2 Corinthians 7.1-10
(Epistle)
1Having therefore these promises, beloved, let’s cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
2Open your hearts to us. We wronged no one. We corrupted no one. We took advantage of no one.
3I say this not to condemn you, for I have said before that you are in our hearts to die together and live together.
4Great is my boldness of speech toward you. Great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I overflow with joy in all our affliction.
5For even when we had come into Macedonia, our flesh had no relief, but we were afflicted on every side. Fightings were outside. Fear was inside.
6Nevertheless, he who comforts the lowly, God, comforted us by the coming of Titus,
7and not by his coming only, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you while he told us of your longing, your mourning, and your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more.
8For though I grieved you with my letter, I do not regret it, though I did regret it. For I see that my letter made you grieve, though just for a while.
9I now rejoice, not that you were grieved, but that you were grieved to repentance. For you were grieved in a godly way, that you might suffer loss by us in nothing.
10For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world produces death.
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 1.29-35
(Gospel)
29Immediately, when they had come out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
30Now Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick with a fever, and immediately they told him about her.
31He came and took her by the hand and raised her up. The fever left her immediately, and she served them.
32At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to him all who were sick and those who were possessed by demons.
33All the city was gathered together at the door.
34He healed many who were sick with various diseases and cast out many demons. He didn’t allow the demons to speak, because they knew him.
35Early in the morning, while it was still dark, he rose up and went out, and departed into a deserted place, and prayed there.
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.