Hebrews 11.17-23, 27-31
(Epistle)
17By faith, Abraham, being tested, offered up Isaac. Yes, he who had gladly received the promises was offering up his only born son,
18to whom it was said, “Your offspring will be accounted as from Isaac,”
19concluding that God is able to raise up even from the dead. Figuratively speaking, he also did receive him back from the dead.
20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come.
21By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.
22By faith Joseph, when his end was near, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.
23By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.
27By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
28By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch them.
29By faith they passed through the Red Sea as on dry land. When the Egyptians tried to do so, they were swallowed up.
30By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.
31By faith Rahab the prostitute didn’t perish with those who were disobedient, having received the spies in peace.
Acts 18.22-28
(Epistle, Afterfeast of Theophany)
22When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the assembly, and went down to Antioch.
23Having spent some time there, he departed and went through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, in order, establishing all the disciples.
24Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by race, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus. He was mighty in the Scriptures.
25This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, although he knew only the baptism of John.
26He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside, and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
27When he had determined to pass over into Achaia, the brothers encouraged him; and wrote to the disciples to receive him. When he had come, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace;
28for he powerfully refuted the Jews, publicly showing by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.
Mark 8.11-21
(Gospel)
11The Pharisees came out and began to question him, seeking from him a sign from heaven and testing him.
12He sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Most certainly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation.”
13He left them, and again entering into the boat, departed to the other side.
14They forgot to take bread; and they didn’t have more than one loaf in the boat with them.
15He warned them, saying, “Take heed: beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.”
16They reasoned with one another, saying, “It’s because we have no bread.”
17Jesus, perceiving it, said to them, “Why do you reason that it’s because you have no bread? Don’t you perceive yet or understand? Is your heart still hardened?
18Having eyes, don’t you see? Having ears, don’t you hear? Don’t you remember?
19When I broke the five loaves among the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They told him, “Twelve.”
20“When the seven loaves fed the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They told him, “Seven.”
21He asked them, “Don’t you understand yet?”
John 10.39-42
(Gospel, Afterfeast of Theophany)
39They sought again to seize him, and he went out of their hand.
40He went away again beyond the Jordan into the place where John was baptizing at first, and he stayed there.
41Many came to him. They said, “John indeed did no sign, but everything that John said about this man is true.”
42Many believed in him there.