February 4, 2015

Reading

The Letter to the 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?
12:8	But if you are without that discipline in which all have become sharers, then you are of adultery, and you are not sons.
12:9	Then, too, we have certainly had the fathers of our flesh as instructors, and we reverenced them. Should we not obey the Father of spirits all the more, and so live?
12:10	And indeed, for a few days and according to their own wishes, they instructed us. But he does so to our benefit, so that we may receive his sanctification.
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,

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to 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.