Readings for Wednesday, 24th October 2012 --- 14 Babah 1729

Readings for Wednesday, 24th October 2012 --- 14 Babah 1729

Vespers

Vespers Psalm

From the Psalms of our teacher David the prophet.
May his blessings be with us all.

Psalms 68 : 35,3

Chapter 68

35	O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places. The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people. Blessed be God!

3	But let the righteous be glad; Let them rejoice before God; Yes, let them rejoice exceedingly.

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 Luke the Evangelist.
May His Blessings be with us all.

Luke 10 : 1 - 20

Chapter 10

1	After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go.

2	Then He said to them, "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.

3	Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.

4	Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road.

5	But whatever house you enter, first say, "Peace to this house.'

6	And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you.

7	And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house.

8	Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you.

9	And heal the sick there, and say to them, "The kingdom of God has come near to you.'

10	But whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say,

11	"The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you.'

12	But I say to you that it will be more tolerable in that Day for Sodom than for that city.

13	"Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.

14	But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you.

15	And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades.

16	He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me."

17	Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name."

18	And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.

19	Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

20	Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven."

And Glory be to God forever. 

Matins

Matins Psalm

From the Psalms of our teacher David the prophet.
May his blessings be with us all.

Psalms 145 : 10 - 12

Chapter 145

10	All Your works shall praise You, O LORD, And Your saints shall bless You.

11	They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom, And talk of Your power,

12	To make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, And the glorious majesty of His kingdom.

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 John the Evangelist.
May His Blessings be with us all.

John 1 : 43 - 51

Chapter 1

43	The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, "Follow Me."

44	Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.

45	Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote--Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."

46	And Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see."

47	Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!"

48	Nathanael said to Him, "How do You know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you."

49	Nathanael answered and said to Him, "Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!"

50	Jesus answered and said to him, "Because I said to you, "I saw you under the fig tree,' do you believe? You will see greater things than these."

51	And He said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."

And Glory be to God forever. 

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 Titus .
May his blessings be upon us.
Amen.

Titus 2 : 11 - 3 : 7

Chapter 2

11	For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,

12	teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,

13	looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

14	who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

15	Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

Chapter 3

1	Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work,

2	to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.

3	For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.

4	But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared,

5	not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

6	whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

7	that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

The grace of God the Father be with you all.
Amen. 

Catholic Epistle

A Reading from Epistle 1 of St. John .
May his blessing be upon us.
Amen.

1 John 5 : 5 - 13

Chapter 5

5	Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

6	This is He who came by water and blood--Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth.

7	For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.

8	And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.

9	If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son.

10	He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son.

11	And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.

12	He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

13	These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

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. 

Acts of the Apostles

The Acts of our fathers the apostles, may their blessings be with us.

Acts 8 : 26 - 39

Chapter 8

26	Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, "Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is desert.

27	So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship,

28	was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet.

29	Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Go near and overtake this chariot."

30	So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?"

31	And he said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.

32	The place in the Scripture which he read was this: "He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He opened not His mouth.

33	In His humiliation His justice was taken away, And who will declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earth."

34	So the eunuch answered Philip and said, "I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?"

35	Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.

36	Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?"

37	Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."

38	So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.

39	Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing.

The word of the Lord shall grow, multiply, be mighty, and be confirmed, in the holy Church of God.
Amen. 

Synaxarium

Day 14 of the Blessed Coptic Month of Babah, 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 Fourteenth Day of the Blessed Month of Babah

Departure of St.Philip, One of the Seven Deacons

       On this day was the departure of St. Philip, one of the Seven Deacons, departed. He was from Caesarea, Palestine. When the Lord Christ, to Him is the glory, went through this area, this saint heard Him teaching and followed Him immediately. When the Lord chose the 70 Disciples and sent them forth to preach and heal the sick, this disciple was one of them. The Twelve Apostles chose him as one of the Seven Deacons appointed to serve. This Apostle preached in the cities of Samaria and baptized its people. He also baptized Simon the magician who perished when he tried to buy the gift of the Holy Spirit with money. One day the angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, "Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." He rose and went and behold a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, the Queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury and had come to Jerusalem to worship. As he was returning and sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. Then the spirit said to Philip, "Go near and join this chariot." So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?"

       And he said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. The place in the scripture which he read was this, "He was led as a sheep to the slaughter. And as a lamb before its shearer is silent. So He opened not his mouth. In His humiliation His justice was taken away. And who will declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earth." So the eunuch answered Philip and said, "I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?" Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this scripture, preached Jesus to him. Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "See, here is water; What hinders me from being baptized?" Then Philip said, if you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea. (Acts 8:26-40) He went around the countries of Asia and preached the living Gospel there. He had four daughters who preached the word of God with him. He brought many of the Jews, the Samaritans and others to the faith, and departed in peace.

May his prayers and blessings be with us all, and Glory be to God forever. Amen.

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 32 : 1 - 2

Chapter 32

1	Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered.

2	Blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit.

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.

John 3 : 1 - 21

Chapter 3

1	There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.

2	This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him."

3	Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

4	Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"

5	Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

6	That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7	Do not marvel that I said to you, "You must be born again.'

8	The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."

9	Nicodemus answered and said to Him, "How can these things be?"

10	Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?

11	Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness.

12	If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?

13	No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.

14	And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up,

15	that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

16	For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

17	For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

18	"He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

19	And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

20	For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.

21	But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."

And Glory be to God forever.