Monday in the Fourteenth Week after Pentecost

The Lesson of the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Corinthians.
II Corinthians §195 (12:10-19).
Brethren: I please myself in my infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ. For when I am weak, then am I powerful. I am become foolish: you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you: for I have no way come short of them that are above measure apostles, although I be nothing. Yet the signs of my apostleship have been wrought on you, in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. For what is there that you have had less than the other churches, but that I myself was not burthensome to you? Pardon me this injury. Behold now the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burthensome unto you. For I seek not the things that are yours, but you. For neither ought the children to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. But I most gladly will spend and be spent myself for your souls; although loving you more, I be loved less. But be it so: I did not burthen you: but being crafty, I caught you by guile. Did I overreach you by any of them whom I sent to you? I desired Titus, and I sent with him a brother. Did Titus overreach you? Did we not walk with the same spirit? did we not in the same steps? Of old, think you that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ; but all things, my dearly beloved, for your edification.

The Lesson of the Holy Gospel according to Saint Mark.
Saint Mark §16 (4:10-23).
At that time: The disciples approached Jesus as one and asked Him concerning the parable. And He said to them: To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but to them that are without, all things are done in parables: that seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand: lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. And He saith to them: Are you ignorant of this parable? And how shall you know all parables? He that soweth, soweth the word. And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown, and as soon as they have heard, immediately Satan cometh and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. And these likewise are they that are sown on the stony ground: who when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with joy. And they have no root in themselves, but are only for a time: and then when tribulation and persecution ariseth for the word they are presently scandalized. And others there are who are sown among thorns: these are they that hear the word, and the cares of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts after other things entering in choke the word, and it is made fruitless. And these are they who are sown upon the good ground, who hear the word, and receive it, and yield fruit, the one thirty, another sixty, and another a hundred. And He said to them: Doth a candle come in to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? And not to be set on a candlestick? For there is nothing hid, which shall not be made manifest: neither was it made secret, but that it may come abroad. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.