Sunday

John 20: Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

24 Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”

So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”

28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”

29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

NOTES FROM ST. GREGORY…
We must understand that those who first received the Holy Ghost, for innocence of life in themselves, and preaching to a few others, received it openly after the resurrection, that they might profit not a few only, but many. The disciples who were called to such works of humility, to what a height of glory are they led! Lo, not only have they salvation for themselves, but are admitted to the powers of the supreme Judgment-seat; so that, in the place of God, they retain some men’s sins, and remit others. Their place in the Church, the Bishops now hold; who receive the authority to bind, when they are admitted to the rank of government. Great the honour, but heavy the burden of the place. It is ill if one who knows not how to govern his own life, shall be judge of another’s.
Monday
Holy Wed readings continued…

2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1  Brethren, what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” Therefore “Come out from among them and be separate from them, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.” “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty.” Having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of the flesh and spirit and bring our holiness to perfection in the fear of God.

Tuesday

Matthew 8:14-23   At that time, Jesus entered Peter’s house, and he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying sick with a fever; he touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and served them. That evening they brought to him many who were possessed with demons; he cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, “He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.” Now when Jesus saw great crowds around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. And a scribe came up and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of heaven have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” Another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” But Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.”

Wednesday

2 Corinthians 1:8-11  Brethren, we do not want you to be uninformed of our affliction which came to us in Asia: we were burdened beyond measure and above strength so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt in ourselves that we received the sentence of death so that we should not rely on ourselves but on God who raises the dead, who delivered us from such terrible and deadly dangers and will continue to deliver us; on    whom we have set our hope that he will still deliver us. You also join in helping us by your prayers that thanks may be given by many people on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.

Thursday

Galatians 5:22-6:2  Brethren, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self- control. Against such things there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, irritating one another, envying one another. Brethren, if a man is caught in any sin, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, taking care that you yourself are not tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Friday

Matthew 15:21-28  At that time, Jesus went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came and cried out, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely possessed by a demon.” But Jesus did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying after us.” Jesus answered “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him saying, “Lord, help me!” And Jesus answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

Saturday

1 Thessalonians 5:14-23   Brethren, we urge you, warn the idlers, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always strive for what is good both for yourselves and for all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast to what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Stopped Epistle on Pg 28