Saturday in the Third Week of Lent
(Soul Saturday)

The Lesson of the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Hebrews.
Hebrews §325 (10:32-38a).
Brethren: Call to mind the former days, wherein, being illuminated, you endured a great fight of afflictions. And on the one hand indeed, by reproaches and tribulations, were made a gazingstock; and on the other, became companions of them that were used in such sort. For you both had compassion on them that were in bands, and took with joy the being stripped of your own goods, knowing that you have a better and a lasting substance. Do not therefore lose your confidence, which hath a great reward. For patience is necessary for you; that, doing the will of God, you may receive the promise. For yet a little and a very little while, and He that is to come, will come, and will not delay. But my just man liveth by faith.

I Corinthians §163 (15:47-57).
Brethren: The first man was of the earth, earthly: the second man, from heaven, heavenly. Such as is the earthly, such also are the earthly: and such as is the heavenly, such also are they that are heavenly. Therefore as we have borne the image of the earthly, let us bear also the image of the heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot possess the kingdom of God: neither shall corruption possess incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall all indeed rise again: but we shall not all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall rise again incorruptible: and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption; and this mortal must put on immortality. And when this mortal hath put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting? Now the sting of death is sin: and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who hath given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Lesson of the Holy Gospel according to Saint Mark.
Saint Mark §8 (2:14-17).
At that time: When Jesus was passing by, He saw Levi the son of Alpheus sitting at the receipt of custom; and He saith to him: Follow Me. And rising up, he followed Him. And it came to pass, that as He sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat down together with Jesus and His disciples. For they were many, who also followed Him. And the scribes and the Pharisees, seeing that He ate with publicans and sinners, said to His disciples: Why doth your master eat and drink with publicans and sinners? Jesus hearing this, saith to them: They that are well have no need of a physician, but they that are sick. For I came not to call the just, but sinners.

Saint John §16 (5:24-30).
The Lord said unto the Jews that came unto Him: Amen, amen I say unto you, that he who heareth My word, and believeth Him that sent Me, hath life everlasting; and cometh not into judgment, but is passed from death to life. Amen, amen I say unto you, that the hour cometh, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in Himself, so He hath given the Son also to have life in Himself: and He hath given Him power to do judgment, because He is the Son of man. Wonder not at this; for the hour cometh, wherein all that are in the graves shall hear the voice of the Son of God. And they that have done good things, shall come forth unto the resurrection of life; but they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment. I cannot of Myself do any thing. As I hear, so I judge: and My judgment is just; because I seek not My own will, but the will of Him that sent Me.