Thursday in Epiphany

FIRST READING

1 Samuel 3:1-9

Verse 1. And the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. Now in those days the word of the LORD was rare, and visions were scarce. Verse 2. And at that time Eli, whose eyesight had grown so dim that he could not see, was lying in his room. Verse 3. Before the lamp of God had gone out, Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was located. Verse 4. Then the LORD called to Samuel, and he answered, “Here I am.” Verse 5. He ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you have called me.” “I did not call,” Eli replied. “Go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. Verse 6. Once again the LORD called, “Samuel!” So Samuel got up, went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you have called me.” “My son, I did not call,” Eli replied. “Go back and lie down.” Verse 7. Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, because the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. Verse 8. Once again, for the third time, the LORD called to Samuel. He got up, went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you have called me.” Then Eli realized that it was the LORD who was calling the boy. Verse 9. “Go and lie down,” he said to Samuel, “and if He calls you, say, ‘Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

PSALM

Psalm 29

A Psalm of David. Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness.

The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders; the LORD is heard over many waters.

The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic.

The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD shatters the cedars of Lebanon.

He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox.

The voice of the LORD strikes with flames of fire.

The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; the LORD shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh.

The voice of the LORD twists the oaks and strips the forests bare. And in His temple all cry, “Glory!”

The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever.

The LORD gives His people strength; the LORD blesses His people with peace.

SECOND READING

Acts 9:1-9

Verse 1. Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord. He approached the high priest Verse 2. and requested letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women belonging to the Way, he could bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem. Verse 3. As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. Verse 4. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?” Verse 5. “Who are You, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” He replied. Verse 6. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” Verse 7. The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless. They heard the voice but did not see anyone. Verse 8. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could not see a thing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. Verse 9. For three days he was without sight, and he did not eat or drink anything.