Monday 7th October 2024
Today we commemorate:
Holy martyrs Sergius and Bacchus in Syria (303). Holy martyrs Julian the presbyter, and Caesarius the deacon, at Terracina (1st C). Holy martyr Polychronius of Gampnanitus (4th C). Venerable Martyr John the Hermit and those with him in Crete. St. Sergius, abbot of Nurma, Vologda (1412), disciple of St. Sergius of Radonezh.
British Isles and Ireland:
Holy Martyr Cynog (492). St. Dubtach, bishop of Armagh (513). Holy Martyr Princess Osyth of Crich (c.700). St. Helanus, Irish missionary in Gaul (5th C).
Galatians 4:28-5:10; Luke 7:36-50
Readings in bold type are those appointed by the Typikon for use at the Liturgy
Galatians 4:28-5:10
We are children of promise, brothers and sisters, just like Isaac. And as then, when the one conceived according to nature would persecute the one conceived according to the Spirit, so it is now. But what does the Scripture say? ‘Banish the slave girl and her son, for the son of the slave girl shall not share the inheritance with the son of the free woman.’ And we, brothers and sisters, are not children of the slave girl but of the free woman. Stand firm then in the freedom with which Christ set us free, and do not get encumbered again with a yoke of slavery. I, Paul, tell you that if you are circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you. Once again I testify to every man who is circumcised that he is bound by the entire law. You who would be righteous by the law are separated from Christ; you have fallen from grace. But we through the Spirit, because of faith, await the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus nothing is achieved by circumcision or by uncircumcision, but only by faith working through love. You were running well; who stopped you from obeying the truth? This idea is not from the one who calls you. A little yeast leavens the whole lump. I, in the Lord, have confidence in you that you will not think otherwise, and that the one who is troubling you will bear the condemnation, whoever it may be.
Luke 7:36-50
One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and took a place at the table. Then a woman of the town appeared; she was a sinner. When she learnt that he was dining at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfumed oil. Taking up a position behind, near his feet, she wept aloud and began to bathe his feet with the tears and to wipe them with the hair of her head. She was kissing his feet and anointing them with the perfumed oil. When the Pharisee who invited him saw this, he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet he would know who, and what sort of woman, is touching him: that she is a sinner.’ Jesus responded. He said to him, ‘Simon, I have something to tell you.’ He said, ‘Speak, teacher.’ ‘There were two debtors of a certain money-lender. One owed five hundred denarii and the other fifty, and as they had nothing with which to repay it, he discharged them both. Which of them then, would you say, will love him more?’ And Simon answered, ‘The one for whom he discharged the greater amount, I suppose.’ He told him, ‘You judged rightly.’ He turned to the woman and said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You gave me no water for my feet, but this woman bathed my feet with tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave me no kiss, but since she arrived this woman has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but this woman anointed my feet with perfumed oil. On account of this, I tell you that her sins, which are many, have been forgiven because she showed great love. But those who are forgiven little, love little.’ And he said to her, ‘Your sins have been forgiven.’ Those dining with him then began to say to themselves, ‘Who is this who even forgives sins?’ He said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.’