First Reading

Reading from the letter of the apostle Saint Jude

Jude 17, 20-25

Beloved brothers and sisters: Remember the words that the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ preached to you. Build yourselves up on the foundation of your holy faith, pray under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant you eternal life.

As for those who doubt, try to convince them, to snatch them from the fire of condemnation; to others, show them mercy, but with caution, abhorring even the clothing stained by their sinful life.

To the only God, our Savior, who is able to keep you from all sin and to present you before his glory joyful and without blemish, be honor and glory, power and might, through Jesus Christ our Lord, from all ages, now and forever. Amen.

Gospel

Reading from the holy Gospel according to Saint Mark

Mark 11:27-33

At that time, Jesus and his disciples came again to Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders approached him and asked: “By what authority are you doing all this? Who gave you authority to act this way?”

Jesus answered them: “I will ask you a question. If you answer it, I will tell you by what authority I do all this. Was the baptism of John from God or from men? Answer me.”

They began to reason among themselves: “If we say it was from God, he will say: ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ And if we say it was from men…?” But, because they feared the crowd, since everyone regarded John as a true prophet, they answered Jesus: “We do not know.” Then Jesus replied: “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do all this.”