping, as they were listening to the words of the law.
8:10	And he said to them: “Go, eat fat foods and drink sweet drinks, and send portions to those who have not prepared for themselves. For it is the holy day of the Lord. And do not be sad. For the joy of the Lord is also our strength.”

First Corinthians 12: 12- 30

12:12	For just as the body is one, and yet has many parts, so all the parts of the body, though they are many, are only one body. So also is Christ.
12:13	And indeed, in one Spirit, we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether servant or free. And we all drank in the one Spirit.
12:14	For the body, too, is not one part, but many.
12:15	If the foot were to say, “Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body,” would it then not be of the body?
12:16	And if the ear were to say, “Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body,” would it then not be of the body?
12:17	If the whole body were the eye, how would it hear? If the whole were hearing, how would it smell?
12:18	But instead, God has placed the parts, each one of them, in the body, just as it has pleased him.
12:19	So if they were all one part, how would it be a body?
12:20	But instead, there are many parts, indeed, yet one body.
12:21	And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need for your works.” And again, the head cannot say to the feet, “You are of no use to me.”
12:22	In fact, so much more necessary are those parts of the body which seem to be weaker.
12:23	And though we consider certain parts of the body to be less noble, we surround these with more abundant dignity, and so, those parts which are less presentable end up with more abundant respect.
12:24	However, our presentable parts have no such need, since God has tempered the body together, distributing the more abundant honor to that which has the need,
12:25	so that there might be no schism in the body, but instead the parts themselves might take care of one another.
12:26	And so, if one part suffers anything, all the parts suffer with it. Or, if one part finds glory, all the parts rejoice with it.
12:27	Now you are the body of Christ, and parts like any part.
12:28	And indeed, God has established a certain order in the Church: first Apostles, second Prophets, third Teachers, next miracle-workers, and then the grace of healing, of helping others, of governing, of different kinds of languages, and of the interpretation of words.
12:29	Are all Apostles? Are all Prophets? Are all Teachers?
12:30	Are all workers of miracles? Do all have the grace of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?

Luke 1: 1- 4, 4: 14- 21

1:1	Since, indeed, many have attempted to set in order a narrative of the things that have been completed among us,
1:2	just as they have been handed on to those of us who from the beginning saw the same and were ministers of the word,
1:3	so it seemed good to me also, having diligently followed everything from the beginning, to write to you, in an orderly manner, most excellent Theophilus,
1:4	so that you might know the truthfulness

4:14	And Jesus returned, in the power of the Spirit, into Galilee. And his fame spread throughout the entire region.
4:15	And he taught in their synagogues, and he was magnified by everyone.
4:16	And he went to Nazareth, where he had been raised. And he entered into the synagogue, according to his custom, on the Sabbath day. And he rose up to read.
4:17	And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. And as he unrolled the book, he found the place where it was written:
4:18	“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; because of this, he has anointed me. He has sent me to evangelize the poor, to heal the contrite of heart,
4:19	to preach forgiveness to captives and sight to the blind, to release the broken into forgiveness, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord and the day of retribution.”
4:20	And when he had rolled up the book, he returned it to the minister, and he sat down. And the eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on him.
4:21	Then he began to say to them, “On this day, this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

Acts 22: 3- 16

22:3	And he said: “I am a Jewish man, born at Tarsus in Cilicia, but raised in this city beside the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the truth of the law of the fathers, zealous for the law, just as all of you also are to this day.
22:4	I persecuted this Way, even unto death, binding and delivering into custody both men and women,
22:5	just as the high priest and all those greater by birth bear witness to me. Having received letters from them to the brothers, I journeyed to Damascus, so that I might lead them bound from there to Jerusalem, so that they might be punished.
22:6	But it happened that, as I was traveling and was approaching Damascus at midday, suddenly from heaven a great light shone around me.
22:7	And falling to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’
22:8	And I responded, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.’
22:9	And those who were with me, indeed, saw the light, but they did not hear the voice of him who was speaking with me.
22:10	And I said, ‘What should I do, Lord?’ Then the Lord said to me: ‘Rise up, and go to Damascus. And there, you shall be told all that you must do.’
22:11	And since I could not see, because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by my companions, and I went to Damascus.
22:12	Then a certain Ananias, a man in accord with the law, having the testimony of all the Jews who were living there,
22:13	drawing near to me and standing close by, said to me, ‘Brother Saul, see!’ And in that same hour, I looked upon him.
22:14	But he said: ‘The God of our fathers has preordained you, so that you would come to know his will and would see the Just One, and would hear the voice from his mouth.
22:15	For you shall be his witness to all men about those things which you have seen and heard.
22:16	And now, why do you delay? Rise up, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, by invoking his name.’

or, Acts 9: 1- 22

9:1	Now Saul, still breathing threats and beatings against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,
9:2	and he petitioned him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that, if he found any men or women belonging to this Way, he could lead them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
9:3	And as he made the journey, it happened that he was approaching Damascus. And suddenly, a light from heaven shone around him.
9:4	And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
9:5	And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goad.”
9:6	And he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do you want me to do?”
9:7	And the Lord said to him, “Rise up and go into the city, and there you will be told what you ought to do.” Now the men who were accompanying him were standing stupefied, hearing indeed a voice, but seeing no one.
9:8	Then Saul rose up from the ground. And upon opening his eyes, he saw nothing. So leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus.
9:9	And in that place, he was without sight for three days, and he neither ate nor drank.
9:10	Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias. And the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias!” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
9:11	And the Lord said to him: “Rise up and go into the street that is called Straight, and seek, in the house of Judas, the one named Saul of Tarsus. For behold, he is praying.”
9:12	(And Paul saw a man named Ananias entering and imposing hands upon him, so that he might receive his sight.)
9:13	But Ananias responded: “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem.
9:14	And he has authority here from the leaders of the priests to bind all who invoke your name.”
9:15	Then the Lord said to him: “Go, for this one is an instrument chosen by me to convey my name before nations and kings and the sons of Israel.
9:16	For I will reveal to him how much he must suffer on behalf of my name.”
9:17	And Ananias departed. And he entered the house. And laying his hands upon him, he said: “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, he who appeared to you on the way by which you arrived, sent me so that you would receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
9:18	And immediately, it was as if scales had fallen from his eyes, and he received his sight. And rising up, he was baptized.
9:19	And when he had taken a meal, he was strengthened. Now he was with the disciples who were at Damascus for some days.
9:20	And he was continuously preaching Jesus in the synagogues: that he is the Son of God.
9:21	And all who heard him were astonished, and they said, “Is this not the one who, in Jerusalem, was fighting against those invoking this name, and who came here for this: so that he might lead them away to the leaders of the priests?”
9:22	But Saul was increasing to a greater extent in ability, and so he was confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus, by affirming that he is the Christ.

Mark 16: 15- 18

16:15	And he said to them: “Go forth to the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature.
16:16	Whoever will have believed and been baptized will be saved. Yet truly, whoever will not have believed will be condemned.
16:17	Now these signs will accompany those who believe. In my name, they shall cast out demons. They will speak in new languages.
16:18	They will take up serpents, and, if they drink anything deadly, it will not harm them. They shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they will be well.”

Hebrews 8: 6- 13

8:6	But now he has been granted a better ministry, so much so that he is also the Mediator of a better testament, which has been confirmed by better promises.
8:7	For if the former one had been entirely without fault, then a place certainly would not have been sought for a subsequent one.
8:8	For, finding fault with them, he says: “Behold, the days shall arrive, says the Lord, when I will consummate a New Testament over the house of Israel and the house of Judah,
8:9	not according to the testament which I made with their fathers, on the day when I took them by the hand, so that I might lead them away from the land of Egypt. For they did not remain in my testament, and so I disregarded them, says the Lord.
8:10	For this is the testament which I will set before the house of Israel, after those days, says the Lord. I will instill my laws in their minds, and I will inscribe my laws on their hearts. And so, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
8:11	And they will not teach, each one his neighbor, and each one his brother, saying: ‘Know the Lord.’ For all shall know me, from the least, even to the greatest of them.
8:12	For I will forgive their iniquities, and I will no longer remember their sins.”
8:13	Now in saying something new, he has made the former old. But that which decays and grows old is close to passing away.

Mark 3: 13- 19

3:13	And ascending onto a mountain, he called to himself those whom he willed, and they came to him.
3:14	And he acted so that the twelve would be with him, and so that he might send them out to preach.
3:15	And he gave them authority to cure infirmities, and to cast out demons:
3:16	and he imposed on Simon the name Peter;
3:17	and also he imposed on James of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, the name ‘Boanerges,’ that is, ‘Sons of Thunder;’
3:18	and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus, and Simon the Canaanite,
3:19	and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

Reading

The Letter to the Hebrews   7: 25- 8: 6

7:25	And for this reason, he is able, continuously, to save those who approach God through him, since he is ever alive to make intercession on our behalf.
7:26	For it was fitting that we should have such a High Priest: holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted higher than the heavens.
7:27	And he has no need, daily, in the manner of other priests, to offer sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people. For he has done this once, by offering himself.
7:28	For the law appoints men as priests, though they have infirmities. But, by the word of the oath that is after the law, the Son has been perfected for eternity.

8:1	Now the main point in the things that have been stated is this: that we have so great a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of Majesty in the heavens,
8:2	who is the minister of holy things, and of the true tabernacle, which was established by the Lord, not by man.
8:3	For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices. Therefore, it is necessary for him also to have something to offer.
8:4	And so, if he were upon the earth, he would not be a priest, since there would be others to offer gifts according to the law,
8:5	gifts which serve as mere examples and shadows of the heavenly things. And so it was answered to Moses, when he was about to complete the tabernacle: “See to it,” he said, “that you make everything according to the example which was revealed to you on the mountain.”
8:6	But now he has been granted a better ministry, so much so that he is also the Mediator of a better testament, which has been confirmed by better promises.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to Mark    3: 7-12

3:7	But Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea. And a great crowd followed him from Galilee and Judea,
3:8	and from Jerusalem, and from Idumea and across the Jordan. And those around Tyre and Sidon, upon hearing what he was doing, came to him in a great multitude.
3:9	And he told his disciples that a small boat would be useful to him, because of the crowd, lest they press upon him.
3:10	For he healed so many, that as many of them as had wounds would rush toward him in order to touch him.
3:11	And the unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell prostrate before him. And they cried out, saying,
3:12	“You are the Son of God.” And he strongly admonished them, lest they make him known.

Hebrews 11: 1- 2, 8- 19

11:1	Now, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not apparent.
11:2	For this reason, the ancients were given testimony.
11:8	By faith, the one called Abraham obeyed, going out to the place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
11:9	By faith, he stayed in the Land of the Promise as if in a foreign land, dwelling in cottages, with Isaac and Jacob, co-heirs of the same promise.
11:10	For he was awaiting a city having firm foundations, whose designer and builder is God.
11:11	By faith also, Sarah herself, being barren, received the ability to conceive offspring, even though she was past that age in life. For she believed him to be faithful, who had promised.
11:12	Because of this, there were also born, from one who himself was as if dead, a mulititude like the stars of heaven, who are, like the sand of the seashore, innumerable.
11:13	All of these passed away, adhering to faith, not having received the promises, yet beholding them from afar and saluting them, and confessing themselves to be sojourners and guests upon the earth.
11:14	For those who speak in this way are themselves indicating that they seek a homeland.
11:15	And if, indeed, they had been mindful of the very place from which they departed, they certainly would have returned in time.
11:16	But now they hunger for a better place, that is, Heaven. For this reason, God is not ashamed to be called their God. For he has prepared a city for them.
11:17	By faith, Abraham, when he was tested, offered Isaac, so that he who had received the promises was offering up his only son.
11:18	To him, it was said, “Through Isaac, shall your offspring be summoned,”
11:19	indicating that God is even able to raise up from the dead. And thus, he also established him as a parable.

Mark 4: 35- 41

4:35	And on that day, when evening had arrived, he said to them, “Let us cross over.”
4:36	And dismissing the crowd, they brought him, so that he was in one boat, and other boats were with him.
4:37	And a great wind storm occurred, and the waves broke over the boat, so that the boat was being filled.
4:38	And he was in the stern of the boat, sleeping on a pillow. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, does it not concern you that we are perishing?”
4:39	And rising up, he rebuked the wind, and he said to the sea: “Silence. Be stilled.” And the wind ceased. And a great tranquility occurred.
4:40	And he said to them: “Why are you afraid? Do you still lack faith?” And they were struck with a great fear. And they said to one another, “Who do you think this is, that both wind and sea obey him?”

Hebrews 10: 32- 39

10:32	But call to mind the former days, in which, after being enlightened, you endured a great struggle of afflictions.
10:33	And certainly, in one way, by insults and tribulations, you were made a spectacle, but in another way, you became the companions of those who were the object of such behavior.
10:34	For you even had compassion on those who were imprisoned, and you accepted with gladness being deprived of your goods, knowing that you have a better and more lasting substance.
10:35	And so, do not lose your confidence, which has a great reward.
10:36	For it is necessary for you to be patient, so that, by doing the will of God, you may receive the promise.
10:37	“For, in a little while, and somewhat longer, he who is to come will return, and he will not delay.
10:38	For my just man lives by faith. But if he were to draw himself back, he would not please my soul.”
10:39	So then, we are not sons who are drawn away to perdition, but we are sons of faith toward the securing of the soul

Mark 4: 26- 32

4:26	And he said: “The kingdom of God is like this: it is as if a man were to cast seed on the land.
4:27	And he sleeps and he arises, night and day. And the seed germinates and grows, though he does not know it.
4:28	For the earth bears fruit readily: first the plant, then the ear, next the full grain in the ear.
4:29	And when the fruit has been produced, immediately he sends out the sickle, because the harvest has arrived.”
4:30	And he said: “To what should we compare the kingdom of God? Or to what parable should we compare it?
4:31	It is like a grain of mustard seed which, when it has been sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds which are in the earth.
4:32	And when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all the plants, and it produces great branches, so much so that the birds of the air are able to live under its shadow.”
4:33	And with many such parables he spoke the word to them, as much as they were able to hear.
4:34	But he did not speak to them without a parable. Yet separately, he explained all things to his disciples.

Hebrews 10: 19- 25

10:19	And so, brothers, have faith in the entrance into the Holy of Holies by the blood of Christ,
10:20	and in the new and living Way, which he has initiated for us by the veil, that is, by his flesh,
10:21	and in the Great Priest over the house of God.
10:22	So, let us draw near with a true heart, in the fullness of faith, having hearts cleansed from an evil conscience, and bodies absolved with clean water.
10:23	Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope, without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful.
10:24	And let us be considerate of one another, so as to prompt ourselves to charity and to good works,
10:25	not deserting our assembly, as some are accustomed to do, but consoling one another, and even more so as you see that the day is approaching.

Mark 4: 21- 25

4:21	And he said to them: “Would someone enter with a lamp in order to place it under a basket or under a bed? Would it not be placed upon a lampstand?
4:22	For there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed. Neither was anything done in secret, except that it may be made public.
4:23	If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”
4:24	And he said to them: “Consider what you hear. With whatever measure you have measured out, it shall be measured back to you, and more shall be added to you.
4:25	For whoever has, to him it shall be given. And whoever has not, from him even what he has shall be taken away.”

Hebrews 10: 11- 18

10:11	And certainly, every priest stands by, ministering daily, and frequently offering the same sacrifices, which are never able to take away sins.
10:12	But this man, offering one sacrifice for sins, sits at the right hand of God forever,
10:13	awaiting that time when his enemies will be made his footstool.
10:14	For, by one oblation, he has brought to fulfillment, for all time, those who are sanctified.
10:15	Now the Holy Spirit also testifies for us about this. For afterward, he said:
10:16	“And this is the testament which I will commit to them after those days, says the Lord. I will instill my laws in their hearts, and I will inscribe my laws on their minds.
10:17	And I will no longer remember their sins and iniquities.”
10:18	Now, when there is a remission of these things, there is no longer an oblation for sin.

Mark 4: 1- 20

4:1	And again, he began to teach by the sea. And a great crowd was gathered to him, so much so that, climbing into a boat, he was seated on the sea. And the entire crowd was on the land along the sea.
4:2	And he taught them many things in parables, and he said to them, in his doctrine:
4:3	“Listen. Behold, the sower went out to sow.
4:4	And while he was sowing, some fell along the way, and the birds of the air came and ate it.
4:5	Yet truly, others fell upon stony ground, where it did not have much soil. And it rose up quickly, because it had no depth of soil.
4:6	And when the sun was risen, it was scorched. And because it had no root, it withered away.
4:7	And some fell among thorns. And the thorns grew up and suffocated it, and it did not produce fruit.
4:8	And some fell on good soil. And it brought forth fruit that grew up, and increased, and yielded: some thirty, some sixty, and some one hundred.”
4:9	And he said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.”
4:10	And when he was alone, the twelve, who were with him, questioned him about the parable.
4:11	And he said to them: “To you, it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God. But to those who are outside, everything is presented in parables:
4:12	‘so that, seeing, they may see, and not perceive; and hearing, they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they may be converted, and their sins would be forgiven them.’ ”
4:13	And he said to them: “Do you not understand this parable? And so, how will you understand all the parables?
4:14	He who sows, sows the word.
4:15	Now there are those who are along the way, where the word is sown. And when they have heard it, Satan quickly comes and takes away the word, which was sown in their hearts.
4:16	And similarly, there are those who were sown upon stony ground. These, when they have heard the word, immediately accept it with gladness.
4:17	But they have no root in themselves, and so they are for a limited time. And when next tribulation and persecution arises because of the word, they quickly fall away.
4:18	And there are others who are sown among thorns. These are those who hear the word,
4:19	but worldly tasks, and the deception of riches, and desires about other things enter in and suffocate the word, and it is effectively without fruit.
4:20	And there are those who are sown upon good soil, who hear the word and accept it; and these bear fruit: some thirty, some sixty, and some one hundred.”

Reading

The Letter to the Hebrews   10: 1-10

10:1	For the law contains the shadow of future good things, not the very image of these things. So, by the very same sacrifices which they offer ceaselessly each year, they can never cause these to approach perfection.
10:2	Otherwise, they would have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, once cleansed, would no longer be conscious of any sin.
10:3	Instead, in these things, a commemoration of sins is made every year.
10:4	For it is impossible for sins to be taken away by the blood of oxen and goats.
10:5	For this reason, as Christ enters into the world, he says: “Sacrifice and oblation, you did not want. But you have fashioned a body for me.
10:6	Holocausts for sin were not pleasing to you.
10:7	Then I said, ‘Behold, I draw near.’ At the head of the book, it has been written of me that I should do your will, O God.”
10:8	In the above, by saying, “Sacrifices, and oblations, and holocausts for sin, you did not want, nor are those things pleasing to you, which are offered according to the law;
10:9	then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God,’ ” he takes away the first, so that he may establish what follows.
10:10	For by this will, we have been sanctified, through the one time oblation of the body of Jesus Christ.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to Mark   3: 31-35

3:31	And his mother and brothers arrived. And standing outside, they sent to him, calling him.
3:32	And the crowd was sitting around him. And they said to him, “Behold, your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.”
3:33	And responding to them, he said, “Who is my mother and my brothers?”
3:34	And looking around at those who were sitting all around him, he said: “Behold, my mother and my brothers.
3:35	For whoever has done the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister and mother.”

Hebrews 9: 15, 24- 28

9:15	And thus he is the Mediator of the new testament, so that, by his death, he intercedes for the redemption of those transgressions which were under the former testament, so that those who have been called may receive the promise of an eternal inheritance.

9:24	For Jesus did not enter by means of holy things made with hands, mere examples of the true things, but he entered into Heaven itself, so that he may appear now before the face of God for us.
9:25	And he did not enter so as to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters into the Holy of Holies each year, with the blood of another.
9:26	Otherwise, he would need to have suffered repeatedly since the beginning of the world. But now, one time, at the consummation of the ages, he has appeared in order to destroy sin though his own sacrifice.
9:27	And in the same manner as it has been appointed for men to die one time, and after this, to be judged,
9:28	so also Christ was offered, one time, in order to empty the sins of so many. He shall appear a second time without sin, for those who await him, unto salvation.

Mark 3: 22- 30

3:22	And the scribes who had descended from Jerusalem said, “Because he has Beelzebub, and because by the prince of demons does he cast out demons.”
3:23	And having called them together, he spoke to them in parables: “How can Satan cast out Satan?
3:24	For if a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom is not able to stand.
3:25	And if a house is divided against itself, that house is not able to stand.
3:26	And if Satan has risen up against himself, he would be divided, and he would not be able to stand; instead he reaches the end.
3:27	No one is able to plunder the goods of a strong man, having entered into the house, unless he first binds the strong man, and then he shall plunder his house.
3:28	Amen I say to you, that all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and the blasphemies by which they will have blasphemed.
3:29	But he who will have blasphemed against the Holy Spirit shall not have forgiveness in eternity; instead he shall be guilty of an eternal offense.”
3:30	For they said: “He has an unclean spirit.”

Nehemiah 8: 2- 6, 8- 10

8:2	Therefore, Ezra the priest brought the law before the multitude of men and women, and all those who were able to understand, on the first day of the seventh month.
8:3	And he read it openly in the street which was before the water gate, from morning even until midday, in the sight of the men and women, and those who understood. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the book.
8:4	Then Ezra the scribe stood upon a step of wood, which he had made for speaking. And standing beside him were Mattithiah, and Shemaiah, and Anaiah, and Uriah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right. And on the left were Pedaiah, Mishael, and Malchijah, and Hashum, and Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
8:5	And Ezra opened the book before all the people. For he stood out above all the people. And when he had opened it, all the people stood up.
8:6	And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people responded, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. And they bowed down, and they adored God, facing the ground.
8:8	And they read from the book of the law of God, distinctly and plainly, so as to be understood. And when it was read, they did understand.
8:9	Then Nehemiah (the same is the cupbearer) and Ezra, the priest and scribe, and the Levites, who were interpreting for all the people, said: “This day has been sanctified to the Lord our God. Do not mourn, and do not weep.” For all of the people were weeping, as they were listening to the words of the law.
8:10	And he said to them: “Go, eat fat foods and drink sweet drinks, and send portions to those who have not prepared for themselves. For it is the holy day of the Lord. And do not be sad. For the joy of the Lord is also our strength.”

First Corinthians 12: 12- 30

12:12	For just as the body is one, and yet has many parts, so all the parts of the body, though they are many, are only one body. So also is Christ.
12:13	And indeed, in one Spirit, we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether servant or free. And we all drank in the one Spirit.
12:14	For the body, too, is not one part, but many.
12:15	If the foot were to say, “Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body,” would it then not be of the body?
12:16	And if the ear were to say, “Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body,” would it then not be of the body?
12:17	If the whole body were the eye, how would it hear? If the whole were hearing, how would it smell?
12:18	But instead, God has placed the parts, each one of them, in the body, just as it has pleased him.
12:19	So if they were all one part, how would it be a body?
12:20	But instead, there are many parts, indeed, yet one body.
12:21	And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need for your works.” And again, the head cannot say to the feet, “You are of no use to me.”
12:22	In fact, so much more necessary are those parts of the body which seem to be weaker.
12:23	And though we consider certain parts of the body to be less noble, we surround these with more abundant dignity, and so, those parts which are less presentable end up with more abundant respect.
12:24	However, our presentable parts have no such need, since God has tempered the body together, distributing the more abundant honor to that which has the need,
12:25	so that there might be no schism in the body, but instead the parts themselves might take care of one another.
12:26	And so, if one part suffers anything, all the parts suffer with it. Or, if one part finds glory, all the parts rejoice with it.
12:27	Now you are the body of Christ, and parts like any part.
12:28	And indeed, God has established a certain order in the Church: first Apostles, second Prophets, third Teachers, next miracle-workers, and then the grace of healing, of helping others, of governing, of different kinds of languages, and of the interpretation of words.
12:29	Are all Apostles? Are all Prophets? Are all Teachers?
12:30	Are all workers of miracles? Do all have the grace of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?

Luke 1: 1- 4, 4: 14- 21

1:1	Since, indeed, many have attempted to set in order a narrative of the things that have been completed among us,
1:2	just as they have been handed on to those of us who from the beginning saw the same and were ministers of the word,
1:3	so it seemed good to me also, having diligently followed everything from the beginning, to write to you, in an orderly manner, most excellent Theophilus,
1:4	so that you might know the truthfulness

4:14	And Jesus returned, in the power of the Spirit, into Galilee. And his fame spread throughout the entire region.
4:15	And he taught in their synagogues, and he was magnified by everyone.
4:16	And he went to Nazareth, where he had been raised. And he entered into the synagogue, according to his custom, on the Sabbath day. And he rose up to read.
4:17	And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. And as he unrolled the book, he found the place where it was written:
4:18	“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; because of this, he has anointed me. He has sent me to evangelize the poor, to heal the contrite of heart,
4:19	to preach forgiveness to captives and sight to the blind, to release the broken into forgiveness, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord and the day of retribution.”
4:20	And when he had rolled up the book, he returned it to the minister, and he sat down. And the eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on him.
4:21	Then he began to say to them, “On this day, this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

Acts 22: 3- 16

22:3	And he said: “I am a Jewish man, born at Tarsus in Cilicia, but raised in this city beside the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the truth of the law of the fathers, zealous for the law, just as all of you also are to this day.
22:4	I persecuted this Way, even unto death, binding and delivering into custody both men and women,
22:5	just as the high priest and all those greater by birth bear witness to me. Having received letters from them to the brothers, I journeyed to Damascus, so that I might lead them bound from there to Jerusalem, so that they might be punished.
22:6	But it happened that, as I was traveling and was approaching Damascus at midday, suddenly from heaven a great light shone around me.
22:7	And falling to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’
22:8	And I responded, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.’
22:9	And those who were with me, indeed, saw the light, but they did not hear the voice of him who was speaking with me.
22:10	And I said, ‘What should I do, Lord?’ Then the Lord said to me: ‘Rise up, and go to Damascus. And there, you shall be told all that you must do.’
22:11	And since I could not see, because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by my companions, and I went to Damascus.
22:12	Then a certain Ananias, a man in accord with the law, having the testimony of all the Jews who were living there,
22:13	drawing near to me and standing close by, said to me, ‘Brother Saul, see!’ And in that same hour, I looked upon him.
22:14	But he said: ‘The God of our fathers has preordained you, so that you would come to know his will and would see the Just One, and would hear the voice from his mouth.
22:15	For you shall be his witness to all men about those things which you have seen and heard.
22:16	And now, why do you delay? Rise up, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, by invoking his name.’

or, Acts 9: 1- 22

9:1	Now Saul, still breathing threats and beatings against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,
9:2	and he petitioned him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that, if he found any men or women belonging to this Way, he could lead them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
9:3	And as he made the journey, it happened that he was approaching Damascus. And suddenly, a light from heaven shone around him.
9:4	And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
9:5	And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goad.”
9:6	And he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do you want me to do?”
9:7	And the Lord said to him, “Rise up and go into the city, and there you will be told what you ought to do.” Now the men who were accompanying him were standing stupefied, hearing indeed a voice, but seeing no one.
9:8	Then Saul rose up from the ground. And upon opening his eyes, he saw nothing. So leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus.
9:9	And in that place, he was without sight for three days, and he neither ate nor drank.
9:10	Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias. And the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias!” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
9:11	And the Lord said to him: “Rise up and go into the street that is called Straight, and seek, in the house of Judas, the one named Saul of Tarsus. For behold, he is praying.”
9:12	(And Paul saw a man named Ananias entering and imposing hands upon him, so that he might receive his sight.)
9:13	But Ananias responded: “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem.
9:14	And he has authority here from the leaders of the priests to bind all who invoke your name.”
9:15	Then the Lord said to him: “Go, for this one is an instrument chosen by me to convey my name before nations and kings and the sons of Israel.
9:16	For I will reveal to him how much he must suffer on behalf of my name.”
9:17	And Ananias departed. And he entered the house. And laying his hands upon him, he said: “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, he who appeared to you on the way by which you arrived, sent me so that you would receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
9:18	And immediately, it was as if scales had fallen from his eyes, and he received his sight. And rising up, he was baptized.
9:19	And when he had taken a meal, he was strengthened. Now he was with the disciples who were at Damascus for some days.
9:20	And he was continuously preaching Jesus in the synagogues: that he is the Son of God.
9:21	And all who heard him were astonished, and they said, “Is this not the one who, in Jerusalem, was fighting against those invoking this name, and who came here for this: so that he might lead them away to the leaders of the priests?”
9:22	But Saul was increasing to a greater extent in ability, and so he was confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus, by affirming that he is the Christ.

Mark 16: 15- 18

16:15	And he said to them: “Go forth to the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature.
16:16	Whoever will have believed and been baptized will be saved. Yet truly, whoever will not have believed will be condemned.
16:17	Now these signs will accompany those who believe. In my name, they shall cast out demons. They will speak in new languages.
16:18	They will take up serpents, and, if they drink anything deadly, it will not harm them. They shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they will be well.”

Hebrews 8: 6- 13

8:6	But now he has been granted a better ministry, so much so that he is also the Mediator of a better testament, which has been confirmed by better promises.
8:7	For if the former one had been entirely without fault, then a place certainly would not have been sought for a subsequent one.
8:8	For, finding fault with them, he says: “Behold, the days shall arrive, says the Lord, when I will consummate a New Testament over the house of Israel and the house of Judah,
8:9	not according to the testament which I made with their fathers, on the day when I took them by the hand, so that I might lead them away from the land of Egypt. For they did not remain in my testament, and so I disregarded them, says the Lord.
8:10	For this is the testament which I will set before the house of Israel, after those days, says the Lord. I will instill my laws in their minds, and I will inscribe my laws on their hearts. And so, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
8:11	And they will not teach, each one his neighbor, and each one his brother, saying: ‘Know the Lord.’ For all shall know me, from the least, even to the greatest of them.
8:12	For I will forgive their iniquities, and I will no longer remember their sins.”
8:13	Now in saying something new, he has made the former old. But that which decays and grows old is close to passing away.

Mark 3: 13- 19

3:13	And ascending onto a mountain, he called to himself those whom he willed, and they came to him.
3:14	And he acted so that the twelve would be with him, and so that he might send them out to preach.
3:15	And he gave them authority to cure infirmities, and to cast out demons:
3:16	and he imposed on Simon the name Peter;
3:17	and also he imposed on James of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, the name ‘Boanerges,’ that is, ‘Sons of Thunder;’
3:18	and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus, and Simon the Canaanite,
3:19	and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

Reading

The Letter to the Hebrews   7: 25- 8: 6

7:25	And for this reason, he is able, continuously, to save those who approach God through him, since he is ever alive to make intercession on our behalf.
7:26	For it was fitting that we should have such a High Priest: holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted higher than the heavens.
7:27	And he has no need, daily, in the manner of other priests, to offer sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people. For he has done this once, by offering himself.
7:28	For the law appoints men as priests, though they have infirmities. But, by the word of the oath that is after the law, the Son has been perfected for eternity.

8:1	Now the main point in the things that have been stated is this: that we have so great a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of Majesty in the heavens,
8:2	who is the minister of holy things, and of the true tabernacle, which was established by the Lord, not by man.
8:3	For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices. Therefore, it is necessary for him also to have something to offer.
8:4	And so, if he were upon the earth, he would not be a priest, since there would be others to offer gifts according to the law,
8:5	gifts which serve as mere examples and shadows of the heavenly things. And so it was answered to Moses, when he was about to complete the tabernacle: “See to it,” he said, “that you make everything according to the example which was revealed to you on the mountain.”
8:6	But now he has been granted a better ministry, so much so that he is also the Mediator of a better testament, which has been confirmed by better promises.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to Mark    3: 7-12

3:7	But Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea. And a great crowd followed him from Galilee and Judea,
3:8	and from Jerusalem, and from Idumea and across the Jordan. And those around Tyre and Sidon, upon hearing what he was doing, came to him in a great multitude.
3:9	And he told his disciples that a small boat would be useful to him, because of the crowd, lest they press upon him.
3:10	For he healed so many, that as many of them as had wounds would rush toward him in order to touch him.
3:11	And the unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell prostrate before him. And they cried out, saying,
3:12	“You are the Son of God.” And he strongly admonished them, lest they make him known.

Hebrews 11: 1- 2, 8- 19

11:1	Now, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not apparent.
11:2	For this reason, the ancients were given testimony.
11:8	By faith, the one called Abraham obeyed, going out to the place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
11:9	By faith, he stayed in the Land of the Promise as if in a foreign land, dwelling in cottages, with Isaac and Jacob, co-heirs of the same promise.
11:10	For he was awaiting a city having firm foundations, whose designer and builder is God.
11:11	By faith also, Sarah herself, being barren, received the ability to conceive offspring, even though she was past that age in life. For she believed him to be faithful, who had promised.
11:12	Because of this, there were also born, from one who himself was as if dead, a mulititude like the stars of heaven, who are, like the sand of the seashore, innumerable.
11:13	All of these passed away, adhering to faith, not having received the promises, yet beholding them from afar and saluting them, and confessing themselves to be sojourners and guests upon the earth.
11:14	For those who speak in this way are themselves indicating that they seek a homeland.
11:15	And if, indeed, they had been mindful of the very place from which they departed, they certainly would have returned in time.
11:16	But now they hunger for a better place, that is, Heaven. For this reason, God is not ashamed to be called their God. For he has prepared a city for them.
11:17	By faith, Abraham, when he was tested, offered Isaac, so that he who had received the promises was offering up his only son.
11:18	To him, it was said, “Through Isaac, shall your offspring be summoned,”
11:19	indicating that God is even able to raise up from the dead. And thus, he also established him as a parable.

Mark 4: 35- 41

4:35	And on that day, when evening had arrived, he said to them, “Let us cross over.”
4:36	And dismissing the crowd, they brought him, so that he was in one boat, and other boats were with him.
4:37	And a great wind storm occurred, and the waves broke over the boat, so that the boat was being filled.
4:38	And he was in the stern of the boat, sleeping on a pillow. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, does it not concern you that we are perishing?”
4:39	And rising up, he rebuked the wind, and he said to the sea: “Silence. Be stilled.” And the wind ceased. And a great tranquility occurred.
4:40	And he said to them: “Why are you afraid? Do you still lack faith?” And they were struck with a great fear. And they said to one another, “Who do you think this is, that both wind and sea obey him?”

Hebrews 10: 32- 39

10:32	But call to mind the former days, in which, after being enlightened, you endured a great struggle of afflictions.
10:33	And certainly, in one way, by insults and tribulations, you were made a spectacle, but in another way, you became the companions of those who were the object of such behavior.
10:34	For you even had compassion on those who were imprisoned, and you accepted with gladness being deprived of your goods, knowing that you have a better and more lasting substance.
10:35	And so, do not lose your confidence, which has a great reward.
10:36	For it is necessary for you to be patient, so that, by doing the will of God, you may receive the promise.
10:37	“For, in a little while, and somewhat longer, he who is to come will return, and he will not delay.
10:38	For my just man lives by faith. But if he were to draw himself back, he would not please my soul.”
10:39	So then, we are not sons who are drawn away to perdition, but we are sons of faith toward the securing of the soul

Mark 4: 26- 32

4:26	And he said: “The kingdom of God is like this: it is as if a man were to cast seed on the land.
4:27	And he sleeps and he arises, night and day. And the seed germinates and grows, though he does not know it.
4:28	For the earth bears fruit readily: first the plant, then the ear, next the full grain in the ear.
4:29	And when the fruit has been produced, immediately he sends out the sickle, because the harvest has arrived.”
4:30	And he said: “To what should we compare the kingdom of God? Or to what parable should we compare it?
4:31	It is like a grain of mustard seed which, when it has been sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds which are in the earth.
4:32	And when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all the plants, and it produces great branches, so much so that the birds of the air are able to live under its shadow.”
4:33	And with many such parables he spoke the word to them, as much as they were able to hear.
4:34	But he did not speak to them without a parable. Yet separately, he explained all things to his disciples.

Hebrews 10: 19- 25

10:19	And so, brothers, have faith in the entrance into the Holy of Holies by the blood of Christ,
10:20	and in the new and living Way, which he has initiated for us by the veil, that is, by his flesh,
10:21	and in the Great Priest over the house of God.
10:22	So, let us draw near with a true heart, in the fullness of faith, having hearts cleansed from an evil conscience, and bodies absolved with clean water.
10:23	Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope, without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful.
10:24	And let us be considerate of one another, so as to prompt ourselves to charity and to good works,
10:25	not deserting our assembly, as some are accustomed to do, but consoling one another, and even more so as you see that the day is approaching.

Mark 4: 21- 25

4:21	And he said to them: “Would someone enter with a lamp in order to place it under a basket or under a bed? Would it not be placed upon a lampstand?
4:22	For there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed. Neither was anything done in secret, except that it may be made public.
4:23	If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”
4:24	And he said to them: “Consider what you hear. With whatever measure you have measured out, it shall be measured back to you, and more shall be added to you.
4:25	For whoever has, to him it shall be given. And whoever has not, from him even what he has shall be taken away.”

Hebrews 10: 11- 18

10:11	And certainly, every priest stands by, ministering daily, and frequently offering the same sacrifices, which are never able to take away sins.
10:12	But this man, offering one sacrifice for sins, sits at the right hand of God forever,
10:13	awaiting that time when his enemies will be made his footstool.
10:14	For, by one oblation, he has brought to fulfillment, for all time, those who are sanctified.
10:15	Now the Holy Spirit also testifies for us about this. For afterward, he said:
10:16	“And this is the testament which I will commit to them after those days, says the Lord. I will instill my laws in their hearts, and I will inscribe my laws on their minds.
10:17	And I will no longer remember their sins and iniquities.”
10:18	Now, when there is a remission of these things, there is no longer an oblation for sin.

Mark 4: 1- 20

4:1	And again, he began to teach by the sea. And a great crowd was gathered to him, so much so that, climbing into a boat, he was seated on the sea. And the entire crowd was on the land along the sea.
4:2	And he taught them many things in parables, and he said to them, in his doctrine:
4:3	“Listen. Behold, the sower went out to sow.
4:4	And while he was sowing, some fell along the way, and the birds of the air came and ate it.
4:5	Yet truly, others fell upon stony ground, where it did not have much soil. And it rose up quickly, because it had no depth of soil.
4:6	And when the sun was risen, it was scorched. And because it had no root, it withered away.
4:7	And some fell among thorns. And the thorns grew up and suffocated it, and it did not produce fruit.
4:8	And some fell on good soil. And it brought forth fruit that grew up, and increased, and yielded: some thirty, some sixty, and some one hundred.”
4:9	And he said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.”
4:10	And when he was alone, the twelve, who were with him, questioned him about the parable.
4:11	And he said to them: “To you, it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God. But to those who are outside, everything is presented in parables:
4:12	‘so that, seeing, they may see, and not perceive; and hearing, they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they may be converted, and their sins would be forgiven them.’ ”
4:13	And he said to them: “Do you not understand this parable? And so, how will you understand all the parables?
4:14	He who sows, sows the word.
4:15	Now there are those who are along the way, where the word is sown. And when they have heard it, Satan quickly comes and takes away the word, which was sown in their hearts.
4:16	And similarly, there are those who were sown upon stony ground. These, when they have heard the word, immediately accept it with gladness.
4:17	But they have no root in themselves, and so they are for a limited time. And when next tribulation and persecution arises because of the word, they quickly fall away.
4:18	And there are others who are sown among thorns. These are those who hear the word,
4:19	but worldly tasks, and the deception of riches, and desires about other things enter in and suffocate the word, and it is effectively without fruit.
4:20	And there are those who are sown upon good soil, who hear the word and accept it; and these bear fruit: some thirty, some sixty, and some one hundred.”

Reading

The Letter to the Hebrews   10: 1-10

10:1	For the law contains the shadow of future good things, not the very image of these things. So, by the very same sacrifices which they offer ceaselessly each year, they can never cause these to approach perfection.
10:2	Otherwise, they would have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, once cleansed, would no longer be conscious of any sin.
10:3	Instead, in these things, a commemoration of sins is made every year.
10:4	For it is impossible for sins to be taken away by the blood of oxen and goats.
10:5	For this reason, as Christ enters into the world, he says: “Sacrifice and oblation, you did not want. But you have fashioned a body for me.
10:6	Holocausts for sin were not pleasing to you.
10:7	Then I said, ‘Behold, I draw near.’ At the head of the book, it has been written of me that I should do your will, O God.”
10:8	In the above, by saying, “Sacrifices, and oblations, and holocausts for sin, you did not want, nor are those things pleasing to you, which are offered according to the law;
10:9	then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God,’ ” he takes away the first, so that he may establish what follows.
10:10	For by this will, we have been sanctified, through the one time oblation of the body of Jesus Christ.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to Mark   3: 31-35

3:31	And his mother and brothers arrived. And standing outside, they sent to him, calling him.
3:32	And the crowd was sitting around him. And they said to him, “Behold, your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.”
3:33	And responding to them, he said, “Who is my mother and my brothers?”
3:34	And looking around at those who were sitting all around him, he said: “Behold, my mother and my brothers.
3:35	For whoever has done the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister and mother.”

Hebrews 9: 15, 24- 28

9:15	And thus he is the Mediator of the new testament, so that, by his death, he intercedes for the redemption of those transgressions which were under the former testament, so that those who have been called may receive the promise of an eternal inheritance.

9:24	For Jesus did not enter by means of holy things made with hands, mere examples of the true things, but he entered into Heaven itself, so that he may appear now before the face of God for us.
9:25	And he did not enter so as to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters into the Holy of Holies each year, with the blood of another.
9:26	Otherwise, he would need to have suffered repeatedly since the beginning of the world. But now, one time, at the consummation of the ages, he has appeared in order to destroy sin though his own sacrifice.
9:27	And in the same manner as it has been appointed for men to die one time, and after this, to be judged,
9:28	so also Christ was offered, one time, in order to empty the sins of so many. He shall appear a second time without sin, for those who await him, unto salvation.

Mark 3: 22- 30

3:22	And the scribes who had descended from Jerusalem said, “Because he has Beelzebub, and because by the prince of demons does he cast out demons.”
3:23	And having called them together, he spoke to them in parables: “How can Satan cast out Satan?
3:24	For if a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom is not able to stand.
3:25	And if a house is divided against itself, that house is not able to stand.
3:26	And if Satan has risen up against himself, he would be divided, and he would not be able to stand; instead he reaches the end.
3:27	No one is able to plunder the goods of a strong man, having entered into the house, unless he first binds the strong man, and then he shall plunder his house.
3:28	Amen I say to you, that all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and the blasphemies by which they will have blasphemed.
3:29	But he who will have blasphemed against the Holy Spirit shall not have forgiveness in eternity; instead he shall be guilty of an eternal offense.”
3:30	For they said: “He has an unclean spirit.”

Nehemiah 8: 2- 6, 8- 10

8:2	Therefore, Ezra the priest brought the law before the multitude of men and women, and all those who were able to understand, on the first day of the seventh month.
8:3	And he read it openly in the street which was before the water gate, from morning even until midday, in the sight of the men and women, and those who understood. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the book.
8:4	Then Ezra the scribe stood upon a step of wood, which he had made for speaking. And standing beside him were Mattithiah, and Shemaiah, and Anaiah, and Uriah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right. And on the left were Pedaiah, Mishael, and Malchijah, and Hashum, and Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
8:5	And Ezra opened the book before all the people. For he stood out above all the people. And when he had opened it, all the people stood up.
8:6	And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people responded, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. And they bowed down, and they adored God, facing the ground.
8:8	And they read from the book of the law of God, distinctly and plainly, so as to be understood. And when it was read, they did understand.
8:9	Then Nehemiah (the same is the cupbearer) and Ezra, the priest and scribe, and the Levites, who were interpreting for all the people, said: “This day has been sanctified to the Lord our God. Do not mourn, and do not weep.” For all of the people were weeping, as they were listening to the words of the law.
8:10	And he said to them: “Go, eat fat foods and drink sweet drinks, and send portions to those who have not prepared for themselves. For it is the holy day of the Lord. And do not be sad. For the joy of the Lord is also our strength.”

First Corinthians 12: 12- 30

12:12	For just as the body is one, and yet has many parts, so all the parts of the body, though they are many, are only one body. So also is Christ.
12:13	And indeed, in one Spirit, we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether servant or free. And we all drank in the one Spirit.
12:14	For the body, too, is not one part, but many.
12:15	If the foot were to say, “Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body,” would it then not be of the body?
12:16	And if the ear were to say, “Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body,” would it then not be of the body?
12:17	If the whole body were the eye, how would it hear? If the whole were hearing, how would it smell?
12:18	But instead, God has placed the parts, each one of them, in the body, just as it has pleased him.
12:19	So if they were all one part, how would it be a body?
12:20	But instead, there are many parts, indeed, yet one body.
12:21	And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need for your works.” And again, the head cannot say to the feet, “You are of no use to me.”
12:22	In fact, so much more necessary are those parts of the body which seem to be weaker.
12:23	And though we consider certain parts of the body to be less noble, we surround these with more abundant dignity, and so, those parts which are less presentable end up with more abundant respect.
12:24	However, our presentable parts have no such need, since God has tempered the body together, distributing the more abundant honor to that which has the need,
12:25	so that there might be no schism in the body, but instead the parts themselves might take care of one another.
12:26	And so, if one part suffers anything, all the parts suffer with it. Or, if one part finds glory, all the parts rejoice with it.
12:27	Now you are the body of Christ, and parts like any part.
12:28	And indeed, God has established a certain order in the Church: first Apostles, second Prophets, third Teachers, next miracle-workers, and then the grace of healing, of helping others, of governing, of different kinds of languages, and of the interpretation of words.
12:29	Are all Apostles? Are all Prophets? Are all Teachers?
12:30	Are all workers of miracles? Do all have the grace of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?

Luke 1: 1- 4, 4: 14- 21

1:1	Since, indeed, many have attempted to set in order a narrative of the things that have been completed among us,
1:2	just as they have been handed on to those of us who from the beginning saw the same and were ministers of the word,
1:3	so it seemed good to me also, having diligently followed everything from the beginning, to write to you, in an orderly manner, most excellent Theophilus,
1:4	so that you might know the truthfulness

4:14	And Jesus returned, in the power of the Spirit, into Galilee. And his fame spread throughout the entire region.
4:15	And he taught in their synagogues, and he was magnified by everyone.
4:16	And he went to Nazareth, where he had been raised. And he entered into the synagogue, according to his custom, on the Sabbath day. And he rose up to read.
4:17	And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. And as he unrolled the book, he found the place where it was written:
4:18	“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; because of this, he has anointed me. He has sent me to evangelize the poor, to heal the contrite of heart,
4:19	to preach forgiveness to captives and sight to the blind, to release the broken into forgiveness, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord and the day of retribution.”
4:20	And when he had rolled up the book, he returned it to the minister, and he sat down. And the eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on him.
4:21	Then he began to say to them, “On this day, this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

Acts 22: 3- 16

22:3	And he said: “I am a Jewish man, born at Tarsus in Cilicia, but raised in this city beside the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the truth of the law of the fathers, zealous for the law, just as all of you also are to this day.
22:4	I persecuted this Way, even unto death, binding and delivering into custody both men and women,
22:5	just as the high priest and all those greater by birth bear witness to me. Having received letters from them to the brothers, I journeyed to Damascus, so that I might lead them bound from there to Jerusalem, so that they might be punished.
22:6	But it happened that, as I was traveling and was approaching Damascus at midday, suddenly from heaven a great light shone around me.
22:7	And falling to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’
22:8	And I responded, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.’
22:9	And those who were with me, indeed, saw the light, but they did not hear the voice of him who was speaking with me.
22:10	And I said, ‘What should I do, Lord?’ Then the Lord said to me: ‘Rise up, and go to Damascus. And there, you shall be told all that you must do.’
22:11	And since I could not see, because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by my companions, and I went to Damascus.
22:12	Then a certain Ananias, a man in accord with the law, having the testimony of all the Jews who were living there,
22:13	drawing near to me and standing close by, said to me, ‘Brother Saul, see!’ And in that same hour, I looked upon him.
22:14	But he said: ‘The God of our fathers has preordained you, so that you would come to know his will and would see the Just One, and would hear the voice from his mouth.
22:15	For you shall be his witness to all men about those things which you have seen and heard.
22:16	And now, why do you delay? Rise up, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, by invoking his name.’

or, Acts 9: 1- 22

9:1	Now Saul, still breathing threats and beatings against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,
9:2	and he petitioned him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that, if he found any men or women belonging to this Way, he could lead them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
9:3	And as he made the journey, it happened that he was approaching Damascus. And suddenly, a light from heaven shone around him.
9:4	And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
9:5	And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goad.”
9:6	And he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do you want me to do?”
9:7	And the Lord said to him, “Rise up and go into the city, and there you will be told what you ought to do.” Now the men who were accompanying him were standing stupefied, hearing indeed a voice, but seeing no one.
9:8	Then Saul rose up from the ground. And upon opening his eyes, he saw nothing. So leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus.
9:9	And in that place, he was without sight for three days, and he neither ate nor drank.
9:10	Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias. And the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias!” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
9:11	And the Lord said to him: “Rise up and go into the street that is called Straight, and seek, in the house of Judas, the one named Saul of Tarsus. For behold, he is praying.”
9:12	(And Paul saw a man named Ananias entering and imposing hands upon him, so that he might receive his sight.)
9:13	But Ananias responded: “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem.
9:14	And he has authority here from the leaders of the priests to bind all who invoke your name.”
9:15	Then the Lord said to him: “Go, for this one is an instrument chosen by me to convey my name before nations and kings and the sons of Israel.
9:16	For I will reveal to him how much he must suffer on behalf of my name.”
9:17	And Ananias departed. And he entered the house. And laying his hands upon him, he said: “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, he who appeared to you on the way by which you arrived, sent me so that you would receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
9:18	And immediately, it was as if scales had fallen from his eyes, and he received his sight. And rising up, he was baptized.
9:19	And when he had taken a meal, he was strengthened. Now he was with the disciples who were at Damascus for some days.
9:20	And he was continuously preaching Jesus in the synagogues: that he is the Son of God.
9:21	And all who heard him were astonished, and they said, “Is this not the one who, in Jerusalem, was fighting against those invoking this name, and who came here for this: so that he might lead them away to the leaders of the priests?”
9:22	But Saul was increasing to a greater extent in ability, and so he was confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus, by affirming that he is the Christ.

Mark 16: 15- 18

16:15	And he said to them: “Go forth to the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature.
16:16	Whoever will have believed and been baptized will be saved. Yet truly, whoever will not have believed will be condemned.
16:17	Now these signs will accompany those who believe. In my name, they shall cast out demons. They will speak in new languages.
16:18	They will take up serpents, and, if they drink anything deadly, it will not harm them. They shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they will be well.”

Hebrews 8: 6- 13

8:6	But now he has been granted a better ministry, so much so that he is also the Mediator of a better testament, which has been confirmed by better promises.
8:7	For if the former one had been entirely without fault, then a place certainly would not have been sought for a subsequent one.
8:8	For, finding fault with them, he says: “Behold, the days shall arrive, says the Lord, when I will consummate a New Testament over the house of Israel and the house of Judah,
8:9	not according to the testament which I made with their fathers, on the day when I took them by the hand, so that I might lead them away from the land of Egypt. For they did not remain in my testament, and so I disregarded them, says the Lord.
8:10	For this is the testament which I will set before the house of Israel, after those days, says the Lord. I will instill my laws in their minds, and I will inscribe my laws on their hearts. And so, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
8:11	And they will not teach, each one his neighbor, and each one his brother, saying: ‘Know the Lord.’ For all shall know me, from the least, even to the greatest of them.
8:12	For I will forgive their iniquities, and I will no longer remember their sins.”
8:13	Now in saying something new, he has made the former old. But that which decays and grows old is close to passing away.

Mark 3: 13- 19

3:13	And ascending onto a mountain, he called to himself those whom he willed, and they came to him.
3:14	And he acted so that the twelve would be with him, and so that he might send them out to preach.
3:15	And he gave them authority to cure infirmities, and to cast out demons:
3:16	and he imposed on Simon the name Peter;
3:17	and also he imposed on James of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, the name ‘Boanerges,’ that is, ‘Sons of Thunder;’
3:18	and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus, and Simon the Canaanite,
3:19	and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

Reading

The Letter to the Hebrews   7: 25- 8: 6

7:25	And for this reason, he is able, continuously, to save those who approach God through him, since he is ever alive to make intercession on our behalf.
7:26	For it was fitting that we should have such a High Priest: holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted higher than the heavens.
7:27	And he has no need, daily, in the manner of other priests, to offer sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people. For he has done this once, by offering himself.
7:28	For the law appoints men as priests, though they have infirmities. But, by the word of the oath that is after the law, the Son has been perfected for eternity.

8:1	Now the main point in the things that have been stated is this: that we have so great a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of Majesty in the heavens,
8:2	who is the minister of holy things, and of the true tabernacle, which was established by the Lord, not by man.
8:3	For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices. Therefore, it is necessary for him also to have something to offer.
8:4	And so, if he were upon the earth, he would not be a priest, since there would be others to offer gifts according to the law,
8:5	gifts which serve as mere examples and shadows of the heavenly things. And so it was answered to Moses, when he was about to complete the tabernacle: “See to it,” he said, “that you make everything according to the example which was revealed to you on the mountain.”
8:6	But now he has been granted a better ministry, so much so that he is also the Mediator of a better testament, which has been confirmed by better promises.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to Mark    3: 7-12

3:7	But Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea. And a great crowd followed him from Galilee and Judea,
3:8	and from Jerusalem, and from Idumea and across the Jordan. And those around Tyre and Sidon, upon hearing what he was doing, came to him in a great multitude.
3:9	And he told his disciples that a small boat would be useful to him, because of the crowd, lest they press upon him.
3:10	For he healed so many, that as many of them as had wounds would rush toward him in order to touch him.
3:11	And the unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell prostrate before him. And they cried out, saying,
3:12	“You are the Son of God.” And he strongly admonished them, lest they make him known.

Hebrews 11: 1- 2, 8- 19

11:1	Now, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not apparent.
11:2	For this reason, the ancients were given testimony.
11:8	By faith, the one called Abraham obeyed, going out to the place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
11:9	By faith, he stayed in the Land of the Promise as if in a foreign land, dwelling in cottages, with Isaac and Jacob, co-heirs of the same promise.
11:10	For he was awaiting a city having firm foundations, whose designer and builder is God.
11:11	By faith also, Sarah herself, being barren, received the ability to conceive offspring, even though she was past that age in life. For she believed him to be faithful, who had promised.
11:12	Because of this, there were also born, from one who himself was as if dead, a mulititude like the stars of heaven, who are, like the sand of the seashore, innumerable.
11:13	All of these passed away, adhering to faith, not having received the promises, yet beholding them from afar and saluting them, and confessing themselves to be sojourners and guests upon the earth.
11:14	For those who speak in this way are themselves indicating that they seek a homeland.
11:15	And if, indeed, they had been mindful of the very place from which they departed, they certainly would have returned in time.
11:16	But now they hunger for a better place, that is, Heaven. For this reason, God is not ashamed to be called their God. For he has prepared a city for them.
11:17	By faith, Abraham, when he was tested, offered Isaac, so that he who had received the promises was offering up his only son.
11:18	To him, it was said, “Through Isaac, shall your offspring be summoned,”
11:19	indicating that God is even able to raise up from the dead. And thus, he also established him as a parable.

Mark 4: 35- 41

4:35	And on that day, when evening had arrived, he said to them, “Let us cross over.”
4:36	And dismissing the crowd, they brought him, so that he was in one boat, and other boats were with him.
4:37	And a great wind storm occurred, and the waves broke over the boat, so that the boat was being filled.
4:38	And he was in the stern of the boat, sleeping on a pillow. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, does it not concern you that we are perishing?”
4:39	And rising up, he rebuked the wind, and he said to the sea: “Silence. Be stilled.” And the wind ceased. And a great tranquility occurred.
4:40	And he said to them: “Why are you afraid? Do you still lack faith?” And they were struck with a great fear. And they said to one another, “Who do you think this is, that both wind and sea obey him?”

Hebrews 10: 32- 39

10:32	But call to mind the former days, in which, after being enlightened, you endured a great struggle of afflictions.
10:33	And certainly, in one way, by insults and tribulations, you were made a spectacle, but in another way, you became the companions of those who were the object of such behavior.
10:34	For you even had compassion on those who were imprisoned, and you accepted with gladness being deprived of your goods, knowing that you have a better and more lasting substance.
10:35	And so, do not lose your confidence, which has a great reward.
10:36	For it is necessary for you to be patient, so that, by doing the will of God, you may receive the promise.
10:37	“For, in a little while, and somewhat longer, he who is to come will return, and he will not delay.
10:38	For my just man lives by faith. But if he were to draw himself back, he would not please my soul.”
10:39	So then, we are not sons who are drawn away to perdition, but we are sons of faith toward the securing of the soul

Mark 4: 26- 32

4:26	And he said: “The kingdom of God is like this: it is as if a man were to cast seed on the land.
4:27	And he sleeps and he arises, night and day. And the seed germinates and grows, though he does not know it.
4:28	For the earth bears fruit readily: first the plant, then the ear, next the full grain in the ear.
4:29	And when the fruit has been produced, immediately he sends out the sickle, because the harvest has arrived.”
4:30	And he said: “To what should we compare the kingdom of God? Or to what parable should we compare it?
4:31	It is like a grain of mustard seed which, when it has been sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds which are in the earth.
4:32	And when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all the plants, and it produces great branches, so much so that the birds of the air are able to live under its shadow.”
4:33	And with many such parables he spoke the word to them, as much as they were able to hear.
4:34	But he did not speak to them without a parable. Yet separately, he explained all things to his disciples.

Hebrews 10: 19- 25

10:19	And so, brothers, have faith in the entrance into the Holy of Holies by the blood of Christ,
10:20	and in the new and living Way, which he has initiated for us by the veil, that is, by his flesh,
10:21	and in the Great Priest over the house of God.
10:22	So, let us draw near with a true heart, in the fullness of faith, having hearts cleansed from an evil conscience, and bodies absolved with clean water.
10:23	Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope, without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful.
10:24	And let us be considerate of one another, so as to prompt ourselves to charity and to good works,
10:25	not deserting our assembly, as some are accustomed to do, but consoling one another, and even more so as you see that the day is approaching.

Mark 4: 21- 25

4:21	And he said to them: “Would someone enter with a lamp in order to place it under a basket or under a bed? Would it not be placed upon a lampstand?
4:22	For there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed. Neither was anything done in secret, except that it may be made public.
4:23	If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”
4:24	And he said to them: “Consider what you hear. With whatever measure you have measured out, it shall be measured back to you, and more shall be added to you.
4:25	For whoever has, to him it shall be given. And whoever has not, from him even what he has shall be taken away.”

Hebrews 10: 11- 18

10:11	And certainly, every priest stands by, ministering daily, and frequently offering the same sacrifices, which are never able to take away sins.
10:12	But this man, offering one sacrifice for sins, sits at the right hand of God forever,
10:13	awaiting that time when his enemies will be made his footstool.
10:14	For, by one oblation, he has brought to fulfillment, for all time, those who are sanctified.
10:15	Now the Holy Spirit also testifies for us about this. For afterward, he said:
10:16	“And this is the testament which I will commit to them after those days, says the Lord. I will instill my laws in their hearts, and I will inscribe my laws on their minds.
10:17	And I will no longer remember their sins and iniquities.”
10:18	Now, when there is a remission of these things, there is no longer an oblation for sin.

Mark 4: 1- 20

4:1	And again, he began to teach by the sea. And a great crowd was gathered to him, so much so that, climbing into a boat, he was seated on the sea. And the entire crowd was on the land along the sea.
4:2	And he taught them many things in parables, and he said to them, in his doctrine:
4:3	“Listen. Behold, the sower went out to sow.
4:4	And while he was sowing, some fell along the way, and the birds of the air came and ate it.
4:5	Yet truly, others fell upon stony ground, where it did not have much soil. And it rose up quickly, because it had no depth of soil.
4:6	And when the sun was risen, it was scorched. And because it had no root, it withered away.
4:7	And some fell among thorns. And the thorns grew up and suffocated it, and it did not produce fruit.
4:8	And some fell on good soil. And it brought forth fruit that grew up, and increased, and yielded: some thirty, some sixty, and some one hundred.”
4:9	And he said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.”
4:10	And when he was alone, the twelve, who were with him, questioned him about the parable.
4:11	And he said to them: “To you, it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God. But to those who are outside, everything is presented in parables:
4:12	‘so that, seeing, they may see, and not perceive; and hearing, they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they may be converted, and their sins would be forgiven them.’ ”
4:13	And he said to them: “Do you not understand this parable? And so, how will you understand all the parables?
4:14	He who sows, sows the word.
4:15	Now there are those who are along the way, where the word is sown. And when they have heard it, Satan quickly comes and takes away the word, which was sown in their hearts.
4:16	And similarly, there are those who were sown upon stony ground. These, when they have heard the word, immediately accept it with gladness.
4:17	But they have no root in themselves, and so they are for a limited time. And when next tribulation and persecution arises because of the word, they quickly fall away.
4:18	And there are others who are sown among thorns. These are those who hear the word,
4:19	but worldly tasks, and the deception of riches, and desires about other things enter in and suffocate the word, and it is effectively without fruit.
4:20	And there are those who are sown upon good soil, who hear the word and accept it; and these bear fruit: some thirty, some sixty, and some one hundred.”

Reading

The Letter to the Hebrews   10: 1-10

10:1	For the law contains the shadow of future good things, not the very image of these things. So, by the very same sacrifices which they offer ceaselessly each year, they can never cause these to approach perfection.
10:2	Otherwise, they would have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, once cleansed, would no longer be conscious of any sin.
10:3	Instead, in these things, a commemoration of sins is made every year.
10:4	For it is impossible for sins to be taken away by the blood of oxen and goats.
10:5	For this reason, as Christ enters into the world, he says: “Sacrifice and oblation, you did not want. But you have fashioned a body for me.
10:6	Holocausts for sin were not pleasing to you.
10:7	Then I said, ‘Behold, I draw near.’ At the head of the book, it has been written of me that I should do your will, O God.”
10:8	In the above, by saying, “Sacrifices, and oblations, and holocausts for sin, you did not want, nor are those things pleasing to you, which are offered according to the law;
10:9	then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God,’ ” he takes away the first, so that he may establish what follows.
10:10	For by this will, we have been sanctified, through the one time oblation of the body of Jesus Christ.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to Mark   3: 31-35

3:31	And his mother and brothers arrived. And standing outside, they sent to him, calling him.
3:32	And the crowd was sitting around him. And they said to him, “Behold, your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.”
3:33	And responding to them, he said, “Who is my mother and my brothers?”
3:34	And looking around at those who were sitting all around him, he said: “Behold, my mother and my brothers.
3:35	For whoever has done the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister and mother.”

Hebrews 9: 15, 24- 28

9:15	And thus he is the Mediator of the new testament, so that, by his death, he intercedes for the redemption of those transgressions which were under the former testament, so that those who have been called may receive the promise of an eternal inheritance.

9:24	For Jesus did not enter by means of holy things made with hands, mere examples of the true things, but he entered into Heaven itself, so that he may appear now before the face of God for us.
9:25	And he did not enter so as to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters into the Holy of Holies each year, with the blood of another.
9:26	Otherwise, he would need to have suffered repeatedly since the beginning of the world. But now, one time, at the consummation of the ages, he has appeared in order to destroy sin though his own sacrifice.
9:27	And in the same manner as it has been appointed for men to die one time, and after this, to be judged,
9:28	so also Christ was offered, one time, in order to empty the sins of so many. He shall appear a second time without sin, for those who await him, unto salvation.

Mark 3: 22- 30

3:22	And the scribes who had descended from Jerusalem said, “Because he has Beelzebub, and because by the prince of demons does he cast out demons.”
3:23	And having called them together, he spoke to them in parables: “How can Satan cast out Satan?
3:24	For if a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom is not able to stand.
3:25	And if a house is divided against itself, that house is not able to stand.
3:26	And if Satan has risen up against himself, he would be divided, and he would not be able to stand; instead he reaches the end.
3:27	No one is able to plunder the goods of a strong man, having entered into the house, unless he first binds the strong man, and then he shall plunder his house.
3:28	Amen I say to you, that all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and the blasphemies by which they will have blasphemed.
3:29	But he who will have blasphemed against the Holy Spirit shall not have forgiveness in eternity; instead he shall be guilty of an eternal offense.”
3:30	For they said: “He has an unclean spirit.”

Nehemiah 8: 2- 6, 8- 10

8:2	Therefore, Ezra the priest brought the law before the multitude of men and women, and all those who were able to understand, on the first day of the seventh month.
8:3	And he read it openly in the street which was before the water gate, from morning even until midday, in the sight of the men and women, and those who understood. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the book.
8:4	Then Ezra the scribe stood upon a step of wood, which he had made for speaking. And standing beside him were Mattithiah, and Shemaiah, and Anaiah, and Uriah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right. And on the left were Pedaiah, Mishael, and Malchijah, and Hashum, and Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
8:5	And Ezra opened the book before all the people. For he stood out above all the people. And when he had opened it, all the people stood up.
8:6	And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people responded, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. And they bowed down, and they adored God, facing the ground.
8:8	And they read from the book of the law of God, distinctly and plainly, so as to be understood. And when it was read, they did understand.
8:9	Then Nehemiah (the same is the cupbearer) and Ezra, the priest and scribe, and the Levites, who were interpreting for all the people, said: “This day has been sanctified to the Lord our God. Do not mourn, and do not weep.” For all of the people were weeping, as they were listening to the words of the law.
8:10	And he said to them: “Go, eat fat foods and drink sweet drinks, and send portions to those who have not prepared for themselves. For it is the holy day of the Lord. And do not be sad. For the joy of the Lord is also our strength.”

First Corinthians 12: 12- 30

12:12	For just as the body is one, and yet has many parts, so all the parts of the body, though they are many, are only one body. So also is Christ.
12:13	And indeed, in one Spirit, we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether servant or free. And we all drank in the one Spirit.
12:14	For the body, too, is not one part, but many.
12:15	If the foot were to say, “Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body,” would it then not be of the body?
12:16	And if the ear were to say, “Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body,” would it then not be of the body?
12:17	If the whole body were the eye, how would it hear? If the whole were hearing, how would it smell?
12:18	But instead, God has placed the parts, each one of them, in the body, just as it has pleased him.
12:19	So if they were all one part, how would it be a body?
12:20	But instead, there are many parts, indeed, yet one body.
12:21	And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need for your works.” And again, the head cannot say to the feet, “You are of no use to me.”
12:22	In fact, so much more necessary are those parts of the body which seem to be weaker.
12:23	And though we consider certain parts of the body to be less noble, we surround these with more abundant dignity, and so, those parts which are less presentable end up with more abundant respect.
12:24	However, our presentable parts have no such need, since God has tempered the body together, distributing the more abundant honor to that which has the need,
12:25	so that there might be no schism in the body, but instead the parts themselves might take care of one another.
12:26	And so, if one part suffers anything, all the parts suffer with it. Or, if one part finds glory, all the parts rejoice with it.
12:27	Now you are the body of Christ, and parts like any part.
12:28	And indeed, God has established a certain order in the Church: first Apostles, second Prophets, third Teachers, next miracle-workers, and then the grace of healing, of helping others, of governing, of different kinds of languages, and of the interpretation of words.
12:29	Are all Apostles? Are all Prophets? Are all Teachers?
12:30	Are all workers of miracles? Do all have the grace of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?

Luke 1: 1- 4, 4: 14- 21

1:1	Since, indeed, many have attempted to set in order a narrative of the things that have been completed among us,
1:2	just as they have been handed on to those of us who from the beginning saw the same and were ministers of the word,
1:3	so it seemed good to me also, having diligently followed everything from the beginning, to write to you, in an orderly manner, most excellent Theophilus,
1:4	so that you might know the truthfulness

4:14	And Jesus returned, in the power of the Spirit, into Galilee. And his fame spread throughout the entire region.
4:15	And he taught in their synagogues, and he was magnified by everyone.
4:16	And he went to Nazareth, where he had been raised. And he entered into the synagogue, according to his custom, on the Sabbath day. And he rose up to read.
4:17	And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. And as he unrolled the book, he found the place where it was written:
4:18	“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; because of this, he has anointed me. He has sent me to evangelize the poor, to heal the contrite of heart,
4:19	to preach forgiveness to captives and sight to the blind, to release the broken into forgiveness, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord and the day of retribution.”
4:20	And when he had rolled up the book, he returned it to the minister, and he sat down. And the eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on him.
4:21	Then he began to say to them, “On this day, this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

Acts 22: 3- 16

22:3	And he said: “I am a Jewish man, born at Tarsus in Cilicia, but raised in this city beside the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the truth of the law of the fathers, zealous for the law, just as all of you also are to this day.
22:4	I persecuted this Way, even unto death, binding and delivering into custody both men and women,
22:5	just as the high priest and all those greater by birth bear witness to me. Having received letters from them to the brothers, I journeyed to Damascus, so that I might lead them bound from there to Jerusalem, so that they might be punished.
22:6	But it happened that, as I was traveling and was approaching Damascus at midday, suddenly from heaven a great light shone around me.
22:7	And falling to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’
22:8	And I responded, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.’
22:9	And those who were with me, indeed, saw the light, but they did not hear the voice of him who was speaking with me.
22:10	And I said, ‘What should I do, Lord?’ Then the Lord said to me: ‘Rise up, and go to Damascus. And there, you shall be told all that you must do.’
22:11	And since I could not see, because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by my companions, and I went to Damascus.
22:12	Then a certain Ananias, a man in accord with the law, having the testimony of all the Jews who were living there,
22:13	drawing near to me and standing close by, said to me, ‘Brother Saul, see!’ And in that same hour, I looked upon him.
22:14	But he said: ‘The God of our fathers has preordained you, so that you would come to know his will and would see the Just One, and would hear the voice from his mouth.
22:15	For you shall be his witness to all men about those things which you have seen and heard.
22:16	And now, why do you delay? Rise up, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, by invoking his name.’

or, Acts 9: 1- 22

9:1	Now Saul, still breathing threats and beatings against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,
9:2	and he petitioned him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that, if he found any men or women belonging to this Way, he could lead them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
9:3	And as he made the journey, it happened that he was approaching Damascus. And suddenly, a light from heaven shone around him.
9:4	And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
9:5	And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goad.”
9:6	And he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do you want me to do?”
9:7	And the Lord said to him, “Rise up and go into the city, and there you will be told what you ought to do.” Now the men who were accompanying him were standing stupefied, hearing indeed a voice, but seeing no one.
9:8	Then Saul rose up from the ground. And upon opening his eyes, he saw nothing. So leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus.
9:9	And in that place, he was without sight for three days, and he neither ate nor drank.
9:10	Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias. And the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias!” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
9:11	And the Lord said to him: “Rise up and go into the street that is called Straight, and seek, in the house of Judas, the one named Saul of Tarsus. For behold, he is praying.”
9:12	(And Paul saw a man named Ananias entering and imposing hands upon him, so that he might receive his sight.)
9:13	But Ananias responded: “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem.
9:14	And he has authority here from the leaders of the priests to bind all who invoke your name.”
9:15	Then the Lord said to him: “Go, for this one is an instrument chosen by me to convey my name before nations and kings and the sons of Israel.
9:16	For I will reveal to him how much he must suffer on behalf of my name.”
9:17	And Ananias departed. And he entered the house. And laying his hands upon him, he said: “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, he who appeared to you on the way by which you arrived, sent me so that you would receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
9:18	And immediately, it was as if scales had fallen from his eyes, and he received his sight. And rising up, he was baptized.
9:19	And when he had taken a meal, he was strengthened. Now he was with the disciples who were at Damascus for some days.
9:20	And he was continuously preaching Jesus in the synagogues: that he is the Son of God.
9:21	And all who heard him were astonished, and they said, “Is this not the one who, in Jerusalem, was fighting against those invoking this name, and who came here for this: so that he might lead them away to the leaders of the priests?”
9:22	But Saul was increasing to a greater extent in ability, and so he was confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus, by affirming that he is the Christ.

Mark 16: 15- 18

16:15	And he said to them: “Go forth to the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature.
16:16	Whoever will have believed and been baptized will be saved. Yet truly, whoever will not have believed will be condemned.
16:17	Now these signs will accompany those who believe. In my name, they shall cast out demons. They will speak in new languages.
16:18	They will take up serpents, and, if they drink anything deadly, it will not harm them. They shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they will be well.”

Hebrews 8: 6- 13

8:6	But now he has been granted a better ministry, so much so that he is also the Mediator of a better testament, which has been confirmed by better promises.
8:7	For if the former one had been entirely without fault, then a place certainly would not have been sought for a subsequent one.
8:8	For, finding fault with them, he says: “Behold, the days shall arrive, says the Lord, when I will consummate a New Testament over the house of Israel and the house of Judah,
8:9	not according to the testament which I made with their fathers, on the day when I took them by the hand, so that I might lead them away from the land of Egypt. For they did not remain in my testament, and so I disregarded them, says the Lord.
8:10	For this is the testament which I will set before the house of Israel, after those days, says the Lord. I will instill my laws in their minds, and I will inscribe my laws on their hearts. And so, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
8:11	And they will not teach, each one his neighbor, and each one his brother, saying: ‘Know the Lord.’ For all shall know me, from the least, even to the greatest of them.
8:12	For I will forgive their iniquities, and I will no longer remember their sins.”
8:13	Now in saying something new, he has made the former old. But that which decays and grows old is close to passing away.

Mark 3: 13- 19

3:13	And ascending onto a mountain, he called to himself those whom he willed, and they came to him.
3:14	And he acted so that the twelve would be with him, and so that he might send them out to preach.
3:15	And he gave them authority to cure infirmities, and to cast out demons:
3:16	and he imposed on Simon the name Peter;
3:17	and also he imposed on James of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, the name ‘Boanerges,’ that is, ‘Sons of Thunder;’
3:18	and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus, and Simon the Canaanite,
3:19	and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

Reading

The Letter to the Hebrews   7: 25- 8: 6

7:25	And for this reason, he is able, continuously, to save those who approach God through him, since he is ever alive to make intercession on our behalf.
7:26	For it was fitting that we should have such a High Priest: holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted higher than the heavens.
7:27	And he has no need, daily, in the manner of other priests, to offer sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people. For he has done this once, by offering himself.
7:28	For the law appoints men as priests, though they have infirmities. But, by the word of the oath that is after the law, the Son has been perfected for eternity.

8:1	Now the main point in the things that have been stated is this: that we have so great a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of Majesty in the heavens,
8:2	who is the minister of holy things, and of the true tabernacle, which was established by the Lord, not by man.
8:3	For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices. Therefore, it is necessary for him also to have something to offer.
8:4	And so, if he were upon the earth, he would not be a priest, since there would be others to offer gifts according to the law,
8:5	gifts which serve as mere examples and shadows of the heavenly things. And so it was answered to Moses, when he was about to complete the tabernacle: “See to it,” he said, “that you make everything according to the example which was revealed to you on the mountain.”
8:6	But now he has been granted a better ministry, so much so that he is also the Mediator of a better testament, which has been confirmed by better promises.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to Mark    3: 7-12

3:7	But Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea. And a great crowd followed him from Galilee and Judea,
3:8	and from Jerusalem, and from Idumea and across the Jordan. And those around Tyre and Sidon, upon hearing what he was doing, came to him in a great multitude.
3:9	And he told his disciples that a small boat would be useful to him, because of the crowd, lest they press upon him.
3:10	For he healed so many, that as many of them as had wounds would rush toward him in order to touch him.
3:11	And the unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell prostrate before him. And they cried out, saying,
3:12	“You are the Son of God.” And he strongly admonished them, lest they make him known.

Hebrews 11: 1- 2, 8- 19

11:1	Now, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not apparent.
11:2	For this reason, the ancients were given testimony.
11:8	By faith, the one called Abraham obeyed, going out to the place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
11:9	By faith, he stayed in the Land of the Promise as if in a foreign land, dwelling in cottages, with Isaac and Jacob, co-heirs of the same promise.
11:10	For he was awaiting a city having firm foundations, whose designer and builder is God.
11:11	By faith also, Sarah herself, being barren, received the ability to conceive offspring, even though she was past that age in life. For she believed him to be faithful, who had promised.
11:12	Because of this, there were also born, from one who himself was as if dead, a mulititude like the stars of heaven, who are, like the sand of the seashore, innumerable.
11:13	All of these passed away, adhering to faith, not having received the promises, yet beholding them from afar and saluting them, and confessing themselves to be sojourners and guests upon the earth.
11:14	For those who speak in this way are themselves indicating that they seek a homeland.
11:15	And if, indeed, they had been mindful of the very place from which they departed, they certainly would have returned in time.
11:16	But now they hunger for a better place, that is, Heaven. For this reason, God is not ashamed to be called their God. For he has prepared a city for them.
11:17	By faith, Abraham, when he was tested, offered Isaac, so that he who had received the promises was offering up his only son.
11:18	To him, it was said, “Through Isaac, shall your offspring be summoned,”
11:19	indicating that God is even able to raise up from the dead. And thus, he also established him as a parable.

Mark 4: 35- 41

4:35	And on that day, when evening had arrived, he said to them, “Let us cross over.”
4:36	And dismissing the crowd, they brought him, so that he was in one boat, and other boats were with him.
4:37	And a great wind storm occurred, and the waves broke over the boat, so that the boat was being filled.
4:38	And he was in the stern of the boat, sleeping on a pillow. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, does it not concern you that we are perishing?”
4:39	And rising up, he rebuked the wind, and he said to the sea: “Silence. Be stilled.” And the wind ceased. And a great tranquility occurred.
4:40	And he said to them: “Why are you afraid? Do you still lack faith?” And they were struck with a great fear. And they said to one another, “Who do you think this is, that both wind and sea obey him?”

Hebrews 10: 32- 39

10:32	But call to mind the former days, in which, after being enlightened, you endured a great struggle of afflictions.
10:33	And certainly, in one way, by insults and tribulations, you were made a spectacle, but in another way, you became the companions of those who were the object of such behavior.
10:34	For you even had compassion on those who were imprisoned, and you accepted with gladness being deprived of your goods, knowing that you have a better and more lasting substance.
10:35	And so, do not lose your confidence, which has a great reward.
10:36	For it is necessary for you to be patient, so that, by doing the will of God, you may receive the promise.
10:37	“For, in a little while, and somewhat longer, he who is to come will return, and he will not delay.
10:38	For my just man lives by faith. But if he were to draw himself back, he would not please my soul.”
10:39	So then, we are not sons who are drawn away to perdition, but we are sons of faith toward the securing of the soul

Mark 4: 26- 32

4:26	And he said: “The kingdom of God is like this: it is as if a man were to cast seed on the land.
4:27	And he sleeps and he arises, night and day. And the seed germinates and grows, though he does not know it.
4:28	For the earth bears fruit readily: first the plant, then the ear, next the full grain in the ear.
4:29	And when the fruit has been produced, immediately he sends out the sickle, because the harvest has arrived.”
4:30	And he said: “To what should we compare the kingdom of God? Or to what parable should we compare it?
4:31	It is like a grain of mustard seed which, when it has been sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds which are in the earth.
4:32	And when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all the plants, and it produces great branches, so much so that the birds of the air are able to live under its shadow.”
4:33	And with many such parables he spoke the word to them, as much as they were able to hear.
4:34	But he did not speak to them without a parable. Yet separately, he explained all things to his disciples.

Hebrews 10: 19- 25

10:19	And so, brothers, have faith in the entrance into the Holy of Holies by the blood of Christ,
10:20	and in the new and living Way, which he has initiated for us by the veil, that is, by his flesh,
10:21	and in the Great Priest over the house of God.
10:22	So, let us draw near with a true heart, in the fullness of faith, having hearts cleansed from an evil conscience, and bodies absolved with clean water.
10:23	Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope, without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful.
10:24	And let us be considerate of one another, so as to prompt ourselves to charity and to good works,
10:25	not deserting our assembly, as some are accustomed to do, but consoling one another, and even more so as you see that the day is approaching.

Mark 4: 21- 25

4:21	And he said to them: “Would someone enter with a lamp in order to place it under a basket or under a bed? Would it not be placed upon a lampstand?
4:22	For there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed. Neither was anything done in secret, except that it may be made public.
4:23	If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”
4:24	And he said to them: “Consider what you hear. With whatever measure you have measured out, it shall be measured back to you, and more shall be added to you.
4:25	For whoever has, to him it shall be given. And whoever has not, from him even what he has shall be taken away.”

Hebrews 10: 11- 18

10:11	And certainly, every priest stands by, ministering daily, and frequently offering the same sacrifices, which are never able to take away sins.
10:12	But this man, offering one sacrifice for sins, sits at the right hand of God forever,
10:13	awaiting that time when his enemies will be made his footstool.
10:14	For, by one oblation, he has brought to fulfillment, for all time, those who are sanctified.
10:15	Now the Holy Spirit also testifies for us about this. For afterward, he said:
10:16	“And this is the testament which I will commit to them after those days, says the Lord. I will instill my laws in their hearts, and I will inscribe my laws on their minds.
10:17	And I will no longer remember their sins and iniquities.”
10:18	Now, when there is a remission of these things, there is no longer an oblation for sin.

Mark 4: 1- 20

4:1	And again, he began to teach by the sea. And a great crowd was gathered to him, so much so that, climbing into a boat, he was seated on the sea. And the entire crowd was on the land along the sea.
4:2	And he taught them many things in parables, and he said to them, in his doctrine:
4:3	“Listen. Behold, the sower went out to sow.
4:4	And while he was sowing, some fell along the way, and the birds of the air came and ate it.
4:5	Yet truly, others fell upon stony ground, where it did not have much soil. And it rose up quickly, because it had no depth of soil.
4:6	And when the sun was risen, it was scorched. And because it had no root, it withered away.
4:7	And some fell among thorns. And the thorns grew up and suffocated it, and it did not produce fruit.
4:8	And some fell on good soil. And it brought forth fruit that grew up, and increased, and yielded: some thirty, some sixty, and some one hundred.”
4:9	And he said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.”
4:10	And when he was alone, the twelve, who were with him, questioned him about the parable.
4:11	And he said to them: “To you, it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God. But to those who are outside, everything is presented in parables:
4:12	‘so that, seeing, they may see, and not perceive; and hearing, they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they may be converted, and their sins would be forgiven them.’ ”
4:13	And he said to them: “Do you not understand this parable? And so, how will you understand all the parables?
4:14	He who sows, sows the word.
4:15	Now there are those who are along the way, where the word is sown. And when they have heard it, Satan quickly comes and takes away the word, which was sown in their hearts.
4:16	And similarly, there are those who were sown upon stony ground. These, when they have heard the word, immediately accept it with gladness.
4:17	But they have no root in themselves, and so they are for a limited time. And when next tribulation and persecution arises because of the word, they quickly fall away.
4:18	And there are others who are sown among thorns. These are those who hear the word,
4:19	but worldly tasks, and the deception of riches, and desires about other things enter in and suffocate the word, and it is effectively without fruit.
4:20	And there are those who are sown upon good soil, who hear the word and accept it; and these bear fruit: some thirty, some sixty, and some one hundred.”

Reading

The Letter to the Hebrews   10: 1-10

10:1	For the law contains the shadow of future good things, not the very image of these things. So, by the very same sacrifices which they offer ceaselessly each year, they can never cause these to approach perfection.
10:2	Otherwise, they would have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, once cleansed, would no longer be conscious of any sin.
10:3	Instead, in these things, a commemoration of sins is made every year.
10:4	For it is impossible for sins to be taken away by the blood of oxen and goats.
10:5	For this reason, as Christ enters into the world, he says: “Sacrifice and oblation, you did not want. But you have fashioned a body for me.
10:6	Holocausts for sin were not pleasing to you.
10:7	Then I said, ‘Behold, I draw near.’ At the head of the book, it has been written of me that I should do your will, O God.”
10:8	In the above, by saying, “Sacrifices, and oblations, and holocausts for sin, you did not want, nor are those things pleasing to you, which are offered according to the law;
10:9	then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God,’ ” he takes away the first, so that he may establish what follows.
10:10	For by this will, we have been sanctified, through the one time oblation of the body of Jesus Christ.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to Mark   3: 31-35

3:31	And his mother and brothers arrived. And standing outside, they sent to him, calling him.
3:32	And the crowd was sitting around him. And they said to him, “Behold, your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.”
3:33	And responding to them, he said, “Who is my mother and my brothers?”
3:34	And looking around at those who were sitting all around him, he said: “Behold, my mother and my brothers.
3:35	For whoever has done the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister and mother.”

Hebrews 9: 15, 24- 28

9:15	And thus he is the Mediator of the new testament, so that, by his death, he intercedes for the redemption of those transgressions which were under the former testament, so that those who have been called may receive the promise of an eternal inheritance.

9:24	For Jesus did not enter by means of holy things made with hands, mere examples of the true things, but he entered into Heaven itself, so that he may appear now before the face of God for us.
9:25	And he did not enter so as to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters into the Holy of Holies each year, with the blood of another.
9:26	Otherwise, he would need to have suffered repeatedly since the beginning of the world. But now, one time, at the consummation of the ages, he has appeared in order to destroy sin though his own sacrifice.
9:27	And in the same manner as it has been appointed for men to die one time, and after this, to be judged,
9:28	so also Christ was offered, one time, in order to empty the sins of so many. He shall appear a second time without sin, for those who await him, unto salvation.

Mark 3: 22- 30

3:22	And the scribes who had descended from Jerusalem said, “Because he has Beelzebub, and because by the prince of demons does he cast out demons.”
3:23	And having called them together, he spoke to them in parables: “How can Satan cast out Satan?
3:24	For if a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom is not able to stand.
3:25	And if a house is divided against itself, that house is not able to stand.
3:26	And if Satan has risen up against himself, he would be divided, and he would not be able to stand; instead he reaches the end.
3:27	No one is able to plunder the goods of a strong man, having entered into the house, unless he first binds the strong man, and then he shall plunder his house.
3:28	Amen I say to you, that all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and the blasphemies by which they will have blasphemed.
3:29	But he who will have blasphemed against the Holy Spirit shall not have forgiveness in eternity; instead he shall be guilty of an eternal offense.”
3:30	For they said: “He has an unclean spirit.”

Nehemiah 8: 2- 6, 8- 10

8:2	Therefore, Ezra the priest brought the law before the multitude of men and women, and all those who were able to understand, on the first day of the seventh month.
8:3	And he read it openly in the street which was before the water gate, from morning even until midday, in the sight of the men and women, and those who understood. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the book.
8:4	Then Ezra the scribe stood upon a step of wood, which he had made for speaking. And standing beside him were Mattithiah, and Shemaiah, and Anaiah, and Uriah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right. And on the left were Pedaiah, Mishael, and Malchijah, and Hashum, and Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
8:5	And Ezra opened the book before all the people. For he stood out above all the people. And when he had opened it, all the people stood up.
8:6	And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people responded, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. And they bowed down, and they adored God, facing the ground.
8:8	And they read from the book of the law of God, distinctly and plainly, so as to be understood. And when it was read, they did understand.
8:9	Then Nehemiah (the same is the cupbearer) and Ezra, the priest and scribe, and the Levites, who were interpreting for all the people, said: “This day has been sanctified to the Lord our God. Do not mourn, and do not weep.” For all of the people were weeping, as they were listening to the words of the law.
8:10	And he said to them: “Go, eat fat foods and drink sweet drinks, and send portions to those who have not prepared for themselves. For it is the holy day of the Lord. And do not be sad. For the joy of the Lord is also our strength.”

First Corinthians 12: 12- 30

12:12	For just as the body is one, and yet has many parts, so all the parts of the body, though they are many, are only one body. So also is Christ.
12:13	And indeed, in one Spirit, we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether servant or free. And we all drank in the one Spirit.
12:14	For the body, too, is not one part, but many.
12:15	If the foot were to say, “Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body,” would it then not be of the body?
12:16	And if the ear were to say, “Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body,” would it then not be of the body?
12:17	If the whole body were the eye, how would it hear? If the whole were hearing, how would it smell?
12:18	But instead, God has placed the parts, each one of them, in the body, just as it has pleased him.
12:19	So if they were all one part, how would it be a body?
12:20	But instead, there are many parts, indeed, yet one body.
12:21	And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need for your works.” And again, the head cannot say to the feet, “You are of no use to me.”
12:22	In fact, so much more necessary are those parts of the body which seem to be weaker.
12:23	And though we consider certain parts of the body to be less noble, we surround these with more abundant dignity, and so, those parts which are less presentable end up with more abundant respect.
12:24	However, our presentable parts have no such need, since God has tempered the body together, distributing the more abundant honor to that which has the need,
12:25	so that there might be no schism in the body, but instead the parts themselves might take care of one another.
12:26	And so, if one part suffers anything, all the parts suffer with it. Or, if one part finds glory, all the parts rejoice with it.
12:27	Now you are the body of Christ, and parts like any part.
12:28	And indeed, God has established a certain order in the Church: first Apostles, second Prophets, third Teachers, next miracle-workers, and then the grace of healing, of helping others, of governing, of different kinds of languages, and of the interpretation of words.
12:29	Are all Apostles? Are all Prophets? Are all Teachers?
12:30	Are all workers of miracles? Do all have the grace of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?

Luke 1: 1- 4, 4: 14- 21

1:1	Since, indeed, many have attempted to set in order a narrative of the things that have been completed among us,
1:2	just as they have been handed on to those of us who from the beginning saw the same and were ministers of the word,
1:3	so it seemed good to me also, having diligently followed everything from the beginning, to write to you, in an orderly manner, most excellent Theophilus,
1:4	so that you might know the truthfulness

4:14	And Jesus returned, in the power of the Spirit, into Galilee. And his fame spread throughout the entire region.
4:15	And he taught in their synagogues, and he was magnified by everyone.
4:16	And he went to Nazareth, where he had been raised. And he entered into the synagogue, according to his custom, on the Sabbath day. And he rose up to read.
4:17	And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. And as he unrolled the book, he found the place where it was written:
4:18	“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; because of this, he has anointed me. He has sent me to evangelize the poor, to heal the contrite of heart,
4:19	to preach forgiveness to captives and sight to the blind, to release the broken into forgiveness, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord and the day of retribution.”
4:20	And when he had rolled up the book, he returned it to the minister, and he sat down. And the eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on him.
4:21	Then he began to say to them, “On this day, this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

Acts 22: 3- 16

22:3	And he said: “I am a Jewish man, born at Tarsus in Cilicia, but raised in this city beside the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the truth of the law of the fathers, zealous for the law, just as all of you also are to this day.
22:4	I persecuted this Way, even unto death, binding and delivering into custody both men and women,
22:5	just as the high priest and all those greater by birth bear witness to me. Having received letters from them to the brothers, I journeyed to Damascus, so that I might lead them bound from there to Jerusalem, so that they might be punished.
22:6	But it happened that, as I was traveling and was approaching Damascus at midday, suddenly from heaven a great light shone around me.
22:7	And falling to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’
22:8	And I responded, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.’
22:9	And those who were with me, indeed, saw the light, but they did not hear the voice of him who was speaking with me.
22:10	And I said, ‘What should I do, Lord?’ Then the Lord said to me: ‘Rise up, and go to Damascus. And there, you shall be told all that you must do.’
22:11	And since I could not see, because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by my companions, and I went to Damascus.
22:12	Then a certain Ananias, a man in accord with the law, having the testimony of all the Jews who were living there,
22:13	drawing near to me and standing close by, said to me, ‘Brother Saul, see!’ And in that same hour, I looked upon him.
22:14	But he said: ‘The God of our fathers has preordained you, so that you would come to know his will and would see the Just One, and would hear the voice from his mouth.
22:15	For you shall be his witness to all men about those things which you have seen and heard.
22:16	And now, why do you delay? Rise up, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, by invoking his name.’

or, Acts 9: 1- 22

9:1	Now Saul, still breathing threats and beatings against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,
9:2	and he petitioned him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that, if he found any men or women belonging to this Way, he could lead them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
9:3	And as he made the journey, it happened that he was approaching Damascus. And suddenly, a light from heaven shone around him.
9:4	And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
9:5	And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goad.”
9:6	And he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do you want me to do?”
9:7	And the Lord said to him, “Rise up and go into the city, and there you will be told what you ought to do.” Now the men who were accompanying him were standing stupefied, hearing indeed a voice, but seeing no one.
9:8	Then Saul rose up from the ground. And upon opening his eyes, he saw nothing. So leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus.
9:9	And in that place, he was without sight for three days, and he neither ate nor drank.
9:10	Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias. And the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias!” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
9:11	And the Lord said to him: “Rise up and go into the street that is called Straight, and seek, in the house of Judas, the one named Saul of Tarsus. For behold, he is praying.”
9:12	(And Paul saw a man named Ananias entering and imposing hands upon him, so that he might receive his sight.)
9:13	But Ananias responded: “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem.
9:14	And he has authority here from the leaders of the priests to bind all who invoke your name.”
9:15	Then the Lord said to him: “Go, for this one is an instrument chosen by me to convey my name before nations and kings and the sons of Israel.
9:16	For I will reveal to him how much he must suffer on behalf of my name.”
9:17	And Ananias departed. And he entered the house. And laying his hands upon him, he said: “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, he who appeared to you on the way by which you arrived, sent me so that you would receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
9:18	And immediately, it was as if scales had fallen from his eyes, and he received his sight. And rising up, he was baptized.
9:19	And when he had taken a meal, he was strengthened. Now he was with the disciples who were at Damascus for some days.
9:20	And he was continuously preaching Jesus in the synagogues: that he is the Son of God.
9:21	And all who heard him were astonished, and they said, “Is this not the one who, in Jerusalem, was fighting against those invoking this name, and who came here for this: so that he might lead them away to the leaders of the priests?”
9:22	But Saul was increasing to a greater extent in ability, and so he was confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus, by affirming that he is the Christ.

Mark 16: 15- 18

16:15	And he said to them: “Go forth to the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature.
16:16	Whoever will have believed and been baptized will be saved. Yet truly, whoever will not have believed will be condemned.
16:17	Now these signs will accompany those who believe. In my name, they shall cast out demons. They will speak in new languages.
16:18	They will take up serpents, and, if they drink anything deadly, it will not harm them. They shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they will be well.”

Hebrews 8: 6- 13

8:6	But now he has been granted a better ministry, so much so that he is also the Mediator of a better testament, which has been confirmed by better promises.
8:7	For if the former one had been entirely without fault, then a place certainly would not have been sought for a subsequent one.
8:8	For, finding fault with them, he says: “Behold, the days shall arrive, says the Lord, when I will consummate a New Testament over the house of Israel and the house of Judah,
8:9	not according to the testament which I made with their fathers, on the day when I took them by the hand, so that I might lead them away from the land of Egypt. For they did not remain in my testament, and so I disregarded them, says the Lord.
8:10	For this is the testament which I will set before the house of Israel, after those days, says the Lord. I will instill my laws in their minds, and I will inscribe my laws on their hearts. And so, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
8:11	And they will not teach, each one his neighbor, and each one his brother, saying: ‘Know the Lord.’ For all shall know me, from the least, even to the greatest of them.
8:12	For I will forgive their iniquities, and I will no longer remember their sins.”
8:13	Now in saying something new, he has made the former old. But that which decays and grows old is close to passing away.

Mark 3: 13- 19

3:13	And ascending onto a mountain, he called to himself those whom he willed, and they came to him.
3:14	And he acted so that the twelve would be with him, and so that he might send them out to preach.
3:15	And he gave them authority to cure infirmities, and to cast out demons:
3:16	and he imposed on Simon the name Peter;
3:17	and also he imposed on James of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, the name ‘Boanerges,’ that is, ‘Sons of Thunder;’
3:18	and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus, and Simon the Canaanite,
3:19	and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

Reading

The Letter to the Hebrews   7: 25- 8: 6

7:25	And for this reason, he is able, continuously, to save those who approach God through him, since he is ever alive to make intercession on our behalf.
7:26	For it was fitting that we should have such a High Priest: holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted higher than the heavens.
7:27	And he has no need, daily, in the manner of other priests, to offer sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people. For he has done this once, by offering himself.
7:28	For the law appoints men as priests, though they have infirmities. But, by the word of the oath that is after the law, the Son has been perfected for eternity.

8:1	Now the main point in the things that have been stated is this: that we have so great a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of Majesty in the heavens,
8:2	who is the minister of holy things, and of the true tabernacle, which was established by the Lord, not by man.
8:3	For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices. Therefore, it is necessary for him also to have something to offer.
8:4	And so, if he were upon the earth, he would not be a priest, since there would be others to offer gifts according to the law,
8:5	gifts which serve as mere examples and shadows of the heavenly things. And so it was answered to Moses, when he was about to complete the tabernacle: “See to it,” he said, “that you make everything according to the example which was revealed to you on the mountain.”
8:6	But now he has been granted a better ministry, so much so that he is also the Mediator of a better testament, which has been confirmed by better promises.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to Mark    3: 7-12

3:7	But Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea. And a great crowd followed him from Galilee and Judea,
3:8	and from Jerusalem, and from Idumea and across the Jordan. And those around Tyre and Sidon, upon hearing what he was doing, came to him in a great multitude.
3:9	And he told his disciples that a small boat would be useful to him, because of the crowd, lest they press upon him.
3:10	For he healed so many, that as many of them as had wounds would rush toward him in order to touch him.
3:11	And the unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell prostrate before him. And they cried out, saying,
3:12	“You are the Son of God.” And he strongly admonished them, lest they make him known.

Hebrews 11: 1- 2, 8- 19

11:1	Now, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not apparent.
11:2	For this reason, the ancients were given testimony.
11:8	By faith, the one called Abraham obeyed, going out to the place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
11:9	By faith, he stayed in the Land of the Promise as if in a foreign land, dwelling in cottages, with Isaac and Jacob, co-heirs of the same promise.
11:10	For he was awaiting a city having firm foundations, whose designer and builder is God.
11:11	By faith also, Sarah herself, being barren, received the ability to conceive offspring, even though she was past that age in life. For she believed him to be faithful, who had promised.
11:12	Because of this, there were also born, from one who himself was as if dead, a mulititude like the stars of heaven, who are, like the sand of the seashore, innumerable.
11:13	All of these passed away, adhering to faith, not having received the promises, yet beholding them from afar and saluting them, and confessing themselves to be sojourners and guests upon the earth.
11:14	For those who speak in this way are themselves indicating that they seek a homeland.
11:15	And if, indeed, they had been mindful of the very place from which they departed, they certainly would have returned in time.
11:16	But now they hunger for a better place, that is, Heaven. For this reason, God is not ashamed to be called their God. For he has prepared a city for them.
11:17	By faith, Abraham, when he was tested, offered Isaac, so that he who had received the promises was offering up his only son.
11:18	To him, it was said, “Through Isaac, shall your offspring be summoned,”
11:19	indicating that God is even able to raise up from the dead. And thus, he also established him as a parable.

Mark 4: 35- 41

4:35	And on that day, when evening had arrived, he said to them, “Let us cross over.”
4:36	And dismissing the crowd, they brought him, so that he was in one boat, and other boats were with him.
4:37	And a great wind storm occurred, and the waves broke over the boat, so that the boat was being filled.
4:38	And he was in the stern of the boat, sleeping on a pillow. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, does it not concern you that we are perishing?”
4:39	And rising up, he rebuked the wind, and he said to the sea: “Silence. Be stilled.” And the wind ceased. And a great tranquility occurred.
4:40	And he said to them: “Why are you afraid? Do you still lack faith?” And they were struck with a great fear. And they said to one another, “Who do you think this is, that both wind and sea obey him?”

Hebrews 10: 32- 39

10:32	But call to mind the former days, in which, after being enlightened, you endured a great struggle of afflictions.
10:33	And certainly, in one way, by insults and tribulations, you were made a spectacle, but in another way, you became the companions of those who were the object of such behavior.
10:34	For you even had compassion on those who were imprisoned, and you accepted with gladness being deprived of your goods, knowing that you have a better and more lasting substance.
10:35	And so, do not lose your confidence, which has a great reward.
10:36	For it is necessary for you to be patient, so that, by doing the will of God, you may receive the promise.
10:37	“For, in a little while, and somewhat longer, he who is to come will return, and he will not delay.
10:38	For my just man lives by faith. But if he were to draw himself back, he would not please my soul.”
10:39	So then, we are not sons who are drawn away to perdition, but we are sons of faith toward the securing of the soul

Mark 4: 26- 32

4:26	And he said: “The kingdom of God is like this: it is as if a man were to cast seed on the land.
4:27	And he sleeps and he arises, night and day. And the seed germinates and grows, though he does not know it.
4:28	For the earth bears fruit readily: first the plant, then the ear, next the full grain in the ear.
4:29	And when the fruit has been produced, immediately he sends out the sickle, because the harvest has arrived.”
4:30	And he said: “To what should we compare the kingdom of God? Or to what parable should we compare it?
4:31	It is like a grain of mustard seed which, when it has been sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds which are in the earth.
4:32	And when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all the plants, and it produces great branches, so much so that the birds of the air are able to live under its shadow.”
4:33	And with many such parables he spoke the word to them, as much as they were able to hear.
4:34	But he did not speak to them without a parable. Yet separately, he explained all things to his disciples.

Hebrews 10: 19- 25

10:19	And so, brothers, have faith in the entrance into the Holy of Holies by the blood of Christ,
10:20	and in the new and living Way, which he has initiated for us by the veil, that is, by his flesh,
10:21	and in the Great Priest over the house of God.
10:22	So, let us draw near with a true heart, in the fullness of faith, having hearts cleansed from an evil conscience, and bodies absolved with clean water.
10:23	Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope, without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful.
10:24	And let us be considerate of one another, so as to prompt ourselves to charity and to good works,
10:25	not deserting our assembly, as some are accustomed to do, but consoling one another, and even more so as you see that the day is approaching.

Mark 4: 21- 25

4:21	And he said to them: “Would someone enter with a lamp in order to place it under a basket or under a bed? Would it not be placed upon a lampstand?
4:22	For there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed. Neither was anything done in secret, except that it may be made public.
4:23	If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”
4:24	And he said to them: “Consider what you hear. With whatever measure you have measured out, it shall be measured back to you, and more shall be added to you.
4:25	For whoever has, to him it shall be given. And whoever has not, from him even what he has shall be taken away.”

Hebrews 10: 11- 18

10:11	And certainly, every priest stands by, ministering daily, and frequently offering the same sacrifices, which are never able to take away sins.
10:12	But this man, offering one sacrifice for sins, sits at the right hand of God forever,
10:13	awaiting that time when his enemies will be made his footstool.
10:14	For, by one oblation, he has brought to fulfillment, for all time, those who are sanctified.
10:15	Now the Holy Spirit also testifies for us about this. For afterward, he said:
10:16	“And this is the testament which I will commit to them after those days, says the Lord. I will instill my laws in their hearts, and I will inscribe my laws on their minds.
10:17	And I will no longer remember their sins and iniquities.”
10:18	Now, when there is a remission of these things, there is no longer an oblation for sin.

Mark 4: 1- 20

4:1	And again, he began to teach by the sea. And a great crowd was gathered to him, so much so that, climbing into a boat, he was seated on the sea. And the entire crowd was on the land along the sea.
4:2	And he taught them many things in parables, and he said to them, in his doctrine:
4:3	“Listen. Behold, the sower went out to sow.
4:4	And while he was sowing, some fell along the way, and the birds of the air came and ate it.
4:5	Yet truly, others fell upon stony ground, where it did not have much soil. And it rose up quickly, because it had no depth of soil.
4:6	And when the sun was risen, it was scorched. And because it had no root, it withered away.
4:7	And some fell among thorns. And the thorns grew up and suffocated it, and it did not produce fruit.
4:8	And some fell on good soil. And it brought forth fruit that grew up, and increased, and yielded: some thirty, some sixty, and some one hundred.”
4:9	And he said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.”
4:10	And when he was alone, the twelve, who were with him, questioned him about the parable.
4:11	And he said to them: “To you, it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God. But to those who are outside, everything is presented in parables:
4:12	‘so that, seeing, they may see, and not perceive; and hearing, they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they may be converted, and their sins would be forgiven them.’ ”
4:13	And he said to them: “Do you not understand this parable? And so, how will you understand all the parables?
4:14	He who sows, sows the word.
4:15	Now there are those who are along the way, where the word is sown. And when they have heard it, Satan quickly comes and takes away the word, which was sown in their hearts.
4:16	And similarly, there are those who were sown upon stony ground. These, when they have heard the word, immediately accept it with gladness.
4:17	But they have no root in themselves, and so they are for a limited time. And when next tribulation and persecution arises because of the word, they quickly fall away.
4:18	And there are others who are sown among thorns. These are those who hear the word,
4:19	but worldly tasks, and the deception of riches, and desires about other things enter in and suffocate the word, and it is effectively without fruit.
4:20	And there are those who are sown upon good soil, who hear the word and accept it; and these bear fruit: some thirty, some sixty, and some one hundred.”

Reading

The Letter to the Hebrews   10: 1-10

10:1	For the law contains the shadow of future good things, not the very image of these things. So, by the very same sacrifices which they offer ceaselessly each year, they can never cause these to approach perfection.
10:2	Otherwise, they would have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, once cleansed, would no longer be conscious of any sin.
10:3	Instead, in these things, a commemoration of sins is made every year.
10:4	For it is impossible for sins to be taken away by the blood of oxen and goats.
10:5	For this reason, as Christ enters into the world, he says: “Sacrifice and oblation, you did not want. But you have fashioned a body for me.
10:6	Holocausts for sin were not pleasing to you.
10:7	Then I said, ‘Behold, I draw near.’ At the head of the book, it has been written of me that I should do your will, O God.”
10:8	In the above, by saying, “Sacrifices, and oblations, and holocausts for sin, you did not want, nor are those things pleasing to you, which are offered according to the law;
10:9	then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God,’ ” he takes away the first, so that he may establish what follows.
10:10	For by this will, we have been sanctified, through the one time oblation of the body of Jesus Christ.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to Mark   3: 31-35

3:31	And his mother and brothers arrived. And standing outside, they sent to him, calling him.
3:32	And the crowd was sitting around him. And they said to him, “Behold, your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.”
3:33	And responding to them, he said, “Who is my mother and my brothers?”
3:34	And looking around at those who were sitting all around him, he said: “Behold, my mother and my brothers.
3:35	For whoever has done the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister and mother.”

Hebrews 9: 15, 24- 28

9:15	And thus he is the Mediator of the new testament, so that, by his death, he intercedes for the redemption of those transgressions which were under the former testament, so that those who have been called may receive the promise of an eternal inheritance.

9:24	For Jesus did not enter by means of holy things made with hands, mere examples of the true things, but he entered into Heaven itself, so that he may appear now before the face of God for us.
9:25	And he did not enter so as to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters into the Holy of Holies each year, with the blood of another.
9:26	Otherwise, he would need to have suffered repeatedly since the beginning of the world. But now, one time, at the consummation of the ages, he has appeared in order to destroy sin though his own sacrifice.
9:27	And in the same manner as it has been appointed for men to die one time, and after this, to be judged,
9:28	so also Christ was offered, one time, in order to empty the sins of so many. He shall appear a second time without sin, for those who await him, unto salvation.

Mark 3: 22- 30

3:22	And the scribes who had descended from Jerusalem said, “Because he has Beelzebub, and because by the prince of demons does he cast out demons.”
3:23	And having called them together, he spoke to them in parables: “How can Satan cast out Satan?
3:24	For if a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom is not able to stand.
3:25	And if a house is divided against itself, that house is not able to stand.
3:26	And if Satan has risen up against himself, he would be divided, and he would not be able to stand; instead he reaches the end.
3:27	No one is able to plunder the goods of a strong man, having entered into the house, unless he first binds the strong man, and then he shall plunder his house.
3:28	Amen I say to you, that all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and the blasphemies by which they will have blasphemed.
3:29	But he who will have blasphemed against the Holy Spirit shall not have forgiveness in eternity; instead he shall be guilty of an eternal offense.”
3:30	For they said: “He has an unclean spirit.”

Nehemiah 8: 2- 6, 8- 10

8:2	Therefore, Ezra the priest brought the law before the multitude of men and women, and all those who were able to understand, on the first day of the seventh month.
8:3	And he read it openly in the street which was before the water gate, from morning even until midday, in the sight of the men and women, and those who understood. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the book.
8:4	Then Ezra the scribe stood upon a step of wood, which he had made for speaking. And standing beside him were Mattithiah, and Shemaiah, and Anaiah, and Uriah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right. And on the left were Pedaiah, Mishael, and Malchijah, and Hashum, and Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
8:5	And Ezra opened the book before all the people. For he stood out above all the people. And when he had opened it, all the people stood up.
8:6	And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people responded, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. And they bowed down, and they adored God, facing the ground.
8:8	And they read from the book of the law of God, distinctly and plainly, so as to be understood. And when it was read, they did understand.
8:9	Then Nehemiah (the same is the cupbearer) and Ezra, the priest and scribe, and the Levites, who were interpreting for all the people, said: “This day has been sanctified to the Lord our God. Do not mourn, and do not weep.” For all of the people were weeping, as they were listening to the words of the law.
8:10	And he said to them: “Go, eat fat foods and drink sweet drinks, and send portions to those who have not prepared for themselves. For it is the holy day of the Lord. And do not be sad. For the joy of the Lord is also our strength.”

First Corinthians 12: 12- 30

12:12	For just as the body is one, and yet has many parts, so all the parts of the body, though they are many, are only one body. So also is Christ.
12:13	And indeed, in one Spirit, we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether servant or free. And we all drank in the one Spirit.
12:14	For the body, too, is not one part, but many.
12:15	If the foot were to say, “Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body,” would it then not be of the body?
12:16	And if the ear were to say, “Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body,” would it then not be of the body?
12:17	If the whole body were the eye, how would it hear? If the whole were hearing, how would it smell?
12:18	But instead, God has placed the parts, each one of them, in the body, just as it has pleased him.
12:19	So if they were all one part, how would it be a body?
12:20	But instead, there are many parts, indeed, yet one body.
12:21	And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need for your works.” And again, the head cannot say to the feet, “You are of no use to me.”
12:22	In fact, so much more necessary are those parts of the body which seem to be weaker.
12:23	And though we consider certain parts of the body to be less noble, we surround these with more abundant dignity, and so, those parts which are less presentable end up with more abundant respect.
12:24	However, our presentable parts have no such need, since God has tempered the body together, distributing the more abundant honor to that which has the need,
12:25	so that there might be no schism in the body, but instead the parts themselves might take care of one another.
12:26	And so, if one part suffers anything, all the parts suffer with it. Or, if one part finds glory, all the parts rejoice with it.
12:27	Now you are the body of Christ, and parts like any part.
12:28	And indeed, God has established a certain order in the Church: first Apostles, second Prophets, third Teachers, next miracle-workers, and then the grace of healing, of helping others, of governing, of different kinds of languages, and of the interpretation of words.
12:29	Are all Apostles? Are all Prophets? Are all Teachers?
12:30	Are all workers of miracles? Do all have the grace of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?

Luke 1: 1- 4, 4: 14- 21

1:1	Since, indeed, many have attempted to set in order a narrative of the things that have been completed among us,
1:2	just as they have been handed on to those of us who from the beginning saw the same and were ministers of the word,
1:3	so it seemed good to me also, having diligently followed everything from the beginning, to write to you, in an orderly manner, most excellent Theophilus,
1:4	so that you might know the truthfulness

4:14	And Jesus returned, in the power of the Spirit, into Galilee. And his fame spread throughout the entire region.
4:15	And he taught in their synagogues, and he was magnified by everyone.
4:16	And he went to Nazareth, where he had been raised. And he entered into the synagogue, according to his custom, on the Sabbath day. And he rose up to read.
4:17	And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. And as he unrolled the book, he found the place where it was written:
4:18	“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; because of this, he has anointed me. He has sent me to evangelize the poor, to heal the contrite of heart,
4:19	to preach forgiveness to captives and sight to the blind, to release the broken into forgiveness, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord and the day of retribution.”
4:20	And when he had rolled up the book, he returned it to the minister, and he sat down. And the eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on him.
4:21	Then he began to say to them, “On this day, this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

Acts 22: 3- 16

22:3	And he said: “I am a Jewish man, born at Tarsus in Cilicia, but raised in this city beside the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the truth of the law of the fathers, zealous for the law, just as all of you also are to this day.
22:4	I persecuted this Way, even unto death, binding and delivering into custody both men and women,
22:5	just as the high priest and all those greater by birth bear witness to me. Having received letters from them to the brothers, I journeyed to Damascus, so that I might lead them bound from there to Jerusalem, so that they might be punished.
22:6	But it happened that, as I was traveling and was approaching Damascus at midday, suddenly from heaven a great light shone around me.
22:7	And falling to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’
22:8	And I responded, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.’
22:9	And those who were with me, indeed, saw the light, but they did not hear the voice of him who was speaking with me.
22:10	And I said, ‘What should I do, Lord?’ Then the Lord said to me: ‘Rise up, and go to Damascus. And there, you shall be told all that you must do.’
22:11	And since I could not see, because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by my companions, and I went to Damascus.
22:12	Then a certain Ananias, a man in accord with the law, having the testimony of all the Jews who were living there,
22:13	drawing near to me and standing close by, said to me, ‘Brother Saul, see!’ And in that same hour, I looked upon him.
22:14	But he said: ‘The God of our fathers has preordained you, so that you would come to know his will and would see the Just One, and would hear the voice from his mouth.
22:15	For you shall be his witness to all men about those things which you have seen and heard.
22:16	And now, why do you delay? Rise up, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, by invoking his name.’

or, Acts 9: 1- 22

9:1	Now Saul, still breathing threats and beatings against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,
9:2	and he petitioned him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that, if he found any men or women belonging to this Way, he could lead them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
9:3	And as he made the journey, it happened that he was approaching Damascus. And suddenly, a light from heaven shone around him.
9:4	And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
9:5	And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goad.”
9:6	And he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do you want me to do?”
9:7	And the Lord said to him, “Rise up and go into the city, and there you will be told what you ought to do.” Now the men who were accompanying him were standing stupefied, hearing indeed a voice, but seeing no one.
9:8	Then Saul rose up from the ground. And upon opening his eyes, he saw nothing. So leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus.
9:9	And in that place, he was without sight for three days, and he neither ate nor drank.
9:10	Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias. And the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias!” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
9:11	And the Lord said to him: “Rise up and go into the street that is called Straight, and seek, in the house of Judas, the one named Saul of Tarsus. For behold, he is praying.”
9:12	(And Paul saw a man named Ananias entering and imposing hands upon him, so that he might receive his sight.)
9:13	But Ananias responded: “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem.
9:14	And he has authority here from the leaders of the priests to bind all who invoke your name.”
9:15	Then the Lord said to him: “Go, for this one is an instrument chosen by me to convey my name before nations and kings and the sons of Israel.
9:16	For I will reveal to him how much he must suffer on behalf of my name.”
9:17	And Ananias departed. And he entered the house. And laying his hands upon him, he said: “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, he who appeared to you on the way by which you arrived, sent me so that you would receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
9:18	And immediately, it was as if scales had fallen from his eyes, and he received his sight. And rising up, he was baptized.
9:19	And when he had taken a meal, he was strengthened. Now he was with the disciples who were at Damascus for some days.
9:20	And he was continuously preaching Jesus in the synagogues: that he is the Son of God.
9:21	And all who heard him were astonished, and they said, “Is this not the one who, in Jerusalem, was fighting against those invoking this name, and who came here for this: so that he might lead them away to the leaders of the priests?”
9:22	But Saul was increasing to a greater extent in ability, and so he was confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus, by affirming that he is the Christ.

Mark 16: 15- 18

16:15	And he said to them: “Go forth to the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature.
16:16	Whoever will have believed and been baptized will be saved. Yet truly, whoever will not have believed will be condemned.
16:17	Now these signs will accompany those who believe. In my name, they shall cast out demons. They will speak in new languages.
16:18	They will take up serpents, and, if they drink anything deadly, it will not harm them. They shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they will be well.”