Deacon:  Wisdom. Stand up. Hear the Holy Gospel.

Priest:    Peace to you all. 

People:   And to your spirit.

Deacon:   A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke [18:9-14]

People:  Glory to You Lord. Glory to You.

Priest:   Listen.

Deacon:

At that time, Jesus told this parable to some people who were full of pride about being virtuous themselves, and who despised everyone else.

‘Two men went up to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, the other was a tax collector.

‘The Pharisee stood there and said this prayer about himself, ‘I thank you God, that I am not money-minded, unjust, and adulterous like all other people, and especially that tax collector there. I fast twice a week and I pay tithes on all I receive.

‘The tax collector stood some distance back, not even daring to raise his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, “God, have mercy on me a sinner.”

‘I tell you, this man went home set right with God. The other did not.

‘For everyone who elevates himself will be put down, but the person who lowers himself will be raised up.’

People: Glory to You Lord, Glory to You.