FIRST
READING: Ephesians
4: 7 - 16
7
But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of
Christ's gift.
8
Therefore it is said, "When he ascended on high he led a host of
captives, and he gave gifts to men."
9
(In saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he
had also descended into the lower parts of the earth?
10
He who descended is he who also ascended far above all the heavens,
that he might fill all things.)
11
And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some
evangelists, some pastors and teachers,
12
to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the
body of Christ,
13
until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of
the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of
the fulness of Christ;
14
so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried
about with every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by their
craftiness in deceitful wiles.
15
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way
into him who is the head, into Christ,
16
from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every joint
with which it is supplied, when each part is working properly, makes
bodily growth and upbuilds itself in love.
PSALM:
Psalms 122: 1
- 5
1
I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the
LORD!"
2
Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem!
3
Jerusalem, built as a city which is bound firmly together,
4
to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, as was decreed for
Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
5
There thrones for judgment were set, the thrones of the house of
David.
GOSPEL:
Luke 13:
1 - 9
1
There were some present at that very time who told him of the
Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
2
And he answered them, "Do you think that these Galileans were
worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered
thus?
3
I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.
4
Or those eighteen upon whom the tower in Silo'am fell and killed
them, do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others
who dwelt in Jerusalem?
5
I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish."
6
And he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his
vineyard; and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.
7
And he said to the vinedresser, `Lo, these three years I have come
seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down; why
should it use up the ground?'
8
And he answered him, `Let it alone, sir, this year also, till I dig
about it and put on manure.
9
And if it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can
cut it down.'"
