Monday, May 25
3rd Finding of the Head of St John the Baptist
Appointed readings
5 passagesMatins · Gospel
Luke 7:17–30
17And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.
18Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things.
19And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?'
20When the men had come to Him, they said, 'John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?' '
21And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.
22Jesus answered and said to them, 'Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.
23And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.'
24When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John: 'What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?
25But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings' courts.
26But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.
27This is he of whom it is written: 'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.'
28For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.'
29And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John.
30But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.
Epistle
Acts 21:8–14
8On the next day we who were Paul's companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him.
9Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied.
10And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.
11When he had come to us, he took Paul's belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, 'Thus says the Holy Spirit, 'So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.' '
12Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem.
13Then Paul answered, 'What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.'
14So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, 'The will of the Lord be done.'
Epistle
2 Corinthians 4:6–15
6For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
8We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—
10always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
11For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
12So then death is working in us, but life in you.
13And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, 'I believed and therefore I spoke,' we also believe and therefore speak,
14knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you.
15For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.
Gospel
John 14:27–15:7
27Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
28You have heard Me say to you, 'I am going away and coming back to you.' If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, 'I am going to the Father,' for My Father is greater than I.
29'And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe.
30I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.
31But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. Arise, let us go from here.
1I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.
2Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
3You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.
4Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
5'I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
6If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
7If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
Gospel
Matthew 11:2–15
2And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples
3and said to Him, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?'
4Jesus answered and said to them, 'Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:
5The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
6And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.'
7As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: 'What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?
8But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.
9But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.
10For this is he of whom it is written: 'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.'
11'Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.
13For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
14And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come.
15He who has ears to hear, let him hear!