Epistle Reading: Hebrews 1:1-12 (1st Saturday of lent)
IN MANY AND VARIOUS WAYS God spoke of old to our
fathers by the prophets; but in these last days he has spoken to us by
a Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he
created the world. He reflects the glory of God and bears the very
stamp of his nature, upholding the universe by his word of power. When
he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the
Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name
he has obtained is more excellent than theirs. For to what angel did
God ever say, "Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee"? Or again,
"I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son"? And again,
when he brings the first-born into the world, he says, "Let all God's
angels worship him." Of the angels he says, "Who makes his angels
winds, and his servants flames of fire." But of the Son he says, "Thy
throne, O God, is for ever and ever, the righteous scepter is the
scepter of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness and hated
lawlessness; therefore God, thy God, has anointed thee with the oil of
gladness beyond thy comrades." And, "Thou, Lord, didst found the earth
in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of thy hands; they will
perish, but thou remainest; they will all grow old like a garment, like
a mantle thou wilt roll them up, and they will be changed. But thou art
the same, and thy years will never end."
