Today, 27th of December, we celebrate
Saint John
Brothers and sisters:
Greet Prisca and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus, who
risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I am grateful
but also all the churches of the Gentiles; greet also the Church
at their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the
firstfruits in Asia for Christ. Greet Mary, who has worked hard
for you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my relatives and my
fellow prisoners; they are prominent among the Apostles and
they were in Christ before me. Greet Ampliatus, my beloved
in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my
beloved Stachys. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the
churches of Christ greet you.
I, Tertius, the writer of this letter, greet you in the Lord.
Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole Church, greets you.
Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus greet you.
Now to him who can strengthen you, according to my Gospel
and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation
of the mystery kept secret for long ages but now manifested
through the prophetic writings and, according to the command
of the eternal God, made known to all nations to bring about
the obedience of faith, to the only wise God, through Jesus
Christ be glory forever and ever. Amen.
R./ I will praise your name for ever, Lord.
Every day will I bless you,
and I will praise your name forever and ever.
Great is the LORD and highly to be praised;
his greatness is unsearchable.
R./ I will praise your name for ever, Lord.
Generation after generation praises your works
and proclaims your might.
They speak of the splendor of your glorious majesty
and tell of your wondrous works.
R./ I will praise your name for ever, Lord.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom
and speak of your might.
R./ I will praise your name for ever, Lord.
Jesus said to his disciples, "And so I tell you: use filthy money to make friends for yourselves, so that when it fails, these people may welcome you into the eternal homes.
"Whoever can be trusted in little things can also be trusted in great ones; whoever is dishonest in slight matters will also be dishonest in greater ones. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling filthy money, who could entrust you with true wealth? And if you have not been trustworthy with things that are not really yours, who will give you the wealth which is your own?
"No servant can serve two masters. Either he does not like the one and is fond of the other, or he regards one highly and the other with contempt. You cannot give yourself both to God and to Money."
The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and sneered at Jesus. He said to them, "You do your best to be considered righteous by people. But God knows the heart, and what rises high among humans is loathed by God."
