The holy martyrs Photius and Anicetus bore witness to the Christian faith before the emperor Diocletian(284-305). Both of them were tortured, and then imprisoned for three years. Eventually they were thrown into an enormous burning furnace in the year 305. 

Troparion

Your martyrs, O Lord our God, in their struggles received their incorruptible crowns from You. With Your strength, they brought down the tyrants and broke the cowardly valor of demons. Through their prayers, O Christ our God, save our souls. 

Kontakion

You crushed the rage of vicious torturers by your brave endurance of their torments. Now you rejoice in the courts of heaven, O blessed martyrs Photius and Anicetus. You are blessed forever and ever, praying for those who honor you. 

Epistle

2 Corinthians 1: 12-20

    Brothers and sisters: Conscience gives testimony to the boast that in our behavior toward all and especially toward you we have always acted from God-given holiness and candor; this has been prompted, not by debased human wisdom, but by God’s goodness. We never write anything that you cannot read and understand. I hope that, just as you know us to a certain degree already, you will in time come to know us well, and will recognize that we shall be your boast, and you ours, on the day of our Lord Jesus. 

    Confident as I am about this, I wanted to visit you first so that a double grace might be yours. I planned to visit you, both on my way to Macedonia and on my return, that I might receive your help on my journey to Judea. DO you suppose that in making those plans I was acting insincerely? Or that my plans are so determined by self-interest that I change my mind from one minute to the next? As God keeps his word, I declare that my word to you is not “yes” one minute and “no” the next. Jesus Christ, whom Silvanus, Timothy, and I preached to you as Son of God, was not alternately “yes” and “no”; he was never anything but “yes.” Whatever promises God has made have been fulfilled in him; therefore it is through him that we address our Amen to God when we worship together. 

Gospel

Matthew 22: 23-33

    At that time some Sadducees, who hold there is no resurrection, came to Jesus with a question: “Teacher, Moses declared, ‘If a man dies without children, his brother must take the wife and produce offspring for his brother.’ Once there were seven brothers. The eldest died after marrying, and since he had no children, left his wife to his brother. The same thing happened to the second, the third, and so on, down to the seventh. Last of all the woman died too. At the resurrection, whose wife will she be, since all seven of them married her?” Jesus replied: “You are badly misled because you fail to understand the Scriptures and the power of God. When people rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage but live like angels in heaven. As to the fact that the dead are raised, have you not read what God said to you, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob’? He is the God of the living, not of the dead.” The crowds who listened were spellbound by his teaching. 

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

The martyr Archdeacon Euplus suffered in the year 308 under the emperors Diocletian (284-305) and Maximian (305- 311). He served in the Sicilian city of Catania. Always carrying the Gospel with him, St. Euplus preached constantly to the pagans about Christ. Once, while he read and explained the Gospel to the gathered crowd, they arrested him and took him to the governor of the city. St. Euplus confessed himself a Christian and denounced the impiety of idol-worship. For this, they sentenced him to torture. They threw the injured saint into prison, where he remained in prayer for seven days. The Lord made a spring of water flow into the prison for the martyr to quench his thirst. Brought to trial for a second time, strengthened and rejoicing, St. Euplus again confessed his faith in Christ and denounced the torturer for spilling the blood of innocent Christians. The judge commanded that the saint’s ears be torn off, and that he be beheaded. When they led the saint to execution, they hung the Gospel around his neck. Having asked for time to pray, the archdeacon began to read and explain the Gospel to the people, and many of the pagans listening came to believe in Christ. The soldiers beheaded the saint with a sword.

Troparion

You martyr Euplus, O Lord our God, in his struggle received an incorruptible crown from You. With Your strength, he brought down the tyrants and broke the cowardly valor of demons. Through his prayers, O Christ our God, save our souls. 

Kontakion

Carrying the law of Christ in your hands, O Euplus, you bravely confronted the enemy by crying out: I am ready and willing to be martyred. You bent your neck and they cut off your head. And thus you have completed your course. 

Epistle

2 Corinthians 1: 1-7

Paul, by God’s will an apostle of Jesus Christ, and Timothy his brother, to the church of God that is at Corinth and to all the holy ones of the church who live in Achaia. Grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Praised be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all consolation! He comforts us in all our afflictions and thus enables us to comfort those who are in trouble, with the same consolation we have received from him. As we have shared much in the suffering of Christ, so through Christ so we share abundantly in his consolation. If we are afflicted it is for your encouragement and salvation, and when we are consoled it is for your consolation, so that you may endure patiently the same sufferings we endure. Our hope for you is firm because we know that just as you share in the sufferings, so you will share in the consolation. 

Gospel

Matthew 21: 43-46

The Lord said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: “I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation that will yield a rich harvest. The man who falls upon the stone will be smashed to bits; and he on whom it falls will be crushed.” When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard these parables, they realized he was speaking about them. Although they sought to arrest him, they had reason to fear the crowds who regarded him as a prophet.

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

The holy martyr Lawrence was the Archdeacon for Pope Sixtus in Rome, and they suffered together in the year 258 under during the reign of the emperor Valerian (253-260). When St. Sixtus was arrested, he entrusted the treasures of the church with St. Lawrence to distribute to the poor. He went around the city on foot, helping clergy and impoverished Christians who were in hiding. When Valerian heard of these treasures, he had Lawrence brought before him, and demanded Lawrence give them to him. Instead of earthly treasure, Lawrence brought the emperor the poor, saying, “Behold the treasures of the Church.” He was thrown in prison, suffered many tortures, and received the unfading crown of martyrdom through fire. 

Troparion

Your martyr Lawrence, O Lord our God, in his struggle received an incorruptible crown from You. With Your strength, he brought down the tyrants and broke the cowardly valor of demons. Through his prayers, O Christ our God, save our souls. 

Kontakion

Inflaming your heart with heavenly fire, you turned the fires of passion into cold ashes. O God-bearing martyr Lawrence, strength of martyrs, amid all your sufferings you cried out: Nothing shall separate me from the love of Christ. 

Epistle

1 Corinthians 16: 4-12

    Brothers and sisters: It is fitting that I should go myself [to take your gift to Jerusalem, those whom you have chosen for the task] will accompany me. 

    I shall come to you after I have passed through Macedonia. If it is at all possible, I should like to remain with you for some time – even to spend the winter with you – that you may provide me with what I need for the rest of my journey. I do not want to see you just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. I intend to stay in Ephesus until Pentecost. A door has been opened wide for my work, but at the same time there are many opposed. If Timothy should come, be sure to put him at ease among you. He does the Lord’s work just as I do, so let no one treat him disdainfully. Rather, help him come to me by sending him on his way in peace. I am expecting him with the brethren. As for our brother Apollos, I urged him strongly to go to you with the brethren, but he did not wish to go at this time. He will go when circumstances are more favorable. 

Gospel

Matthew 21: 28-32

    The Lord said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: “What do you think of this case? There was a man who had two sons. He approached the elder and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ The son replied, ‘I am on my way sir’; but never went. Then the man came to his second son and said the same thing. This son said in reply, ‘No, I will not’; but afterward he regretted it and went. Which of the two did what the father wanted?” They said, “The second.” Jesus said to them, “Let me make clear that tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. When John came preaching a way of holiness, you put no faith in him; but the tax collectors and prostitutes did believe in him. Yet even when you saw that, you did not repent and believe him.”

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

The holy apostle Matthias was born of the tribe of Judah, in Bethlehem. He studied with St. Simeon the God-receiver in Jerusalem. When the Lord went out to preach the Kingdom of God, Matthias joined the others who loved the Lord- for he himself loved Him with all his heart, and heard His words and witnessed His works with delight. Initially Matthias was numbered among the seventy lesser disciples of Christ. However, following the Resurrection of the Lord, the place of Judas being empty, the apostles drew lots and chose Matthias as one of the Twelve Great Apostles (Acts 1:23-26). Receiving the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, Matthias set out to preach the Gospel; first in Judah, and then in Ethiopia, where he endured great tortures for the sake of Christ. It is held that he preached throughout Macedonia, where they wanted to blind him; but he became invisible to his torturers, and thus escaped danger. The Lord appeared to him in prison, encouraged him, and freed him. Finally, he returned again to his work in Judea. There he was accused and brought to court before the high priest Ananias, before whom he fearlessly witnessed Christ. Ananias (the same who had slain the Apostle James) condemned Matthias to death. They led Matthias out, stoned him, and then decapitated him with an ax. This punishment was the Roman manner of killing a person who was sentenced to death, and the hypocritical Jews applied this method to Matthias to show he had been an enemy of Rome. Thus the great apostle of Christ reposed, and took up his habitation in the eternal joy of his Lord. 

Troparion

O holy Apostle Matthias, intercede with the merciful God that He may grant our souls forgiveness of sins. 

Kontakion

Your good tidings were more brilliant than the sun, and they have spread all over the world; they illumine the Church of the Gentiles with grace. Rejoice, O miracle-working apostle Matthias. 

Readings for the saint

Epistle

Acts 1: 12-17 & 21-26

    In those days they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olive near Jerusalem–a mere sabbath’s journey away. Entering the city, they went  to the upstairs room where they were staying: Peter and John and James and Andrew; Phillip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus; Simon, the Zealot party member, and Judas son of James. Together they devoted themselves to constant prayer. There were some women in their company, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. 

    At one point during those days, Peter stood up in the center of the brothers; there must have been a hundred and twenty gathered together. “Brothers,” he said, “the saying in Scripture uttered long ago by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of David was destined to be fulfilled in Judas, the one who guided those that arrested Jesus. He was one of our number and he had been given a share in this ministry of ours. 

    “It is entirely fitting, therefore, that one of those who was of our company while the Lord Jesus moved among us, from the baptism of John until the day he was taken up from us, should be named as witness with us to his resurrection.” At that they nominated two, Joseph (called Barsabbas, also known as Justus) and Mathias. Then they prayed: “O Lord, you read the hearts of men. Make known to us which of these two you choose for this apostolic ministry, replacing Judas who deserted the cause and went the way he was destined to go.” They then drew lots between the two men. The choice fell to Matthias, who was added to the eleven apostles. 

Gospel

Luke 9: 1-6

At that time Jesus called the Twelve together and gave them the power and authority to overcome all demons and to cure diseases. He sent them forth to proclaim the reign of God and heal the afflicted. Jesus advised them: “Take nothing for the journey, neither walking staff nor traveling bag; no bread, no money. No one is to have two coats. Stay at whatever house you enter and proceed from there. When people will not receive you, leave that town and shake its dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” So they set out and went from village to village, spreading the good news everywhere and curing diseases. 

Readings for the day

Epistle

1 Corinthians 15: 29-38

    Brothers and sisters: If the dead are not raised, what about those who have themselves been baptized on behalf of the dead? If the raising of the dead is not a reality, why be baptized on their behalf? And why are we continually putting ourselves in danger? I swear to you, brothers and sister, by the very pride you take in me, which I cherish in Christ Jesus our Lord, that I face death every day. If I fought those beasts in Ephesus for purely human motives, what profit was there for me? If the dead are not raised, [Scripture says] “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!” Do not be led astray any longer. “Bad company corrupts good morals.” Return to reason, as you ought, and stop sinning. Some of you are quite ignorant of God; I say it to your shame.

    Perhaps someone will say, “How are the dead to be raised up? What kind of body will they have?” A nonsensical question! The seed you sow does not germinate unless it dies. When you sow, you do not sow the full blown plant, but a kernel of wheat or some other grain. God gives body to it as he pleases – to each seed its own fruition. 

Gospel

Matthew 21: 23-27

    At that time Jesus entered the temple precincts, and while he was teaching, the chief priests and elders of the people came up to him and said: “On what authority are you doing these things? Who has given you this power?” Jesus answered: “I too will ask a question. If you answer it for me, then I will tell you on what authority I do the things I do. What was the origin of John’s baptism? Was it divine or merely human?” They thought to themselves, “If we say ‘divine,’ he will ask us, ‘Then why did you not put faith in it?’; while if we say ‘merely human,’ we shall have reason to fear the people, who all regard John as a prophet.” So their answer to Jesus was, “We do not know.” He said in turn, “Then neither will I tell you on what authority I do the things I do.” 

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

St. Emilian, Bishop of Cyzicus, lived during the reign of the Iconoclast emperor Leo the Armenian (813-820). He was summoned together with the other bishops to the court of the emperor, who insistently urged the bishops to refrain from the veneration of holy icons. St. Emilian was the first to tell the emperor firmly that the question of the veneration of holy icons ought to be discussed and decided only within the Church by its spiritual leaders, and not at the imperial court. In the year 815 he was sent to prison for the Orthodox Faith, where he died as a confessor.

Troparion

Your life has shown you to your flock as a rule of faith, an image of gentleness, and a teacher of moderation. You acquired greatness through humility and wealth through poverty. O father and bishop Emilian, intercede with Christ our God to save our souls. 

Kontakion

The Church recognizes you, O father Emilian, as an advocate of the most Holy Trinity, and she glorifies you with hymns of praise. You even laid down your life as proof of your devotion. For all of this we honor your memory. Deliver your servants from pagan invasions. 

Epistle

1 Corinthians 15: 12-19

    Brothers and sisters: Tell me, if Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how is it that some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, Christ himself has not been raised. Ans of Christ has not been raised, our preaching is void of content and your faith is empty too. Indeed, we should then be exposed as false witnesses of God, for we have borne witness before him that he raised up Christ; but he certainly did not raise him up if the dead are not raised. Why? Because if the dead are not raised, your faith is worthless. You are still in your sins, and those who have fallen asleep in Christ are the deadest of the dead. If our hopes in Christ are limited to this life only, we are the most pitiable of men. 

Gospel

Matthew 21: 18-22

    At that time, as Jesus was returning to the city, he felt hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the roadside he went over to it, but found nothing there except leaves. He said to it, “Never again shall you produce fruit!”; and it withered up instantly. The disciples were dumbfounded when they saw this. They asked, “Why did the fig tree wither up so quickly?” Jesus said: “Believe me, if you trust and do not falter, not only will you do what I did to the fig tree, but if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ even that will happen. You will receive all that you pray for, provided you have faith.”

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

The Transformation of Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ in which Jesus Christ, beloved and only-begotten Son of the eternal Father, manifested his glory in the presence of the holy Apostles Peter, James, and John, with the Law and the prophets bearing witness in the persons of Moses and Elijah. This was done so that, while sharing the servile humility of our state he might intimate our glorious restoration through grace. Thus it might be announced to the ends of the earth that the image of God, in which humanity was created, even as it was corrupted in Adam, would be restored in Christ. 

Troparion

You were transfigured on the mountain, O Christ our God, revealing as much of Your glory to Your disciples as they could behold.  Through the prayers of the Theotokos, let Your everlasting light shine upon us singers. O Giver of Light, glory to You!

Kontakion

You were transfigured on the mountain, O Christ our God, and Your disciples beheld as much of Your glory as they could bear, that when they would see You crucified they would understand that You suffered willingly, so they would preach to the world that You are truly the radiance of the Father. 

Epistle

2 Peter 1: 10-19

    Brothers and sisters, be solicitous to make your call and election permanent; surely those who do so will never be lost. On the contrary, your entry into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly provided for.   

    I intend to recall these things to you constantly, even though you already understand and are firmly rooted in the truth you possess. I consider it my duty, as long as I live, to prompt you with this reminder. I know, by the indications our Lord Jesus Christ has given me, how close is the day when I must fold my tent. I shall press to have you recall these things frequently after my departure. It was not by way of cleverly concocted myths that we taught you about the coming in power of our Lord Jesus Christ, for we were eyewitnesses of his sovereign majesty. He received glory and praise from God the Father when that unique declaration came to him out of the majestic splendor: “This is my beloved Son, on whom my favor rests.” We ourselves heard this said from heaven while we were in his company on the holy mountain. Besides, we possess the prophetic message as something altogether reliable. Keep your attention closely fixed on it, as you would on a lamp shining in a dark place until the first streaks of dawn appear and the morning star rises in your hearts. 

Gospel

Matthew 17: 1-9

    At that time Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother John and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. He was transfigured before their eyes. His face became as dazzling as the sun, his clothes as radiant as light. Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them conversing with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, how good that we are here! With your permission I will erect three booths here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He was still speaking when suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them. Out of the cloud came a voice which said, “This is my beloved Son on whom my favor rests. Listen to him.” When they heard this the disciples fell forward on the ground, overcome with fear. Jesus came toward them and laying his hand on them, said, “Get up! Do not be afraid.” When they looked up they did not see anyone but Jesus. As they were coming down the mountainside Jesus commanded them, “Do not tell anyone of the vision until the Son of Man rises from the dead.”

Readings for the day

Epistle

Romans 14: 6-9

    Brothers and sisters: The man who observes the day does so to honor the Lord. The man who eats does so to honor the Lord, and he gives thanks to God. The man who does not eat abstains to honor the Lord, and he too gives thanks to God. None of us lives as his own master and none of us dies as his own master. While we live we are responsible to the Lord, and when we die we die as his servants. Both in life and in death we are the Lord’s. That is why Christ died and came to life again, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. 

Gospel

Matthew 15: 32-39

    At that time Jesus called his disciples to him and said: “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd. By now they have been with me for three days, and have nothing to eat. I do not wish to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way.” His disciples said to him, “How could we ever get enough bread in this deserted spot to satisfy such a crowd?” But Jesus asked them, “How many loaves of bread do you have?” “Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.” Then he directed the crowd to seat themselves on the ground. He took the seven loaves and the fish, and after giving thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. All ate until they were full. When they gathered up the fragments left over, these filled seven hampers. The people who were fed numbered four thousand, apart from women and children. Then, after he had dismissed the crowds, he got into the boat and went to the district of Magadan. 

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

The holy martyr Eusignius was a soldier under emperors Maximian, Constantine, and Constantine’s sons. Having spent sixty years in military service, he withdrew and went home to Antioch, where he lived a life of good works, prayer, and fasting. In the year 362, during the time of the emperor Julian the Apostate, he was arrested and beheaded. 

Troparion – Prefestive

Let us go forth to welcome the Transfiguration of Christ; let the faithful joyfully anticipate the feast and exclaim: the day of divine gladness has arrived; the Lord ascends Mount Tabor and the beauty of His divinity flashes like lightning. 

Troparion – Martyr

Your martyr Eusignius, O Lord our God, in his struggle received an incorruptible crown from You. With Your strength, he brought down the tyrants and broke the cowardly valor of demons. Through his prayers, O Christ our God, save our souls. 

Kontakion – Prefestive

Today all mortal nature radiates divinity at the divine Transfiguration and cries out with gladness: Christ is transfigured, saving all.

Kontakion – Martyr

Let us praise Eusignius the martyr who conquered evil by the power of Christ. He clearly proclaimed his faith and was subjected to vicious torments. But he vanquished the harshness of the torturer and received a victor’s crown from God Himself. 

Epistle 

1 Corinthians 14: 26-40

Brothers and sisters: When you assemble, one has a psalm, another some instruction to give, still another a revelation to share; one speaks in a tongue, another interprets. All well and good, so long as everything is done with a constructive purpose. If any are going to talk in tongues let it be at most two or three, each in turn, with another to interpret what they are saying. But if there is no one to interpret, there should be silence in the assembly, each one speaking only to himself and to God. Let no more than two or three prophets speak, and let the rest judge the worth of what they say. If another, sitting by, should happen to receive a revelation, the first ones should then keep quiet. You can all speak your prophecies, but one by one, so that all may be instructed and encouraged. The spirits of the prophets are under their prophets’ control, since God is a God, not of confusion, but of peace.

According to the rule observed in all the assemblies of believers, women should keep silent in such gatherings. They may not speak. Rather, as the law states, submissiveness is indicated for them. If they want to learn anything, they should ask their husbands at home. It is a disgrace when a woman speaks in the assembly. Did the preaching of God’s word originate with you? Are you the only ones to whom it has come?

If anyone thinks he is a prophet or a man of the Spirit, he should know what I have written you is the Lord’s commandment. If anyone ignores it, he in turn should be ignored. Set your hearts on prophecy, my brethren, and do not forbid those who speak in tongues, but make sure that everything is done properly and in order.

Gospel

Matthew 21: 12-14, 17-20 

At that time, Jesus entered the temple precincts and drove out all those engaged there in buying and selling. He overturned the money-changers’ tables and the stalls of the dove-sellers, saying to them: “Scripture has it, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you are turning it into a den of thieves.”

The blind and the lame came to him inside the temple area and he cured them. 

With that, Jesus left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night. At dawn, as Jesus was returning to the city, he felt hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the roadside he went over to it, but found nothing there except leaves. He said to it, “Never again shall you produce fruit!”; and it withered up instantly.

The disciples were dumbfounded when they saw this. They asked, “Why did the fig tree wither up so quickly?”

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

The holy seven children of Ephesus: During the persecution of the emperor Decius, seven young soldiers refused to sacrifice to idols. Tradition says that their names were: Maximilian, Iamblichus, Martinian, John, Dionysius, Exacustodianus, and Antoninus. They concealed themselves in a cave outside of Ephesus, and the emperor sealed them into that cave to kill them in the year 250. In the year 454, during the reign of the Christian emperor Theodosius the Younger (408-450), a dispute arose about the veracity of the Christian teaching on the resurrection of the dead. The youths awoke, testified to the true teaching, and one week later died.

The venerable martyr Eudoxia was a native of Heliopolis in Phoenicia who lived in the times of the emperor Trajan (98-117). At first she led a licentious life, enticed a large number of men to evil by her rare beauty, and amassed riches of great value. Having heard a certain Germanus, a monk, speak on religion and repentance, she was converted to Christ and baptized by Bishop Theodotos. After having distributed her goods to the poor, the saint retired to a monastery and there practiced all the ascetical exercises. She was brought before Emperor Adrian (177-138), accused by the very ones who she had formerly corrupted. Working miracles and curing the Emperor’s son, she converted the latter to the Christian faith. She received her crown of martyrdom through beheading.  

Troparion

What a marvel of faith! The seven holy youths lived in a cave as in a palace, and they passed on without corruption. After time had marched on, they came out as if from sleep and are fitting signs of the resurrection of all. Have mercy on us, O Christ, through their prayers. 

Kontakion

Despising the corruptible things of this world, they received gifts which were incorruptible. They died but did not decay. Coming out after many years, they bury unbelief. O faithful people, come to praise them today, and let us raise a hymn to Christ. 

Epistle

1 Corinthians 14: 6-19

Brothers and sisters, just suppose that I should come to you speaking in tongues. What good will I do you if my speech does not have some revelation, or knowledge, or prophecy, or instruction for you? Even in the case of lifeless things which produce a sound, such as a flute or a harp, how will anyone know what is being played if there is no distinction among the notes? If the bugle’s sound is uncertain, who will get ready for battle? Similarly, if you do not utter unintelligible speech because you are speaking in a tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will be talking to the air. There are many different languages in the world and all are marked by sound; but if I do not know the meaning, I shall be a foreigner to the speaker and he a foreigner to me. Since you have set your hearts on spiritual gifts, try to be rich in those that build up the church.

This means that the man who speaks in a tongue should pray for the gift of interpretation. If I pray in a tongue my spirit is at prayer but my mind contributes nothing. What is my point here? I want to pray with my spirit, and also to pray with my mind. I want to sing with my spirit and with my mind as well. If your praise of God is solely with the spirit, how will the one who does not comprehend be able to say “Amen” to your thanksgiving? He will not know what you are saying. You will be uttering praise very well indeed, but the other man will not be helped. Thank God, I speak in tongues more than any of you, but in the church I would rather say five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. 

Gospel

Matthew 20: 17-28

At that time as Jesus was starting to go up to Jerusalem, he took the Twelve aside on the road and said to them: “We are going up to Jerusalem now. There the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, who will condemn him to death. They will turn him over to the Gentiles, to be made sport of and flogged and crucified. But on the third day he will be raised up.”

The mother of Zebedee’s sons came up to Jesus accompanied by her sons, to do him homage and ask of him a favor. “What is it you want?” Jesus said. She answered, “Promise me that these sons of mine will sit, one at your right hand and the other at your left, in your kingdom.” In reply Jesus said, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink of the cup I am to drink of?” “We can,” they said. He told them, “From the cup I drink of, you shall drink. But sitting at my right hand or my left is not mine to give. That is for those to whom it has been reserved by my Father.”
The other then, on hearing this, became indignant at the two brothers. Jesus called them together and said: “You know how those who exercise authority among the Gentiles lord it over them; their great ones make their importance felt. It cannot be like that with you. Anyone among you who aspires to greatness must serve the rest, and whoever wants to rank first among you must serve the needs of all. Such is the case with the Son of Man who has come, not to be served by others, but to serve, to give his own life as a ransom for the many.”

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