FIRST
READING: 2
Corinthians 12: 1-10
1
If I must glory (it is not expedient indeed), but I will come to
visions and revelations of the Lord.
2
I know a man in Christ above fourteen years ago (whether in the body,
I know not, or out of the body, I know not; God knoweth), such a one
caught up to the third heaven.
3
And I know such a man (whether in the body, or out of the body, I
know not: God knoweth),
4
That he was caught up into paradise, and heard secret words, which it
is not granted to man to utter.
5
For such an one I will glory; but for myself I will glory nothing,
but in my infirmities.
6
For though I should have a mind to glory, I shall not be foolish; for
I will say the truth. But I forbear, lest any man should think of me
above that which he seeth in me, or any thing he heareth from me.
7
And lest the greatness of the revelations should exalt me, there was
given me a sting of my flesh, an angel of Satan, to buffet me.
8
For which thing thrice I besought the Lord, that it might depart from
me.
9
And he said to me: My grace is sufficient for thee; for power is made
perfect in infirmity. Gladly therefore will I glory in my
infirmities, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
10
For which cause I please myself in my infirmities, in reproaches, in
necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ. For when I
am weak, then am I powerful.
PSALM:
Psalms 34: 8-13
8
The angel of the Lord shall encamp round about them that fear him:
and shall deliver them.
9
O taste, and see that the Lord is sweet: blessed is the man that
hopeth in him.
10
Fear the Lord, all ye his saints: for there is no want to them that
fear him.
11
The rich have wanted, and have suffered hunger: but they that seek
the Lord shall not be deprived of any good.
12
Come, children, hearken to me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
13
Who is the man that desireth life: who loveth to see good days?
GOSPEL:
Matthew 6: 24-34
24
No man can serve two masters. For either he will hate the one, and
love the other: or he will sustain the one, and despise the other.
You cannot serve God and mammon.
25
Therefore I say to you, be not solicitous for your life, what you
shall eat, nor for your body, what you shall put on. Is not the life
more than the meat: and the body more than the raiment?
26
Behold the birds of the air, for they neither sow, nor do they reap,
nor gather into barns: and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not
you of much more value than they?
27
And which of you by taking thought, can add to his stature by one
cubit?
28
And for raiment why are you solicitous? Consider the lilies of the
field, how they grow: they labour not, neither do they spin.
29
But I say to you, that not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed
as one of these.
30
And if the grass of the field, which is today, and tomorrow is cast
into the oven, God doth so clothe: how much more you, O ye of little
faith?
31
Be not solicitous therefore, saying, What shall we eat: or what shall
we drink, or wherewith shall we be clothed?
32
For after all these things do the heathens seek. For your Father
knoweth that you have need of all these things.
33
Seek ye therefore first the kingdom of God, and his justice, and all
these things shall be added unto you.
34
Be not therefore solicitous for tomorrow; for the morrow will be
solicitous for itself. Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof
