FIRST
READING: Hebrews
5: 1 - 10
1
For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on
behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for
sins.
2
He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is
beset with weakness.
3
Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as
well as for those of the people.
4
And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by
God, just as Aaron was.
5
So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but
was appointed by him who said to him, "Thou art my Son, today I
have begotten thee";
6
as he says also in another place, "Thou art a priest for ever,
after the order of Melchiz'edek."
7
In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications,
with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from
death, and he was heard for his godly fear.
8
Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered;
9
and being made perfect he became the source of eternal salvation to
all who obey him,
10
being designated by God a high priest after the order of
Melchiz'edek.
PSALM:
Psalms 110:
1 - 4
1
The LORD says to my lord: "Sit at my right hand, till I make
your enemies your footstool."
2
The LORD sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst
of your foes!
3
Your people will offer themselves freely on the day you lead your
host upon the holy mountains. From the womb of the morning like dew
your youth will come to you.
4
The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind, "You are a
priest for ever after the order of Melchiz'edek."
GOSPEL:
Mark 2:
18 - 22
18
Now John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting; and people came
and said to him, "Why do John's disciples and the disciples of
the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?"
19
And Jesus said to them, "Can the wedding guests fast while the
bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with
them, they cannot fast.
20
The days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and
then they will fast in that day.
21
No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; if he does,
the patch tears away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear
is made.
22
And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; if he does, the wine
will burst the skins, and the wine is lost, and so are the skins; but
new wine is for fresh skins."
