Romans 9.6-19 (Epistle)

6A nije moguæe da rijeè Božija proðe: jer nijesu svi Izrailjci koji su od Izrailja; 7Niti su svi djeca koji su sjeme Avraamovo, nego u Isaku, reèe, nazvaæe ti se sjeme. 8To jest, nijesu ono djeca Božija što su po tijelu djeca, nego djeca obeæanja primaju se za sjeme. 9Jer je ovo rijeè obeæanja: u ovo vrijeme doæi æu i u Sare æe biti sin. 10Ne samo pak ona nego i Reveka, kad zatrudnje od samoga Isaka oca našega. 11Jer još dok se djeca ne bijahu rodila, ni uèinila dobra ni zla, da ostane Božija naredba po izboru, 12Ne za djela, nego onoga radi koji poziva reèe joj se: veæi æe služiti manjemu, 13Kao što stoji napisano: Jakov mi omilje, a na Isava omrzoh. 14Šta æemo dakle na to reæi? Eda li je nepravda u Boga? Bože saèuvaj! 15Jer Mojsiju govori: koga æu pomilovati, pomilovaæu, i na koga æu se smilovati, smilovaæu se. 16Tako dakle niti stoji do onoga koji hoæe, ni do onoga koji trèi, nego do Boga koji pomiluje. 17Jer pismo govori Faraonu: za to te isto podigoh da na tebi pokažem silu svoju, i da se razglasi ime moje po svoj zemlji. 18Tako dakle koga hoæe miluje, a koga hoæe otvrdoglavi. 19Reæi æeš mi: zašto nas još krivi? jer ko se može suprotiti volji njegovoj?

Matthew 10.32-36, 11.1 (Gospel)

32A koji god prizna mene pred ljudima, priznaæu i ja njega pred ocem svojijem koji je na nebesima. 33A ko se odreèe mene pred ljudima, odreæi æu se i ja njega pred ocem svojijem koji je na nebesima. 34Ne mislite da sam ja došao da donesem mir na zemlju; nijesam došao da donesem mir nego maè. 35Jer sam došao da rastavim èovjeka od oca njegova i kæer od matere njezine i snahu od svekrve njezine: 36I neprijatelji èovjeku postaæe domašnji njegovi.

1I kad svrši Isus zapovijesti dvanaestorici uèenika svojijeh, otide odande dalje da uèi i da propovijeda po gradovima njihovijem.

St Sampson the Hospitable of Constantinople (530)

He is counted as one of the Holy Unmercenary Physicians. “This saint was born of rich and eminent parents in ancient Rome, where he studied all the secular wisdom of that time, devoting himself in particular to the study of medicine. Sampson was a compassionate and liberal physician, and gave the sick medicine for both soul and body, counselling each man to fulfil the requirements of the Christian faith. He moved to Constantinople, where he lived in a tiny house from which he distributed alms, comfort, advice, hope, medicine and all possible aid to those suffering in spirit and in body. The Patriarch heard of Sampson’s great virtue and ordained him priest. At that time the Emperor Justinian the Great became ill with what his doctors believed to be an incurable disease. The Emperor prayed with great fervor, and God revealed to him in his sleep that Sampson would heal him. When the Emperor summoned Sampson to court, the old man had only to put his hand on the diseased place and the Emperor was healed. When Justinian offered him an immense sum of money, Sampson thanked him but would accept nothing, saying to the Emperor: ‘O Emperor, I had silver and gold and other riches, but I left it all for the sake of Christ, that I might gain heavenly and eternal wealth.’ When the Emperor insisted on doing something for him, Sampson asked him to build a house for the poor. In that home, Sampson cared for the poor as a father cares for his children. His compassion for the poor and weak was second nature to him. This holy man, filled with heavenly power and goodness, entered peacefully into rest on June 27th, 530. He was buried in the Church of the Holy Martyr Mocius, his kinsman. After his death, Sampson appeared many times to those who called upon him for aid.” (Prologue)

St Severus the Priest (6th c.)

“He lived in central Italy. A man of rare holiness, he was once called to hear the confession of, and give Communion to, a man at the point of death. He tarried, working in his vineyard, and the news was brought to him there that the sick man had died. Stricken with grief, as if he had himself killed the man, he wept bitter tears over the corpse, and God raised the dead man to life again in response to his fervent prayer. Then Severus confessed him and gave him Communion, preparing him for a Christian leaving of this world, and on the eighth day the man died again.” (Prologue)

St Joanna the Myrrh-bearer (1st c.)

This is Joanna the wife of Chuza, a servant in Herod’s household (Luke 8:3). When Herod had John the Baptist beheaded, it was Joanna who recovered the head and buried it on the Mount of Olives. She reposed in peace.