Author: THERESA JACOBSON

Feast of the Epiphany	January 6, 2027
Prayer of the Day
O God, on this day, by the leading of a star, you revealed your only-begotten Son to the nations. Mercifully grant that we, who know you by faith, may be brought to contemplate the beauty of your majesty; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
First Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6
^1Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. ^2For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. ^3And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. ^4Lift up your eyes all around, and see; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be carried on the hip. ^5Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and exult, because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. ^6A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall bring good news, the praises of the Lord.
Psalm 72:1-11 [12-15] 
^1Give the King your jus- | tice, O God,*
	and your righteousness to | the King’s Son;
^2That he may rule your | people righteously*
	and the | poor with justice;
^3That the mountains may bring prosperity | to the people,*
	and the little | hills bring righteousness.
^4He shall defend the needy a- | mong the people;*
	he shall rescue the poor and crush | the oppressor.
^5He shall live as long as the sun and | moon endure,*
	from one generation | to another.
^6He shall come down like rain upon | the mown field,*
	like showers that wa- | ter the earth.
^7In his time shall the | righteous flourish;*
	there shall be abundance of peace till the moon shall | be no more.
^8He shall rule from | sea to sea,*
	and from the River to the ends | of the earth.
^9His foes shall bow | down before him,*
	and his enemies | lick the dust.
^10The kings of Tarshish and of the isles | shall pay tribute,*
	and the kings of Arabia and Saba | offer gifts.
^11All kings shall bow | down before him,*
	and all the nations | do him service.
[^12For he shall deliver the poor who cries out | in distress,*
	and the oppressed who | has no helper.
^13He shall have pity on the low- | ly and poor;*
	he shall preserve the lives | of the needy.
^14He shall redeem their lives from oppres- | sion and violence,*
	and dear shall their blood be | in his sight.
^15Long may he live! and may there be given to him gold | from Arabia;*
	may prayer be made for him always, and may they bless him all | the day long.]
Psalm 72:1-11 [12-15] (ESV)
^1Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the royal son!
^2May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice!
^3Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness!
^4May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor!
^5May they fear you while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations!
^6May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth!
^7In his days may the righteous flourish, and peace abound, till the moon be no more!
^8May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth!
^9May desert tribes bow down before him, and his enemies lick the dust!
^10May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands render him tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts!
^11May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him!
[^12For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper.
^13He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy.
^14From oppression and violence he redeems their life, and precious is their blood in his sight.
^15Long may he live; may gold of Sheba be given to him! May prayer be made for him continually, and blessings invoked for him all the day!]
Second Reading: Ephesians 3:1-12
^1For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles — ^2assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, ^3how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. ^4When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, ^5which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. ^6This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. ^7Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. ^8To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, ^9and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, ^10so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. ^11This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, ^12in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12
^1After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, ^2saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” ^3When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; ^4and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. ^5They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: ^6‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” ^7Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. ^8And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” ^9After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. ^10When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. ^11And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. ^12And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. 

Baptism of Our Lord	January 10, 2027
Prayer of the Day
Heavenly Father, in Jesus’ baptism you declared him to be your beloved Son and set him apart as your agent of grace for your creation. May we who are baptized into his life also be sent as agents of grace in your world; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit. Amen. 
First Reading: Genesis 1:1-5
^1In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. ^2The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. ^3And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. ^4And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. ^5God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
Psalm 29
^1Ascribe to the | Lord, you gods,*
	ascribe to the Lord glo- | ry and strength.
^2Ascribe to the Lord the glory | due his Name;*
	worship the Lord in the beau- | ty of holiness.
^3The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; the God of | glory thunders;*
	the Lord is upon the | mighty waters.
^4The voice of the Lord is a pow- | erful voice;*
	the voice of the Lord is a | voice of splendor.
^5The voice of the Lord breaks the | cedar trees;*
	the Lord breaks the ce- | dars of Lebanon;
^6He makes Lebanon skip | like a calf,*
	and Mount Hermon like a | young wild ox.
^7The voice of the Lord splits the flames of fire; the voice of the Lord | shakes the wilderness;*
	the Lord shakes the wilder- | ness of Kadesh.
^8The voice of the Lord  makes the | oak trees writhe*
	and strips the | forests bare.
^9And in the temple | of the Lord*
	all are | crying, “Glory!”
^10The Lord sits enthroned a- | bove the flood;*
	the Lord sits enthroned as | King forevermore.
^11The Lord shall give strength | to his people;*
	the Lord shall give his people the bless- | ing of peace.
Psalm 29 (ESV)
^1Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
^2Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.
^3The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over many waters. 
^4The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.
^5The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
^6He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox.
^7The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.
^8The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
^9The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth and strips the forests bare, and in his temple all cry, “Glory!”
^10The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as king forever.
^11May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!
Second Reading: Romans 6:1-11
^1What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? ^2By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? ^3Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? ^4We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. ^5For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. ^6We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. ^7For one who has died has been set free from sin. ^8Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. ^9We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. ^10For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. ^11So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Gospel: Mark 1:4-11
^4John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. ^5And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. ^6Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. ^7And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. ^8I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” ^9In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. ^10And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. ^11And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
Next Week’s Readings:
1 Samuel 3:1-10 [11-20]; Psalm 139:1-10; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; John 1:43-51

Second Sunday after the Epiphany	January 17, 2027
Prayer of the Day
Almighty and eternal God, you restrain the powers of heaven and earth. Mercifully hear your people’s prayers for peace in our time. Grant this, we pray, through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. 
First Reading: 1 Samuel 3:1-10 [11-20] 
^1The boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision. ^2At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place. ^3The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. ^4Then the Lord called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!” ^5and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. ^6And the Lord called again, “Samuel!” and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” ^7Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. ^8And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. ^9Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. ^10And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.” [^11Then the Lord said to Samuel, “Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. ^12On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. ^13And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. ^14Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.” ^15Samuel lay until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the Lord. And Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. ^16But Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son.” And he said, “Here I am.” ^17And Eli said, “What was it that he told you? Do not hide it from me. May God do so to you and more also if you hide anything from me of all that he told you.” ^18So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And he said, “It is the Lord. Let him do what seems good to him.” ^19And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. ^20And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the Lord.]
Psalm 139:1-9*
^1Lord, you have searched me | out and known me;*
	you know my sitting down and my rising up; you discern my thoughts | from afar.
^2You trace my journeys and my | resting places*
	and are acquainted with | all my ways.
^3Indeed, there is not a word | on my lips,*
	but you, O Lord, know it | altogether.
^4You press upon me behind | and before*
	and lay your | hand upon me.
^5Such knowledge is too wonder- | ful for me;*
	it is so high that I cannot at- | tain to it.
^6Where can I go then | from your Spirit?*
	where can I flee | from your presence?
^7If I climb up to heaven, | you are there;*
	if I make the grave my bed, you | are there also.
^8If I take the wings | of the morning*
	and dwell in the uttermost parts | of the sea,
^9Even there your | hand will lead me*
	and your right hand | hold me fast.
Psalm 139:1-10 (ESV)
^1O Lord, you have searched me and known me! 
^2You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.
^3You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.
^4Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
^5You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.
^6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.
^7Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?
^8If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
^9If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
^10even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
^12“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. ^13“Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food” — and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. ^14And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. ^15Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! ^16Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.” ^17But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. ^18Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. ^19Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, ^20for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
Gospel: John 1:43-51
^43The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” ^44Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. ^45Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” ^46Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” ^47Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” ^48Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” ^49Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” ^50Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” ^51And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
Next Week’s Readings:
Jonah 3:1-5, 10; Psalm 62; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 [32-35]; Mark 1:14-20
* The Book of Common Prayer verse numbers for this psalm are different from the numbering in the ESV. 

Third Sunday after the Epiphany	January 24, 2027
Prayer of the Day
Almighty and eternal God, graciously look down on our weakness. Reach out to us with your majestic right hand, and satisfy us with his glory. We ask through the same Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. 
First Reading: Jonah 3:1-5, 10
^1The word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, ^2“Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.” ^3So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days’ journey in breadth. ^4Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s journey. And he called out, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” ^5And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them. 
^10When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.
Psalm 62*
^1For God alone my soul in | silence waits;*
	from him comes | my salvation.
^2He alone is my rock and | my salvation,*
	my stronghold, so that I shall not be | greatly shaken.
^3How long will you assail me to crush me, all of | you together,*
	as if you were a leaning fence, a | toppling wall?
^4They seek only to bring me down from my | place of honor;*
	lies are their | chief delight.
^5They bless | with their lips,*
	but in their | hearts they curse.
^6For God alone my soul in | silence waits;*
	truly, my hope | is in him.
^7He alone is my rock and | my salvation,*
	my stronghold, so that I shall | not be shaken.
^8In God is my safety | and my honor;*
	God is my strong rock | and my refuge.
^9Put your trust in him al- | ways, O people,*
	pour out your hearts before him, for God | is our refuge.
^10Those of high degree are but a | fleeting breath,*
	even those of low estate can- | not be trusted.
^11On the scales they are lighter | than a breath,*
	all of | them together.
^12Put no trust in extortion; in robbery take no | empty pride;*
	though wealth increase, set not your | heart upon it.
^13God has spoken once, twice | have I heard it,*
	that power be- | longs to God.
^14Steadfast love is | yours, O Lord,*
	for you repay everyone according | to his deeds.
Psalm 62 (ESV)
^1For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.
^2He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.
^3How long will all of you attack a man to batter him, like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?
^4They only plan to thrust him down from his high position. They take pleasure in falsehood. They bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse. 
^5For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.
^6He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
^7On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
^8Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. 
^9Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath.
^10Put no trust in extortion; set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them.
^11Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God,
^12and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For you will render to a man according to his work.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 [32-35] 
^29This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, ^30and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, ^31and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away. [^32I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. ^33But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, ^34and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. ^35I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.]
Gospel: Mark 1:14-20
^14After John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, ^15and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” ^16Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. ^17And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” ^18And immediately they left their nets and followed him. ^19And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. ^20And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.
Next Week’s Readings:
Deuteronomy 18:15-20; Psalm 111; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Mark 1:21-28
* The Book of Common Prayer verse numbers for this psalm are different from the numbering in the ESV. 

Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany	January 31, 2027
Prayer of the Day
O God, you know the perilous choices we are prone to make that fall short of your desire for human faithfulness and obedience. Without you, our fragile nature cannot survive. Support us with your Word of truth, that we may grow in faith in the midst of our trials. Grant this, we pray, through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. 
First Reading: Deuteronomy 18:15-20
^15“The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers — it is to him you shall listen — ^16just as you desired of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, when you said, ‘Let me not hear again the voice of the Lord my God or see this great fire any more, lest I die.’ ^17And the Lord said to me, ‘They are right in what they have spoken. ^18I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. ^19And whoever will not listen to my words that he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him. ^20But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.’”
Psalm 111
^1Hallelujah! I will give thanks to the Lord with | my whole heart,*
	in the assembly of the upright, in the | congregation.
^2Great are the deeds | of the Lord!*
	They are studied by all who de- | light in them.
^3His work is full of majes- | ty and splendor,*
	and his righteousness en- | dures forever.
^4He makes his marvelous works to | be remembered;*
	the Lord is gracious and full | of compassion.
^5He gives food to | those who fear him;*
	he is ever mindful | of his covenant.
^6He has shown his people the power | of his works*
	in giving them the lands | of the nations.
^7The works of his hands are faithful- | ness and justice;*
	all his command- | ments are sure.
^8They stand fast forev- | er and ever,*
	because they are done in | truth and equity.
^9He sent redemption to his people; he commanded his cove- | nant forever;*
	holy and awesome | is his Name.
^10The fear of the Lord is the begin- | ning of wisdom;*
	those who act accordingly have a good understanding; his praise en- | dures forever.
Psalm 111 (ESV)
^1Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
^2Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.
^3Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.
^4He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and merciful.
^5He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever.
^6He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the inheritance of the nations.
^7The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy;
^8they are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
^9He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name!
^10The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13
^1Concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. ^2If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. ^3But if anyone loves God, he is known by God. ^4Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” ^5For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth — as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords” — ^6yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. ^7However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. ^8Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. ^9But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. ^10For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? ^11And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. ^12Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. ^13Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
Gospel: Mark 1:21-28
^21{Jesus, Simon, Andrew, James and John} went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath {Jesus} entered the synagogue and was teaching. ^22And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. ^23And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, ^24“What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are — the Holy One of God.” ^25But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” ^26And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. ^27And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” ^28And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.
Next Week’s Readings:
Exodus 34:29-35; Psalm 50:1-6; 2 Corinthians 3:12-13, 4:1-6; Mark 9:2-9

Transfiguration of Our Lord	February 7, 2027
Prayer of the Day
O God, at the glorious transfiguration of your only Son, you confirmed the mystery of our faith by the witness of the disciples and by your own voice from the cloud. Mercifully complete our adoption as your children, and give us, with our King, an inheritance of his glory. Grant this, we pray, through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. 
First Reading: Exodus 34:29-35
^29When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. ^30Aaron and all the people of Israel saw Moses, and behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. ^31But Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses talked with them. ^32Afterward all the people of Israel came near, and he commanded them all that the Lord had spoken with him in Mount Sinai. ^33And when Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face. ^34Whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he would remove the veil, until he came out. And when he came out and told the people of Israel what he was commanded, ^35the people of Israel would see the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face was shining. And Moses would put the veil over his face again, until he went in to speak with him. 
Psalm 50:1-6
^1The Lord, the God of | gods, has spoken;*
	he has called the earth from the rising of the sun | to its setting.
^2Out of Zion, perfect | in its beauty,*
	God reveals him- | self in glory.
^3Our God will come and will | not keep silence;*
	before him there is a consuming flame, and round about him a | raging storm.
^4He calls the heavens and the earth | from above*
	to witness the judgment | of his people.
^5“Gather before me my | loyal followers,*
	those who have made a covenant with me and sealed | it with sacrifice.”
^6Let the heavens declare the rightness | of his cause;*
	for God him- | self is judge.
Psalm 50:1-6 (ESV)
^1The Mighty One, God the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.
^2Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth.
^3Our God comes; he does not keep silence; before him is a devouring fire, around him a mighty tempest.
^4He calls to the heavens above and to the earth, that he may judge his people:
^5“Gather to me my faithful ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!”
^6The heavens declare his righteousness, for God himself is judge!
Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 3:12-13, 4:1-6
^12Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, ^13not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end.
^1Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. ^2But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. ^3And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. ^4In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. ^5For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. ^6For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Gospel: Mark 9:2-9
^2After six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, ^3and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. ^4And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. ^5And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” ^6For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. ^7And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” ^8And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only. ^9And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
Next Week’s Readings:
Genesis 22:1-18; Psalm 25:1-10; James 1:12-18; Mark 1:9-15