The Gospel of Matthew, conceived 45

In those days Jesus entered the synagogue of the Jews. And behold, there was a man with a withered hand. And they asked Jesus, to accuse him, Is it permissible to heal on the Sabbath? And he said to them, "Which of you, having one sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath day, does not take it and pull it out? How many better men are the sheep! Thus, it is possible to do good on Saturdays. Then He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and she was as well as the other.

Matthew 12:9b–13

Monday of the 5th week.

The Gospel of Matthew, conceived 46a

In those days, the Pharisees had a conference against Jesus, how to destroy Him. But when Jesus found out, he departed from there. And a great multitude followed him, and he healed them all, and forbade them to declare him. Then they brought to Him a demon-possessed, blind and dumb man; and he healed him, so that the blind and dumb man began to speak and see. And all the people were amazed, and said, Is this not Christ, the son of David? And when the Pharisees heard this, they said, He casteth out demons except by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of demons. But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be desolate; and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. And if Satan casts out Satan, then he is divided from himself: how then will his kingdom stand? And if I cast out demons by the power of Beelzebub, by whose power do your sons cast out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then surely the Kingdom of God has reached you. Or how can a man enter into the house of a strong man, and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong? and then he shall plunder his house. He who is not with Me is against Me; and whoever does not gather with Me scatters.

Matthew 12:14-16, 22-30

Tuesday of the 5th week.

The Gospel of Matthew, conceived 46b

In those days a multitude followed Jesus, and he healed them all, and forbade them to declare him, that it might be fulfilled that which was spoken through the prophet Isaiah, who said, Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved, whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my spirit upon him, and he will proclaim judgment to the nations; He will not rebuke, nor will he cry out, and no one will hear His voice in the streets; He will not break a bruised reed, nor quench smoking flax, until he brings victory to judgment; and in his name the nations shall trust.

Matthew 12:15–21

Saturday after the Nativity of Christ.

The Gospel of Matthew, conceived 47

The Lord said, "He who is not with Me is against Me; and whoever does not gather with Me scatters. Therefore I say unto you, All sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven unto men; if any man speak a word against the Son of man, he shall be forgiven; but if anyone speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him either in this world or in the world to come. Or acknowledge the tree as good and its fruit as good; or acknowledge the tree as bad, and its fruit as bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. Spawn of vipers! How can you speak good when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man brings out good from a good treasure, and an evil man brings out evil from an evil treasure. But I say unto you, that every idle word that men speak, they will give account in the day of judgment: for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.