First Reading

Reading from the first letter of the Apostle Saint Paul to the Corinthians

1 Corinthians 15, 12-20

Brothers and sisters: If we have preached that Christ rose from the dead, how is it that some of you are saying that the dead do not rise? For if the dead do not rise, then Christ did not rise either; and if Christ did not rise, our preaching is in vain, and your faith is in vain.

We would also be false witnesses of God, since we have falsely claimed that God raised Christ: because, if it were true that the dead do not rise, God would not have raised Christ. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ did not rise either.

And if Christ did not rise, your faith is in vain; and therefore, you are still living in sin, and those who died in Christ have perished. If our hope in Christ were limited only to the things of this life, we would be the most miserable of all men. But it is not so, because Christ rose, and rose as the firstfruits of all the dead.

Gospel

Reading from the holy Gospel according to Saint Luke

Luke 8, 1-3

At that time, Jesus began to go through cities and towns preaching the good news of the Kingdom of God. The Twelve accompanied him, along with some women who had been delivered from evil spirits and cured of various diseases. Among them were Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward; Susanna, and many others, who helped them with their own resources.