The First Reading is from Ephesians chapter 6 verses 10-20
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his
power. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, so that you may
be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For our
struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but
against the rulers, against the authorities, against the
cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the
spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore
take up the whole armour of God, so that you may be able
to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything,
to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth
around your waist, and put on the breastplate of
righteousness. 15 As shoes for your feet put on whatever will
make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. 16 With all
of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able
to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the
helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is
the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times in every
prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always
persevere in supplication for all the saints. 19 Pray also for
me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to
make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for
which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare
it boldly, as I must speak.
Hear the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
The Gospel reading is from Mark chapter 2 verse 23 to chapter 3 verse 6
23 One sabbath he was going through the cornfields; and as
they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of
grain. 24 The Pharisees said to him, ‘Look, why are they
doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?’ 25 And he said to
them, ‘Have you never read what David did when he and
his companions were hungry and in need of food? 26 He
entered the house of God, when Abiathar was high priest,
and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for
any but the priests to eat, and he gave some to his
companions.’ 27 Then he said to them, ‘The sabbath was
made for humankind, and not humankind for the
sabbath; 28 so the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.’
Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there who
had a withered hand. 2 They watched him to see whether
he would cure him on the sabbath, so that they might
accuse him. 3 And he said to the man who had the withered
hand, ‘Come forward.’ 4 Then he said to them, ‘Is it lawful to
do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to
kill?’ But they were silent. 5 He looked around at them with
anger; he was grieved at their hardness of heart and said to
the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out, and
his hand was restored. 6 The Pharisees went out and
immediately conspired with the Herodians against him,
how to destroy him.
For the Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ
