Saint Mark's Day.

The Collect.

O ALMIGHTY God, who hast instructed thy holy Church with the heavenly doctrine of thy Evangelist Saint Mark; Give us grace that. being not like children carried away with every blast of vain doctrine, we may be established in the truth of thy holy Gospel; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle: Ephesians 4:7-16

The Gospel: St. John 15:1-11

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. (ESV)

The Gospel lesson for today could be listed under the category of "hard sayings of Jesus" that go against touchy-feely spirit of the age.  Our Lord instructs us to follow in His teaching, commandments, and love -- to abide in Him.  He also -- and here's the hard part -- warns that those who do not abide in Him will be thrown into the fire and burned.

How can we avoid this?  Only by God's grace, only by the power of the Holy Spirit as we are sanctified and die more and more unto sin and are conformed more and more to the image of Christ.  That's why the Collect for the day seeks God's grace to establish us in Christ.  In these days, when heresy is readily available, we need that grace more than ever.