ST. PAUL’S LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS 6:18-24

Brethren, pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.

To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that utterance may be given me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Now that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicos the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything.

I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.

Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love undying.

Amen.

LUKE 9:12-18

At that time, the twelve disciples came to Jesus and said to him, “Send the crowd away, to go into the villages and country round about, to lodge and get provisions; for we are here in a lonely place.”

But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.”

They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish — unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.” For there were about five thousand men.

And he said to his disciples, “Make them sit down in companies, about fifty each.”

And they did so, and made them all sit down.

And taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd.

And all ate and were satisfied.

And they took up what was left over, twelve baskets of broken pieces.

Now it happened that as he was praying alone the disciples were with him.