Pauline Epistle

2 THESSALONIANS 1 : 1 - 12
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the
church of the Thessalonians in God
our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace to you and peace from God our
Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We
are bound to thank God always for
you, brethren, as it is fitting, because
your faith grows exceedingly, and the
love of every one of you all abounds

toward each other, so that we

ourselves boast of you among the
churches of God for your patience
and faith in all your persecutions and
tribulations that you endure, which is
manifest evidence of the righteous
judgment of God, that you may be
counted worthy of the kingdom of
God, for which you also suffer; since it
is a righteous thing with God to repay
with tribulation those who trouble you,

and to give you who are troubled rest

with us when the Lord Jesus is
revealed from heaven with His mighty
angels, in flaming fire taking
vengeance on those who do not know
God, and on those who do not obey
the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
These shall be punished with
everlasting destruction from the
presence of the Lord and from the
glory of His power, when He comes,
in that Day, to be glorified in His

saints and to be admired among all

those who believe, because our
testimony among you was believed.
Therefore we also pray always for you
that our God would count you worthy
of this calling, and fulfill all the good
pleasure of His goodness and the
work of faith with power, that the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ may
be glorified in you, and you in Him,
according to the grace of our God and
the Lord Jesus Christ.

Catholic Epistle

1 PETER 4: 3 - 11
For we have spent enough of our past
lifetime in doing the will of the
Gentiles; when we walked in
lewdness, lusts, drunkenness,
revelries, drinking parties, and
abominable idolatries. In regard to
these, they think it strange that you do
not run with them in the same flood of
dissipation, speaking evil of you. They
will give an account to Him who is
ready to judge the living

and the dead. For this reason the

gospel was preached also to those
who are dead, that they might be
judged according to men in the flesh,
but live according to God in the spirit.
But the end of all things is at hand;
therefore be serious and watchful in
your prayers. And above all things
have fervent love for one another, for
"love will cover a multitude of sins."
Be hospitable to one another without
grumbling. As each one has received

a gift, minister it to one another, as

good stewards of the manifold grace of
God. If anyone speaks, let him speak
as the oracles of God. If anyone
ministers, let him do it as with the
ability which God supplies, that in all
things God may be glorified through
Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory
and the dominion forever and ever.
Amen.

Acts

ACTS 5 : 30 42
"The God of our fathers raised up
Jesus whom you murdered by
hanging on a tree. "Him God has
exalted to His right hand to be Prince
and Savior, to give repentance to
Israel and forgiveness of sins. "And
we are His witnesses to these things,
and so also is the Holy Spirit whom
God has given to those who obey
Him." When they heard this, they

were furious and plotted to kill them.

Then one in the council stood up, a
Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher
of the law held in respect by all the
people, and commanded them to put
the apostles outside for a little while.
And he said to them: "Men of Israel,
take heed to yourselves what you
intend to do regarding these men.
"For some time ago Theudas rose
up, claiming to be somebody. A
number of men, about four hundred,
joined him. He was slain, and all

who obeyed him were scattered and

came to nothing. "After this man,
Judas of Galilee rose up in the days
of the census, and drew away many
people after him. He also perished,
and all who obeyed him were
dispersed. "And now I say to you,
keep away from these men and let
them alone; for if this plan or this
work is of men, it will come to
nothing; "but if it is of God, you
cannot overthrow it; lest you even

be found to fight against God." And

they agreed with him, and when they
had called for the apostles and
beaten them, they commanded that
they should not speak in the name of
Jesus, and let them go. So they
departed from the presence of the
council, rejoicing that they were
counted worthy to suffer shame for
His name. And daily in the temple,
and in every house, they did not
cease teaching and preaching Jesus
as the Christ.

Psalm

PSALM 86: 15-16

But You, O Lord, are a God full of
compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering
and abundant in mercy and truth.
Oh, turn to me, and have mercy on me!
Give Your strength to Your servant, And
save the son of Your maidservant.

Gospel

LUKE 14 : 25- 35
Now great multitudes went with Him.
And He turned and said to them, "If
anyone comes to Me and does not
hate his father and mother, wife and
children, brothers and sisters, yes,
and his own life also, he cannot be
My disciple. "And whoever does not
bear his cross and come after Me
cannot be My disciple. "For which of
you, intending to build a tower,

does not sit down first and count the

cost, whether he has enough to finish
it; "lest, after he has laid the
foundation, and is not able to finish,
all who see it begin to mock him,
"saying, 'This man began to build and
was not able to finish.' "Or what king,
going to make war against another
king, does not sit down first and
consider whether he is able with ten
thousand to meet him who comes
against him with twenty thousand?

"Or else, while the other is still a great

way off, he sends a delegation and
asks conditions of peace. "So
likewise, whoever of you does not
forsake all that he has cannot be My
disciple. "Salt is good; but if the salt
has lost its flavor, how shall it be
seasoned? "It is neither fit for the
land nor for the dunghill, but men
throw it out. He who has ears to hear,
let him hear!
Glory to God forever. Amen.