Our venerable father Metrophanes, Patriarch of Constantinople, was a contemporary of St. Constantine the Great (306-337). His father, Dometius, was a brother of the Roman emperor Probus (276-282). Seeing the falseness of the pagan religion, Dometius came to believe in Christ. During a time of terrible persecution of Christians in Rome, St. Dometius set off to Byzantium with two of his sons, Probus and Metrophanes. They were instructed in the law of the Lord by Bishop Titus, a man of holy life. Seeing the ardent desire of Dometius to labor for the Lord, St. Titus ordered him presbyter. After the death of Titus, Dometius (272-303) was elevated to the bishop’s throne, and thereafter his sons, Probus (303-315) and in 316 St. Metrophanes. 

Troparion

Preaching the great mystery of the Trinity, you spread the Word of Christ throughout the world. As the shepherd of Christ’s flock, you drove off the spiritual wolves in their attack; you save from perdition all those who call on you. Glory to Him who gave you this might! Glory to Him who chose you! Glory to him who defends the true faith through you!

Kontakion

You preached the faith of Christ clearly. You increased the numbers of his flock, and now you rejoice with angels as a reward. Therefore, we ask you to pray for us, O blessed Metrophanes. 

Epistle

Romans 7:14 thru 8:2

Brothers and sisters: We know that the law is spiritual, whereas I am weak flesh sold into the slavery of sin. I cannot even understand my own actions. I do not do what I want to do but what I hate. When I act against my own will, by that very fact I agree that the law is good. This indicates that it is not I who do it but sin which resides in me. I know that no good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; the desire to do right is there but not the power. What happens is that I do, not the good I will to do, but the evil I do not intend. But if I do what is against my will, it is not I who do it, but sin which dwells in me. This means that even though I want to do what is right, a law that leads to wrongdoings is always ready at hand. My inner self agrees with the law of God, but I see in my body’s members another law at war with the law of my mind; this makes me the prisoner of the law of sin in my members. What a wretched man I am! Who can free me from this body under the power of death? All praise to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord! So with my mind I serve the law of God but with my flesh the law of sin.

There is no condemnation now for those who are in Christ Jesus. The law of the spirit, the spirit of life in Christ Jesus, has freed you from the law of sin and death. 

Gospel

Matthew 10: 9-15

The Lord said to his disciples: “Provide yourselves neither gold nor silver nor copper in your belts; no traveling bag, no change of shirt, no sandals, no walking staff. The workman, after all, is worth his keep. 

“Look for a worthy person in every town or village you come to and stay with him until you leave. As you enter his home, bless it. If the home is deserving, your blessing will descend on it. If it is not, your blessing will return to you. If anyone does not receive you or listen to what you have to say, leave that house or town, and once outside it shake its dust from your feet. I assure you, it will go easier for the region of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than it will for that town.”

Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com

The holy martyr Lucillian was a pagan priest during the reign of the Roman emperor Aurelian (270-275). In his old age he was persuaded to see the falseness of the pagan religion, and with all his heart he turned to the faith in Christ the Savior and was baptized. Under the influence of his preachings, many pagans were converted to Christianity. Then certain Jews, seeing that he was spreading faith in Christ, reported the saint to the Nicomedia prefect, who urged the old man to return to idol worship. When St. Lucillian refused, they smashed his jawbone and beat him with rods and suspended him upside down, and then they locked him in prison. There he met four youths who were confessors of Christianity: Claudius, Hypatius, Paul, and Dionysius. They were brought to trial, and thrown into a red-hot furnace. Suddenly, rain fell and extinguished the flames, and the martyrs remained unharmed. The governor sentenced them to death, sending them to Byzantium to be executed. The holy youths were beheaded by sword, and the holy martyr Lucillian was nailed to a cross with many nails. 

Troparion

O Lord our God, your holy martyrs have deserved the crown of immortality on account of their good fight. Armed with your strength they have vanquished their persecutors and crushed Satan’s dreadful might. Through their supplications, O Christ our God, save our souls.

Kontakion

You approached the fire but were not burned, O courageous and wise martyr Lucillian. You possessed the cooling dew of God. You and your companions surpassed nature; therefore, we ask all of you to remember us. 

Epistle

Romans 7: 1-13

Brothers and sisters: Are you not aware (I am speaking to men who know what law is), that the law has power over a man only so long as he lives? For example, a married woman is bound to her husband by law while he lives, but if he dies she is released from the law regarding husbands. She will be called an adulteress if, while her husband is still alive, she gives herself to another. But if her husband dies she is freed from that law, and does not commit adultery by consorting with another man. In the same way, my brothers, you died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to that Other who was raised from the dead, so that we might bear fruit for God. When we were in the flesh, the sinful passions roused by the law worked in our members and we bore fruit for death. Now we have been released from the law – for we have died to what bound us – and we serve in the new spirit, not the antiquated letter.

What follows from what I have said? That the law is same as sin? Certainly not! Yet it was only through the law that I came to know sin. I should never have known what evil desire was unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.” Sin seized that opportunity; it used the commandment to rouse in me every kind of evil desire. Without law sin is dead, and at first I lived without law. Then the commandment came; with it sin came to life, and I died. The commandment that should have led to life brought me death. Sin found its opportunity and used the commandment: first to deceive me, then to kill me. Yet the law is holy and the commandment is holy and just and good. 

Did this good thing then become death for me? Not that either! Rather, sin, in order to be seen clearly as sin, used what was good to bring about my death. It did so that, by misusing the commandment, sin might go to the limit of sinfulness.  

Gospel

Matthew 9:38 – 10:8

When Jesus saw the crowds, his heart was moved with pity. They were lying prostrate from exhaustion, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples: “The harvest is good but laborers are scarce. Beg the harvest master to send out laborers to gather his harvest.”

Then he summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority to expel unclean spirits and to cure sickness and disease of every kind. 

The names of the twelve apostles are these: first Simon, now known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, Zebedee’s son, and his brother John; Phillip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus; Simon the Zealot Party member, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed the Lord. Jesus sent these men on mission as the Twelve, after giving them the following instructions:

“Do not visit pagan territory and do not enter a Samaritan town. Go instead after the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, make this announcement: ‘The reign of God is at hand!’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, heal the leprous, expel demons. The gift you have received, give as a gift.”  

Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com

Our venerable father Nicephorus was a dignitary at the court of the Empress Irene (797-802). After embracing monasticism, he became widely known for his piety. He assumed the Patriarchal Throne of Constantinople in 806. He was a zealous defender of the holy icons. In 815, the iconoclast Emperor Leo (813-820) exiled him to Prokonnis, where he fell asleep in the Lord in the year 828.

 

Troparion

The grace of your deep words and lofty teaching has become a ladder of virtue for us. You possessed a trumpet of the spirit, O father, and by it you announce spiritual teaching. You have taken up your abode in paradise, but still confound enemies with the might of your words. O blessed Nicephorus, beg Christ to forgive the sins of those who honor you.

 

Kontakion

Since you have received the crown of victory from God, save those who appeal to you in faith, O glorious Nicephorus, for you are a prince of Christ’s priests and a teacher for us. 

 

Epistle

Romans 2: 10-16

Brothers and sisters: There will be glory, honor, and peace for everyone who has done good, likewise the Jew first, then the Greeks. With God there is no favoritism.

Sinners who do not have the law will perish without reference to it; sinners bound by the law will be judged in accordance with it. For it is not those who hear the law who are just in the sight of God; it is those who keep it who will be declared just. When Gentiles who do not have the law keep it as by instinct, these men although without the law serve as a law for themselves. They show that the demands of the law are written in their hearts. Their conscience bears witness together with that law, and their thoughts will accuse or defend them on the day when, in accordance with the gospel I preach, God will pass judgment on the secrets of men through Christ Jesus. 

 

Gospel

Matthew 4: 18-23

At that time as Jesus was walking along the Sea of Galilee he watched two brothers, Simon known as Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea. They were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me and I will make you fishers of men.” They immediately abandoned their nets and became his followers. He walked along farther and caught sight of two brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They too were in their boat, getting their nets in order with their father, Zebedee. He called them, and immediately they abandoned their boat and father to follow him. Jesus toured all of Galilee. He taught in their synagogues, proclaimed the good news of the kingdom, and cured the people of every disease and illness. 

 

Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com

The holy martyr Justin was a philosopher who followed purely the true wisdom he had recognized in the truth of Christ. He instructed by his character, taught the truth of the faith and fought by his writings. When he presented his Apology for the Christian religion to the emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (161-180) in Rome and confessed he himself was a Christian, St. Justin was condemned to death.

 

Troparion

O Lord our God, your holy martyrs have deserved the crown of immortality on account of their good fight. Armed with your strength they have vanquished their persecutors and crushed Satan’s dreadful might. Through their supplications, O Christ our God, save our souls.

 

Kontakion

Embellished by the wisdom of your heavenly words, all of God’s Church tells the world of your holy life. Receiving a crown in return for your blood, you stand before Christ in the company of angels and pray unceasingly for all of us. 

 

Epistle

Romans 3: 19-26

Brothers and sisters: We know that everything the law says is addressed to those who are under its authority. This means that every mouth is silenced and the whole world stands convicted before God, since no one will be justified in God’s sight through observance of the law; the law does nothing but point out what is sinful. 

But now the justice of God has been manifested apart from the law, even though both law and prophets bear witness to it – that justice of God which works through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. All men have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God. All men are now undeservedly justified by the gift of God, through the redemption wrought in Christ Jesus. Through his blood, God made him the means of expiation for all who believe. He did so to manifest his own justice, for the sake of remitting sins committed in the past – to manifest his justice in the present, by the way of forbearance, so that he might be just and might justify those who believe in Jesus. 

 

Gospel

Matthew 7: 1-8

The Lord said: “If you want to avoid judgment, stop passing judgment. Your verdict on others will be the verdict passed on you. The measure with which you measure will be used to measure you. Why look at the speck in your brother’s eye when you miss the plank in your own? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take that speck out of your eye,’ while all the time the plank remains in your own? You hypocrite! Remove the plank from your own eye first; then you will see clearly to take the speck from your brother’s eye.

“Do not give what is holy to dogs or toss your pearls before swine. They will trample them under foot, at best, and perhaps even tear you to shreds.

“Ask, and you will receive. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened to you. For the one who asks, receives. The one who seeks, finds. The one who knocks, enters.”

Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com

The holy apostle Hermes, bishop of Philipi, was a disciple of St. Paul. He endured much grief from the pagans for preaching the Gospel, but he died in peace.  According to tradition, he composed the instructive book “The Shepherd,” based on revelations from angels.

The holy martyr Hermeas, suffered during the persecution under the emperor Antoninus Pius (138-161). He was a soldier in the imperial army till old age. He was urged by his governor to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods in exchange for military honors and mercy from the emperor, but the old soldier turned him down, and bravely confessed his faith in Christ. He was tortured repeatedly, but all attempts to end the life of the saint failed. Finally he was beheaded by the governor’s own hand. Christians secretly buried the body of St. Hermeas, whose relics bestowed numerous healings. 

 

Troparion – Apostle

O holy apostle Hermes, intercede with the all-merciful God that He may grant us forgiveness of our sins. 

 

Troparion – Martyr

O Lord our God, your holy martyr Hermeas has deserved the crown of immortality on account of his good fight. Armed with your strength, he has vanquished his persecutors and crushed Satan’s dreadful might. Through his supplications, O Christ our God, save our souls. 

 

Kontakion – Apostle

You glimmered over the earth like a star, supporting Paul, that beam from the Divine Light who enlightens the whole world. Therefore, O Hermes, we venerate you.

 

Kontakion – Martyr

You  fought well for Christ, finding strength and courage in your old age. Having overturned the plots of evil conceived by sinners, you were kept from the harm of poisoned food, O Hermeas. You cried out loudly: God is with me, and no one can prevail against me. 

 

Epistle

Romans 5:17 thru 6:2

Brothers and sisters: If death began its reign through one man because of his offense, much more shall those who receive the overflowing grace and gift of justice live and reign through the one man, Jesus Christ. 

To sum up, then: just as a single offense brought condemnation to all men, a single righteous act brought all men acquittal and life. Just as through one man’s disobedience all became sinners, so through one man’s obedience all shall become just. 

The law came in order to increase offenses; but despite the increase of sin, grace has far surpassed it, so that, as sin reigned through death, grace may reign by way of justice leading to eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

What, then, are we to say? “Let us continue in sin that grace may abound?” Certainly not! How can we who died to sin go on living in it?

 

Gospel

Matthew 9: 14-17

At the time the disciples of John came to Jesus with the objection, “Why is it that while we and the Pharisees fast, your disciples do not?” Jesus said to them: “How can wedding guests go in mourning so long as the groom is with them? When the day comes that the groom is taken away, then they will fast. Nobody sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak; the very thing he has used to cover the hole will pull, and the rip only get worse. People do not pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins burst, the wine spills out, and the skins are ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and in that way both are preserved.”

Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com

Our venerable father Isaac lived during the fourth century, received monastic tonsure and pursued ascetic labors in the desert. During the reign of the emperor Valens (364-378), a zealous adherent of the Arian heresy, there was a persecution of the Orthodox, and churches were closed and destroyed. Hearing of the persecution, St. Isaac left the wilderness and went to Constantinople to console and encourage the Orthodox. When the holy Emperor Theodosius the Great (379-395) came to the throne, he summoned the Elder, treating him with great respect. Obeying his instructions, he banished the Arians from Constantinople and restored the churches to the Orthodox. 

 

Troparion

In you, O holy father Isaac, the faithful image of God shone forth, for you carried your cross and followed Christ. You taught by your deeds how to spurn the body, for it passes away; and how to value the soul, for it is immortal. Therefore, your soul is forever in happiness with the angels.

 

Kontakion

As a champion of God, you were inflamed with zeal for the Church of Christ. Grasping the bridle of Valentian, you warned him of a horrible death. You foretold terrible events if the Churches remained closed to those of the true faith. Therefore we venerate you, O Isaac, and ask you to pray for us in turn.

 

Epistle

Romans 5: 10-16

Brothers and sisters: If, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him by the death of his Son, it is all the more certain that we who have been reconciled will be saved by his life. Not only that; we go so far as to make God our boast through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world and with sin death, death thus coming to all men inasmuch as all sinned – before the law there was sin in the world, even though sin is not imputed when there is no law – I say, from Adam to Moses death reigned, even over those who had not sinned by breaking a precept as did Adam, that type of the man to come. 

But the gift is not like the offense. For if by the offense of the one man all died, much more did the grace of God and the gracious gift of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound for all. The gift is entirely different from the sin committed by the one man. In the first case, the sentence followed upon one offense and brought condemnation, but in the second, the gift came after many offenses and brought acquittal. 

 

Gospel

Matthew 8: 23-27

At that time Jesus got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Without warning a violent storm came up on the lake, and the boat began to be swamped by the waves. Jesus was sleeping soundly, so they made their way toward him and woke him: “Lord, save us! We are lost!” He said to them: “Where is your courage? How little faith you have!” Then he stood up and took the winds and the sea to task. Complete calm ensued; the men were dumbfounded. “What sort of man is this,” they said, “that even the winds and the sea obey him?”

Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com

The holy virgin martyr Theodosia of Tyre lived during the third and fourth centuries during a time of great Christian persecutions. At seventeen years of age, St. Theodosia visited some condemned Christian prisoners on Pascha to ask them to remember her when they appeared before the Lord. Soldiers grabbed her as she bowed before the prisoners and dragged her before the governor. The saint refused the governor’s request that she make a sacrifice to the idols. She was tortured, but suffered in silence. When the governor asked her again to make a  sacrifice to the idols, she mocked him saying: “Foolish man, why do you persist? Can you not see that I have received everything I prayed for, and that I am honored to share the fate of these Martyrs for Christ?” For this taunt, the severity of her punishments increased, and each time she was spared by the Lord until she was finally beheaded around the year 308. 

 

Troparion

You were a friend of Christ and a dwelling of the Spirit, and you embraced the blessing of martyrdom joyfully. You shamed the enemy who wars against the human race. You slew Copronymus by your patient endurance. You entered the hall of heaven by the sword of faith. Seek mercy and peace for those who venerate you.

 

Kontakion

By your labors you obtained a life of rest and peace. By shedding your blood you vanquished the enemy of Christ’s Church. With the heavenly hosts you now rejoice in heaven, O Theodosia, and shelter those who honor your memory. 

 

Epistle

Romans 4: 13-25

Brothers and sisters: Certainly the promise made to Abraham and his descendants that they would inherit the world did not depend on the law. It was made in view of the justice that comes from faith. If only those who observe the law are heirs, then faith becomes an empty word and the promise loses its meaning. Indeed, the law serves only to bring down wrath, for where there is no law there is no transgression. Hence, all depends on faith, everything is grace. Thus the promise holds true for all Abraham’s descendants, not only for those who have the law but for all who have his faith. He is father of us all, which is why Scripture says, “I have made you father of many nations.” Yes, he is our father in the sight of God in who he believed, the God who restores the dead to life and calls into being those things which had not been. Hoping against hope, Abraham believed and so became the father of many nations just as it was once told him, “Numerous as this shall be your descendants be.” Without growing weak in faith he thought of his own body, which was as good as dead (for he was nearly a hundred years old), and [he thought] of the dead womb of Sarah. Yet he never questioned or doubted God’s promise; rather, he was strengthened in faith and gave glory to God, fully persuaded that God would do whatever he had promised. Thus his faith was credited to him as justice.

The words, “It was credited to him,” were not written with him alone in view: they were intended for us too. For our faith will be credited to us also if we believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, the Jesus who was handed over to death for our sins and raised up for our justification. 

 

Gospel

Matthew 7: 21-23

The Lord said: “None of those who cry out, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of God but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. When that day comes, many will plead with me, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? Have we not exorcised demons by its power? Did we not do many miracles in your name as well?’ Then I will declare to them solemnly, ‘I never knew you. Out of my sight, you evildoers!’”

 

Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com

Our venerable father Nicetas, Bishop of Chalcedon, lived during the second half of the eighth century. He distinguished himself by his charity. He always helped the poor, lodged travelers in his home, cared for orphans and widows, and interceded for those who had been wronged. During the reign of the iconoclast emperor Leo the Armenian (813-820), St. Nicetas bravely denounced the Iconoclast heresy and urged his flock to venerate the holy icons of Christ, the Theotokos, and the saints. For this, St. Nicetas was subject to torture and was sent off into exile. The holy confessor Nicetas died at the beginning of the ninth century. From his holy relics occurred many miracles of healing. 

 

Troparion

The sincerity of your deeds has revealed you to your people as a teacher of moderation, a model of faith, and an example of virtue. Therefore, you attained greatness through humility, and wealth through poverty. O father and archbishop Nicetas, ask Christ our God to save our souls. 

 

Kontakion

You were resplendent from your good works, O Nicetas, and you inherited the apostolic seat, O venerable father. You beamed like the sun over your flock, radiating all of the divine dogmas. That is why we sing to you: Rejoice, O inspiration of Chalcedon.

 

Epistle

Romans 4: 4-12

Brothers and sisters: When a man works, his wages are not regarded as a favor but as his due. But when a mar, does nothing, yet believes in him who justifies the sinful, his faith is credited as justice. Thus David congratulates the man to whom God credits justice without requiring deeds [when he says]: “Blest are they whose iniquities are forgiven, whose sins are covered over. Blest is the man to whom the Lord imputes no guilt.”

Does this blessedness apply only to the circumcised, or to the uncircumcised as well? For we say that Abraham’s faith was “credited as justice.” What were the circumstances in which it was credited? Was it after he was circumcised or before? It was before. In fact, he received the sign of circumcision as a seal attesting to the justice received through faith while he was still uncircumcised. Thus he was to be the fighter of all the uncircumcised who believe, so that for them too faith might be credited as justice, as well as the father of those circumcised who are not merely so but who follow the path of faith which Abraham walked while still uncircumcised. 

 

Gospel

Matthew 7: 15-21

The Lord said: “Be on your guard against false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but underneath are wolves on the prowl. You will know them by their deeds. Do you ever pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from prickly plants? Never! Any sound tree bears good fruit, while a decayed tree bears bad fruit. A sound tree cannot bear bad fruit any more than a decayed tree can bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is  cut down and thrown into the fire. You can tell a tree by its fruit. None of those who cry out, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of God but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.”

Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com

The Hieromartyr Therapontus, Bishop of Sardis, suffered for Christ in the third century. In fulfilling his priestly service, St. Therapontus enlightened many of the pagan Greeks with the light of the Christian Faith and baptized them. For this, he was brought before the governor Julian and put on trial where he fearlessly declared himself a Christian. St. Therapontus was thrown into prison where he was tortured. These torments did not break the saint’s valiant confession of faith. He was led off in chains to the city of Sinaion in Phrygia, and then to Ancyra. In these cities he was tortured again. They took him to the River Astala, where they stretched him naked upon the ground, fastened to four stakes, and fiercely beat him. After this torture, St. Therapontus was taken to the outskirts of the Satalina diocese, part of the Sardis metropolinate, and here after long beatings, the saint ended his martyric contest. The stakes to which the saint was toed, and which were soaked with his blood, put forth green shoots and grew into large trees. The leaves of these trees were found to have curative powers, and many people received healing through them. 

 

Troparion

O holy priest-martyr Therapontus, you lent yourself to the apostles’ way of life and succeeded them on their throne. Inspired by God, you found the way to contemplation through the practice of virtue. Therefore, you became a perfect teacher of truth, fighting for the faith unto the shedding of your blood. Intercede with Christ our God that he may save our souls. 

 

Kontakion

Having suffered under the law, O Therapontus, you became a true pastor and martyr. You were a champion for God, and so we come to you for favors. Ease our souls of uncontrollable passion and beseech Christ who loves us in his mercy. 

 

Epistle

Romans 2:28 -3:18

Brothers and sisters: Appearance does not make a Jew. True circumcision is not a sign in the flesh. He is a real Jew who is inwardly, and true circumcision is of the heart; its source is the spirit, not the letter. Such a one receives his praise, not from men, but from God.

What is the advantage, then, of being a Jew, and what value is there in circumcision? The answer is, much in every respect. First of all, the Jews were entrusted with the words of God. You may ask, what if some of them have not believed? Will not their unbelief put an end to God’s faithfulness? Of course not! God must be proved true even though every man be proved a liar, so that, as Scripture says, “You shall be vindicated in what you say, and win out when you are judged.” But if our wrongdoings provides proof of God’s justice, what are we to say? “Is not God unjust when he inflicts punishment?” (I speak in a merely human way.) Assuredly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? Another question: If my falsehood brings to light God’s truth and thus promotes his glory, why must I be condemned as a sinner? Or why may we not do evil that good may come of it? This is the very thing that some slanderously accuse us of teaching; but they will get what they deserve.

Well then, do we find ourselves in a position of superiority? Not entirely. We have already brought the charge against Jews and Greeks alike that they are under the domination of sin. It is as Scripture says: “There is no just man, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one in search of God. All have taken the wrong course, all alike have become worthless; not one of them acts uprightly, no, not one. Their throats are open tombs; they use their tongues to deceive; the venom of asps lies behind their lips. Their mouths are full of curses and bitterness. Swiftly run their feet to shed blood; ruin and misery strew their course. The path of peace is unknown to them; the fear of God is not before their eyes.”

 

Gospel

Matthew 6: 31-34 & 7: 9-11

The Lord said: “Stop worrying, then, over questions like, ‘What are we to eat, or what are we to drink, or what are we to wear?’ The unbelievers are always running after these things. Your heavenly Father knows all that you need. Seek first his kingship over you, his way of holiness, and all these things will be given you besides. Enough, then, of worrying about tomorrow. Let tomorrow take care of itself. Today has troubles enough of its own.

Would one of you hand his son a stone when he asks for a loaf, or a poisonous snake when he asks for a fish? If you, with all your sins, know how to give your children what is good, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to anyone who asks him!”

Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com