Wednesday of the 21st week after Pentecost

Brethren, Christ is the head of the body, the Church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He may be preeminent… For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the Blood of His Cross. And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and irreproachable in His sight: if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the Gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.

Brethren, He who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully. So let each man give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, have an abundance for every good work. As it is written: “He hath dispersed abroad, He hath given to the poor; His righteousness remains forever.” Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, being enriched in everything to all bountifulness, which causes through us thanksgiving to God.