Forefeast of Nativity

Don’t rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brothers; ²the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity.

³Honor widows who are widows indeed. ⁴But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety toward their own family and to repay their parents, for this is acceptable in the sight of God. ⁵Now she who is a widow indeed and desolate, has her hope set on God and continues in petitions and prayers night and day. ⁶But she who gives herself to pleasure is dead while she lives. ⁷Also command these things, that they may be without reproach. ⁸But if anyone doesn’t provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

⁹Let no one be enrolled as a widow under sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, ¹⁰being approved by good works, if she has brought up children, if she has been hospitable to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, and if she has diligently followed every good work.

They came to Jericho. As he went out from Jericho with his disciples and a great multitude, the son of Timaeus, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the road. ⁴⁷When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, you son of David, have mercy on me!” ⁴⁸Many rebuked him, that he should be quiet, but he cried out much more, “You son of David, have mercy on me!”

⁴⁹Jesus stood still and said, “Call him.” They called the blind man, saying to him, “Cheer up! Get up. He is calling you!”

⁵⁰He, casting away his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus.

⁵¹Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “Rabboni, that I may see again.”

⁵²Jesus said to him, “Go your way. Your faith has made you well.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the way.