September 11, 2014

Reading

The First Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians   8: 1-7, 11-13

8:1	Now concerning those things that are sacrificed to idols: we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but charity builds up.
8:2	But if anyone considers himself to know anything, he does not yet know in the way that he ought to know.
8:3	For if anyone loves God, he is known by him.
8:4	But as to the foods that are immolated to idols, we know that an idol in the world is nothing, and that no one is God, except One.
8:5	For although there are things that are called gods, whether in heaven or on earth, (if one even considers there to be many gods and many lords)
8:6	yet we know that there is only one God, the Father, from whom all things are, and in whom we are, and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom all things are, and by whom we are.
8:7	But knowledge is not in everyone. For some persons, even now, with consent to an idol, eat what has been sacrificed to an idol. And their conscience, being infirm, becomes polluted.
8:11	And should an infirm brother perish by your knowledge, even though Christ died for him?
8:12	So when you sin in this way against the brothers, and you harm their weakened conscience, then you sin against Christ.
8:13	Because of this, if food leads my brother to sin, I will never eat meat, lest I lead my brother to sin.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to Luke   6: 27-38

6:27	But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you.
6:28	Bless those who curse you, and pray for those who slander you.
6:29	And to him who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your coat, do not withhold even your tunic.
6:30	But distribute to all who ask of you. And do not ask again of him who takes away what is yours.
6:31	And exactly as you would want people to treat you, treat them also the same.
6:32	And if you love those who love you, what credit is due to you? For even sinners love those who love them.
6:33	And if you will do good to those who do good to you, what credit is due to you? Indeed, even sinners behave this way.
6:34	And if you will loan to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is due to you? For even sinners lend to sinners, in order to receive the same in return.
6:35	So truly, love your enemies. Do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return. And then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and to the wicked.
6:36	Therefore, be merciful, just as your Father is also merciful.
6:37	Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
6:38	Give, and it will be given to you: a good measure, pressed down and shaken together and overflowing, they will place upon your lap. Certainly, the same measure that you use to measure out, will be used to measure back to you again.”