Prophet Haggai; Holy Empress and Wonderworker Theophano (893); Modestos, Archbishop of Jerusalem

For there is an annulling of a foregoing commandment because of its weakness and uselessness ¹⁹(for the law made nothing perfect), and a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. ²⁰Inasmuch as he was not made priest without the taking of an oath ²¹(for they indeed have been made priests without an oath), but he with an oath by him that says of him, “The Lord swore and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.’”

²²By so much, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.

²³Many, indeed, have been made priests, because they are hindered from continuing by death. ²⁴But he, because he lives forever, has his priesthood unchangeable. ²⁵Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, seeing that he lives forever to make intercession for them.

He came to Capernaum, and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing among yourselves on the way?”

³⁴But they were silent, for they had disputed with one another on the way about who was the greatest.

³⁵He sat down and called the twelve; and he said to them, “If any man wants to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all.” ³⁶He took a little child and set him in the middle of them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, ³⁷“Whoever receives one such little child in my name receives me; and whoever receives me, doesn’t receive me, but him who sent me.”

³⁸John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone who doesn’t follow us casting out demons in your name; and we forbade him, because he doesn’t follow us.”

³⁹But Jesus said, “Don’t forbid him, for there is no one who will do a mighty work in my name and be able quickly to speak evil of me. ⁴⁰For whoever is not against us is on our side. ⁴¹For whoever will give you a cup of water to drink in my name because you are Christ’s, most certainly I tell you, he will in no way lose his reward.