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Readings Psalm 127 Psalm 128 Job 1:1–22 John 1:1–18 Smalcald Articles I, II:I

Readings Psalm 47 Psalm 135 Zechariah 14:1–21 Titus 2:7—3:15 Smalcald Articles, Preface: 8–15

Readings Psalm 75 Psalm 104 Zechariah 12:1—13:9 Titus 1:1—2:6 Smalcald Articles, Preface:1–7 Feast Today we celebrate the Feast of the Purification of Mary and the Presentation of Our Lord. Thirty-two days after Jesus was circumcised, He comes to the Temple to fulfill the requirements of the OT law. In offering the alternative sacrifice (two turtledoves or two pigeons instead of a lamb), Joseph and Mary reveal their humble circumstances. In his Nunc Dimmitis, Simeon announces the inauguration of God’s consolation and redemption in and through Christ, and also prophesies concerning the destiny of Jesus.

Readings Psalm 28 Psalm 48 Zechariah 11:4–17 2 Timothy 4:1–18 Large Catechism V:75–87

Readings Psalm 135 Psalm 68 Zechariah 10:1—11:3 2 Timothy 3:1–17 Large Catechism V:58–74

Readings Psalm 33 Zechariah 9:1–17 2 Timothy 2:1–26 Large Catechism V:42–57

Readings Psalm 107 Zechariah 8:1–23 2 Timothy 1:1–18 Large Catechism V:31–41

Readings Psalm 12 Psalm 133 Zechariah 6:1—7:14 Romans 16:17–27 Large Catechism V:15–30

Readings Psalm 1 Psalm 109 Zechariah 4:1—5:11 Romans 15:14–33 Large Catechism V:1–14 Commemoration Today we commemorate John Chrysostom, Preacher. Born around AD 347, St. John was instructed in the Christian faith by his mother, Anthusa. After holding a number of lesser offices, John became patriarch of Constantinople in AD 398. John was given the added name “Chrysostom”, which means ‘golden-mouthed’ in Greek, for his simple, but direct, messages that were beloved by all who heard them. Eventually exiled from Constantinople, after coming into conflict with the local authorities due to his determination to reform the church, the court, and the city, John continued to preach and write right up until his death in AD 407. His reported last words were “Glory be to God for all things! Amen.”

Readings Psalm 18 Psalm 134 Zechariah 2:1—3:10 Romans 15:1–13 Large Catechism IV:68–86 Commemoration Today we celebrate the Festival of St. Titus, Pastor and Confessor. Like Timothy, St. Titus was a friend and coworker of St. Paul. Whereas it is not known if Titus accompanied Paul on his first and second missionary journeys, it is known that Titus accompanied Paul on his third missionary journey, along with Barnabas, to Jerusalem to bring aid during a famine. Likely after the trip to Jerusalem, Paul and Titus parted ways, with Titus staying in Crete and eventually working in Dalmatia and then, according to tradition, serving as bishop in Crete until his death in about AD 96.

Readings Psalm 6 Psalm 67 Zechariah 1:1–21 Romans 14:1–23 Large Catechism IV:56–67 Festival Today we celebrate the Festival of the Conversion of St. Paul. Originally a zealous persecutor of the Church, St. Paul (then Saul of Tarsus) met Christ on the road to Damascus. Blinded by a bright light, Saul heard the words “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” to which Saul replied “Who are You, Lord?” to which Christ replied “I am Jesus, Whom you are persecuting.” Upon arriving in Damascus, Saul was sought by a disciple named Ananias, who had been sent by the Lord to heal Saul. Upon receiving his sight, Saul was baptized and went on to become the Apostle Paul, a man whom God called ‘a chosen instrument … to carry [Christ’s] name before the nations’.

Readings Psalm 131 Psalm 84 Joel 3:1–21 Romans 12:14—13:14 Large Catechism IV:47–55 Commemoration Today we celebrate the Festival of St. Timothy, Pastor and Confessor. Best remembered as a companion of St. Paul, St. Timothy grew up in a Christian household. After meeting Paul on his (Paul’s) second missionary journey, Timothy accompanied Paul on further missionary journeys and was with Paul in Rome. According to tradition, Timothy was martyred in Ephesus around AD 97, where he served as bishop after Paul’s martyrdom in Rome.

Readings Psalm 139 Psalm 81 Joel 2:18–32 Romans 11:25—12:13 Large Catechism IV:32–46

Readings Psalm 69 Psalm 121 Joel 2:1–17 Romans 11:1–24 Large Catechism IV:17–31

Readings Psalm 20 Psalm 13 Joel 1:1–20 Romans 10:1–21 Large Catechism IV:1–16