Third Sunday after the Epiphany

FIRST READING

Jonah 3:1-5, 10

Verse 1. Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: Verse 2. “Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message that I give you.” Verse 3. This time Jonah got up and went to Nineveh, in accordance with the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, requiring a three-day journey. Verse 4. On the first day of his journey, Jonah set out into the city and proclaimed, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned!” Verse 5. And the Ninevites believed God. They proclaimed a fast and dressed in sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least. Verse 10. When God saw their actions— that they had turned from their evil ways— He relented from the disaster He had threatened to bring upon them.

PSALM

Psalm 62:5-12

Rest in God alone, O my soul, for my hope comes from Him.

He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress; I will not be shaken.

My salvation and my honor rest on God, my strong rock; my refuge is in God.

Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge.

Lowborn men are but a vapor; the exalted are but a lie. Weighed on the scale, they go up; together they are but a vapor.

Place no trust in extortion or false hope in stolen goods. If your riches increase, do not set your heart upon them.

God has spoken once; I have heard this twice: that power belongs to God,

and loving devotion to You, O Lord. For You will repay each man according to his deeds.

SECOND READING

1 Corinthians 7:29-31

Verse 29. What I am saying, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; Verse 30. those who weep, as if they did not; those who are joyful, as if they were not; those who make a purchase, as if they had nothing; Verse 31. and those who use the things of this world, as if not dependent on them. For this world in its present form is passing away.

GOSPEL

Mark 1:14-20

Verse 14. After the arrest of John, Jesus went into Galilee and proclaimed the gospel of God. Verse 15. “The time is fulfilled,” He said, “and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in the gospel!” Verse 16. As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. Verse 17. “Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” Verse 18. And at once they left their nets and followed Him. Verse 19. Going on a little farther, He saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat, mending their nets. Verse 20. Immediately Jesus called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed Him.