Monday, 7 December 2026

Strict Fast (Xerophagy)

Gospel Reading

Luke 20:27-44

²⁷ Some of the Sadducees came to him, those who deny that there is a resurrection. ²⁸ They asked him, “Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a man’s brother dies having a wife, and he is childless, his brother should take the wife, and raise up children for his brother. ²⁹ There were therefore seven brothers. The first took a wife, and died childless. ³⁰ The second took her as wife, and he died childless. ³¹ The third took her, and likewise the seven all left no children, and died. ³² Afterward the woman also died. ³³ Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them will she be? For the seven had her as a wife.” ³⁴ Jesus said to them, “The children of this age marry, and are given in marriage. ³⁵ But those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage. ³⁶ For they can’t die any more, for they are like the angels, and are children of God, being children of the resurrection. ³⁷ But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the bush, when he called the Lord ‘The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ ³⁸ Now he is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for all are alive to him.” ³⁹ Some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, you speak well.” ⁴⁰ They didn’t dare to ask him any more questions. ⁴¹ He said to them, “Why do they say that the Christ is David’s son? ⁴² David himself says in the book of Psalms, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, ⁴³ until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet.”’ ⁴⁴ “David therefore calls him Lord, so how is he his son?”


Epistle Reading

2 Timothy 2:20-26

²⁰ Now in a large house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of clay. Some are for honor, and some for dishonor. ²¹ If anyone therefore purges himself from these, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, and suitable for the master’s use, prepared for every good work. ²² Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. ²³ But refuse foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing that they generate strife. ²⁴ The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but be gentle towards all, able to teach, patient, ²⁵ in gentleness correcting those who oppose him: perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full knowledge of the truth, ²⁶ and they may recover themselves out of the devil’s snare, having been taken captive by him to his will.