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.
2 Corinthians 6.1-10
(Epistle, Euphemia (July))
1Working together, we entreat also that you do not receive the grace of God in vain.
2For he says, “At an acceptable time I listened to you. In a day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is the acceptable time. Behold, now is the day of salvation.
3We give no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our service may not be blamed,
4but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God: in great endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,
5in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in watchings, in fastings,
6in pureness, in knowledge, in perseverance, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in sincere love,
7in the word of truth, in the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
8by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report, as deceivers and yet true,
9as unknown and yet well known, as dying and behold—we live, as punished and not killed,
10as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing and yet possessing all things.
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 7.36-50
(Gospel, Euphemia (July))
36One of the Pharisees invited him to eat with him. He entered into the Pharisee’s house and sat at the table.
37Behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that he was reclining in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment.
38Standing behind at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her head, kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
39Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “This man, if he were a prophet, would have perceived who and what kind of woman this is who touches him, that she is a sinner.”
40Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” He said, “Teacher, say on.”
41“A certain lender had two debtors. The one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.
42When they couldn’t pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?”
43Simon answered, “He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most.” He said to him, “You have judged correctly.”
44Turning to the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered into your house, and you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head.
45You gave me no kiss, but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss my feet.
46You didn’t anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.
47Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”
48He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
49Those who sat at the table with him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”
50He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”