Thursday, January 3, 2041

Thursday of the 28th week after Pentecost

Fasting: No fastJulian: December 21

Epistle

Titus 1.5-2.1

1:5For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

1:6If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.

1:7For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

1:8But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;

1:9Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

1:10For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:

1:11Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.

1:12One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.

1:13This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;

1:14Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

1:15Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

1:16They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

2:1But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

Gospel

Mark 10.17-27

Read in context

17And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

18And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

19Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.

20And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.

21Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

22And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.

23And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

24And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!

25It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

26And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?

27And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.