1 Corinthians 9.13-18
(Epistle)
13Don’t you know that those who serve around sacred things eat from the things of the temple, and those who wait on the altar have their portion with the altar?
14Even so the Lord ordained that those who proclaim the Good News should live from the Good News.
15But I have used none of these things, and I don’t write these things that it may be done so in my case; for I would rather die, than that anyone should make my boasting void.
16For if I preach the Good News, I have nothing to boast about, for necessity is laid on me; but woe is to me if I don’t preach the Good News.
17For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward. But if not of my own will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me.
18What then is my reward? That when I preach the Good News, I may present the Good News of Christ without charge, so as not to abuse my authority in the Good News.
Hebrews 9.1-7
(Epistle, Deposition of the Robe)
1Now indeed even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and an earthly sanctuary.
2For a tabernacle was prepared. In the first part were the lamp stand, the table, and the show bread, which is called the Holy Place.
3After the second veil was the tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies,
4having a golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which was a golden pot holding the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant;
5and above it cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat, of which things we can’t speak now in detail.
6Now these things having been thus prepared, the priests go in continually into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the services,
7but into the second the high priest alone, once in the year, not without blood, which he offers for himself and for the errors of the people.
Matthew 16.1-6
(Gospel)
1The Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing him, asked him to show them a sign from heaven.
2But he answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’
3In the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but you can’t discern the signs of the times!
4An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and there will be no sign given to it, except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” He left them and departed.
5The disciples came to the other side and had forgotten to take bread.
6Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
Luke 1.39-49, 56
(Gospel, Deposition of the Robe)
39Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah,
40and entered into the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.
41When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42She called out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
43Why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44For behold, when the voice of your greeting came into my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy!
45Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord!”
46Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord.
47My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior,
48for he has looked at the humble state of his servant. For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed.
49For he who is mighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name.
56Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her house.