Ephesians 1.7-17
(Epistle)
7In him we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace
8which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,
9making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him
10to an administration of the fullness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens and the things on the earth, in him.
11We were also assigned an inheritance in him, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who does all things after the counsel of his will,
12to the end that we should be to the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ.
13In him you also, having heard the word of the truth, the Good News of your salvation—in whom, having also believed, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
14who is a pledge of our inheritance, to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of his glory.
15For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is among you and the love which you have toward all the saints,
16don’t cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers,
17that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him,
Hebrews 9.1-7
(Epistle, Placing of the Sash of the Theotokos)
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.
Mark 8.1-10
(Gospel)
1In those days, when there was a very great multitude, and they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to himself and said to them,
2“I have compassion on the multitude, because they have stayed with me now three days and have nothing to eat.
3If I send them away fasting to their home, they will faint on the way, for some of them have come a long way.”
4His disciples answered him, “From where could one satisfy these people with bread here in a deserted place?”
5He asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven.”
6He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground, and he took the seven loaves. Having given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to serve, and they served the multitude.
7They also had a few small fish. Having blessed them, he said to serve these also.
8They ate and were filled. They took up seven baskets of broken pieces that were left over.
9Those who had eaten were about four thousand. Then he sent them away.
10Immediately he entered into the boat with his disciples and came into the region of Dalmanutha.
Luke 10.38-42, 11.27-28
(Gospel, Placing of the Sash of the Theotokos)
38As they went on their way, he entered into a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
39She had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard his word.
40But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she came up to him, and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister left me to serve alone? Ask her therefore to help me.”
41Jesus answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,
42but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
27It came to pass, as he said these things, a certain woman out of the multitude lifted up her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts which nursed you!”
28But he said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God, and keep it.”