Sunday, January 4

11But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb.

12And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

13Then they said to her, 'Woman, why are you weeping?' She said to them, 'Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.'

14Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus.

15Jesus said to her, 'Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?' She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, 'Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.'

16Jesus said to her, 'Mary!' She turned and said to Him, 'Rabboni!' (which is to say, Teacher).

17Jesus said to her, 'Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.' '

18Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.

5But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

6For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.

7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

8Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

1The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

2As it is written in the Prophets: 'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.'

3'The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.' '

4John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

5Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.

6Now John was clothed with camel's hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.

7And he preached, saying, 'There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose.

8I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.'