Friday, 20 November 2026

Strict Fast (Xerophagy)

Gospel Reading

Luke 16:15-18

¹⁵ He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts. For that which is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God. ¹⁶ The law and the prophets were until John. From that time the Good News of God’s Kingdom is preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it. ¹⁷ But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away, than for one tiny stroke of a pen in the law to fall. ¹⁸ Everyone who divorces his wife, and marries another, commits adultery. He who marries one who is divorced from a husband commits adultery.

Luke 17:1-4

¹ He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no occasions of stumbling should come, but woe to him through whom they come! ² It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, rather than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble. ³ Be careful. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him. If he repents, forgive him. ⁴ If he sins against you seven times in the day, and seven times returns, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”


Epistle Reading

2 Thessalonians 3:6-18

⁶ Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother who walks in rebellion, and not after the tradition which they received from us. ⁷ For you know how you ought to imitate us. For we didn’t behave ourselves rebelliously among you, ⁸ neither did we eat bread from anyone’s hand without paying for it, but in labor and travail worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you; ⁹ not because we don’t have the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, that you should imitate us. ¹⁰ For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: “If anyone will not work, don’t let him eat.” ¹¹ For we hear of some who walk among you in rebellion, who don’t work at all, but are busybodies. ¹² Now those who are that way, we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. ¹³ But you, brothers, don’t be weary in doing what is right. ¹⁴ If any man doesn’t obey our word in this letter, note that man, that you have no company with him, to the end that he may be ashamed. ¹⁵ Don’t count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. ¹⁶ Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with you all. ¹⁷ The greeting of me, Paul, with my own hand, which is the sign in every letter: this is how I write. ¹⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.