Matthew 12:30–37

Saturday of the 8th week.

The Gospel of Matthew, conceived 48

In those days some of the scribes and Pharisees came to Jesus, saying, "Teacher! we would like to see a sign from You. But he answered and said to them, "A wicked and adulterous generation seeks a sign; and no sign shall be given him, except the sign of Jonah the prophet; for as Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights. The Ninevites will rise up to judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they have repented from the preaching of Jonah; and behold, there is more Jonah here. The queen of the south shall rise up in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it, for she has come from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, there is more Solomon here. When an unclean spirit goes out of a person, he walks in dry places, seeking rest, and does not find; Then he says, "I will return to my house from whence I came." And when he comes, he finds it unoccupied, swept and tidy; then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits, which are worse than himself, and having entered, they dwell there; and for that man the latter is worse than the first. So it will be with this evil generation.

Matthew 12:38-45

Wednesday of the 5th week.

The Gospel of Matthew, conceived 49

In the days when Jesus was still speaking to the people, the Mother and His brothers stood outside the house, wishing to speak with Him. And someone said to Him, Behold, Thy mother and Thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with Thee. And he answered and said to him that said, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And pointing with his hand to his disciples, he said, Behold my mother and my brethren; for whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven shall be my brother, and sister, and mother. And Jesus went out of the house that day, and sat down by the sea. And a great multitude gathered together to him, so that he went into the boat and sat down; and all the people stood on the shore. And he taught them many parables.

Matthew 12:46–13:3a

Thursday, 5th week.

The Gospel of Matthew, conceived 50

The Lord said this parable: Behold, a sower went out to sow; And while he sowed, some fell by the wayside, and birds flew down and pecked at them; some fell on stony places, where there was little earth, and soon sprang up, because the earth was shallow. But when the sun rose, it withered, and as it had no root, it withered; some fell into thorns, and thorns grew, and choked him; some fell on good ground and bore fruit: one a hundredfold, and another sixty, and some thirty. Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear!

Matthew 13:3b–9

Friday of the 5th week.