Selected Scripture Readings
| January 06, 2019 |
| EPISTLE: Titus (2:11-14; 3::4-7) Brothers and Sisters! Titus, my son! The grace of God has appeared, offering salvation to all men. It trains us to reject godless ways and worldly desires, and live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age as we await our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of the great God and of our Savior Christ Jesus. It was he who sacrificed himself for us, to redeem us from all unrighteousness and to cleanse for himself a people of his own, eager to do what is right. But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us; not because of any righteous deeds we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the baptism of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he lavished on us through Jesus Christ our Saviour, that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs, in hope, of eternal life. GOSPEL: Matthew (3: 13-17)
At that time, Jesus coming from Galilee,
appeared before John at the Jordan to be
baptized by him. John tried to refuse him with
the protest, “I should be baptized by you, yet
you come to me!” Jesus answered: “Give in for
now. We must do this if we would fulfill all of
God’s demands.” So John gave in. After Jesus
was baptized, he came directly out of the
water. Suddenly the sky opened and he saw
the Spirit of God descend like a dove and
hover over him. With that, a voice from the
heavens said, “This is my beloved Son. My
favor rests on him.”
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| January 13, 2019 |
| EPISTLE: Ephesians (4: 7-13)
Brothers and Sisters! Each of us has received
God’s favor in the measure in which Christ
bestows it. Thus you find Scripture saying:
“When he ascended on high, he took a host of
captives and gave gifts to men.” “He
ascended,” what does this mean but that he
had first descended into the lower regions of
the earth? He who descended is the very one
who ascended high above the heavens, that he
might fill all men with his gifts. It is he who gave
apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and
teachers in roles of service for the faithful to
build up the body of Christ, till we become one
in faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, and
form that perfect man who is Christ come to
full stature.
At that time when Jesus heard that John had
been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left
Nazareth and went down to live in Capernaum
by the sea near the territory of Zebulun and
Naphtali, to fulfill what had been said through
Isaiah the prophet: “Land of Zebulun, land of
Naphtali along the sea beyond the Jordan,
heathen Galilee: A people living in darkness
has seen a great light. On those who inhabit a land overshadowed by death, light has arisen.”
From that time on Jesus began to proclaim this
theme: “Reform your lives! The kingdom of
heaven is at hand.”
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January 20, 2019 |
| EPISTLE: Colossians (3: 12-16) Brothers and Sisters! Because you are God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with heartfelt mercy, with kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another; forgive whatever grievances you have against one another. Forgive as the Lord has forgiven you. Over all these virtues put on love which binds the rest together and makes them perfect. Christ’s peace must reign in your hearts, since as members of the one body you have been called to that peace. Dedicate yourselves to thankfulness. Let the word of Christ, rich as it is, dwell in you. In wisdom made perfect, instruct and admonish one another. Sing gratefully to God from your hearts in psalms, hymns, and inspired songs. GOSPEL: Luke (18: 18-27) At that time, one of the ruling class asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to share in everlasting life?’’ Jesus said to him, “Why call me ‘good’? None is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery. You shall not kill. You shall not steal. You shall not bear dishonest witness. Honor your father and your mother.’’’ He replied, “I have kept all these since I was a boy.’’ When Jesus heard this he said to him: “There is one thing further you must do. Sell all you have and give to the poor. You will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me.’’ On hearing this he grew melancholy, for he was a very rich man. When Jesus observed this he said: “How hard it will be for the rich to go into the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.’’His listeners asked him, “Who, then, can be saved?’’ to which he replied, “Things that are impossible for men are possible for God.’’ |
| February 03, 2019 |
| EPISTLE: Timothy (4: 9-15) Timothy, my son! You can depend on this as worthy of complete acceptance. This explains why we work and struggle as we do; our hopes are fixed on the living God who is the savior of all men, but especially of those who believe. Such are the things you must urge and teach. Let no one look down on you because of your youth, but be a continuing example of love, faith, purity to believers. Until I arrive, devote yourself to the reading of Scripture, to preaching and teaching. Do not neglect the gift you received when, as a result of prophecy, the presbyters laid their hands on you. Attend to your duties; let them absorb you, so that everyone may see your progress. GOSPEL: Luke (19: 1-10) At that time Jesus was passing through Jericho. There was a man there named Zaccheus, the chief tax collector and a wealthy man. He was trying to see what Jesus was like, but being small of stature, was unable to do so because of the crowd. He first ran on in front, then climbed a sycamore tree which was along Jesus' route, in order to see him. When Jesus came to the spot he looked up and said, “Zaccheus, hurry down. I mean to stay at your house today.” He quickly descended, and welcomed him with delight. When this was observed, everyone began to murmur, “He has gone to a sinner’s house as a guest.” Zaccheus stood his ground and said to the Lord: “I give half my belongings, Lord, to the poor. If I have defrauded anyone in the least, I pay him back four-fold.” Jesus said to him: “Today salvation has come to this house, for this is what it means to be a son of Abraham. The Son of Man has come to search out and save what was lost.” This page was last updated
January 02, 2019 |