Friday of the 3rd week of Ordinary Time

32But remember the former days, in which, after you were enlightened, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: 33partly, being exposed to both reproaches and oppressions, and partly, becoming partakers with those who were treated so. 34For you both had compassion on me in my chains and joyfully accepted the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and an enduring one in the heavens. 35Therefore don’t throw away your boldness, which has a great reward. 36For you need endurance so that, having done the will of God, you may receive the promise.

37“In a very little while,

he who comes will come and will not wait.

38But the righteous one will live by faith.

If he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”

39But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the saving of the soul.

3Trust in the LORD, and do good.

Dwell in the land, and enjoy safe pasture.

4Also delight yourself in the LORD,

and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5Commit your way to the LORD.

Trust also in him, and he will do this:

6he will make your righteousness shine out like light,

and your justice as the noon day sun.

…

23A man’s steps are established by the LORD.

He delights in his way.

24Though he stumble, he shall not fall,

for the LORD holds him up with his hand.

…

39But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD.

He is their stronghold in the time of trouble.

40The LORD helps them and rescues them.

He rescues them from the wicked and saves them,

because they have taken refuge in him.

26He said, “God’s Kingdom is as if a man should cast seed on the earth, 27and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should spring up and grow, though he doesn’t know how. 28For the earth bears fruit by itself: first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29But when the fruit is ripe, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.” 30He said, “How will we liken God’s Kingdom? Or with what parable will we illustrate it? 31It’s like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, though it is less than all the seeds that are on the earth, 32yet when it is sown, grows up and becomes greater than all the herbs, and puts out great branches, so that the birds of the sky can lodge under its shadow.” 33With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it. 34Without a parable he didn’t speak to them; but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.