2 Corinthians 8.7-15
(Epistle)
7But as you abound in everything—in faith, utterance, knowledge, all earnestness, and in your love to us—see that you also abound in this grace.
8I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love.
9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.
10I give advice in this: it is expedient for you who were the first to start a year ago, not only to do, but also to be willing.
11But now complete the doing also, that as there was the readiness to be willing, so there may be the completion also out of your ability.
12For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what you have, not according to what you don’t have.
13For this is not that others may be eased and you distressed,
14but for equality. Your abundance at this present time supplies their lack, that their abundance also may become a supply for your lack, that there may be equality.
15As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”
Colossians 1.24-2.1
(Epistle, Nikitas)
24Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and fill up on my part that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the assembly,
25of which I was made a servant according to the stewardship of God which was given me toward you to fulfill the word of God,
26the mystery which has been hidden for ages and generations. But now it has been revealed to his saints,
27to whom God was pleased to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
28We proclaim him, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus;
29for which I also labor, striving according to his working, which works in me mightily.
1For I desire to have you know how greatly I struggle for you and for those at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
Mark 3.6-12
(Gospel)
6The Pharisees went out, and immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.
7Jesus withdrew to the sea with his disciples; and a great multitude followed him from Galilee, from Judea,
8from Jerusalem, from Idumaea, beyond the Jordan, and those from around Tyre and Sidon. A great multitude, hearing what great things he did, came to him.
9He spoke to his disciples that a little boat should stay near him because of the crowd, so that they wouldn’t press on him.
10For he had healed many, so that as many as had diseases pressed on him that they might touch him.
11The unclean spirits, whenever they saw him, fell down before him and cried, “You are the Son of God!”
12He sternly warned them that they should not make him known.
Matthew 10.16-22
(Gospel, Nikitas)
16“Behold, I send you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
17But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils, and in their synagogues they will scourge you.
18Yes, and you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the nations.
19But when they deliver you up, don’t be anxious how or what you will say, for it will be given you in that hour what you will say.
20For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
21“Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child. Children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.
22You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved.