Thursday 1st December 2022
Nativity Fast: fish, wine and oil allowed
Today we commemorate:
Prophet Nahum (7th C. BC). Righteous Philaret the Merciful of Amnia (792). Holy Martyr Ananias of Persia. St. Porphyrios, patriarch of Antioch (413). St. Theoclites, archbishop of Lakedaimonia (870). SS Ananias and Solochonus, archbishops of Ephesus.
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Grwst of Llanrwst (7th C).
2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5; Luke 20:9-18
Readings in bold type are those appointed by the Typikon for use at the Liturgy
2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5
We really should give thanks to God for you all the time, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through the Spirit’s sanctification and belief in the truth. To this he called you through our Gospel in order to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep hold of the traditions you were taught, whether through the spoken word or by a letter from us. May our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and our God and Father who has loved us and given us enduring consolation and a good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and deed. Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us so that, just as with you, the word of the Lord may progress swiftly and be glorified, and that we may be protected from unreasonable and malicious people; for not everyone has faith. But the Lord is faithful and he will strengthen you and guard you from evil. As for you, we have confidence in the Lord that what we are instructing you to do, you are doing, and will do. May the Lord direct your hearts God’s love, and to Christ’s patient endurance.
Luke 20:9-18
Jesus told the people this parable. ‘There was a man who planted a vineyard, leased it to vine-growers, and went abroad for a long time. At the appropriate season he sent a servant to the growers so that they might give him some of the produce of the vineyard. But the vine-growers beat him and sent him away empty-handed. He did more, sending another servant to them, but they showed him no respect: they beat him as well and sent him away empty-handed. He did more, sending a third, and they wounded him too and threw him out. Then the master of the vineyard said, “What shall I do? I will send my beloved son. Perhaps, when they see him, they will show respect.” But when the vine-growers saw him they began reasoning among themselves, saying, “This is the heir. Come, let us kill him so that the inheritance may be ours.” And they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. Now what will the master of the vineyard do to them? He will come and wipe out those vine-growers and give the vineyard to others.’ On hearing it, they said, ‘May it never happen!’ He looked at them and said, ‘Then what is this that is written? “The stone that the builders rejected – this has become the chief cornerstone.” Everyone who falls over that stone will be dashed to pieces; and the one on whom it falls will be ground to dust.’