February 21 2021

First Reading

1 Timothy 5:5-10

Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in

supplications and prayers night and day. But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she

liveth. And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless. But if any provide

not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and

is worse than an infidel. Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore

years old, having been the wife of one man, Well reported of for good works; if she have

brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if

she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

Second Reading

James 5:13-20

Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick

among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him,

anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the

sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be

forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may

be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Elias was a

man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain:

and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he

prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. Brethren,

if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he which

converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall

hide a multitude of sins.

Gospel

Luke 2:22-34

And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were

accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; (As it is

written in the law of the LORD, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy

to the Lord;) And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the

Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. And, behold, there was a man in

Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for

the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto

him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's

Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the

child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms,

and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according

to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before

the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. And

Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall

and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;