Hebrews 12.25-26, 13.22-25
(Epistle)
25See that you don’t refuse him who speaks. For if they didn’t escape when they refused him who warned on the earth, how much more will we not escape who turn away from him who warns from heaven,
26whose voice shook the earth then, but now he has promised, saying, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heavens.”
22But I exhort you, brothers, endure the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words.
23Know that our brother Timothy has been freed, with whom, if he comes shortly, I will see you.
24Greet all of your leaders and all the saints. The Italians greet you.
25Grace be with you all. Amen.
1 Corinthians 4.9-16
(Epistle, Forefeast of Theophany)
9For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last of all, like men sentenced to death. For we are made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and men.
10We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You have honor, but we have dishonor.
11Even to this present hour we hunger, thirst, are naked, are beaten, and have no certain dwelling place.
12We toil, working with our own hands. When people curse us, we bless. Being persecuted, we endure.
13Being defamed, we entreat. We are made as the filth of the world, the dirt wiped off by all, even until now.
14I don’t write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.
15For though you have ten thousand tutors in Christ, you don’t have many fathers. For in Christ Jesus, I became your father through the Good News.
16I beg you therefore, be imitators of me.
Mark 8.22-26
(Gospel)
22He came to Bethsaida. They brought a blind man to him and begged him to touch him.
23He took hold of the blind man by the hand, and brought him out of the village. When he had spat on his eyes, and laid his hands on him, he asked him if he saw anything.
24He looked up, and said, “I see men, but I see them like walking trees.”
25Then again he laid his hands on his eyes. He looked intently, and was restored, and saw everyone clearly.
26He sent him away to his house, saying, “Don’t enter into the village, nor tell anyone in the village.”
John 1.18-28
(Gospel, Forefeast of Theophany)
18No one has seen God at any time. The only born Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, has declared him.
19This is John’s testimony, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?”
20He declared, and didn’t deny, but he declared, “I am not the Christ.”
21They asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.”
22They said therefore to him, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”
23He said, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.”
24The ones who had been sent were from the Pharisees.
25They asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?”
26John answered them, “I baptize in water, but among you stands one whom you don’t know.
27He is the one who comes after me, who is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I’m not worthy to loosen.”
28These things were done in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.