FIRST READING: 1 Timothy 4: 12 - 16
12 Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
13 Till I come, attend to the public reading of scripture, to preaching, to teaching.
14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophetic utterance when the council of elders laid their hands upon you.
15 Practice these duties, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress.
16 Take heed to yourself and to your teaching; hold to that, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
PSALM: Psalms 111: 7 - 10
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy,
8 they are established for ever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant for ever. Holy and terrible is his name!
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who practice it. His praise endures for ever!
GOSPEL: John 19: 25 - 27 Or Luke 2: 33 - 35
25 So the soldiers did this. But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Mag'dalene.
26 When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son!"
27 Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.
Or
33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him;
34 and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against
35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed."
