First Reading

Reading from the first book of Samuel

1 Samuel 4, 1-11

It happened in those days that the Philistines gathered for war against Israel, and the Israelites went out to meet them. They encamped near Eben-Ezer, and the Philistines in Aphek. The Philistines drew up in battle array against Israel. The battle was fought, and Israel was defeated, suffering four thousand casualties. The army withdrew to the camp, and the elders of Israel asked: “Why has the Lord allowed us to be defeated today by the Philistines? Let us bring from Shiloh the ark of the covenant of the Lord, so that it may come among us and save us from our enemies.”

They sent to bring from Shiloh the ark of the Lord of hosts, who is seated on the cherubim. The two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, accompanied the ark.

When the ark of the covenant entered the camp, all the Israelites raised such a great shout of joy that the ground shook. When the Philistines heard the noise of the shouting, they wondered: “What does this great clamor in the camp of the Hebrews mean?” And they learned that the ark of the Lord had come to the camp.

Then the Philistines were afraid. They said: “Their gods have come to the camp. Woe to us! Nothing like this has happened before. Who will deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck Egypt with every kind of plague. Take courage, Philistines, and fight like men. Otherwise, we will have to serve the Israelites, as they have served us. Fight like men.”

The Philistines fought, and Israel was defeated. All the Israelites fled to their tents. It was a disastrous defeat in which Israel lost thirty thousand foot soldiers. The ark of God was captured, and Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, died.

Gospel

Reading from the holy Gospel according to Saint Mark

Mark 1, 40-45

At that time, a leper came to Jesus and, kneeling, begged him: “If you wish, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him: “I do will it. Be made clean.” The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean.

Then, warning him sternly, Jesus dismissed him and said: “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.”

But he went out and began to publicize the whole matter so much that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly, but remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere.