Wednesday, December 23
Holy Ten Martyrs of Crete
Appointed readings
2 passagesEpistle
Hebrews 10:1–18
1For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect.
2For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins.
3But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year.
4For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.
5'Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me.
6In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure.
7Then I said, 'Behold, I have come— In the volume of the book it is written of Me— To do Your will, O God.' '
8Previously saying, 'Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them' (which are offered according to the law),
9then He said, 'Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.' He takes away the first that He may establish the second.
10By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.
12But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God,
13from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool.
14For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
15But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before,
16'This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,'
17then He adds, 'Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.'
18Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.
Gospel
Mark 10:11–16
11So He said to them, 'Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her.
12And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.'
13Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them.
14But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, 'Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.
15Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.
16And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.