5th Sunday of the Cross
This Sunday's Summary
The thread connecting today's New Testament readings are that God does not judge by outward appearances like we do, and that God has a special heart for the poor. In the Epistle reading, St. Paul tells his people that the church must not judge its leaders by human standards-nationality, wealth or status-but by their dedication to serving God and in turn serving those in need. In the Gospel reading, Jesus likewise challenges religious leaders who seek honor and recognition, in contrast to a poor widow whose humble and sacrificial offering reveals authentic faith. Today's readings teach us that God looks not at rank, wealth, or outward religious display, but at a heart transformed by grace, expressed through humility, faithfulness, and generosity to all.
This Sunday's Readings
Old Testament Reading
Isaiah 19:1-11
Theburdenagainst Egypt.
Behold, theLordrides on a swift cloud,
And will come into Egypt;
The idols of Egypt willtotter at His presence,
And the heart of Egypt will melt in its midst.
“I willset Egyptians against Egyptians;
Everyone will fight against his brother,
And everyone against his neighbor,
City against city, kingdom against kingdom.
The spirit of Egypt will fail in its midst;
I will destroy their counsel,
And they willconsult the idols and the charmers,
The mediums and the sorcerers.
And the Egyptians I will give
Into the hand of a cruel master,
And a fierce king will rule over them,”
Says the Lord, theLordof hosts.
The waters will fail from the sea,
And the river will be wasted and dried up.
The rivers will turn foul;
The brooksof defense will be emptied and dried up;
The reeds and rushes will wither.
The papyrus reeds bythe River, by the mouth of the River,
And everything sown by the River,
Will wither, be driven away, and be no more.
The fishermen also will mourn;
All those will lament who cast hooks into the River,
And they will languish who spread nets on the waters.
Moreover those who work infine flax
And those who weave fine fabric will be ashamed;
And its foundations will be broken.
All who make wageswill betroubled of soul.
Surely the princes ofZoanarefools;
Pharaoh’s wise counselors give foolish counsel.
How do you say to Pharaoh, “Iamthe son of the wise,
The son of ancient kings?”
Epistle Reading
Galatians 2:1-10
Then after fourteen yearsI went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus withme.And I went upby revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, butprivately to those who were of reputation, lest by any meansI might run, or had run, in vain.Yet not even Titus whowaswith me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised.Andthis occurredbecause offalse brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out ourliberty which we have in Christ Jesus,that they might bring us into bondage),to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, thatthe truth of the gospel might continue with you.
But from thosewho seemed to be something—whatever they were, it makes no difference to me;Godshows personal favoritism to no man—for those who seemedto be somethingadded nothing to me.But on the contrary,when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcisedhad been committed to me, asthe gospelfor the circumcisedwasto Peter(for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to thecircumcisedalsoworked effectively in me toward the Gentiles),and when James,Cephas, and John, who seemed to bepillars, perceivedthe grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship,that weshould goto the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.They desiredonly that we should remember the poor,the very thing which I also was eager to do.
Gospel Reading
Mark 12:35-44
Then Jesus answered and said, while He taught in the temple,“Howis itthat the scribes say that the Christ is the Son of David?For David himself saidby the Holy Spirit:
‘TheLordsaid to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand,
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” ’
Therefore David himself calls Him ‘Lord’; how is HethenhisSon?”
And the common people heard Him gladly.
ThenHe said to them in His teaching,“Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes,lovegreetings in the marketplaces,thebest seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts,who devour widows’ houses, andfor a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”
Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put moneyinto the treasury. And manywho wererich put in much.Then one poor widow came and threw in twomites, which make aquadrans.So He called His disciples toHimselfand said to them,“Assuredly, I say to you thatthis poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury;for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had,her whole livelihood.”
This Sunday's Lesson Plans
Ages 5-8
Ages 9-14
Ages 14-17
This Sunday's Sermons
This Season's Saints
Tuesday, Sep 22
St. Shoushanik
Saturday, Sep 26
St. George
Saturday, Oct 03
Seventy-Two Disciples of Christ
Saturday, Oct 10
Holy Translators
Saturday, Oct 31
All Saints
Saturday, Nov 07