#again another creation to credit to Leah's beautiful mind

[crowley1990]

You betcha. [more]

[brideofedoras]

Myne Owne Hertis Rote

Disclaimer: I do not own LOTR, Eomer, or any of Tolkien’s characters or settings.  (Although I do wish Eomer were mine!)  I only own my OCs.

Mood board is my creation, but the images were found on Google.  Credit to the artists.

Word count: 3000+

Rating: teen (for now, rating will go up in later chapters)

Warnings: physical abuse, lashing, beating, animal abuse, blood, some cursing

Spring 3017 (Third Age)                                                                              

Rohan

Éomer led his exhausted Eored along the familiar path to Edoras.  They had been away a fortnight, patrolling the East-mark, fighting small skirmishes with a few orcs here and there.  

He hoped all was well in Edoras.  He missed his sister dearly, his uncle, Theoden King of Rohan.  If he were being honest with himself, which he was not, he would admit he missed his bed, he missed a good, hot meal, and he missed being clean.  Even though he had scrubbed himself clean of the orc blood and entrails, he could still feel the oozing filth on his skin and in his hair. He could still smell the foul stench in his clothes and his armor despite rinsing everything out in a stream three days ago.  It was all a trick of the mind, he knew, but still he shuddered.

Alldred drew his horse abreast with Firefoot, Éomer’s dark grey dappled steed.  “I speak for all the riders, my Lord,” he smiled tiredly.  “We desire to set foot in Edoras this evening but our horses need a rest.”

Éomer smiled back.  “Indeed,” he agreed, leaning to stroke Firefoot’s neck.  “I shall ride ahead to scout a place to rest.”

Alldred nodded, and fell back to relay word of a rest, and Éomer nudged his horse to a lope.

His thoughts turned to home once more.  The riders were half a day’s ride from Edoras, they could easily make it home, if they wished to awaken their wives and children or their parents and siblings upon their late arrival.  In his case, his uncle and sister, and any guest who may be staying in the Golden Hall.  It was already nearing midday, judging by the position of the sun in the sky.  

We will decide when we stop, he thought, his dark hazel eyes scanning the horizon ahead. The Snowbourn River was less than an hour’s ride ahead with a small clearing up a hill from the ford.  The woods surrounding the river offered shade and fruit, the nearby leah a good spot to hunt for rabbit and deer.  Yes, he thought.  Perhaps we shall break for nooning and hunt for fresh food.  He smiled tiredly at the thought.  With warm food in our bellies, we may decide to rest longer for the sake of our horses.

Firefoot tossed his head as if in agreement, causing the third marshal of the Riddermark to chuckle.  “I long to be home,” he stated softly.  “As you long to be in your stall, but we both need a rest.”  He shook his head.  “Let us seek out our nooning place, shall we?”

As they neared the Snowbourn, Firefoot snorted in warning.  Éomer tensed up, reaching for his sword.  Then he heard it: a high-pitched yelp of an animal in pain, and the undeniable cry of a human.  He drew his sword when he heard the thwacks and thumps, followed by another cry of pain.

“Leave him be!” he heard a young woman’s voice cry out, followed by a scream of pain following a thwacking sound.  

Éomer kicked his heels into Firefoot’s sides, clutching his sword as they rushed toward the sound.  They rounded the curve in the path, drawing up short when he found two young men lashing out with a leather crop and a sizable stick, both looming over a young woman who was cowering—no, not cowering, folding herself over something.

“What are you doing?” Éomer shouted, sheathing his sword and jumping down from Firefoot.  The young men had no chance to move away from the girl before he grabbed them by their collars and shook them violently, jerking them away from her. Despite the rage filling him, he recognized the boys.  “Theolaf, Eosolaf,” he looked at them in disgust.  Two young men who had been kicked out of training for the eored when they were fifteen years old for being overly aggressive and bringing physical harm to the other boys.  “We will discuss the consequences of your actions in Edoras,” he growled at them.  “Do not ever let me catch you lashing anyone or anything ever again,” he shoved them away. “Get out of my sight before I bring down punishment upon you without the king’s say!”

The boys fell, sprawling out onto the ground before scrambling to their feet and running off.  Éomer glared after them before turning to the girl sobbing on the ground.  His heart wrenched painfully in his chest when he realized who he had rescued.  

She had sat up during his dealings with the boys (for they were not men; no man dared to treat a woman with such malice). He could see the creature she had protected, now carefully embraced on her lap.  Her face was resting against the wolf pup’s forehead as she brokenly whispered to it.  “You are safe, you will live, I will not ever let anything happen to you while you are by my side.”

Her hair, a deep shade of dark chestnut, was full of tangles and snarls and broken pieces of the stick used on her.  A gash ran across her cheek, blood dripping down her jaw and neck with an angry red welt forming around it, another bruising gash on her forearm, the ivory-hued trumpet sleeve of her dress ripped from her shoulder to her wrist.  Blood oozed from her arm down to her fingers clutched in the young wolf’s fur.  He knew her back was covered in gashes, an unknown number.  Her dress was torn and bloody, ruined beyond any repair Maewyn would be able to do.  

The pup, he noted, was shaking, whimpering, whining, cowering in her arms, a bleeding wound on his hip.

Before Éomer could take a step closer, the young woman collapsed, passing out cold.

He moved quickly, dropping to his knees beside her and moving her carefully so he could put his ear to her chest.  Her heart was a little erratic, her breathing hitched.

“Rochiriel,” he whispered, his voice thick with worry as he reached up to brush her hair from her face.  He whistled sharply and Firefoot snorted in reply before trotting to him.

Éomer eased Rochiriel onto the ground, grimacing at the thought of her beaten back touching the dirt and grass.  He stood, grabbing his bedroll and saddlebags from the saddle before making quick work of spreading out the blankets and organizing what he needed to clean and treat her wounds.  With great care he lifted the girl onto the blankets, cradling one arm around her shoulders to hold her up as he loosened the thin leather cord cinching the ruined bodice of her dress together.  He kept his eyes trained on her face as he worked the bodice loose and off her arms, pushing it to her waist before he laid her down on her stomach.

Eight lashes covered her back, one so deep he could see muscle.  Torn muscle. His jaw ticked as he yanked clean bandages out of his bag, unsheathing his knife to slice a couple of strips into smaller pieces.  He soaked one piece with water from his canteen and set to work cleaning the wounds and washing away the blood.  He grabbed the jar of salve he had procured from one of the healers in Aldburg the last time he had stayed at his home in the East Mark.  He was thankful Rochiriel had passed out, the salve was going to burn on the deeper gashes.

He treated the smaller wounds first on her arm and her cheek before tending the eight on her back.  The deepest one bothered him the most with that lacerated muscle.  He prayed his Eored would arrive soon, he would need Alldred to stitch her wounds.

Éomer wrapped the gash on Rochiriel’s arm and wrapped the wounds on her back the best he could.  He frowned at the bodice of her dress, grabbing his knife and carefully cutting it free from the skirt.  He grabbed his spare tunic from his bag and carefully put it on Rochiriel before he eased her onto her stomach on the bedroll.

He looked down at the little pup, holding his hand out to let it sniff at him.  “I need to treat you,” he whispered, and gently lifted the small wolf into his arms.  He talked to the pup the entire time he cleaned and treated the wound, gently petting him and crooning to him to calm him down each time he yelped in pain. “Shh, Faelan, hush, little wolf,” he whispered, settling the pup next to Rochiriel’s side, stroking the soft, thick fur. Eventually, the pup stopped crying and shaking and drifted off to sleep.

He moved to wipe at his forehead only to stop short when he saw the blood on his hands.  Rochiriel’s blood.

Sweet, beautiful Rochiriel.

The anger flared up once more as he pushed to his feet and snagged the canteen.  What is she doing this far from Edoras? It is far too dangerous for a woman, anyone, to be alone away from home.  He stalked down the hill toward the river, making quick work of scrubbing his hands and his armor of the blood.  I did not see Brecc anywhere in sight…  Where is her horse?  She could not have walked this far on foot, we are half a day’s ride from Edoras.

He refilled his canteen, his hazel eyes scanning the area for any signs of Rochiriel’s horse.  With a scowl he stood and stalked back up the hill.  

Éomer untied his cloak from the front of his saddle, shaking it loose from the roll before he carefully draped it over Rochiriel. He reached down to uncover the pup, his heart squeezing painfully as he watched the girl and the wolf cub sleep. What happened, Rochiriel?  What would send you so far from home alone, only to be beaten?  

Theolaf and Eosolaf did not lure Rochiriel far from the safety of Edoras, that much he knew.  She disliked the boys, she had told his sister in confidence one day a few years before as they sat on the parapet watching the daily activity of their capital city.  He had overheard her concern when he had walked out of the Golden Hall on his way to the stables to saddle up Firefoot.  She had called them bullies, mean-spirited boys who would never be treated or respected as men.  “I know Éomer is training them for the eored,” she had said.  “I just pray he sees what bullies they are.  I know he will not stand to have anyone with such a mean spirit riding under his command.”  She had turned her head to look at her friend, suddenly smiling.  That smile would someday bring one lucky man to his knees he recalled thinking.  “I would be better-suited for the eored, as would you.  We are both better horsemen than those two will ever be.”

“Be that as it may,” his voice was low and laced with a humor. He smiled apologetically when both young women startled, Rochiriel yelping and blushing a lovely shade of pink.  “I would not be comfortable with my two favorite ladies riding under my command, or any marshal’s command,” he had walked over to kneel behind them.  “It is far too dangerous, not from the enemy, not from the dangers of the land.”  His smile faded.  “I would never forgive myself if anything were to happen to either of you.”

“It would not be any more dangerous for us than it would be here in Edoras,” Éowyn had pointed out quietly.  Éomer’s words had bothered her, he knew.  His sister wanted to be treated as an equal, she wanted to protect Rohan. She was skilled with blade and shield, she was skilled in the saddle.  He would be proud to fight alongside his sister if it weren’t for the crippling fear he had of losing her.  They had already lost their parents, he could not afford to lose anyone else he loved.

Éowyn’s words echoed in his head, and his jaw clenched, recalling how Éowyn had cast a quick glance over his shoulder to the doors of the Golden Hall behind them, how Rochiriel had stiffened and looked away. Wormtongue.

What has that snake done now?  He wondered, frowning, as he pushed to stand up.  He walked over to Firefoot and stroked the dappled grey’s neck before making fast work of unsaddling his mount.  But why alone?  Éowyn would not have let Rochiriel ride off by herself.  She loves her like a sister.  

He was jerked from his thoughts when Firefoot whinnied a greeting, answered by a few different neighs in the near distance. Relief flowed through him, his eored had arrived.

Alldred was the first to approach, frowning down at the girl on the marshal’s bedroll.  “Is that… Braedon’s daughter?”

Éomer nodded, jaw tight.  “Aye, tis Rochiriel,” he looked down at the girl.

“Bema!”  He swore quietly.  “What happened?”

“Two of the young… men…” his voice dripping with scorn as he said ‘men’, “Theolaf and Eosolaf were beating her when I arrived.   Rochiriel fainted before I could ask her questions.  I believe she was protecting this wolf pup from them, but I do not know why she is this far from home, and her horse is nowhere to be seen,” Éomer answered quietly as the other man turned back to his horse. “She is badly injured, one of the wounds on her back is deep, her muscle has been lacerated.”

Alldred returned with his saddlebags and the supplies he carried to tend to the injured.

Several of the men started to say something about the wolf pup but fell quiet when Éomer gave them a sharp look.  “The pup stays with her,” his tone brooked no argument. “She risked her life to save him, and he will not survive on his own even if his mother finds him.”  He sighed heavily.  “I fear we will need to make camp, Rochiriel will be unable to travel tonight,” Éomer kneeled beside the unconscious girl.  “Those of you who desire to return to Edoras tonight, I will not hold you back.”

“We’ve already decided, we need reprieve from the saddle,” Alldred kneeled on the other side of Rochiriel.  “And we hunger for fresh food.  We intend to make camp wherever you decide.”  He started removing his protective armor, needing to be free from the heavy leather and chainmail.  

“This clearing is as good a camp as any,” Éomer lifted his cloak from Rochiriel.  “I need someone to gather firewood and start a fire, someone to hunt fresh meat, someone to forage for fruit in the forest.”  He looked around at some of the men standing around, nodding his appreciation when they stated what they would do, before turning his attention back to Rochiriel.  

He shifted his stance, placing himself between the girl and the rest of his men before he carefully pulled the shirt up to expose her back and the rough field dressing he had performed.  

Alldred raised a brow at the hack job on Rochiriel’s dress.  “What did you do with the bodice?”

“I intend to burn it,” Éomer answered, “along with the linens I used to clean the wounds.  I do not want blood-soaked cloth around to draw in the predators.”

Alldred nodded.  “Shame we do not have a tent,” he mentioned quietly as he carefully cut away the bandages wrapped around Rochiriel’s torso.  

Éomer huffed in agreement, gently lifting Rochiriel so Alldred could remove the blood-soaked bandages.  He looked over his shoulder, watching his men tend the horses and bring rocks and firewood to build a few campfires.  None were paying attention to the girl.

Alldred let out a low whistle as he counted the gashes on Rochiriel’s back.  

“She has one on her arm, and one on her cheek, as well,” Éomer growled.  “I’ve half a mind to kill them for what they’ve done.”

Alldred nodded, his jaw set as he carefully poked at the wounds. “She is going to be in great pain, Éomer.  Do we have enough mead among us?”

“I have a full skin,” Éomer nodded.  Mead was one of the provisions each man packed, for medicinal purposes they claimed.  They rarely imbibed while away from home on patrol unless they were wounded or cold and needed to numb the pain or warm up from the inside.  

“As do I,” the other man smiled grimly. “These are all deep, I will stitch them up.  This one,” he grimaced when Rochiriel made a pained sound as he cleaned out the deepest wound Éomer had pointed out, “I will need to stitch the muscle and the flesh.” He spared a glance at the wolf pup. “I will need to stitch the pup’s skin, as well.”

Éomer nodded.  “What do I need to do?”

Alldred set to work stitching the gashes while Éomer held Rochiriel down.  She had regained consciousness for a few moments, awakened by the sharp pain of the needle piercing muscle before passing out once more to their relief. By the time the men who headed out to hunt and forage returned, Alldred was stitching up the fifth laceration.

“Lord Éomer,” Godwine walked over, immediately turning his back upon getting an eyeful of the gashes and a needle being pushed through flesh.  He made a gagging sound.  “I am sorry, I cannot bear to see… that…” he motioned behind him.  

“What is it, Godwine,” Éomer glanced up at the man. Any other time he would have teased Godwine for gagging, he knew the man had a weak stomach when it came to cleaning and patching up wounds.  Being that Rochiriel was the one being stitched up, his good-natured ribbing was absent.

“Graehame and I found four wolf pups, beaten and lashed. They were dead, my lord,” Godwine’s voice was strained.  “What should we do with the carcasses?”

Éomer’s eyes slid shut, pain gripping his heart. He hoped that Rochiriel had not found the other pups, it would break her heart.  She had a gift when it came to animals, a gentle spirit that calmed even the wildest beast and was often sought after to soothe birthing mares and injured or frightened horses.  He looked at Godwine.  “We cannot leave them,” he sighed heavily.  “They will only draw the predators.  We’ll have to burn the carcasses.”  His eyes flickered to Faran when he ran toward them.  His brow furrowed at the grey pallor on the young man’s face.  “Faran?”

“She-wolf, Lord Éomer,” Faran sucked in a breath, letting it out shakily.  “Bloody mess. Looked like she had been stabbed to death.”

Alldred muttered out a few curses.

Éomer clenched his jaw.  “Those bastards…” he growled.  “Build a fire downwind, away from camp and burn the carcasses of the she-wolf and her pups.”  He turned his attention to the little pup still passed out by Rochiriel.  “Faelan needs a mother now.”

Alldred’s brown eyes snapped up to Éomer’s.  “You named the pup?”

Éomer scowled as he nodded.  “I do not look forward to telling Rochiriel about the wolves,” he muttered, pulling the shirt higher up on her back as Alldred turned his attention back to stitching her up.  It took every ounce of internal strength he possessed to keep his growing anger, his temper, in check.  It would do Rochiriel no good if he exploded into a fit of rage.

He feared he would cause more pain for his beloved friend.

[dailybiblelessons]

The Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Revised Common Lectionary Proper 12 Roman Catholic Proper 17

Complementary Hebrew Scripture Lesson from the Former Prophets: 1 Kings 3:5-12

There is a parallel passage at 2 Chronicles 1:7-12.

At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask what I should give you.” And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant my father David, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you; and you have kept for him this great and steadfast love, and have given him a son to sit on his throne today. And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, although I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people, so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?”

It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches, or for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, I now do according to your word. Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you and no one like you shall arise after you.”

Semi-continuous Hebrew Scripture from the Torah: Genesis 29:15-28

Then Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my kinsman, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what shall your wages be?” Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah's eyes were lovely, and Rachel was graceful and beautiful. Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.” Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to any other man; stay with me.” So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her.

Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife that I may go in to her, for my time is completed.” So Laban gathered together all the people of the place, and made a feast. But in the evening he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob; and he went in to her. (Laban gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah to be her maid.) When morning came, it was Leah! And Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?” Laban said, “This is not done in our country—giving the younger before the firstborn. Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me another seven years.” Jacob did so, and completed her week; then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as a wife.

Complementary Psalm 119:129-136

Your decrees are wonderful;  therefore my soul keeps them. The unfolding of your words gives light;  it imparts understanding to the simple. With open mouth I pant,  because I long for your commandments. Turn to me and be gracious to me,  as is your custom toward those who love your name. Keep my steps steady according to your promise,  and never let iniquity have dominion over me. Redeem me from human oppression,  that I may keep your precepts. Make your face shine upon your servant,  and teach me your statutes. My eyes shed streams of tears  because your law is not kept.

Semi-continuous Psalm 105:1-11, 45b

O give thanks to the Lord, call on his name,  make known his deeds among the peoples. Sing to him, sing praises to him;  tell of all his wonderful works. Glory in his holy name;  let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Seek the Lord and his strength;  seek his presence continually. Remember the wonderful works he has done,  his miracles, and the judgments he uttered, O offspring of his servant Abraham,  children of Jacob, his chosen ones.

He is the Lord our God;  his judgments are in all the earth. He is mindful of his covenant forever,  of the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations, the covenant that he made with Abraham,  his sworn promise to Isaac, which he to Jacob as a statute,  to Israel as an everlasting covenant, saying,“To you I will give the land of Canaan  as your portion for an inheritance.”

Praise the Lord!

New Testament Epistle Lesson: Romans 8:26-39

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.

What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all day long;  we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.”¹

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

¹Psalm 44:22

New Testament Gospel Lesson: Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

The parables of the mustard seed and of the yeast are also told at Mark 4:30-32 and at Luke 13:18-21.

He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”

He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.”

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

“Have you understood all this?” They answered, “Yes.” And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”

Year A Ordinary 17, RCL Proper 12, Catholic Proper 17 Sunday

Selections are from Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings copyright © 1995 by the Consultation on Common Texts. Unless otherwise indicated, Bible text is from New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV) copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Image Credit: The Kingdom of Heaven by Paula Nash Giltner, via Free Bible Images. This image is used under the Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 4.0 international license.

[dailybiblelessons]

The Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Revised Common Lectionary Proper 12 Roman Catholic Proper 17

Complementary Hebrew Scripture: 1 Kings 3:5-12

At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask what I should give you.” And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant my father David, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you; and you have kept for him this great and steadfast love, and have given him a son to sit on his throne today. And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, although I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people, so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?” It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches, or for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, I now do according to your word. Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you and no one like you shall arise after you.”

Semi-continuous Hebrew Scripture: Genesis 29:15-28

Then Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my kinsman, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what shall your wages be?” Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah's eyes were lovely, and Rachel was graceful and beautiful. Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.” Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to any other man; stay with me.” So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her.

Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife that I may go in to her, for my time is completed.” So Laban gathered together all the people of the place, and made a feast. But in the evening he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob; and he went in to her. (Laban gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah to be her maid.) When morning came, it was Leah! And Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?” Laban said, “This is not done in our country—giving the younger before the firstborn. Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me another seven years.” Jacob did so, and completed her week; then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as a wife.

Complementary Psalm 119:129-136

Your decrees are wonderful;  therefore my soul keeps them. The unfolding of your words gives light;  it imparts understanding to the simple. With open mouth I pant,  because I long for your commandments. Turn to me and be gracious to me,  as is your custom toward those who love your name. Keep my steps steady according to your promise,  and never let iniquity have dominion over me. Redeem me from human oppression,  that I may keep your precepts. Make your face shine upon your servant,  and teach me your statutes. My eyes shed streams of tears  because your law is not kept.

Semi-continuous Psalm 105:1-11, 45b

O give thanks to the Lord,  call on his name,  make known his deeds among the peoples.

Sing to him, sing praises to him;  tell of all his wonderful works.

Glory in his holy name;  let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.

Seek the Lord and his strength;  seek his presence continually.

Remember the wonderful works he has done,  his miracles, and the judgments he uttered,  O offspring of his servant Abraham,  children of Jacob, his chosen ones.

He is the Lord our God;  his judgments are in all the earth.

He is mindful of his covenant forever,  of the word that he commanded,  for a thousand generations,  the covenant that he made with Abraham,  his sworn promise to Isaac,  which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute,  to Israel as an everlasting covenant, saying,  “To you I will give the land of Canaan   as your portion for an inheritance.”

Praise the Lord!

New Testament Epistle Lesson: Romans 8:26-39

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.

What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written,

“For your sake  we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep   to be slaughtered.”¹

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

¹Psalm 44:22

New Testament Gospel Lesson: Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”

He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.”

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

“Have you understood all this?” They answered, “Yes.” And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”

Year A Ordinary 17, RCL Proper 12, Catholic Proper 17 Sunday

Bible verses from The New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All right reserved. Selections from Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright 1985 by the Consultation on Common Texts. Image Credit: The Kingdom of Heaven by Paula Nash Giltner, via Free Bible Images. This image is used under the Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 4.0 international license.