First Reading

Reading from the first book of Samuel

1 Samuel 3:1-10, 19-20

In those days, the young Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli, and the word of the Lord was rare; visions were not widespread.

Eli’s eyes had begun to weaken so that he could not see, and Samuel was sleeping in the temple of the Lord where the ark of God was. The Lord called Samuel, and he answered, “Here I am!” He ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But Eli said, “I did not call you; go back to sleep.” So he went back to sleep. Again the Lord called Samuel, and he got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But Eli said, “I did not call you, my son; go back to sleep.”

At that time Samuel had not yet known the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. The Lord called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.”

Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

Samuel grew up, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was a trustworthy prophet of the Lord.

Gospel

Reading from the holy Gospel according to Saint Mark

Mark 1:29-39

As soon as they left the synagogue, Jesus went with James and John to the house of Simon and Andrew. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, “Everyone is searching for you.” He answered, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.” And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.