Category: Daily Readings

Isaiah 6: 1- 8

6:1	In the year in which king Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, sublime and exalted, and the things that were under him filled the temple.
6:2	The Seraphims were standing above the throne. One had six wings, and the other had six wings: with two they were covering his face, and with two they were covering his feet, and with two they were flying.
6:3	And they were crying out to one another, and saying: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God of hosts! All the earth is filled with his glory!”
6:4	And the lintels above the hinges were shaken at the voice of the one crying out. And the house was filled with smoke.
6:5	And I said: “Woe to me! For I have remained silent. For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live in the midst of a people having unclean lips, and I have seen with my eyes the King, the Lord of hosts!”
6:6	And one of the Seraphims flew to me, and in his hand was a burning coal, which he had taken with tongs from the altar.
6:7	And he touched my mouth, and he said, “Behold, this has touched your lips, and so your iniquities will be taken away, and your sin will be cleansed.”
6:8	And I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send?” and, “Who will go for us?” And I said: “Here I am. Send me.”

First Corinthians 15: 1- 11

15:1	And so I make known to you, brothers, the Gospel that I preached to you, which you also received, and on which you stand.
15:2	By the Gospel, too, you are being saved, if you hold to the understanding that I preached to you, lest you believe in vain.
15:3	For I handed on to you, first of all, what I also received: that Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures;
15:4	and that he was buried; and that he rose again on the third day, according to the Scriptures;
15:5	and that he was seen by Cephas, and after that by the eleven.
15:6	Next he was seen by more than five hundred brothers at one time, many of whom remain, even to the present time, although some have fallen asleep.
15:7	Next, he was seen by James, then by all the Apostles.
15:8	And last of all, he was seen also by me, as if I were someone born at the wrong time.
15:9	For I am the least of the Apostles. I am not worthy to be called an Apostle, because I persecuted the Church of God.
15:10	But, by the grace of God, I am what I am. And his grace in me has not been empty, since I have labored more abundantly than all of them. Yet it is not I, but the grace of God within me.
15:11	For whether it is I or they: so we preach, and so you have believed.

Luke 5: 1- 11

5:1	Now it happened that, when the crowds pressed toward him, so that they might hear the word of God, he was standing beside the lake of Genesaret.
5:2	And he saw two boats standing beside the lake. But the fishermen had climbed down, and they were washing their nets.
5:3	And so, climbing into one of the boats, which belonged to Simon, he asked him to draw back a little from the land. And sitting down, he taught the crowds from the boat.
5:4	Then, when he had ceased speaking, he said to Simon, “Lead us into deep water, and release your nets for a catch.”
5:5	And in response, Simon said to him: “Teacher, working throughout the night, we caught nothing. But on your word, I will release the net.”
5:6	And when they had done this, they enclosed such a copious multitude of fish that their net was rupturing.
5:7	And they signaled to their associates, who were in the other boat, so that they would come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they were nearly submerged.
5:8	But when Simon Peter had seen this, he fell down at the knees of Jesus, saying, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”
5:9	For astonishment had enveloped him, and all who were with him, at the catch of fish that they had taken.
5:10	Now the same was true of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were associates of Simon. And Jesus said to Simon: “Do not be afraid. From now on, you will be catching men.”
5:11	And having led their boats to land, leaving behind everything, they followed him.

Hebrews 13: 15- 17, 20- 21

13:15	Therefore, through him, let us offer the sacrifice of continual praise to God, which is the fruit of lips confessing his name.
13:16	But do not be willing to forget good works and fellowship. For God is deserving of such sacrifices.
13:17	Obey your leaders and be subject to them. For they watch over you, as if to render an account of your souls. So then, may they do this with joy, and not with grief. Otherwise, it would not be as helpful to you.
13:18	Pray for us. For we trust that we have a good conscience, being willing to conduct ourselves well in all things.
13:19	And I beg you, all the more, to do this, so that I may be quickly returned to you.
13:20	Then may the God of peace, who led back from the dead that great Pastor of sheep, our Lord Jesus Christ, with the blood of the eternal testament,
13:21	equip you with all goodness, so that you may do his will. May he accomplish in you whatever is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom is glory forever and ever. Amen.

Mark 6: 30- 34

6:30	And the Apostles, returning to Jesus, reported to him everything that they had done and taught.
6:31	And he said to them, “Go out alone, into a deserted place, and rest for a little while.” For there were so many who were coming and going, that they did not even have time to eat.
6:32	And climbing into a boat, they went away to a deserted place alone.
6:33	And they saw them going away, and many knew about it. And together they ran by foot from all the cities, and they arrived before them.
6:34	And Jesus, going out, saw a great multitude. And he took pity on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things.

Hebrews 13: 1- 8

13:1	May fraternal charity remain in you.
13:2	And do not be willing to forget hospitality. For by it, certain persons, without realizing it, have received Angels as guests.
13:3	Remember those who are prisoners, just as if you were imprisoned with them, and those who endure hardships, just as if you were in their place.
13:4	May marriage be honorable in every way, and may the marriage bed be immaculate. For God will judge fornicators and adulterers.
13:5	Let your behavior be without avarice; be content with what you are offered. For he himself has said, “I will not abandon you, and I will not neglect you.”
13:6	So then, we may confidently say, “The Lord is my helper. I will not fear what man can do to me.”
13:7	Remember your leaders, who have spoken the Word of God to you, whose faith you imitate, by observing the goal of their way of life:
13:8	Jesus Christ, yesterday and today; Jesus Christ forever.

Mark 6: 14- 29

6:14	And king Herod heard of it, (for his name had become well-known) and he said: “John the Baptist has risen again from the dead, and because of this, miracles are at work in him.”
6:15	But others were saying, “Because it is Elijah.” Still others were saying, “Because he is a prophet, like one of the prophets.”
6:16	When Herod had heard it, he said, “John whom I beheaded, the same has risen again from the dead.”
6:17	For Herod himself had sent to capture John, and had chained him in prison, because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip; for he had married her.
6:18	For John was saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
6:19	Now Herodias was devising treachery against him; and she wanted to kill him, but she was unable.
6:20	For Herod was apprehensive of John, knowing him to be a just and holy man, and so he guarded him. And he heard that he was accomplishing many things, and so he listened to him willingly.
6:21	And when an opportune time had arrived, Herod held a feast on his birthday, with the leaders, and the tribunes, and the first rulers of Galilee.
6:22	And when the daughter of the same Herodias had entered, and danced, and pleased Herod, along with those who were at table with him, the king said to the girl, “Request from me whatever you want, and I will give it to you.”
6:23	And he swore to her, “Anything that you request, I will give to you, even up to half my kingdom.”
6:24	And when she had gone out, she said to her mother, “What shall I request?” But her mother said, “The head of John the Baptist.”
6:25	And immediately, when she had entered with haste to the king, she petitioned him, saying: “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”
6:26	And the king was greatly saddened. But because of his oath, and because of those who were sitting with him at table, he was not willing to disappoint her.
6:27	So, having sent an executioner, he instructed that his head be brought on a platter.
6:28	And he beheaded him in prison, and he brought his head on a platter. And he gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it her mother.
6:29	When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and they placed it in a tomb.

Hebrews 12: 18-19, 21- 24

12:18	But you have not drawn near to a tangible mountain, or a burning fire, or a whirlwind, or a mist, or a storm,
12:19	or the sound of a trumpet, or a voice of words. Those who had experienced these things excused themselves, lest the Word be spoken to them.
12:21	And what was seen was so terrible that even Moses said: “I am terrified, and so, I tremble.”
12:22	But you have drawn near to mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, to the heavenly Jerusalem, and to the company of many thousands of Angels,
12:23	and to the Church of the first-born, those who have been inscribed in the heavens, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the just made perfect,
12:24	and to Jesus, the Mediator of the New Testament, and to a sprinkling of blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.

Mark 6: 7- 13

6:7	And he called the twelve. And he began to send them out in twos, and he gave them authority over unclean spirits.
6:8	And he instructed them not to take anything for the journey, except a staff: no traveling bag, no bread, and no money belt,
6:9	but to wear sandals, and not to wear two tunics.
6:10	And he said to them: “Whenever you have entered into a house, stay there until you depart from that place.
6:11	And whoever will neither receive you, nor listen to you, as you go away from there, shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”
6:12	And going out, they were preaching, so that people would repent.
6:13	And they cast out many demons, and they anointed many of the sick with oil and healed them.

Hebrews 12: 4-7, 11-15

12:4	For you have not yet resisted unto blood, while striving against sin.
12:5	And you have forgotten the consolation which speaks to you like sons, saying: “My son, do not be willing to neglect the discipline of the Lord. Neither should you become weary, while being rebuked by him.”
12:6	For whomever the Lord loves, he chastises. And every son whom he accepts, he scourges.
12:7	Persevere in discipline. God presents you to himself as sons. But what son is there, whom his father does not correct?
12:11	Now every discipline, in the present time, does not seem a gladness, of course, but a grief. But afterwards, it will repay a most peaceful fruit of justice to those who become trained in it.
12:12	Because of this, lift up your lazy hands and your lax knees,
12:13	and straighten the path of your feet, so that no one, being lame, may wander astray, but instead may be healed.
12:14	Pursue peace with everyone. Pursue sanctity, without which no one shall see God.
12:15	Be contemplative, lest anyone lack the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness spring up and impede you, and by it, many might be defiled,

Mark 6: 1- 6

6:1	And departing from there, he went away to his own country; and his disciples followed him.
6:2	And when the Sabbath arrived, he began to teach in the synagogue. And many, upon hearing him, were amazed at his doctrine, saying: “Where did this one get all these things?” and, “What is this wisdom, which has been given to him?” and, “Such powerful deeds, which are wrought by his hands!”
6:3	“Is this not the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joseph, and Jude, and Simon? Are not his sisters also here with us?” And they took great offense at him.
6:4	And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and in his own house, and among his own kindred.”
6:5	And he was not able to perform any miracles there, except that he cured a few of the infirm by laying his hands on them.
6:6	And he wondered, because of their unbelief, and he traveled around in the villages, teaching.

Hebrews 12: 1- 4

12:1	Furthermore, since we also have so great a cloud of witnesses over us, let us set aside every burden and sin which may surround us, and advance, through patience, to the struggle offered to us.
12:2	Let us gaze upon Jesus, as the Author and the completion of our faith, who, having joy laid out before him, endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and who now sits at the right hand of the throne of God.
12:3	So then, meditate upon him who endured such adversity from sinners against himself, so that you may not become weary, failing in your souls.
12:4	For you have not yet resisted unto blood, while striving against sin.

Mark 5: 21- 43

5:21	And when Jesus had crossed in the boat, over the strait again, a great crowd came together before him. And he was near the sea.
5:22	And one of the rulers of the synagogue, named Jairus, approached. And seeing him, he fell prostrate at his feet.
5:23	And he beseeched him greatly, saying: “For my daughter is near the end. Come and lay your hand on her, so that she may be healthy and may live.”
5:24	And he went with him. And a great crowd followed him, and they pressed upon him.
5:25	And there was a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years.
5:26	And she had endured much from several physicians, and she had spent everything she owned with no benefit at all, but instead she became worse.
5:27	Then, when she had heard of Jesus, she approached through the crowd behind him, and she touched his garment.
5:28	For she said: “Because if I touch even his garment, I will be saved.”
5:29	And immediately, the source of her bleeding was dried up, and she sensed in her body that she had been healed from the wound.
5:30	And immediately Jesus, realizing within himself that power that had gone out from him, turning to the crowd, said, “Who touched my garments?”
5:31	And his disciples said to him, “You see that the crowd presses around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’ ”
5:32	And he looked around to see the woman who had done this.
5:33	Yet truly, the woman, in fear and trembling, knowing what had happened within her, went and fell prostrate before him, and she told him the whole truth.
5:34	And he said to her: “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace, and be healed from your wound.”
5:35	While he was still speaking, they arrived from the ruler of the synagogue, saying: “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?”
5:36	But Jesus, having heard the word that was spoken, said to the ruler of the synagogue: “Do not be afraid. You need only believe.”
5:37	And he would not permit anyone to follow him, except Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.
5:38	And they went to the house of the ruler of the synagogue. And he saw a tumult, and weeping, and much wailing.
5:39	And entering, he said to them: “Why are you disturbed and weeping? The girl is not dead, but is asleep.”
5:40	And they derided him. Yet truly, having put them all out, he took the father and mother of the girl, and those who were with him, and he entered to where the girl was lying.
5:41	And taking the girl by the hand, he said to her, “Talitha koumi,” which means, “Little girl, (I say to you) arise.
5:42	And immediately the young girl rose up and walked. Now she was twelve years old. And they were suddenly struck with a great astonishment.
5:43	And he instructed them sternly, so that no one would know about it. And he told them to give her something to eat.

Hebrews 11: 32- 40

11:32	And what should I say next? For time is not sufficient for me to give an account of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the Prophets:
11:33	those who, by faith, conquered kingdoms, accomplished justice, obtained promises, closed the mouths of lions,
11:34	extinguished the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, recovered from infirmities, showed strength in battle, turned back the armies of foreigners.
11:35	Women received their dead by means of resurrection. But others suffered severe punishment, not yet receiving redemption, so that they would find a better resurrection.
11:36	Truly, others were tested by mocking and lashes, and moreover by chains and imprisonment.
11:37	They were stoned; they were cut; they were tempted. With the slaughter of the sword, they were killed. They wandered about in sheepskin and in goatskin, in dire need, in anguish afflicted.
11:38	Of them, the world was not worthy, wandering in solitude on mountains, in the caves and caverns of the earth.
11:39	And all these, having been proven by the testimony of faith, did not receive the Promise.
11:40	God’s Providence holds something better for us, so that not without us would they be perfected.

Mark 5: 1- 20

5:1	And they went across the strait of the sea into the region of the Gerasenes.
5:2	And as he was departing from the boat, he was immediately met, from among the tombs, by a man with an unclean spirit,
5:3	who had his dwelling place with the tombs; neither had anyone been able to bind him, even with chains.
5:4	For having been bound often with shackles and chains, he had broken the chains and smashed the shackles; and no one had been able to tame him.
5:5	And he was always, day and night, among the tombs, or in the mountains, crying out and cutting himself with stones.
5:6	And seeing Jesus from afar, he ran and adored him.
5:7	And crying out with a loud voice, he said: “What am I to you, Jesus, the Son of the Most High God? I beseech you by God, that you not torment me.”
5:8	For he said to him, “Depart from the man, you unclean spirit.”
5:9	And he questioned him: “What is your name?” And he said to him, “My name is Legion, for we are many.”
5:10	And he entreated him greatly, so that he would not expel him from the region.
5:11	And in that place, near the mountain, there was a great herd of swine, feeding.
5:12	And the spirits entreated him, saying: “Send us into the swine, so that we may enter into them.”
5:13	And Jesus promptly gave them permission. And the unclean spirits, departing, entered into the swine. And the herd of about two thousand rushed down with great force into the sea, and they were drowned in the sea.
5:14	Then those who pastured them fled, and they reported it in the city and in the countryside. And they all went out to see what was happening.
5:15	And they came to Jesus. And they saw the man who had been troubled by the demon, sitting, clothed and with a sane mind, and they were afraid.
5:16	And those who had seen it explained to them how he had dealt with the man who had the demon, and about the swine.
5:17	And they began to petition him, so that he would withdraw from their borders.
5:18	And as he was climbing into the boat, the man who had been troubled by the demons began to beg him, so that he might be with him.
5:19	And he did not permit him, but he said to him, “Go to your own people, in your own house, and announce to them how great are the things that Lord has done for you, and how he has taken pity on you.”
5:20	And he went away and began to preach in the Ten Cities, how great were the things that Jesus had done for him. And everyone wondered.

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

Malachi 3: 1- 4

3:1	Behold, I send my angel, and he will prepare the way before my face. And presently the Sovereign, whom you seek, and the angel of testimony, whom you desire, will arrive at his temple. Behold, he approaches, says the Lord of hosts.
3:2	And who will be able to consider the day of his advent, and who will stand firm in order to see him? For he is like a refining fire, and like the fuller’s herb.
3:3	And he will sit refining and cleansing the silver, and he will purge the sons of Levi, and he will gather them like gold and like silver, and they will offer sacrifices to the Lord in justice.
3:4	And the sacrifice of Judah and of Jerusalem will please the Lord, just as in the days of past generations, and as in the ancient years.

Hebrews 2: 14- 18

2:14	Therefore, because children have a common flesh and blood, he himself also, in like manner, has shared in the same, so that through death, he might destroy him who held the dominion of death, that is, the devil,
2:15	and so that he might free those who, through the fear of death, had been condemned to servitude throughout their entire life.
2:16	For at no time did he take hold of the Angels, but instead he took hold of the offspring of Abraham.
2:17	Therefore, it is fitting for him to be made similar to his brothers in all things, so that he might become a merciful and faithful High Priest before God, in order that he might bring forgiveness to the offenses of the people.
2:18	For in as much as he himself has suffered and has been tempted, he also is able to assist those who are tempted.

Luke 2: 22- 40

2:22	And after the days of her purification were fulfilled, according to the law of Moses, they brought him to Jerusalem, in order to present him to the Lord,
2:23	just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “For every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord,”
2:24	and in order to offer a sacrifice, according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
2:25	And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and God-fearing, awaiting the consolation of Israel. And the Holy Spirit was with him.
2:26	And he had received an answer from the Holy Spirit: that he would not see his own death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
2:27	And he went with the Spirit to the temple. And when the child Jesus was brought in by his parents, in order to act on his behalf according to the custom of the law,
2:28	he also took him up, into his arms, and he blessed God and said:
2:29	“Now you may dismiss your servant in peace, O Lord, according to your word.
2:30	For my eyes have seen your salvation,
2:31	which you have prepared before the face of all peoples:
2:32	the light of revelation to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.”
2:33	And his father and mother were wondering over these things, which were spoken about him.
2:34	And Simeon blessed them, and he said to his mother Mary: “Behold, this one has been set for the ruin and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and as a sign which will be contradicted.
2:35	And a sword will pass through your own soul, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
2:36	And there was a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, from the tribe of Asher. She was very advanced in years, and she had lived with her husband for seven years from her virginity.
2:37	And then she was a widow, even to her eighty-fourth year. And without departing from the temple, she was a servant to fasting and prayer, night and day.
2:38	And entering at the same hour, she confessed to the Lord. And she spoke about him to all who were awaiting the redemption of Israel.
2:39	And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their city, Nazareth.
2:40	Now the child grew, and he was strengthened with the fullness of wisdom. And the grace of God was in him.

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.