Fast-Free Day
Gospel Reading
Mark 6:30-45
³⁰ The apostles gathered themselves together to Jesus, and they told him all things, whatever they had done, and whatever they had taught. ³¹ He said to them, “You come apart into a deserted place, and rest awhile.” For there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. ³² They went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. ³³ They saw them going, and many recognized him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to him. ³⁴ Jesus came out, saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things. ³⁵ When it was late in the day, his disciples came to him, and said, “This place is deserted, and it is late in the day. ³⁶ Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages, and buy themselves bread, for they have nothing to eat.” ³⁷ But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” They asked him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread, and give them something to eat?” ³⁸ He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go see.” When they knew, they said, “Five, and two fish.” ³⁹ He commanded them that everyone should sit down in groups on the green grass. ⁴⁰ They sat down in ranks, by hundreds and by fifties. ⁴¹ He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he blessed and broke the loaves, and he gave to his disciples to set before them, and he divided the two fish among them all. ⁴² They all ate, and were filled. ⁴³ They took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and also of the fish. ⁴⁴ Those who ate the loaves were five thousand men. ⁴⁵ Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat, and to go ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he himself sent the multitude away.
Epistle Reading
Galatians 3:23-4:5
²³ But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, confined for the faith which should afterwards be revealed. ²⁴ So that the law has become our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. ²⁵ But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. ²⁶ For you are all children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus. ²⁷ For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. ²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring and heirs according to promise. ¹ But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a bondservant, though he is lord of all; ² but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed by the father. ³ So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental principles of the world. ⁴ But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law, ⁵ that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of children.