First Reading

Reading from the Acts of the Apostles

Acts 13:13-25

In those days, Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos; they came to Perga in Pamphylia, and there John Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem. From Perga they continued on to Antioch of Pisidia, and on the sabbath they entered the synagogue and took their seats. After the reading of the law and the prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent them a message, saying, “Brothers, if you have any exhortation to address to the people, speak.”

Then Paul stood up, motioned with his hand, and said,

“Israelites and you others who fear God, listen: The God of the people Israel chose our ancestors, exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in Egypt, and with mighty power led them out from there. For forty years he tolerated their conduct in the desert, destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, and then gave their land as an inheritance for about four hundred and fifty years. After this he gave them judges until the time of the prophet Samuel.

Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul, son of Kish, a man from the tribe of Benjamin, who reigned for forty years. He then removed him and raised up David as king, of whom he testified, I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will carry out my every wish.

From this man’s descendants God, according to his promise, has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus. John preceded him when he came, preaching a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel; and as he neared the end of his life, he would say, ‘I am not he. After me will come one whom you are not worthy to untie the sandals from his feet’ ”.

Gospel

Reading from the holy Gospel according to Saint John

John 13:16-20

At that time, after washing the feet of his disciples, Jesus said to them:

“Amen, amen, I say to you, no servant is greater than his master, nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand this, blessed will you be if you do it.

I am not speaking of all of you. I know those whom I have chosen. But so that the scripture might be fulfilled, The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me. I tell you this now, before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe that I AM.

Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”