|
Daily Readings
|
|
Thursday, 12th December 2019 --- 2 Kiahk 1736
Readings for Thursday, 12th December 2019 --- 2 Kiahk 1736
Vespers
Vespers Psalm
From the Psalms of our teacher David the prophet.
May his blessings be with us all.
Psalms 32:11 ; 33:1 ; 32:6
Chapter 32
| 11 | Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
|
Chapter 33
| 1 | Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful.
|
Chapter 32
| 6 | For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You In a time when You may be found; Surely in a flood of great waters They shall not come near him.
|
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Our Lord God, Savior, and King of us all, Jesus Christ, the Living Son of God to whom be glory forever.
Amen.
Vespers Gospel
Stand in the fear of God and listen to the Holy Gospel.
A reading from the Gospel according to our teacher Saint Matthew the Evangelist.
May His Blessings be with us all.
Matthew 25 : 14 - 23
Chapter 25
| 14 | "For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.
|
| 15 | And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.
|
| 16 | Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.
|
| 17 | And likewise he who had received two gained two more also.
|
| 18 | But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money.
|
| 19 | After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
|
| 20 | "So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, "Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.'
|
| 21 | His lord said to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'
|
| 22 | He also who had received two talents came and said, "Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.'
|
| 23 | His lord said to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'
|
And Glory be to God forever.
↑ Top of Page ↑
Matins
Matins Psalm
From the Psalms of our teacher David the prophet.
May his blessings be with us all.
Psalms 33 : 1,12
Chapter 33
| 1 | Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful.
|
| 12 | Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.
|
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Our Lord God, Savior, and King of us all, Jesus Christ, the Living Son of God to whom be glory forever.
Amen.
Matins Gospel
Stand in the fear of God and listen to the Holy Gospel.
A reading from the Gospel according to our teacher Saint Luke the Evangelist.
May His Blessings be with us all.
Luke 19 : 11 - 19
Chapter 19
| 11 | Now as they heard these things, He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately.
|
| 12 | Therefore He said: "A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return.
|
| 13 | So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, "Do business till I come.'
|
| 14 | But his citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him, saying, "We will not have this man to reign over us.'
|
| 15 | "And so it was that when he returned, having received the kingdom, he then commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.
|
| 16 | Then came the first, saying, "Master, your mina has earned ten minas.'
|
| 17 | And he said to him, "Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.'
|
| 18 | And the second came, saying, "Master, your mina has earned five minas.'
|
| 19 | Likewise he said to him, "You also be over five cities.'
|
And Glory be to God forever.
↑ Top of Page ↑
Liturgy Gospel
Paulines Epistle
Paul, the servant of our Lord Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, appointed to the Gospel of God.
A reading from the Epistle of our teacher Paul to the Philippians .
May his blessings be upon us.
Amen.
Philippians 3 : 20 - 4 : 9
Chapter 3
| 20 | For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
|
| 21 | who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.
|
Chapter 4
| 1 | Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.
|
| 2 | I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.
|
| 3 | And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.
|
| 4 | Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
|
| 5 | Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
|
| 6 | Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
|
| 7 | and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
|
| 8 | Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.
|
| 9 | The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
|
The grace of God the Father be with you all.
Amen.
↑ Top of Page ↑
Catholic Epistle
A Reading from Epistle of St. James .
May his blessing be upon us.
Amen.
James 5 : 9 - 20
Chapter 5
| 9 | Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!
|
| 10 | My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience.
|
| 11 | Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord--that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.
|
| 12 | But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your "Yes" be "Yes," and your "No,No," lest you fall into judgment.
|
| 13 | Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.
|
| 14 | Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
|
| 15 | And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
|
| 16 | Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
|
| 17 | Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.
|
| 18 | And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.
|
| 19 | Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back,
|
| 20 | let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.
|
Do not love the world or the things in the world.
The world passes away, and its desires; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
Amen.
↑ Top of Page ↑
Acts of the Apostles
The Acts of our fathers the apostles, may their blessings be with us.
Acts 11 : 19 - 26
Chapter 11
| 19 | Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only.
|
| 20 | But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus.
|
| 21 | And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.
|
| 22 | Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch.
|
| 23 | When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.
|
| 24 | For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.
|
| 25 | Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul.
|
| 26 | And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
|
The word of the Lord shall grow, multiply, be mighty, and be confirmed, in the holy Church of God.
Amen.
↑ Top of Page ↑
Synaxarium
Day 2 of the Blessed Coptic Month of Kiahk, may God make it always received, year after year, with reassurance and tranquility, while our sins after forgiven by the tender mercies of our God my fathers and brothers.
Amen.
The Second Day of the Blessed Month of Kiahk
Departure of Saint Abba Hor, the Monk
This day marks the departure
of the Saint Abba Hor, the Monk. This father was a native of the city of
Abraht in the district of Ashmoneen. He was a chosen monk that surpassed
many saints in his worship. He loved to live in seclusion, so he went to
live in the desert. Satan was envious of him, so he appeared to Abba Hor
and told him, "In the desert you can conquer me because you are alone here,
but if you are brave go to Alexandria and I will tempt you there." When
saint Abba Hor heard that, he rose up and went to Alexandria. He remained
there for a while drawing water for the prisoners and the poor.
One day horses were galloping
in the middle of the city, one of them hit a child and killed him immediately.
Saint Abba Hor was standing where the child was killed. Satan entered the
hearts of some of the people who were standing around and made them shout
saying, "The killer of this child was that old monk." Several people were
passing by and heard that. They gathered around and knocked Abba Hor down.
The saint, Abba Hor, was not disturbed. He took the child in his arms,
praying to the Lord Christ in his heart, then he made the sign of the cross
over the child. The child's soul returned to him, and Abba Hor delivered
the child to his parents. The people standing around marvelled and glorified
God, and their hearts and minds turned toward Abba Hor. Being afraid of
the false honor, he escaped to the desert and stayed there in one of the
monasteries for the rest of his days.
When the time of his departure
from this futile world drew near, he saw the company of saints calling
him. He rejoiced exceedingly. He sent for his disciples, commanded
them to remain in the path of the ascetic life and told them that he was
about to depart to the Lord Christ. They were exceedingly sad because of
his his departure, and felt that they would be orphans without him. After
a short sickness, he delivered up his soul in the hands of the Lord.
May his prayers be with us and Glory be to God forever. Amen.
↑ Top of Page ↑
Divine Psalm
Stand in the fear of God and listen to the Holy Gospel.
A reading from the Gospel according to our teacher Saint John the Evangelist.
May His Blessings be with us all. Amen.
From the Psalms of our teacher David the prophet, and the Good King.
May his blessings be with us all.
Psalms 34:19 ; 68:3
Chapter 34
| 19 | Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.
|
Chapter 68
| 3 | But let the righteous be glad; Let them rejoice before God; Yes, let them rejoice exceedingly.
|
Hallelujah.
Divine Gospel
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Our Lord God, Savior, and King of us all, Jesus Christ, the Living Son of God to whom be glory forever.
Amen.
Luke 12 : 32 - 44
Chapter 12
| 32 | "Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
|
| 33 | Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys.
|
| 34 | For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
|
| 35 | "Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning;
|
| 36 | and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately.
|
| 37 | Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them.
|
| 38 | And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
|
| 39 | But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.
|
| 40 | Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."
|
| 41 | Then Peter said to Him, "Lord, do You speak this parable only to us, or to all people?"
|
| 42 | And the Lord said, "Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?
|
| 43 | Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.
|
| 44 | Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has.
|
And Glory be to God forever.
↑ Top of Page ↑
Acknowledgement
Opening page