6th Week after Holy Cross

Wednesday of the Seventh Week of the Cross

First Letter to the Corinthians 7,1-3.8-14.17.24.
Concerning the matters about which you wrote: ‘It is well for a man not to touch a woman.’
But because of cases of sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.
The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband.
To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is well for them to remain unmarried as I am.
But if they are not practising self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to be aflame with passion.
To the married I give this command not I but the Lord that the wife should not separate from her husband
(but if she does separate, let her remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband should not divorce his wife.
To the rest I say I and not the Lord that if any believer has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her.
And if any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him.
For the unbelieving husband is made holy through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy through her husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.
However that may be, let each of you lead the life that the Lord has assigned, to which God called you. This is my rule in all the churches.
In whatever condition you were called, brothers and sisters, there remain with God.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 13,18-23.

‘Hear then the parable of the sower.
When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path.
As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy;
yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away.
As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing.
But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.’

Paul challenges people to protect themselves and to be obedient to the call of the Lord. They seem at first to be contradictory challenges, “stay where you are and seek safety.” These challenges are like to challenge of growing a seed, roots and leaves must grow. In those areas where we are glorifying God do not seek change, in those areas where we are not glorifying God flee to safety.

O God,
you are before all ages and exist from age to age;
you are resplendent and glorified in unsearchable light;
through your word, you bring forth light and give us a new day.
O radiant Day and source of light,
we glorify you, adore you and offer you praise night and day; accept our praise and answer our prayer.
Send us your abundant blessings, through the mercy of your
Christ.
To him, with you and the Holy Spirit,
be glory, honor and power,
now and forever.
Amen