Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Liturgical Season: 
VII The Season of Sleebo
Special Significance: 
Mar Theophilos of Antioch

2 Tm 1:8-14

8So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord,* nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God.f

9* He saved us and called us to a holy life, not according to our works but according to his own design and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began,g 10but now made manifest through the appearance of our savior Christ Jesus, who destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,h 11* for which I was appointed preacher and apostlei and teacher. 12* On this account I am suffering these things; but I am not ashamed,j for I know him in whom I have believed and am confident that he is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that day. 13Take as your norm the sound words that you heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.k 14Guard this rich trust with the help of the holy Spirit that dwells within us.l

Jn 16:25-33

25* n “I have told you this in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures but I will tell you clearly about the Father. 26On that day you will ask in my name, and I do not tell you that I will ask the Father for you.o 27For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have come to believe that I came from God. 28I came from the Father and have come into the world. Now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”p 29His disciples said, “Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech. 30Now we realize that you know everything and that you do not need to have anyone question you. Because of this we believe that you came from God.”* 31Jesus answered them, “Do you believe now? 32Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered* to his own home and you will leave me alone. But I am not alone, because the Father is with me.q 33I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”r