December 13 2020

First Reading

1 Corinthians 15:12-32

Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that

there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is

Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is

also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of

God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For

if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is

vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is

Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept. For since by

man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die,

even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the first

fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall

have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down

all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under

his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under

his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted,

which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then

shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God

may be all in all. Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise

not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead? And why stand we in jeopardy every

hour? I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our LORD, I die daily. If

after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me,

if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we die.

Second Reading

2 Peter 3:1-10

his second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure

minds by way of remembrance: That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken

before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord

and Saviour: Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking

after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the

fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old,

and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then

was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are

now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment

and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one

day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is

not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to

us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But

the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass

away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also

and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Gospel

Luke 12:32-40

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell

that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the

heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For

where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 35 Let your loins be girded about,

and your lights burning; And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when

he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open

unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall

find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit

down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second

watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. And this

know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he

would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye

therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.