1 Peter 4.1-11
(Epistle)
1Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind; for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,
2that you no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
3For we have spent enough of our past time doing the desire of the Gentiles, and having walked in lewdness, lusts, drunken binges, orgies, carousings, and abominable idolatries.
4They think it is strange that you don’t run with them into the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you.
5They will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
6For to this end the Good News was preached even to the dead, that they might be judged indeed as men in the flesh, but live as to God in the spirit.
7But the end of all things is near. Therefore be of sound mind, self-controlled, and sober in prayer.
8And above all things be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins.
9Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.
10As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms.
11If anyone speaks, let it be as it were the very words of God. If anyone serves, let it be as of the strength which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Philippians 3.20-4.3
(Epistle, St. Clement)
20For our citizenship is in heaven, from where we also wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
21who will change the body of our humiliation to be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working by which he is able even to subject all things to himself.
1Therefore, my brothers, beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.
2I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to think the same way in the Lord.
3Yes, I beg you also, true partner, help these women, for they labored with me in the Good News with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Mark 12.28-37
(Gospel)
28One of the scribes came and heard them questioning together, and knowing that he had answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the greatest of all?”
29Jesus answered, “The greatest is: ‘Hear, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
30You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.
31The second is like this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
32The scribe said to him, “Truly, teacher, you have said well that he is one, and there is none other but he;
33and to love him with all the heart, with all the understanding, all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
34When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from God’s Kingdom.” No one dared ask him any question after that.
35Jesus responded, as he taught in the temple, “How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David?
36For David himself said in the Holy Spirit, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet.”’
37Therefore David himself calls him Lord, so how can he be his son?” The common people heard him gladly.
Mark 2.23-3.5
(Gospel, St. Clement)
23He was going on the Sabbath day through the grain fields; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of grain.
24The Pharisees said to him, “Behold, why do they do that which is not lawful on the Sabbath day?”
25He said to them, “Did you never read what David did when he had need and was hungry—he, and those who were with him?
26How he entered into God’s house at the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the show bread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and gave also to those who were with him?”
27He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.
28Therefore the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”
1He entered again into the synagogue, and there was a man there whose hand was withered.
2They watched him, whether he would heal him on the Sabbath day, that they might accuse him.
3He said to the man whose hand was withered, “Stand up.”
4He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath day to do good or to do harm? To save a life or to kill?” But they were silent.
5When he had looked around at them with anger, being grieved at the hardening of their hearts, he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored as healthy as the other.