Hebrews 11:33–12:2a

Sunday 1 after Pentecost, All Saints.

To the Martyrs

The Epistle to the Hebrews, conceived 331a

Brethren, having around us such a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every burden and sin that besets us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking to the author and finisher of the faith, Jesus, who, instead of the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Think of Him Who endured such reproach from sinners, so that you may not grow weary and faint in your souls. You have not yet fought unto blood, struggling against sin, and you have forgotten the consolation that is offered to you as sons: My son, do not despise the chastisement of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you. For the Lord chastens whom He loves; but he smites every son whom he receives. If you endure chastisement, God treats you as sons. For is there any son whom his father does not punish? But if you remain without punishment, which is common to all, then you are illegitimate children, and not sons. Moreover, if we, being chastened by our carnal parents, feared them, then must we not submit much more to the Father of spirits in order to live? They punished us arbitrarily for a few days; but He is for profit, that we may have a share in His holiness.

Hebrews 12:1–10

March 9, to the Holy Martyrs of Sebaste

The Epistle to the Hebrews, conceived 331b

Brethren, the Lord chastens whom He loves; but he smites every son whom he receives. If you endure chastisement, God treats you as sons. For is there any son whom his father does not punish? But if you remain without punishment, which is common to all, then you are illegitimate children, and not sons. Moreover, if we, being chastened by our carnal parents, feared them, then must we not submit much more to the Father of spirits in order to live? They punished us arbitrarily for a few days; but this one is for profit, that we may have a share in His holiness. Any punishment at the present time seems not to be joy, but sorrow; but afterwards he brings forth the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been taught through him. Strengthen therefore the hands that are drooping and the knees that are weak, and walk upright with your feet, so that the lame may not be turned astray, but rather be reformed. See that you do not turn away from him who speaks. If they did not escape punishment by not listening to him who spoke on earth, how much more will we not escape if we turn away from Him who spoke from heaven, whose voice then shook the earth, and who now made this promise: "Once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heavens." The words, "once more," signify the change of that which is shaken as created, so that that which cannot be shaken may remain.

Hebrews 12:6–13; 25–27

During an earthquake

The Epistle to the Hebrews, conceived 332

Brethren, strive to have peace with all and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. See that no one is deprived of the grace of God; so that any bitter root, having arisen, does not cause harm, and so that many are not defiled by it; lest there be any fornicator or wicked man among you, who, like Esau, would renounce his birthright for one meal. For you know that after this, desiring to inherit the blessing, he was rejected; he could not change his father's thoughts, although he asked for it with tears. You did not come to the mountain, which is tangible and blazing with fire, nor to darkness and gloom and storm, nor to the sound of the trumpet and the voice of the words, which those who heard asked that the word should no longer be continued to them, for they could not endure what was commanded: if the beast also touches the mountain, it will be stoned (or struck with an arrow); and so terrible was the vision that Moses also said, "I am in fear and trembling." But ye have come to Mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, to the heavenly Jerusalem, and to the multitude of angels, to the triumphant assembly and the church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.

Hebrews 12:14–24