January 3 2021
First Reading
Hebrews 13: 16-25
But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well
pleased. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch
for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with
grief: for that is unprofitable for you. Pray for us: for we trust we have a good
conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. But I beseech you the rather to do this,
that I may be restored to you the sooner. Now the God of peace, that brought again
from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of
the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in
you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory
forever and ever. Amen. And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for
I have written a letter unto you in few words. Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at
liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you. Salute all them that have the rule
over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you. Grace be with you all. Amen.
Second Reading
1 Peter 2: 21-25
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an
example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his
mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened
not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our
sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto
righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but
are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
Gospel
John 10: 1-21
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but
climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by
the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear
his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he
putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they
know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know
not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not
what things they were which he spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them
again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before
me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if
any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief
cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have
life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good
shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd,
whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth:
and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is
an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep,
and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay
down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also
I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one
shepherd. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might
take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay
it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my
Father. There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings. And
many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him? Others said, These are
not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?