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.”
Titus 1.1-5, 2.15, 3.1-2, 12-15
(Epistle, Bartholomew relics)
1Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s chosen ones and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness,
2in hope of eternal life, which God, who can’t lie, promised before time began;
3but in his own time revealed his word in the message with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior,
4to Titus, my true child according to a common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.
5I left you in Crete for this reason, that you would set in order the things that were lacking and appoint elders in every city, as I directed you—
15Say these things and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one despise you.
1Remind them to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,
2to speak evil of no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all humility toward all men.
12When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me to Nicopolis, for I have determined to winter there.
13Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey speedily, that nothing may be lacking for them.
14Let our people also learn to maintain good works to meet necessary needs, that they may not be unfruitful.
15All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.
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 5.14-19
(Gospel, Bartholomew relics)
14“You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden.
15Neither do you light a lamp and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house.
16Even so, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
17“Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill.
18For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished.
19Therefore, whoever shall break one of these least commandments and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.