1 Timothy 6.17-21 (Epistle)

17Bogatima na ovome svijetu zapovijedaj da se ne ponose niti uzdaju u bogatstvo propadljivo, nego u Boga živoga, koji nam sve daje izobilno za užitak; 18Neka dobro èine, neka se bogate u dobrijem djelima, neka budu podašni, zajednièni, 19Sabirajuæi sebi temelj dobar za unapredak, da prime život vjeèni. 20O Timotije! saèuvaj što ti je predano, kloni se poganijeh praznijeh razgovora i prepiranja lažno nazvanoga razuma, 21Kojijem se neki hvaleæi otpadoše od vjere. Blagodat s tobom. Amin.

Luke 20.9-18 (Gospel)

9A narodu poèe kazivati prièu ovu: jedan èovjek posadi vinograd, i dade ga vinogradarima pa otide na podugo vremena. 10I u vrijeme posla k vinogradarima slugu da mu dadu od roda vinogradskoga; ali vinogradari izbiše ga, i poslaše prazna. 11I posla opet drugoga slugu; a oni i onoga izbiše i osramotivši poslaše prazna. 12I posla opet treæega; a oni i onoga raniše, i istjeraše. 13Onda reèe gospodar od vinograda: šta æu èiniti? Da pošljem sina svojega ljubaznoga: eda se kako zastide kad vide njega. 14A vinogradari vidjevši njega mišljahu u sebi govoreæi: ovo je našljednik; hodite da ga ubijemo da naše bude dostojanje. 15I izvedoše ga napolje iz vinograda i ubiše. Šta æe dakle uèiniti njima gospodar od vinograda? 16Doæi æe i pogubiæe ove vinogradare, i daæe vinograd drugima. A oni što slušahu rekoše: ne dao Bog! 17A on pogledavši na njih reèe: šta znaèi dakle ono u pismu: kamen koji odbaciše zidari onaj posta glava od ugla? 18Svaki koji padne na taj kamen razbiæe se; a na koga on padne satræe ga.

Holy Prophet Zephaniah (Sophonias) (7th c. BC)

He is ranked ninth among the Minor Prophets. He lived in Jerusalem in the reign of King Josiah (640-609), and according to some was the great-grandson of King Hezekiah. His name means “The Lord Protects” or “The Lord’s watch-post.”

Our Venerable Father John the Silent, Bishop of Colonia (558)

He was born into a Christian family at Nikopolis in Armenia. When he was eighteen his parents died, and with twelve other young men he established a small monastery. After a few years, much against his will he was made Bishop of Colonia, but he continued to live the ascetic life of a monk. After nine years of service as bishop, discouraged by the worldliness and intrigue around him, he secretly left for Jerusalem to live as a monk. He was divinely guided to the monastery of St Sabas, who received him and, knowing nothing of his rank, assigned him a lowly place among the new monks. Saint John cheerfully undertook whatever task was given to him and served the other monks in humility and silence. After completing his novitiate he was given a cell where he lived in total silence, fasting five days a week. On Saturdays and Sundays he joined the brethren for prayer, Communion and meals; but even at these times the other monks were edified by his silence and unceasing compunction. Saint Sabas desired to make him a priest and took him to be ordained by the Patriarch of Jerusalem. Saint John asked the Patriarch for a private meeting and explained that he could not be ordained because he was already a bishop. The Patriarch returned St John to St Sabas, telling him only that it was impossible for him to ordain John, who should be allowed to live in silence and solitude. Saint Sabas was perplexed (thinking that some sin prevented the monk from being ordained), but soon received a revelation of John’s true rank.

After many years of reclusion, St John withdrew further to a cave in the desert for nine years. He became known as a divinely-enlightened counselor and a wonderworker, and cheerfully received all who came to him for guidance or prayer. In 509 he returned to the monastery, where he lived as an anchorite in his cell, communicating with the world only through one of his disciples. For many years he lived only on thin porridge, into which he would mix ashes. One day a disciple saw him pouring ashes into his food, and John abandoned the practice, not wanting to be known for the practice of any virtue.

Once he asked God for a sign revealing whether he would be granted to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Taking a fig-seed, he placed it on a bare rock outside his cell. Without soil or water, the seed brought forth a plant, put forth leaves and flowers, and produced three figs, which St John shared with his disciples. The Saint then made ready for death. He reposed in peace, at the age of 104.