Romans 15.17-29 (Epistle)

17Imam dakle hvalu u Hristu Isusu kod Boga. 18Jer ne smijem govoriti što koje Hristos ne uèini kroza me za poslušanje neznabožaca rijeèju i djelom, 19U sili znaka i èudesa silom Duha Božijega; tako da od Jerusalima i naokolo tja do Ilirika napunih jevanðeljem Hristovijem. 20I tako se potrudih da propovjedim jevanðelje ne gdje se spominjaše Hristos, da na tuðoj zakopini ne zidam; 21Nego kao što je pisano: kojima se ne javi za njega, vidjeæe; i koji ne èuše razumjeæe. 22To me i zadrža mnogo puta da ne doðem k vama. 23A sad više ne imajuæi mjesta u ovijem zemljama, a imajuæi želju od mnogo godina da doðem k vama, 24Ako poðem u Španjolsku, doæi æu vam; jer se nadam da æu tuda proæi i vas vidjeti, i vi æete me otpratiti onamo kad se najprije nekoliko nasitim vas. 25A sad idem u Jerusalim služeæi svetima. 26Jer Maæedonija i Ahaja uèiniše dragovoljno neku porezu za siromahe svete koji žive u Jerusalimu. 27Oni uèiniše dragovoljno, a i dužni su im; jer kad neznabošci dobiše dijel u njihovijem duhovnijem imanjima, dužni su i oni njima u tjelesnima poslužiti. 28Kad ovo dakle svršim, i ovaj im plod zapeèatim, poæi æu preko vas u Španjolsku. 29A znam da kad doðem k vama, doæi æu s obilnijem blagoslovom jevanðelja Hristova.

Matthew 12.46-13.3 (Gospel)

46Dok on još govoraše k ljudima, gle, mati njegova i braæa njegova stajahu napolju i èekahu da govore s njime. 47I neko mu reèe: evo mati tvoja i braæa tvoja stoje napolju, radi su da govore s tobom. 48A on odgovori i reèe onome što mu kaza: ko je mati moja, i ko su braæa moja? 49I pruživši ruku svoju na uèenike svoje reèe: eto mati moja i braæa moja. Jer ko izvršuje volju oca mojega koji je na nebesima, onaj je brat moj i sestra i mati.

1I onaj dan izišavši Isus iz kuæe sjeðaše kod mora. 2I sabraše se oko njega ljudi mnogi, tako da mora uæi u laðu i sjesti; a narod sav stajaše po brijegu. 3I on im kaziva mnogo u prièama govoreæi: gle, iziðe sijaè da sije.

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.