#but the leaders of the people told them go and REJOICE!! and eat rich food and share and REJOICE!!!

[brown-little-robin]

Reading Nehemiah 8 (9-10), shocked and spiritually renewed in the club tonight!!!!

""Today is holy to the LORD your God. Do not be sad, and do not weep"—for all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law. He said further: "Go, eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks, and allot portions to those who had nothing prepared; for today is holy to our LORD. Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the LORD must be your strength!""

OR "“Go your way... and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”" depending on the translation. OKAY

[lifeofresulullah]

The Life of The Prophet Muhammad: The Battle of Tabuk and Afterwards

The Expedition of Tabuk: Part 2

Sacrifices of the Muslim Women

The sacrifices made by Muslim women were also commendable. Without any hesitation, they gave all of their jewels around their necks, hands, and ears to the Messenger of God for the war preparation of the army that would make jihad.

Umm Sinan of the tribe of Aslam says,

“I saw a cloth laid on the ground in front of the Messenger of God in the house of Aisha. There were ivory bracelets, arm-bands, rings, anklets, ear-rings, belts to tie the feet of camels and things that could be used in making preparations for the war sent by the women.”

Thanks to those contributions, many Muslims who had difficulty in taking part in the war due to famine, drought, and poverty were provided with weapons and equipment; thus, they got ready for the expedition.

Bakkaun(Criers)

There were so many people who wanted to take part in the war that even the financial help of the rich Companions was not enough to equip all of them. Those who did not have anything said to the Messenger of God that they would join the expedition voluntarily but they were not accepted because it was impossible to find camels for some, weapons for others and food for others.

There were seven people whose demands were rejected; they were known as “Bakkaun,”, that is, “Cryers”:

Salim b. Umayr, Amr b. Humam, Ulba b. Zayd, Irbaz b. Sa­riyya, Abu Layla Abdurrahman b. Ka’b, Abdullah b. Mughaffal and Harami b. Abdullah.

Those seven people went to the presence of the Prophet during the war preparations and said, “O Messenger of God! We want to join the expedition but we have no camels to ride and no food to eat on the way.”

The Messenger of God said, “There are no animals left to give you.” They started to cry and left.

God Almighty stated the following for those self-sacrificing Companions:

“Nor (is there blame) on those who came to thee to be provided with mount, and when thou saidst "I can find no mounts for you," they turned back, their eyes streaming with tears of grief that they had no resources wherewith to provide the expenses.”

The Companions who left the Prophet by shedding tears fearing that they would not be able to take part in the war were equipped by the rich Companions when this verse was sent down. According to a narration, Hazrat Uthman b. Affan equipped three, Hazrat Abbas, the uncle of the Prophet, equipped two and Yamin b. Umayr equipped two of those Companions for the war.

Munafiqs Become Active

Heat, famine, and drought were affecting people badly. It was the time when the fruits in the orchards ripened. It was the season when people desired to sit in the shade of the trees in their orchards and groves in order to be protected from the scorching sun. And at that time, the Islamic army was getting ready for a war against the Byzantine Empire, one of the biggest states of the world. How could the people who had love of the world, goods and property instead of the love of God in their hearts could take part in this war and put up with the hardships?

As a matter of fact, it was seen that the munafiqs, who were tied to the world with unbreakable connections and who preferred the life in the world to the life in the hereafter, started to stir up trouble. In order to cause mischief and dissuade the Muslims from taking part in the war, Abdullah b. Ubay, their leader, spoke as follows:  

“Does Muhammad think the Byzantine Empire is a toy? I can see him and his Companions as captives now.”

Some other munafiqs said, “Is it possible to fight when it is so hot?”

Upon those statements of the munafiqs, God Almighty sent down the following verse:

“Those who were left behind (in the Tabuk expedition) rejoiced in their inaction behind the back of the Messenger of God: they hated to strive and fight with their goods and their persons, in the Cause of God: they said "Go not forth in the heat. Say "The fire of Hell is fiercer in heat." If only they could understand!...’”

Some of them used their love of women as an excuse for not taking part in the war. Thereupon the following verse was sent down:

“Among them is (many) a man who says: "Grant me exemption and draw me not into trial." Have they not fallen into trial already? And indeed hell surrounds the Unbelievers (on all sides).”

Many more munafiqs asked the Prophet to be exempt from the war through various excuses. Thereupon, the Prophet gave permission to more than eighty munafiqs.

In fact, the excuses that they told the Prophet were false. They were not people that believed in God and His Messenger truly and heartily. God Almighty informed the Prophet about their state as follows:

“Only those ask thee for exemption who believe not in God and the Last Day and whose hearts are in doubt so that they are tossed in their doubts, to and fro.”

In the next verse, God consoled Muslims so that they would not lose hope by looking at those who did not want to take part in the war as follows: “If they had come out with you, they would not have added to your (strength) but only (made for) disorder, hurrying to and fro in your midst and sowing sedition among you…”

The fact that the group of munafiqs did not take part in the war based on lame excuses did not cause the mujahids who were heartily connected to God and His Messenger to hesitate before joining the army for jihad.

[inspiringminna-2583-blog]

Confidence forgiveness life bible verses

Confidence bible verses

John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." NIV

1 John 5:14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. NIV

Hebrews 10:19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus NIV

Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. NIV

Hebrews 13:17 Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. NIV

2 Corinthians 2:3 I wrote as I did, so that when I came I would not be distressed by those who should have made me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would all share my joy. NIV

Philemon 1:21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask. NIV

2 Thessalonians 3:4 We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. NIV

Jeremiah 17:7 "But blessed are those who trust in the LORD, whose confidence is in him." NIV

Hebrews 10:35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. NIV

Forgiveness bible verses

Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV

Acts 26:18 To open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.' NIV

Matthew 26:28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. NIV

Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. NIV

Life bible verses

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. NIV

Colossians 3:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. NIV

John 1:4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all people. NIV

Romans 6:4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. NIV

John 6:35 Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." NIV

Matthew 6:25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?" NIV

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. NIV

John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." NIV

John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. NIV

John 5:24 "Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life." NIV

John 11:25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even though they die;" NIV

[dailybiblelessons]

Saturday: Preparation for the Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Revised Common Lectionary Proper 20 Roman Catholic Proper 25

More information about the complementary and semi-continuous

series is here: Which Series?

Complementary Hebrew Scripture: Zephaniah 2:13-15

And he will stretch out his hand against the north,  and destroy Assyria; and he will make Nineveh a desolation,  a dry waste like the desert. Herds shall lie down in it,  every wild animal; the desert owl and the screech owl  shall lodge on its capitals;  the owl shall hoot at the window,  the raven croak on the threshold;  for its cedar work will be laid bare. Is this the exultant city  that lived secure, that said to itself,  “I am, and there is no one else”? What a desolation it has become,  a lair for wild animals! Everyone who passes by it  hisses and shakes the fist.

Semi-continuous Hebrew Scripture Torah Lesson: Exodus 16:22-30

On the sixth day they gathered twice as much food, two omers apiece. When all the leaders of the congregation came and told Moses, he said to them, “This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Tomorrow is a day of solemn rest, a holy sabbath to the Lord; bake what you want to bake and boil what you want to boil, and all that is left over put aside to be kept until morning.’” So they put it aside until morning, as Moses commanded them; and it did not become foul, and there were no worms in it. Moses said, “Eat it today, for today is a sabbath to the Lord; today you will not find it in the field. Six days you shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is a sabbath, there will be none.”

On the seventh day some of the people went out to gather, and they found none. The Lord said to Moses, “How long will you refuse to keep my commandments and instructions? See! The Lord has given you the sabbath, therefore on the sixth day he gives you food for two days; each of you stay where you are; do not leave your place on the seventh day.” So the people rested on the seventh day.

Complementary Psalm 145:1-8

I will extol you, my God and King,  and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you,  and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;  his greatness is unsearchable.

One generation shall laud your works to another,  and shall declare your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of your majesty,  and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. The might of your awesome deeds shall be proclaimed,  and I will declare your greatness. They shall celebrate the fame of your abundant goodness,  and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

The Lord is gracious and merciful,  slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

Semi-continuous Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45

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.¹

Then he brought Israel out with silver and gold,  and there was no one among their tribes who stumbled. Egypt was glad when they departed,  for dread of them had fallen upon it. He spread a cloud for a covering,  and fire to give light by night.

They asked, and he brought quails,  and gave them food from heaven in abundance. He opened the rock, and water gushed out;  it flowed through the desert like a river. For he remembered his holy promise,  and Abraham, his servant.

So he brought his people out with joy,  his chosen ones with singing. He gave them the lands of the nations,  and they took possession of the wealth of the peoples, that they might keep his statutes  and observe his laws. Praise the Lord!

¹Paul, in Romans 9:7, writes that the descendants of Isaac are the true children of Abraham. This is part of a passage on God's election of Israel.

New Testament Gospel Lesson: Matthew 19:23-30

There are parallel passages at Mark 10:23-31 and Luke 18:24-30.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astounded and said, “Then who can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.”

Then Peter said in reply, “Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.

Year A Ordinary 25, RCL Proper 20, Catholic Proper 25 Saturday

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: Needle and thread, a public domain image downloaded from Pixabay.

[lifeofresulullah]

The Life of The Prophet Muhammad: The Battle of Tabuk and Afterwards

The Expedition of Tabuk (Part.1)

(The month of Rajab, 9th year of the Migration / AD 630)

The 9th year of the Migration is the year when Islam spread in the Arabian Peninsula with all of its grandeur. On the one hand, people came to Madinah in large groups to become Muslims and to pay allegiance to the Messenger of God; on the other hand, he sent officials and governors to arrange the religious and administrative affairs of the tribes that became Muslims.

To sum up, Islam experienced its most magnificent and splendid period in the 9th year of the Migration.

However, there were some states that could not put up with the magnificence of this bright sun. One of them was the Byzantine Empire, which was one of the strongest states of that time. Heraclius was the Byzantine Emperor then. He was preparing a big army as a result of the provocations of the Christian Arabs living around in order to eliminate the religion of Islam and its followers. The tribes of Juzam, Lahm, Amila, Ghassan and others decided to join the army of Heraclius. They planned to attack Madinah like a flood and to destroy Muslims.

The Messenger of God was informed about the situation and started to make prepartions.

When the Prophet set off for an expedition, he did not use to tell people about his purpose; he used to act and talk as if he was going somewhere else.

This time, he did not do so. He told people about the distance of the place, he told the mujahids clearly that it was a period of famine and scarcity and that the number of the enemy was very big.

When the preparations for the war started in Madinah, the Prophet sent some Companions to the Muslim tribes around and asked them to send mujahids for the war.

The Help of the Rich

There was drought and famine everywhere. Most of the mujahids that would take part in the war had no money to buy weapons and to spend on war preparations.

The Messenger of God asked the rich Muslims to help for war preparations and equipment.

The rich Muslims answered this call immediately.

Hazrat Umar’s Help

Hazrat Umar was one of the first people to answer the call of the Messenger of God. He said to himself, “I will surpass Abu Bakr today.” He brought half of his property to the Prophet.

The Messenger of God asked, “O Umar! What did you leave to your family?”

He said, “As much as I brought to you.”

Hazrat Abu Bakr’s Help

Hazrat Abu Bakr brought all of his property, which amounted to four thousand dirhams[5]of silver to the Prophet.

Hazrat Umar wanted to find out what he brought.

The Prophet said, “O Abu Bakr! What did you leave to your family?”

He said, “I left God and His Messenger to them.”

Upon this sacrifice, Hazrat Umaru’l-Faruq started to cry and said, “May my mother and father be sacrificed for you, O Abu Bakr! You always surpass me in all of the races of goodness. I have now realized that I will never be able to surpass you.”

Hazrat Uthman’s Help

Hazrat Uthman, who was called Dhun-Nurayn (the Possessor of two Lights), had prepared a trade caravan to send to Damascus. When he heard the call of the Prophet, he gave up sending the caravan to Damascus and gave the three hundred camels with the goods on them to the Messenger of God. He also gave fifty horses and one thousand coins of gold.

Upon this sacrifice of Hazrat Uthman b. Affan, the Messenger of God said, “O God! I am pleased with Uthman; You be pleased with him, too.”

Abdurrahman b. Awf’s help

Abdurrahman b. Awf joined the help campaign of the Messenger of God with four thousand dirhams.

He said, “O Messenger of God! I am giving you four thousand dirhams; I have left four thousand for my family.”

The Messenger of God said, “May what you brought here and left for your family be abundant.”

Due to the effect of the prayer of the Messenger of God, when Abdurrahman b. Awf died, each one of his four wives received eighteen thousand mithqals of gold as inheritance.

Many Muslims did their best to join the help campaign. Some of them brought dates; some brought their camels for the service of the army. None of them avoided help; nobody paid attention to the size and amount of what they brought. Some brought a lot of things; others brought few things.  .

The Person who Brought One Sa’ of Dates

Abu Aqil came to the presence of the Messenger of God with one sa’ of dates in his hand.

He said, “O Messenger of God! I carried water all night in return for two sa’s of dates. I left one sa’ for my family and brought one sa’ to you in order to attain my Lord’s consent.”

The Messenger of God was affected by this incident and said, “May God make what you brought here and left for your family abundant.” He ordered the dates to be put into the dates of sadaqah.

Ulba b. Zayd, who was a very poor Muslim, wanted to join the help campaign but he had almost nothing to give. He prayed God: “O God! You ordered us to make jihad. However, you did not give me an animal to make jihad on.” Then, he brought some things that he used at home to the Messenger of God.

He said, “O Messenger of God! I have nothing that I can give as sadaqah. I am giving the things that I am using. If anyone distresses me, says bad things about me or says, ‘Can this thing be given as sadaqah?’, I will forgive him.”

The Prophet said, “May God accept your sadaqah.”

The following day, the Prophet asked his Companions, “Where is the person who gave sadaqah last night?”

Nobody moved.

This time, the Prophet said, “Let the person who gave sadaqah last night stand up.”

Ulba stood up.

The Messenger of God said, “I accepted your sadaqah. Good news for you! I swear by God, in whose hand is the existence of Muhammad that you were recorded in the registry of those whose sadaqahs were accepted.”

Ulba became very glad when he heard this.

Sacrifices of the Muslim Women

The sacrifices made by the Muslim women were also commendable. Without any hesitation, they gave all of their jewels around their necks, hands and ears to the Messenger of God for the war preparation of the army that would make jihad.

Umm Sinan of the tribe of Aslam says,

“I saw a cloth laid on the ground in front of the Messenger of God in the house of Aisha. There were ivory bracelets, arm-bands, rings, anklets, ear-rings, belts to tie the feet of camels and things that could be used in making preparations for the war sent by the women.”

Thanks to those contributions, many Muslims who had difficulty in taking part in the war due to famine, drought and poverty were provided with weapons and equipment; thus, they got ready for the expedition.

Bakkaun(Criers)

There were so many people who wanted to take part in the war that even the financial help of the rich Companions were not enough to equip all of them. Those who did not have anything said to the Messenger of God that they would join the expedition voluntarily but they were not accepted because it was impossible to find camels for some, weapons for others and food for others.

There were seven people whose demands were rejected; they were known as “Bakkaun,”, that is, “Cryers”:

Salim b. Umayr, Amr b. Humam, Ulba b. Zayd, Irbaz b. Sa­riyya, Abu Layla Abdurrahman b. Ka’b, Abdullah b. Mughaffal and Harami b. Abdullah.

Those seven people went to the presence of the Prophet during the war preparations and said, “O Messenger of God! We want to join the expedition but we have no camels to ride and no food to eat on the way.”

The Messenger of God said, “There are no animals left to give you.” They started to cry and left.

God Almighty stated the following for those self-sacrificing Companions:

“Nor (is there blame) on those who came to thee to be provided with mount, and when thou saidst "I can find no mounts for you," they turned back, their eyes streaming with tears of grief that they had no resources wherewith to provide the expenses.”

The Companions who left the Prophet by shedding tears fearing that they would not be able to take part in the war were equipped by the rich Companions when this verse was sent down. According to a narration, Hazrat Uthman b. Affan equipped three, Hazrat Abbas, the uncle of the Prophet, equipped two and Yamin b. Umayr equipped two of those Companions for the war.

Munafiqs Become Active

Heat, famine and drought were affecting people badly. It was the time when the fruits in the orchards ripened. It was the season when people desired to sit in the shade of the trees in their orchards and groves in order to be protected from the scorching sun. And at that time, the Islamic army was getting ready for a war against the Byzantine Empire, one of the biggest states of the world. How could the people who had love of the world, goods and property instead of love of God in their hearts could take part in this war and put up with the hardships?

As a matter of fact, it was seen that the munafiqs, who were tied to the world with unbreakable connections and who preferred the life in the world to the life in the hereafter, started to stir up trouble. In order to cause mischief and dissuade the Muslims from taking part in the war, Abdullah b. Ubay, their leader, spoke as follows:  

“Does Muhammad think the Byzantine Empire is a toy? I can see him and his Companions as captives now.”

Some other munafiqs said, “Is it possible to fight when it is so hot?”

Upon those statements of the munafiqs, God Almighty sent down the following verse:

“Those who were left behind (in the Tabuk expedition) rejoiced in their inaction behind the back of the Messenger of God: they hated to strive and fight with their goods and their persons, in the Cause of God: they said "Go not forth in the heat. Say "The fire of Hell is fiercer in heat." If only they could understand!...’”

Some of them used their love of women as an excuse for not taking part in the war. Thereupon the following verse was sent down:

“Among them is (many) a man who says: "Grant me exemption and draw me not into trial." Have they not fallen into trial already? And indeed hell surrounds the Unbelievers (on all sides).”

Many more munafiqs asked the Prophet to be exempt from the war through various excuses. Thereupon, the Prophet gave permission to more than eighty munafiqs.

In fact, the excuses that they told the Prophet were false. They were not people that believed in God and His Messenger truly and heartily. God Almighty informed the Prophet about their state as follows:

“Only those ask thee for exemption who believe not in God and the Last Day and whose hearts are in doubt so that they are tossed in their doubts, to and fro.”

In the next verse, God consoled Muslims so that they would not lose hope by looking at those who did not want to take part in the war as follows: “If they had come out with you, they would not have added to your (strength) but only (made for) disorder, hurrying to and fro in your midst and sowing sedition among you…”

The fact that the group of munafiqs did not take part in the war based on lame excuses did not cause the mujahids who were heartily connected to God and His Messenger to hesitate before joining the army for jihad.

[dailybiblelessons]

Easter Evening

Hebrew Scripture Lesson from the Latter Prophets: Isaiah 25:6-9

On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples  a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines,  of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear. And he will destroy on this mountain  the shroud that is cast over all peoples,  the sheet that is spread over all nations;  he will swallow up death forever.¹ Then the Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from all faces,²:  and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth,  for the Lord has spoken. It will be said on that day,  Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him,  so that he might save us.  This is the Lord for whom we have waited;  let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

¹This sentence is quoted in 1 Corinthians 15:54, affirming Christ's resurrection. We are assured in Revelation 7:13-17 that God will wipe away every tear of those who are saved.

Psalm 114

When Israel went out from Egypt,  the house of Jacob from a people of strange language, Judah became God's sanctuary,  Israel his dominion.

The sea looked and fled;  Jordan turned back. The mountains skipped like rams,  the hills like lambs.

Why is it, O sea, that you flee?  O Jordan, that you turn back? O mountains, that you skip like rams?  O hills, like lambs?

Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord,  at the presence of the God of Jacob, who turns the rock into a pool of water,  the flint into a spring of water.

New Testament Epistle Lesson: 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8

Do you not know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? Clean out the old yeast so that you may be a new batch, as you really are unleavened. For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. Therefore, let us celebrate the festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

New Testament Gospel Lesson: Luke 24:13-49

There is a parallel passage at Mark 16:12-13.

Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.” Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.

As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence.

Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Years ABC Easter Evening

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: Supper at Emmaus by Matthias Stom (at Museum of Grenoble), via Wikimedia Commons. This is a public domain image.

[dailyofficereadings]

Daily Office Readings August 28, 2019

Psalm 119:1-24

Psalm 119

The Glories of God’s Law

1 Happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord. 2 Happy are those who keep his decrees, who seek him with their whole heart, 3 who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways. 4 You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. 5 O that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! 6 Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. 7 I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous ordinances. 8 I will observe your statutes; do not utterly forsake me.

9 How can young people keep their way pure? By guarding it according to your word. 10 With my whole heart I seek you; do not let me stray from your commandments. 11 I treasure your word in my heart, so that I may not sin against you. 12 Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes. 13 With my lips I declare all the ordinances of your mouth. 14 I delight in the way of your decrees as much as in all riches. 15 I will meditate on your precepts, and fix my eyes on your ways. 16 I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.

17 Deal bountifully with your servant, so that I may live and observe your word. 18 Open my eyes, so that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. 19 I live as an alien in the land; do not hide your commandments from me. 20 My soul is consumed with longing for your ordinances at all times. 21 You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones, who wander from your commandments; 22 take away from me their scorn and contempt, for I have kept your decrees. 23 Even though princes sit plotting against me, your servant will meditate on your statutes. 24 Your decrees are my delight, they are my counselors.

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Psalm 12-14

Psalm 12

Plea for Help in Evil Times

To the leader: according to The Sheminith. A Psalm of David.

1 Help, O Lord, for there is no longer anyone who is godly; the faithful have disappeared from humankind. 2 They utter lies to each other; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.

3 May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts, 4 those who say, “With our tongues we will prevail; our lips are our own—who is our master?”

5 “Because the poor are despoiled, because the needy groan, I will now rise up,” says the Lord; “I will place them in the safety for which they long.” 6 The promises of the Lord are promises that are pure, silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.

7 You, O Lord, will protect us; you will guard us from this generation forever. 8 On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among humankind.

Psalm 13

Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies

To the leader. A Psalm of David.

1 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? 2 How long must I bear pain[a] in my soul, and have sorrow in my heart all day long? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

3 Consider and answer me, O Lord my God! Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death, 4 and my enemy will say, “I have prevailed”; my foes will rejoice because I am shaken.

5 But I trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. 6 I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.

Psalm 14

Denunciation of Godlessness

To the leader. Of David.

1 Fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is no one who does good.

2 The Lord looks down from heaven on humankind to see if there are any who are wise, who seek after God.

3 They have all gone astray, they are all alike perverse; there is no one who does good, no, not one.

4 Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon the Lord?

5 There they shall be in great terror, for God is with the company of the righteous. 6 You would confound the plans of the poor, but the Lord is their refuge.

7 O that deliverance for Israel would come from Zion! When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people, Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad.

Footnotes:

Psalm 13:2 Syr: Heb hold counsels

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

1 Kings 3:1-15

Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom

3 Solomon made a marriage alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt; he took Pharaoh’s daughter and brought her into the city of David, until he had finished building his own house and the house of the Lord and the wall around Jerusalem. 2 The people were sacrificing at the high places, however, because no house had yet been built for the name of the Lord.

3 Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of his father David; only, he sacrificed and offered incense at the high places. 4 The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the principal high place; Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask what I should give you.” 6 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. 7 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. 8 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. 9 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?”

10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. 11 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, 12 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. 13 I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor all your life; no other king shall compare with you. 14 If you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your life.”

15 Then Solomon awoke; it had been a dream. He came to Jerusalem where he stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. He offered up burnt offerings and offerings of well-being, and provided a feast for all his servants.

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Acts 27:9-26

9 Since much time had been lost and sailing was now dangerous, because even the Fast had already gone by, Paul advised them, 10 saying, “Sirs, I can see that the voyage will be with danger and much heavy loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” 11 But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said. 12 Since the harbor was not suitable for spending the winter, the majority was in favor of putting to sea from there, on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, where they could spend the winter. It was a harbor of Crete, facing southwest and northwest.

The Storm at Sea

13 When a moderate south wind began to blow, they thought they could achieve their purpose; so they weighed anchor and began to sail past Crete, close to the shore. 14 But soon a violent wind, called the northeaster, rushed down from Crete.[a] 15 Since the ship was caught and could not be turned head-on into the wind, we gave way to it and were driven. 16 By running under the lee of a small island called Cauda[b] we were scarcely able to get the ship’s boat under control. 17 After hoisting it up they took measures[c] to undergird the ship; then, fearing that they would run on the Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and so were driven. 18 We were being pounded by the storm so violently that on the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard, 19 and on the third day with their own hands they threw the ship’s tackle overboard. 20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.

21 Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul then stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and thereby avoided this damage and loss. 22 I urge you now to keep up your courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For last night there stood by me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, 24 and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before the emperor; and indeed, God has granted safety to all those who are sailing with you.’ 25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. 26 But we will have to run aground on some island.”

Footnotes:

Acts 27:14 Gk it

Acts 27:16 Other ancient authorities read Clauda

Acts 27:17 Gk helps

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Mark 14:1-11

The Plot to Kill Jesus

14 It was two days before the Passover and the festival of Unleavened Bread. The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to arrest Jesus[a] by stealth and kill him; 2 for they said, “Not during the festival, or there may be a riot among the people.”

The Anointing at Bethany

3 While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper,[b] as he sat at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard, and she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head. 4 But some were there who said to one another in anger, “Why was the ointment wasted in this way? 5 For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii,[c] and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her. 6 But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for me. 7 For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me. 8 She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial. 9 Truly I tell you, wherever the good news[d] is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.”

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus

10 Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. 11 When they heard it, they were greatly pleased, and promised to give him money. So he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.

Footnotes:

Mark 14:1 Gk him

Mark 14:3 The terms leper and leprosy can refer to several diseases

Mark 14:5 The denarius was the usual day’s wage for a laborer

Mark 14:9 Or gospel

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

[dailybiblelessons]

Easter Evening

Hebrew Scripture Lesson from the Latter Prophets: Isaiah 25:6-9

On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples  a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines,  of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear. And he will destroy on this mountain  the shroud that is cast over all peoples,  the sheet that is spread over all nations;  he will swallow up death forever. Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces,  and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth,  for the Lord has spoken.¹ It will be said on that day,  Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us. This is the Lord for whom we have waited;  let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

¹Paul refers to this verse in writing to the Corinthians affirming the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:12-18). We are assured in Revelation 7:13-17 that God will wipe away every tear of those who are saved.

Psalm 114

When Israel went out from Egypt,  the house of Jacob from a people of strange language, Judah became God's sanctuary,  Israel his dominion.

The sea looked and fled;  Jordan turned back. The mountains skipped like rams,  the hills like lambs.

Why is it, O sea, that you flee?  O Jordan, that you turn back? O mountains, that you skip like rams?  O hills, like lambs?

Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord,  at the presence of the God of Jacob, who turns the rock into a pool of water,  the flint into a spring of water.

New Testament Epistle Lesson: 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8

Do you not know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? Clean out the old yeast so that you may be a new batch, as you really are unleavened. For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. Therefore, let us celebrate the festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

New Testament Gospel Lesson: Luke 24:13-49

Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.” Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.

As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence.

Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Years ABC Easter Evening

Selections from Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings copyright © 1995 by the Consultation on Common Texts. Unless otherwise indicated, Bible text is from Holy Bible New Revised Standard Version (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 right reserved. Image credit: Supper at Emmaus by Matthias Stom (at Museum of Grenoble), via Wikimedia Commons. This is a public domain image.

[dailybiblelessons]

Easter Evening

Easter Evening

Hebrew Scripture Lesson from the Latter Prophets: Isaiah 25:6-9

On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples  a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow,  of well-aged wines strained clear. And he will destroy on this mountain  the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations;  he will swallow up death forever. Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces,  and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth,  for the Lord has spoken. It will be said on that day,  Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us. This is the Lord for whom we have waited;  let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

Psalm 114

When Israel went out from Egypt,  the house of Jacob from a people of strange language, Judah became God's sanctuary,  Israel his dominion.

The sea looked and fled;  Jordan turned back. The mountains skipped like rams,  the hills like lambs.

Why is it, O sea, that you flee? O Jordan, that you turn back?  O mountains, that you skip like rams? O hills, like lambs?

Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord,  at the presence of the God of Jacob, who turns the rock into a pool of water,  the flint into a spring of water.

New Testament Epistle Lesson: 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8

Do you not know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? Clean out the old yeast so that you may be a new batch, as you really are unleavened. For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. Therefore, let us celebrate the festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

New Testament Gospel Lesson: Luke 24:13-49

Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.” Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.

As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence.

Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Years ABC Easter Evening

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 1995 by the Consultation on Common Texts. Image credit: Supper at Emmaus by Matthias Stom (at Museum of Grenoble), via Wikimedia Commons

[dailybiblelessons]

Saturday: Preparation for the Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Saturday: Preparation for the Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Revised Common Lectionary Proper 20 Roman Catholic Proper 25

Complementary Hebrew Scripture: Zephaniah 2:13-15

And he will stretch out his hand against the north,  and destroy Assyria;  and he will make Nineveh a desolation,  a dry waste like the desert. Herds shall lie down in it, every wild animal;  the desert owl and the screech owl  shall lodge on its capitals;  the owl shall hoot at the window,  the raven croak on the threshold;  for its cedar work will be laid bare. Is this the exultant city that lived secure,  that said to itself,  “I am, and there is no one else”? What a desolation it has become,  a lair for wild animals! Everyone who passes by it hisses and shakes the fist.

Semi-continuous Hebrew Scripture: Exodus 16:22-30

On the sixth day they gathered twice as much food, two omers apiece. When all the leaders of the congregation came and told Moses, he said to them, “This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Tomorrow is a day of solemn rest, a holy sabbath to the Lord; bake what you want to bake and boil what you want to boil, and all that is left over put aside to be kept until morning.’” So they put it aside until morning, as Moses commanded them; and it did not become foul, and there were no worms in it. Moses said, “Eat it today, for today is a sabbath to the Lord; today you will not find it in the field. Six days you shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is a sabbath, there will be none.” On the seventh day some of the people went out to gather, and they found none. The Lord said to Moses, “How long will you refuse to keep my commandments and instructions? See! The Lord has given you the sabbath, therefore on the sixth day he gives you food for two days; each of you stay where you are; do not leave your place on the seventh day.” So the people rested on the seventh day.

Complementary Psalm 145:1-8

I will extol you, my God and King,  and bless your name forever and ever.

Every day I will bless you,  and praise your name forever and ever.

Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;  his greatness is unsearchable.

One generation shall laud your works to another,  and shall declare your mighty acts.

On the glorious splendor of your majesty,  and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.

The might of your awesome deeds shall be proclaimed,  and I will declare your greatness.

They shall celebrate the fame of your abundant goodness,  and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

The Lord is gracious and merciful,  slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

Semi-continuous Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45

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.

Then he brought Israel out with silver and gold,  and there was no one  among their tribes who stumbled. Egypt was glad when they departed,  for dread of them had fallen upon it. He spread a cloud for a covering,  and fire to give light by night.

They asked, and he brought quails,  and gave them food from heaven in abundance. He opened the rock, and water gushed out;  it flowed through the desert like a river.  For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham, his servant.

So he brought his people out with joy,  his chosen ones with singing.

He gave them the lands of the nations,  and they took possession of  the wealth of the peoples,  that they might keep his statutes  and observe his laws.

Praise the Lord!

New Testament Gospel Lesson: Matthew 19:23-30

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astounded and said, “Then who can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” Then Peter said in reply, “Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.

Year A Ordinary 25, RCL Proper 20, Catholic Proper 25 Saturday

 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: Needle and thread, a public domain image downloaded from Pixabay.

[dailyofficereadings]

Daily Office Readings August 30, 2017

Psalm 119:1-24

Psalm 119

The Glories of God’s Law

1 Happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord. 2 Happy are those who keep his decrees, who seek him with their whole heart, 3 who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways. 4 You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. 5 O that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! 6 Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. 7 I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous ordinances. 8 I will observe your statutes; do not utterly forsake me.

9 How can young people keep their way pure? By guarding it according to your word. 10 With my whole heart I seek you; do not let me stray from your commandments. 11 I treasure your word in my heart, so that I may not sin against you. 12 Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes. 13 With my lips I declare all the ordinances of your mouth. 14 I delight in the way of your decrees as much as in all riches. 15 I will meditate on your precepts, and fix my eyes on your ways. 16 I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.

17 Deal bountifully with your servant, so that I may live and observe your word. 18 Open my eyes, so that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. 19 I live as an alien in the land; do not hide your commandments from me. 20 My soul is consumed with longing for your ordinances at all times. 21 You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones, who wander from your commandments; 22 take away from me their scorn and contempt, for I have kept your decrees. 23 Even though princes sit plotting against me, your servant will meditate on your statutes. 24 Your decrees are my delight, they are my counselors.

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Psalm 12-14

Psalm 12

Plea for Help in Evil Times

To the leader: according to The Sheminith. A Psalm of David.

1 Help, O Lord, for there is no longer anyone who is godly; the faithful have disappeared from humankind. 2 They utter lies to each other; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.

3 May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts, 4 those who say, “With our tongues we will prevail; our lips are our own—who is our master?”

5 “Because the poor are despoiled, because the needy groan, I will now rise up,” says the Lord; “I will place them in the safety for which they long.” 6 The promises of the Lord are promises that are pure, silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.

7 You, O Lord, will protect us; you will guard us from this generation forever. 8 On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among humankind.

Psalm 13

Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies

To the leader. A Psalm of David.

1 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? 2 How long must I bear pain[a] in my soul, and have sorrow in my heart all day long? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

3 Consider and answer me, O Lord my God! Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death, 4 and my enemy will say, “I have prevailed”; my foes will rejoice because I am shaken.

5 But I trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. 6 I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.

Psalm 14

Denunciation of Godlessness

To the leader. Of David.

1 Fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is no one who does good.

2 The Lord looks down from heaven on humankind to see if there are any who are wise, who seek after God.

3 They have all gone astray, they are all alike perverse; there is no one who does good, no, not one.

4 Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon the Lord?

5 There they shall be in great terror, for God is with the company of the righteous. 6 You would confound the plans of the poor, but the Lord is their refuge.

7 O that deliverance for Israel would come from Zion! When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people, Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad.

Footnotes:

Psalm 13:2 Syr: Heb hold counsels

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

1 Kings 3:1-15

Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom

3 Solomon made a marriage alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt; he took Pharaoh’s daughter and brought her into the city of David, until he had finished building his own house and the house of the Lord and the wall around Jerusalem. 2 The people were sacrificing at the high places, however, because no house had yet been built for the name of the Lord.

3 Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of his father David; only, he sacrificed and offered incense at the high places. 4 The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the principal high place; Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask what I should give you.” 6 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. 7 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. 8 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. 9 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?”

10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. 11 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, 12 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. 13 I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor all your life; no other king shall compare with you. 14 If you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your life.”

15 Then Solomon awoke; it had been a dream. He came to Jerusalem where he stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. He offered up burnt offerings and offerings of well-being, and provided a feast for all his servants.

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Acts 27:9-26

9 Since much time had been lost and sailing was now dangerous, because even the Fast had already gone by, Paul advised them, 10 saying, “Sirs, I can see that the voyage will be with danger and much heavy loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” 11 But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said. 12 Since the harbor was not suitable for spending the winter, the majority was in favor of putting to sea from there, on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, where they could spend the winter. It was a harbor of Crete, facing southwest and northwest.

The Storm at Sea

13 When a moderate south wind began to blow, they thought they could achieve their purpose; so they weighed anchor and began to sail past Crete, close to the shore. 14 But soon a violent wind, called the northeaster, rushed down from Crete.[a] 15 Since the ship was caught and could not be turned head-on into the wind, we gave way to it and were driven. 16 By running under the lee of a small island called Cauda[b] we were scarcely able to get the ship’s boat under control. 17 After hoisting it up they took measures[c] to undergird the ship; then, fearing that they would run on the Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and so were driven. 18 We were being pounded by the storm so violently that on the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard, 19 and on the third day with their own hands they threw the ship’s tackle overboard. 20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.

21 Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul then stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and thereby avoided this damage and loss. 22 I urge you now to keep up your courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For last night there stood by me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, 24 and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before the emperor; and indeed, God has granted safety to all those who are sailing with you.’ 25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. 26 But we will have to run aground on some island.”

Footnotes:

Acts 27:14 Gk it

Acts 27:16 Other ancient authorities read Clauda

Acts 27:17 Gk helps

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Mark 14:1-11

The Plot to Kill Jesus

14 It was two days before the Passover and the festival of Unleavened Bread. The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to arrest Jesus[a] by stealth and kill him; 2 for they said, “Not during the festival, or there may be a riot among the people.”

The Anointing at Bethany

3 While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper,[b] as he sat at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard, and she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head. 4 But some were there who said to one another in anger, “Why was the ointment wasted in this way? 5 For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii,[c] and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her. 6 But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for me. 7 For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me. 8 She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial. 9 Truly I tell you, wherever the good news[d] is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.”

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus

10 Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. 11 When they heard it, they were greatly pleased, and promised to give him money. So he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.

Footnotes:

Mark 14:1 Gk him

Mark 14:3 The terms leper and leprosy can refer to several diseases

Mark 14:5 The denarius was the usual day’s wage for a laborer

Mark 14:9 Or gospel

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.