Tuesday, January 26
Ven. Xenophon, Mary, and their sons Arcadius and John
Appointed readings
2 passagesEpistle
Hebrews 9:8–10, 15–23
8the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing.
9It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience—
10concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.
11But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation.
12Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
13For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh,
14how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
15And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
16For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
17For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives.
18Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood.
19For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people,
20saying, 'This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you.'
21Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry.
22And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.
23Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
Gospel
Mark 8:22–26
22Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him.
23So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything.
24And he looked up and said, 'I see men like trees, walking.'
25Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly.
26Then He sent him away to his house, saying, 'Neither go into the town, nor tell anyone in the town.'