Saturday in Epiphany

FIRST READING

Jeremiah 17:1-4

Verse 1. “The sin of Judah is written with an iron stylus, engraved with a diamond point on the tablets of their hearts and on the horns of their altars. Verse 2. Even their children remember their altars and Asherah poles by the green trees and on the high hills. Verse 3. O My mountain in the countryside, I will give over your wealth and all your treasures as plunder, because of the sin of your high places, within all your borders. Verse 4. And you yourself will relinquish the inheritance that I gave you. I will enslave you to your enemies in a land that you do not know, for you have kindled My anger; it will burn forever.”

PSALM

Psalm 1

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers.

But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does.

Not so the wicked! For they are like chaff driven off by the wind.

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

For the LORD guards the path of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

SECOND READING

Luke 11:24-28

Verse 24. When an unclean spirit comes out of a man, it passes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ Verse 25. On its return, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. Verse 26. Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and dwell there. And the final plight of that man is worse than the first.” Verse 27. As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said, “Blessed is the womb that bore You, and blessed are the breasts that nursed You!” Verse 28. But He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”