RCL Readings & Short Reflections for the week!

Sunday closest to July 27, Proper 12, Year C

2010-07-18T20:40:00.000-05:00

Hosea 1:2-10

When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea, "Go, take for yourself a wife of whoredom and have children of whoredom, for the land commits great whoredom by forsaking the LORD." So he went and took Gomer daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son.

And the LORD said to him, "Name him Jezreel; for in a little while I will punish the house of Jehu for the blood of Jezreel, and I will put an end to the kingdom of the house of Israel. On that day I will break the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezreel."

She conceived again and bore a daughter. Then the LORD said to him, "Name her Lo-ruhamah, for I will no longer have pity on the house of Israel or forgive them. But I will have pity on the house of Judah, and I will save them by the LORD their God; I will not save them by bow, or by sword, or by war, or by horses, or by horsemen."

When she had weaned Lo-ruhamah, she conceived and bore a son. Then the LORD said, "Name him Lo-ammi, for you are not my people and I am not your God."

Yet the number of the people of Israel shall be like the sand of the sea, which can be neither measured nor numbered; and in the place where it was said to them, "You are not my people," it shall be said to them, "Children of the living God."

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Allow God’s grace in your life to work. Let not our stubbornness invite the worst upon ourselves.

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Psalm 85, Page 708, BCP

Benedixisti, Domine

1: You have been gracious to your land, O LORD, *
you have restored the good fortune of Jacob.
2: You have forgiven the iniquity of your people *
and blotted out all their sins.
3: You have withdrawn all your fury *
and turned yourself from your wrathful indignation.
4: Restore us then, O God our Savior; *
let your anger depart from us.
5: Will you be displeased with us for ever? *
will you prolong your anger from age to age?
6: Will you not give us life again, *
that your people may rejoice in you?
7: Show us your mercy, O LORD, *
and grant us your salvation.
8: I will listen to what the LORD God is saying, *
for he is speaking peace to his faithful people
and to those who turn their hearts to him.
9: Truly, his salvation is very near to those who fear him, *
that his glory may dwell in our land.
10: Mercy and truth have met together; *
righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
11: Truth shall spring up from the earth, *
and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
12: The LORD will indeed grant prosperity, *
and our land will yield its increase.
13: Righteousness shall go before him, *
and peace shall be a pathway for his feet.

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God will restore us when we follow God’s ways. Prosperity is lesser than the mercy and kindness God can bestow upon us.

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Genesis 18:20-32

The LORD said to Abraham, "How great is the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah and how very grave their sin! I must go down and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me; and if not, I will know."

So the men turned from there, and went toward Sodom, while Abraham remained standing before the LORD. Then Abraham came near and said, "Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; will you then sweep away the place and not forgive it for the fifty righteous who are in it? Far be it from you to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?" And the LORD said, "If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will forgive the whole place for their sake." Abraham answered, "Let me take it upon myself to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?" And he said, "I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there." Again he spoke to him, "Suppose forty are found there." He answered, "For the sake of forty I will not do it." Then he said, "Oh do not let the Lord be angry if I speak. Suppose thirty are found there." He answered, "I will not do it, if I find thirty there." He said, "Let me take it upon myself to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there." He answered, "For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it." Then he said, "Oh do not let the Lord be angry if I speak just once more. Suppose ten are found there." He answered, "For the sake of ten I will not destroy it."

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God is full of kindness and compassion. God shall not destroy us if we have the fear of the Lord.

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Psalm 138 Page 793, BCP

Confitebor tibi

1: I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with my whole heart; *
before the gods I will sing your praise.
2: I will bow down toward your holy temple
and praise your Name, *
because of your love and faithfulness;
3: For you have glorified your Name *
and your word above all things.
4: When I called, you answered me; *
you increased my strength within me.
5: All the kings of the earth will praise you, O LORD, *
when they have heard the words of your mouth.
6: They will sing of the ways of the LORD, *
that great is the glory of the LORD.
7: Though the LORD be high, he cares for the lowly; *
he perceives the haughty from afar.
8: Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you keep me safe; *
you stretch forth your hand against the fury of my enemies;
your right hand shall save me.
9: The LORD will make good his purpose for me; *
O LORD, your love endures for ever;
do not abandon the works of your hands.

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If you are lowly in heart, God will hear your prayer and make you strong. If you are proud in your heart, you shall dig your own pit of destruction.

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Colossians 2:6-15, (16-19)

As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have come to fullness in him, who is the head of every ruler and authority. In him also you were circumcised with a spiritual circumcision, by putting off the body of the flesh in the circumcision of Christ; when you were buried with him in baptism, you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. And when you were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive together with him, when he forgave us all our trespasses, erasing the record that stood against us with its legal demands. He set this aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in it.

[Therefore do not let anyone condemn you in matters of food and drink or of observing festivals, new moons, or sabbaths. These are only a shadow of what is to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. Do not let anyone disqualify you, insisting on self-abasement and worship of angels, dwelling on visions, puffed up without cause by a human way of thinking, and not holding fast to the head, from whom the whole body, nourished and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows with a growth that is from God. ]

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When you were baptized you died with Christ. Now you live because in Christ you have a new grace and a new hope. Live like the one who has a new life.

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Luke 11:1-13

Jesus was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples." He said to them, "When you pray, say:

Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.
And do not bring us to the time of trial."

And he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, `Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.' And he answers from within, `Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.' I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.

"So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

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What will you find if you search? Knock the door that will open and seek the person that will always be on your side and ask someone who cares enough to give you what is best for you.

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Sunday closest to July 20, Proper 11, Year C

2010-07-12T18:50:00.000-05:00

Amos 8:1-12

This is what the Lord GOD showed me-- a basket of summer fruit. He said, "Amos, what do you see?" And I said, "A basket of summer fruit." Then the LORD said to me,

"The end has come upon my people Israel;
I will never again pass them by.
The songs of the temple shall become wailings in that day,"
says the Lord GOD;
"the dead bodies shall be many,
cast out in every place. Be silent!"
Hear this, you that trample on the needy,
and bring to ruin the poor of the land,
saying, "When will the new moon be over
so that we may sell grain;
and the sabbath,
so that we may offer wheat for sale?
We will make the ephah small and the shekel great,
and practice deceit with false balances,
buying the poor for silver
and the needy for a pair of sandals,
and selling the sweepings of the wheat."
The LORD has sworn by the pride of Jacob:
Surely I will never forget any of their deeds.
Shall not the land tremble on this account,
and everyone mourn who lives in it,
and all of it rise like the Nile,
and be tossed about and sink again, like the Nile of Egypt?
On that day, says the Lord GOD,
I will make the sun go down at noon,
and darken the earth in broad daylight.
I will turn your feasts into mourning,
and all your songs into lamentation;
I will bring sackcloth on all loins,
and baldness on every head;
I will make it like the mourning for an only son,
and the end of it like a bitter day.
The time is surely coming, says the Lord GOD,
when I will send a famine on the land;
not a famine of bread, or a thirst for water,
but of hearing the words of the LORD.
They shall wander from sea to sea,
and from north to east;
they shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the LORD, but they shall not find it.

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Psalm 52,

Quid

1: You tyrant, why do you boast of wickedness *
against the godly all day long?
2: You plot ruin;
your tongue is like a sharpened razor, *
O worker of deception.
3: You love evil more than good *
and lying more than speaking the truth.
4: You love all words that hurt, *
O you deceitful tongue.
5: Oh, that God would demolish you utterly, *
topple you, and snatch you from your dwelling,
and root you out of the land of the living!
6: The righteous shall see and tremble, *
and they shall laugh at him, saying,
7: "This is the one who did not take God for a refuge, *
but trusted in great wealth
and relied upon wickedness."
8: But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; *
I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.
9: I will give you thanks for what you have done *
and declare the goodness of your Name in the presence of the godly.

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Your greatest strength will come from choosing God and taking refuge in God.

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Genesis 18:1-10a

The LORD appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them, and bowed down to the ground. He said, "My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on-- since you have come to your servant." So they said, "Do as you have said." And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, "Make ready quickly three measures of choice flour, knead it, and make cakes." Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it. Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree while they ate.

They said to him, "Where is your wife Sarah?" And he said, "There, in the tent." Then one said, "I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son."

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God can make things happen in your life that might look like they are impossible.

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Psalm 15

Domine, quis habitabit?

1: LORD, who may dwell in your tabernacle? *
who may abide upon your holy hill?
2: Whoever leads a blameless life and does what is right, *
who speaks the truth from his heart.
3: There is no guile upon his tongue;
he does no evil to his friend; *
he does not heap contempt upon his neighbor.
4: In his sight the wicked is rejected, *
but he honors those who fear the LORD.
5: He has sworn to do no wrong *
and does not take back his word.
6: He does not give his money in hope of gain, *
nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.
7: Whoever does these things *
shall never be overthrown.

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Can we be blameless and sinless? If not, why not depend on the mercy of God for oneself and surely for others as well?

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Colossians 1:15-28

Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers-- all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.

And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him-- provided that you continue securely established and steadfast in the faith, without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven. I, Paul, became a servant of this gospel.

I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. I became its servant according to God's commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations but has now been revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ.

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If we are reconciled with anyone in this world, it is because God is reconciled with us through Christ. After all it is God’s grace that gives us strength.

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Luke 10:38-42

As Jesus and his disciples went on their way, Jesus entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her."

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Sit at God’s feet. Listen to God’s words. The more you hear God’s voice in your heart, the better you will find direction for your life.

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How to Use These Readings and Reflections

Choose the first reading for Monday, the second Reading for Tuesday and on for each day of the week. By the end of the week you will be ready for the Celebration of Holy Eucharist and a spiritual experience that you got ready in the course of the week. You can use these readings for centering prayer, personal meditation, early morning reflections or prayer groups etc. Make this a daily practice and you will begin to see God’s ever loving hand each and every moment of your life.

Sermons on the readings of previous Sunday can be found here
Podcasts of the sermons can be found here
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The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the USA, and used by permission.

Sunday closest to July 13, Proper 10, Year C

2010-07-05T22:30:00.000-05:00

Amos 7:7-17

This is what the Lord God showed me: the Lord was standing beside a wall built with a plumb line, with a plumb line in his hand. And the LORD said to me, "Amos, what do you see?" And I said, "A plumb line." Then the Lord said,

"See, I am setting a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel; I will never again pass them by;
the high places of Isaac shall be made desolate,: and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste,; and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword."

Then Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, sent to King Jeroboam of Israel, saying, "Amos has conspired against you in the very center of the house of Israel; the land is not able to bear all his words. For thus Amos has said,

`Jeroboam shall die by the sword,: and Israel must go into exile; away from his land.'"

And Amaziah said to Amos, "O seer, go, flee away to the land of Judah, earn your bread there, and prophesy there; but never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king's sanctuary, and it is a temple of the kingdom."

Then Amos answered Amaziah, "I am no prophet, nor a prophet's son; but I am a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore trees, and the LORD took me from following the flock, and the LORD said to me, `Go, prophesy to my people Israel.'

"Now therefore hear the word of the LORD.
You say, `Do not prophesy against Israel,
and do not preach against the house of Isaac.'
Therefore thus says the LORD:
`Your wife shall become a prostitute in the city,
and your sons and your daughters shall fall by the sword,
and your land shall be parceled out by line;
you yourself shall die in an unclean land,
and Israel shall surely go into exile away from its land.'"

Psalm 82

1: God takes his stand in the council of heaven; *
he gives judgment in the midst of the gods:
2: "How long will you judge unjustly, *
and show favor to the wicked?
3: Save the weak and the orphan; *
defend the humble and needy;
4: Rescue the weak and the poor; *
deliver them from the power of the wicked.
5: They do not know, neither do they understand;
they go about in darkness; *
all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
6: Now I say to you, 'You are gods, *
and all of you children of the Most High;
7: Nevertheless, you shall die like mortals, *
and fall like any prince.'"
8: Arise, O God, and rule the earth, *
for you shall take all nations for your own.

Deuteronomy 30:9-14

Moses said to the people of Israel, "The LORD your God will make you abundantly prosperous in all your undertakings, in the fruit of your body, in the fruit of your livestock, and in the fruit of your soil. For the LORD will again take delight in prospering you, just as he delighted in prospering your ancestors, when you obey the LORD your God by observing his commandments and decrees that are written in this book of the law, because you turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

"Surely, this commandment that I am commanding you today is not too hard for you, nor is it too far away. It is not in heaven, that you should say, 'Who will go up to heaven for us, and get it for us so that we may hear it and observe it?' Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, 'Who will cross to the other side of the sea for us, and get it for us so that we may hear it and observe it?' No, the word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to observe."

Psalm 25:1-10

1: To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul;
my God, I put my trust in you; *
let me not be humiliated,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
2: Let none who look to you be put to shame; *
let the treacherous be disappointed in their schemes.
3: Show me your ways, O LORD, *
and teach me your paths.
4: Lead me in your truth and teach me, *
for you are the God of my salvation;
in you have I trusted all the day long.
5: Remember, O LORD, your compassion and love, *
for they are from everlasting.
6: Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions; *
remember me according to your love
and for the sake of your goodness, O LORD.
7: Gracious and upright is the LORD; *
therefore he teaches sinners in his way.
8: He guides the humble in doing right *
and teaches his way to the lowly.
9: All the paths of the LORD are love and faithfulness *
to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

Colossians 1:1-14

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

To the saints and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ in Colossae:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

In our prayers for you we always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. You have heard of this hope before in the word of the truth, the gospel that has come to you. Just as it is bearing fruit and growing in the whole world, so it has been bearing fruit among yourselves from the day you heard it and truly comprehended the grace of God. This you learned from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, and he has made known to us your love in the Spirit.

For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God. May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Luke 10:25-37

Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the law? What do you read there?" He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." And he said to him, "You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live."

But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, `Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.' Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" He said, "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

Sunday closest to July 6, Year C, Proper 9

2010-06-28T22:25:00.000-05:00

2 Kings 5:1-14

Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man and in high favor with his master, because by him the LORD had given victory to Aram. The man, though a mighty warrior, suffered from leprosy. Now the Arameans on one of their raids had taken a young girl captive from the land of Israel, and she served Naaman's wife. She said to her mistress, "If only my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy." So Naaman went in and told his lord just what the girl from the land of Israel had said. And the king of Aram said, "Go then, and I will send along a letter to the king of Israel."

He went, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten sets of garments. He brought the letter to the king of Israel, which read, "When this letter reaches you, know that I have sent to you my servant Naaman, that you may cure him of his leprosy." When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, "Am I God, to give death or life, that this man sends word to me to cure a man of his leprosy? Just look and see how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me."

But when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent a message to the king, "Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come to me, that he may learn that there is a prophet in Israel." So Naaman came with his horses and chariots, and halted at the entrance of Elisha's house. Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Go, wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored and you shall be clean." But Naaman became angry and went away, saying, "I thought that for me he would surely come out, and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and would wave his hand over the spot, and cure the leprosy! Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them, and be clean?" He turned and went away in a rage. But his servants approached and said to him, "Father, if the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? How much more, when all he said to you was, `Wash, and be clean'?" So he went down and immersed himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; his flesh was restored like the flesh of a young boy, and he was clean.

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We are clean from the moment of Baptism, from the day we were washed in the grace of God. God has restored us once and for all. We are made new every morning.

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Psalm 30

Exaltabo te, Domine

1: I will exalt you, O LORD,
because you have lifted me up *
and have not let my enemies triumph over me.
2: O LORD my God, I cried out to you, *
and you restored me to health.
3: You brought me up, O LORD, from the dead; *
you restored my life as I was going down to the grave.
4: Sing to the LORD, you servants of his; *
give thanks for the remembrance of his holiness.
5: For his wrath endures but the twinkling of an eye, *
his favor for a lifetime.
6: Weeping may spend the night, *
but joy comes in the morning.
7: While I felt secure, I said,
"I shall never be disturbed. *
You, LORD, with your favor, made me as strong as the mountains."
8: Then you hid your face, *
and I was filled with fear.
9: I cried to you, O LORD; *
I pleaded with the Lord, saying,
10: "What profit is there in my blood, if I go down to the Pit? *
will the dust praise you or declare your faithfulness?
11: Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me; *
O LORD, be my helper."
12: You have turned my wailing into dancing; *
you have put off my sack-cloth and clothed me with joy.
13: Therefore my heart sings to you without ceasing; *
O LORD my God, I will give you thanks for ever.

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With God’s favor we can be strong. With God’s love we shall spend out nights in peace.

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Isaiah 66:10-14

Thus says the Lord:

"Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her,: all you who love her;
rejoice with her in joy,: all you who mourn over her--
that you may nurse and be satisfied: from her consoling breast;
that you may drink deeply with delight: from her glorious bosom.
For thus says the LORD:
I will extend prosperity to her like a river,: and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing stream;
and you shall nurse and be carried on her arm,: and dandled on her knees.
As a mother comforts her child,: so I will comfort you;; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
You shall see, and your heart shall rejoice;: your bodies shall flourish like the grass;
and it shall be known that the hand of the LORD is with his servants,: and his indignation is against his enemies. "

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When God is our portion all else will be plenty in our lives. When God is not our portion and cup, then no matter what, we shall not be blessed with abundance.

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Psalm 66:1-8

Jubilate Deo

1: Be joyful in God, all you lands; *
sing the glory of his Name;
sing the glory of his praise.
2: Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds! *
because of your great strength your enemies cringe before you.
3: All the earth bows down before you, *
sings to you, sings out your Name."
4: Come now and see the works of God, *
how wonderful he is in his doing toward all people.
5: He turned the sea into dry land,
so that they went through the water on foot, *
and there we rejoiced in him.
6: In his might he rules for ever;
his eyes keep watch over the nations; *
let no rebel rise up against him.
7: Bless our God, you peoples; *
make the voice of his praise to be heard;
8: Who holds our souls in life, *
and will not allow our feet to slip.

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It is God who will keep us from falling and failing.

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Galatians 6:(1-6)7-16

[My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. For if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves. All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbor's work, will become a cause for pride. For all must carry their own loads.

Those who are taught the word must share in all good things with their teacher.]

Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest-time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.

See what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand! It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that try to compel you to be circumcised-- only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. Even the circumcised do not themselves obey the law, but they want you to be circumcised so that they may boast about your flesh. May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything! As for those who will follow this rule-- peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

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We get what we pay for. Our action determine our rewards.

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Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, `Peace to this house!' And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, `The kingdom of God has come near to you.' But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, `Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.'

"Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me."

The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!" He said to them, "I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

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When we are sent out to proclaim we are equipped with the necessary grace to change the hearts of our listeners. But first to understand that change, we got to be changed ourselves.

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Sunday closest to June 29 Proper 8 Year C

2010-06-20T21:40:00.000-05:00

2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14

When the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, "Stay here; for the LORD has sent me as far as Bethel." But Elisha said, "As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So they went down to Bethel.

Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here; for the LORD has sent me to the Jordan." But he said, "As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So the two of them went on. Fifty men of the company of prophets also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up, and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, until the two of them crossed on dry ground.

When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you." Elisha said, "Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit." He responded, "You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not." As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha kept watching and crying out, "Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.

He picked up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. He took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, saying, "Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?" When he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over.

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Ask for a double spirit from God and like Elisha was given we shall be blessed with the same Spirit. Let us be covered by the mantle of God rather than that of mankind.

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Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20

1: I will cry aloud to God; *
I will cry aloud, and he will hear me.
2: In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; *
my hands were stretched out by night and did not tire;
I refused to be comforted.
11: I will remember the works of the LORD, *
and call to mind your wonders of old time.
12: I will meditate on all your acts *
and ponder your mighty deeds.
13: Your way, O God, is holy; *
who is so great a god as our God?
14: You are the God who works wonders *
and have declared your power among the peoples.
15: By your strength you have redeemed your people, *
the children of Jacob and Joseph.
16: The waters saw you, O God;
the waters saw you and trembled; *
the very depths were shaken.
17: The clouds poured out water;
the skies thundered; *
your arrows flashed to and fro;
18: The sound of your thunder was in the whirlwind;
your lightnings lit up the world; *
the earth trembled and shook.
19: Your way was in the sea,
and your paths in the great waters, *
yet your footsteps were not seen.
20: You led your people like a flock *
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

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God’s ways are holy. Man’s ways can actually lead to God’s ways if we pay attention to the details of living.

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1 Kings 19:15-16,19-21

The LORD said to Elijah, "Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Aram. Also you shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel; and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place."

So he set out from there, and found Elisha son of Shaphat, who was plowing. There were twelve yoke of oxen ahead of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle over him. He left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, "Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you." Then Elijah said to him, "Go back again; for what have I done to you?" He returned from following him, took the yoke of oxen, and slaughtered them; using the equipment from the oxen, he boiled their flesh, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out and followed Elijah, and became his servant.

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Let us be anointed by God and let us become the voice of God in today’s world.

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Psalm 16

1: Protect me, O God, for I take refuge in you; *
I have said to the LORD, "You are my Lord,
my good above all other."
2: All my delight is upon the godly that are in the land, *
upon those who are noble among the people.
3: But those who run after other gods *
shall have their troubles multiplied.
4: Their libations of blood I will not offer, *
nor take the names of their gods upon my lips.
5: O LORD, YOU are my portion and my cup; *
it is you who uphold my lot.
6: My boundaries enclose a pleasant land; *
indeed, I have a goodly heritage.
7: I will bless the LORD who gives me counsel; *
my heart teaches me, night after night.
8: I have set the LORD always before me; *
because he is at my right hand I shall not fall.
9: My heart, therefore, is glad, and my spirit rejoices; *
my body also shall rest in hope.
10: For you will not abandon me to the grave, *
nor let your holy one see the Pit.
11: You will show me the path of life; *
in your presence there is fullness of joy,
and in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.

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When we are in the presence of God our entire system relaxes. I wish we could always be aware of God’s presence about us.

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Galatians 5:1,13-25

For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.

Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.

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Let us not give into the desires that makes us less human. God invites us to enjoy whatever is Godly.

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Luke 9:51-62

When the days drew near for Jesus to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, "Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?" But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village.

As they were going along the road, someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." To another he said, "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." But Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God." Another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home." Jesus said to him, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."

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Even if the other does not look or act like us, if we are giving the same message of God may be we closer to each other than we think.

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How to Use These Readings and Reflections

Sermons on the readings of previous Sunday can be found here
Podcasts of the sermons can be found here
Visit my church: All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Russellville, AR
You can read more about me at my website
You can subscribe to these readings by email. Enter your email address and click subscribe, and follow the instructions.

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Sunday closest to June 22, Year C, Proper 7

2010-06-17T07:25:00.000-05:00

1 Kings 19:1-4, (5-7), 8-15a

Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, "So may the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life like the life of one of them by this time tomorrow." Then he was afraid; he got up and fled for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongs to Judah; he left his servant there.

But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die: "It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life, for I am no better than my ancestors." [Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said to him, "Get up and eat." He looked, and there at his head was a cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. He ate and drank, and lay down again. The angel of the LORD came a second time, touched him, and said, "Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you."] He got up, and ate and drank; then he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God. At that place he came to a cave, and spent the night there.

Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" He answered, "I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away."

He said, "Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" He answered, "I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away." Then the LORD said to him, "Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus."

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When all the wind, the earthquakes and fire surround you, know one thing, God is about to be in your life in the small breeze that comes along with it.

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Psalm 42 Page 643, BCP

Quemadmodum

1: As the deer longs for the water-brooks, *
so longs my soul for you, O God.
2: My soul is athirst for God, athirst for the living God; *
when shall I come to appear before the presence of God?
3: My tears have been my food day and night, *
while all day long they say to me,
"Where now is your God?"
4: I pour out my soul when I think on these things: *
how I went with the multitude and led them into the house of God,
5: With the voice of praise and thanksgiving, *
among those who keep holy-day.
6: Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul? *
and why are you so disquieted within me?
7: Put your trust in God; *
for I will yet give thanks to him,
who is the help of my countenance, and my God.
8: My soul is heavy within me; *
therefore I will remember you from the land of Jordan,
and from the peak of Mizar among the heights of Hermon.
9: One deep calls to another in the noise of your cataracts; *
all your rapids and floods have gone over me.
10: The LORD grants his loving-kindness in the daytime; *
in the night season his song is with me,
a prayer to the God of my life.
11: I will say to the God of my strength,
"Why have you forgotten me? *
and why do I go so heavily while the enemy oppresses me?"
12: While my bones are being broken, *
my enemies mock me to my face;
13: All day long they mock me *
and say to me, "Where now is your God?"
14: Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul? *
and why are you so disquieted within me?
15: Put your trust in God; *
for I will yet give thanks to him,
who is the help of my countenance, and my God.

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We all can and will feel abandoned at times. The wind and the fire becomes real in our lives. But always let us remember one thing that God will still be there when you are in most need of God.

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and

Psalm 43

Judica me, Deus

1: Give judgment for me, O God,
and defend my cause against an ungodly people; *
deliver me from the deceitful and the wicked.
2: For you are the God of my strength;
why have you put me from you? *
and why do I go so heavily while the enemy oppresses me?
3: Send out your light and your truth, that they may lead me, *
and bring me to your holy hill
and to your dwelling;
4: That I may go to the altar of God,
to the God of my joy and gladness; *
and on the harp I will give thanks to you, O God my God.
5: Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul? *
and why are you so disquieted within me?
6: Put your trust in God; *
for I will yet give thanks to him,
who is the help of my countenance, and my God.

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God’s truth need to lead us. What good is it if we are lead by untruth and lead into oblivion?

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Isaiah 65:1-9

I was ready to be sought out by those who did not ask,

to be found by those who did not seek me.

I said, "Here I am, here I am,"

to a nation that did not call on my name.

I held out my hands all day long to a rebellious people,

who walk in a way that is not good,

following their own devices;

a people who provoke me

to my face continually,

sacrificing in gardens

and offering incense on bricks;

who sit inside tombs,

and spend the night in secret places;

who eat swine's flesh,

with broth of abominable things in their vessels;

who say, "Keep to yourself,

do not come near me, for I am too holy for you."

These are a smoke in my nostrils,

a fire that burns all day long.

See, it is written before me:

I will not keep silent, but I will repay;

I will indeed repay into their laps

their iniquities and their ancestors' iniquities together,

says the LORD;

because they offered incense on the mountains

and reviled me on the hills,

I will measure into their laps

full payment for their actions.

Thus says the LORD:

As the wine is found in the cluster,

and they say, "Do not destroy it,

for there is a blessing in it,"

so I will do for my servants' sake,

and not destroy them all.

I will bring forth descendants from Jacob,

and from Judah inheritors of my mountains;

my chosen shall inherit it,

and my servants shall settle there.

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God’s call comes to us when least expected. Follow the call and the world around you will be blessed.

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Psalm 22:18-27

18: Be not far away, O LORD; *
you are my strength; hasten to help me.
19: Save me from the sword, *
my life from the power of the dog.
20: Save me from the lion's mouth, *
my wretched body from the horns of wild bulls.
21: I will declare your Name to my brethren; *
in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.
22: Praise the LORD, you that fear him; *
stand in awe of him, O offspring of Israel;
all you of Jacob's line, give glory.
23: For he does not despise nor abhor the poor in their poverty;
neither does he hide his face from them; *
but when they cry to him he hears them.
24: My praise is of him in the great assembly; *
I will perform my vows in the presence of those who worship him.
25: The poor shall eat and be satisfied,
and those who seek the LORD shall praise him: *
"May your heart live for ever!"
26: All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, *
and all the families of the nations shall bow before him.
27: For kingship belongs to the LORD; *
he rules over the nations.

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God is always nearer than we expect God to be.

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Galatians 3:23-29

Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise.

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God is a God of love who loves like a father who loves the child. We are all uniquely different from the other looking closer to God in every instance.

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Luke 8:26-39

Jesus and his disciples arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. As he stepped out on land, a man of the city who had demons met him. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he did not live in a house but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he fell down before him and shouted at the top of his voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me" -- for Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many times it had seized him; he was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the wilds.) Jesus then asked him, "What is your name?" He said, "Legion"; for many demons had entered him. They begged him not to order them to go back into the abyss.

Now there on the hillside a large herd of swine was feeding; and the demons begged Jesus to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.

When the swineherds saw what had happened, they ran off and told it in the city and in the country. Then people came out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. Those who had seen it told them how the one who had been possessed by demons had been healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them; for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but Jesus sent him away, saying, "Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you." So he went away, proclaiming throughout the city how much Jesus had done for him.

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When God is near us if we are honest to ourselves we will have enough and more reason to torment ourselves. No one else needs to. Humility is a state of life than a moment of awareness.

How to Use These Readings and Reflections

Sermons on the readings of previous Sunday can be found here
Podcasts of the sermons can be found here
Visit my church: All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Russellville, AR
You can read more about me at my website
You can subscribe to these readings by email. Enter your email address and click subscribe, and follow the instructions.

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Sunday closest to June 15, Proper 6

2010-06-09T22:55:00.000-05:00

1 Kings 21:1-10, (11-14), 15-21a

The following events took place: Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel, beside the palace of King Ahab of Samaria. And Ahab said to Naboth, "Give me your vineyard, so that I may have it for a vegetable garden, because it is near my house; I will give you a better vineyard for it; or, if it seems good to you, I will give you its value in money." But Naboth said to Ahab, "The LORD forbid that I should give you my ancestral inheritance." Ahab went home resentful and sullen because of what Naboth the Jezreelite had said to him; for he had said, "I will not give you my ancestral inheritance." He lay down on his bed, turned away his face, and would not eat.

His wife Jezebel came to him and said, "Why are you so depressed that you will not eat?" He said to her, "Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and said to him, `Give me your vineyard for money; or else, if you prefer, I will give you another vineyard for it'; but he answered, `I will not give you my vineyard.'" His wife Jezebel said to him, "Do you now govern Israel? Get up, eat some food, and be cheerful; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite."

So she wrote letters in Ahab's name and sealed them with his seal; she sent the letters to the elders and the nobles who lived with Naboth in his city. She wrote in the letters, "Proclaim a fast, and seat Naboth at the head of the assembly; seat two scoundrels opposite him, and have them bring a charge against him, saying, `You have cursed God and the king.' Then take him out, and stone him to death." [The men of his city, the elders and the nobles who lived in his city, did as Jezebel had sent word to them. Just as it was written in the letters that she had sent to them, they proclaimed a fast and seated Naboth at the head of the assembly. The two scoundrels came in and sat opposite him; and the scoundrels brought a charge against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, "Naboth cursed God and the king." So they took him outside the city, and stoned him to death. Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, "Naboth has been stoned; he is dead."]

As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned and was dead, Jezebel said to Ahab, "Go, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give you for money; for Naboth is not alive, but dead." As soon as Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, Ahab set out to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.

Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying: Go down to meet King Ahab of Israel, who rules in Samaria; he is now in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone to take possession. You shall say to him, "Thus says the LORD: Have you killed, and also taken possession?" You shall say to him, "Thus says the LORD: In the place where dogs licked up the blood of Naboth, dogs will also lick up your blood."

Ahab said to Elijah, "Have you found me, O my enemy?" He answered, "I have found you. Because you have sold yourself to do what is evil in the sight of the LORD, I will bring disaster on you."

Psalm 5:1-8

Give ear to my words, O LORD; *
consider my meditation.

Hearken to my cry for help, my King and my God, *
for I make my prayer to you.

In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; *
early in the morning I make my appeal and watch for you.

For you are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, *
and evil cannot dwell with you.

Braggarts cannot stand in your sight; *
you hate all those who work wickedness.

You destroy those who speak lies; *
the bloodthirsty and deceitful, O LORD, you abhor.

But as for me, through the greatness of your mercy I will

go into your house; *
I will bow down toward your holy temple in awe of you.

Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness,
because of those who lie in wait for me; *
make your way straight before me.

2 Samuel 11:26-12:10,13-15

When the wife of Uriah heard that her husband was dead, she made lamentation for him. When the mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife, and bore him a son.

But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD, and the LORD sent Nathan to David. He came to him, and said to him, "There were two men in a certain city, the one rich and the other poor. The rich man had very many flocks and herds; but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. He brought it up, and it grew up with him and with his children; it used to eat of his meager fare, and drink from his cup, and lie in his bosom, and it was like a daughter to him. Now there came a traveler to the rich man, and he was loath to take one of his own flock or herd to prepare for the wayfarer who had come to him, but he took the poor man's lamb, and prepared that for the guest who had come to him." Then David's anger was greatly kindled against the man. He said to Nathan, "As the LORD lives, the man who has done this deserves to die; he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity."

Nathan said to David, "You are the man! Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: I anointed you king over Israel, and I rescued you from the hand of Saul; I gave you your master's house, and your master's wives into your bosom, and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would have added as much more. Why have you despised the word of the LORD, to do what is evil in his sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, for you have despised me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife."

David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." Nathan said to David, "Now the LORD has put away your sin; you shall not die. Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the LORD, the child that is born to you shall die." Then Nathan went to his house. The LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife bore to David, and it became very ill.

Psalm 32 Page 624

1: Happy are they whose transgressions are forgiven, *
and whose sin is put away!
2: Happy are they to whom the LORD imputes no guilt, *
and in whose spirit there is no guile!
3: While I held my tongue, my bones withered away, *
because of my groaning all day long.
4: For your hand was heavy upon me day and night; *
my moisture was dried up as in the heat of summer.
5: Then I acknowledged my sin to you, *
and did not conceal my guilt.
6: I said," I will confess my transgressions to the LORD." *
Then you forgave me the guilt of my sin.
7: Therefore all the faithful will make their prayers to you in time of trouble; *
when the great waters overflow, they shall not reach them.
8: You are my hiding-place;
you preserve me from trouble; *
you surround me with shouts of deliverance.
9: "I will instruct you and teach you in the way that you should go; *
I will guide you with my eye.
10: Do not be like horse or mule, which have no understanding; *
who must be fitted with bit and bridle,
or else they will not stay near you."
11: Great are the tribulations of the wicked; *
but mercy embraces those who trust in the LORD.
12: Be glad, you righteous, and rejoice in the LORD; *
shout for joy, all who are true of heart.

Galatians 2:15-21

We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; yet we know that a person is justified not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by doing the works of the law, because no one will be justified by the works of the law. But if, in our effort to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have been found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again the very things that I once tore down, then I demonstrate that I am a transgressor. For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.

Luke 7:36-8:3

One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and took his place at the table. And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair. Then she continued kissing his feet and anointing them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him-- that she is a sinner." Jesus spoke up and said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." "Teacher," he replied, "Speak." "A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he canceled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?" Simon answered, "I suppose the one for whom he canceled the greater debt." And Jesus said to him, "You have judged rightly." Then turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little." Then he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Herod's steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their resources.

How to Use These Readings and Reflections

Sermons on the readings of previous Sunday can be found here
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Sunday closest to June 8, Proper 5, Year C

2010-06-03T21:46:00.000-05:00

1 Kings 17:8-16 (17-24)

The word of the LORD came to Elijah, saying, "Go now to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and live there; for I have commanded a widow there to feed you." So he set out and went to Zarephath. When he came to the gate of the town, a widow was there gathering sticks; he called to her and said, "Bring me a little water in a vessel, so that I may drink." As she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, "Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand." But she said, "As the LORD your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of meal in a jar, and a little oil in a jug; I am now gathering a couple of sticks, so that I may go home and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die." Elijah said to her, "Do not be afraid; go and do as you have said; but first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterwards make something for yourself and your son. For thus says the LORD the God of Israel: The jar of meal will not be emptied and the jug of oil will not fail until the day that the LORD sends rain on the earth." She went and did as Elijah said, so that she as well as he and her household ate for many days. The jar of meal was not emptied, neither did the jug of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD that he spoke by Elijah.

[After this, the son of the woman, the mistress of the house at Zarephath, became ill; his illness was so severe that there was no breath left in him. She then said to Elijah, "What have you against me, O man of God? You have come to me to bring my sin to remembrance, and to cause the death of my son!" But he said to her, "Give me your son." He took him from her bosom, carried him up into the upper chamber where he was lodging, and laid him on his own bed. He cried out to the LORD, "O LORD my God, have you brought calamity even upon the widow with whom I am staying, by killing her son?" Then he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried out to the LORD, "O LORD my God, let this child's life come into him again." The LORD listened to the voice of Elijah; the life of the child came into him again, and he revived. Elijah took the child, brought him down from the upper chamber into the house, and gave him to his mother; then Elijah said, "See, your son is alive." So the woman said to Elijah, "Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is truth."]

Psalm 146

1: Hallelujah!
Praise the LORD, O my soul! *
I will praise the LORD as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
2: Put not your trust in rulers, nor in any child of earth, *
for there is no help in them.
3: When they breathe their last, they return to earth, *
and in that day their thoughts perish.
4: Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help!*
whose hope is in the LORD their God;
5: Who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them; *
who keeps his promise for ever;
6: Who gives justice to those who are oppressed, *
and food to those who hunger.
7: The LORD sets the prisoners free;
the LORD opens the eyes of the blind; *
the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down;
8: The LORD loves the righteous;
the LORD cares for the stranger; *
he sustains the orphan and widow,
but frustrates the way of the wicked.
9: The LORD shall reign for ever, *
your God, O Zion, throughout all generations.
Hallelujah!

1 Kings 17:17-24

The son of the woman, the mistress of the house at Zarephath, became ill; his illness was so severe that there was no breath left in him. She then said to Elijah, "What have you against me, O man of God? You have come to me to bring my sin to remembrance, and to cause the death of my son!" But he said to her, "Give me your son." He took him from her bosom, carried him up into the upper chamber where he was lodging, and laid him on his own bed. He cried out to the LORD, "O LORD my God, have you brought calamity even upon the widow with whom I am staying, by killing her son?" Then he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried out to the LORD, "O LORD my God, let this child's life come into him again." The LORD listened to the voice of Elijah; the life of the child came into him again, and he revived. Elijah took the child, brought him down from the upper chamber into the house, and gave him to his mother; then Elijah said, "See, your son is alive." So the woman said to Elijah, "Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is truth."

Psalm 30

1: I will exalt you, O LORD,
because you have lifted me up *
and have not let my enemies triumph over me.
2: O LORD my God, I cried out to you, *
and you restored me to health.
3: You brought me up, O LORD, from the dead; *
you restored my life as I was going down to the grave.
4: Sing to the LORD, you servants of his; *
give thanks for the remembrance of his holiness.
5: For his wrath endures but the twinkling of an eye, *
his favor for a lifetime.
6: Weeping may spend the night, *
but joy comes in the morning.
7: While I felt secure, I said,
"I shall never be disturbed. *
You, LORD, with your favor, made me as strong as the mountains."
8: Then you hid your face, *
and I was filled with fear.
9: I cried to you, O LORD; *
I pleaded with the Lord, saying,
10: "What profit is there in my blood, if I go down to the Pit? *
will the dust praise you or declare your faithfulness?
11: Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me; *
O LORD, be my helper."
12: You have turned my wailing into dancing; *
you have put off my sack-cloth and clothed me with joy.
13: Therefore my heart sings to you without ceasing; *
O LORD my God, I will give you thanks for ever.

Galatians 1:11-24

I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin; for I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

You have heard, no doubt, of my earlier life in Judaism. I was violently persecuting the church of God and was trying to destroy it. I advanced in Judaism beyond many among my people of the same age, for I was far more zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. But when God, who had set me apart before I was born and called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, so that I might proclaim him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with any human being, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were already apostles before me, but I went away at once into Arabia, and afterwards I returned to Damascus.

Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days; but I did not see any other apostle except James the Lord's brother. In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie! Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia, and I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea that are in Christ; they only heard it said, "The one who formerly was persecuting us is now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy." And they glorified God because of me.

Luke 7:11-17

Soon after healing the centurion's slave, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother's only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town. When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, "Do not weep." Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say to you, rise!" The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen among us!" and "God has looked favorably on his people!" This word about him spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding country.

Ordinary Time; Proper 5; Year C

2010-05-31T21:05:00.000-05:00

1 Kings 17:8-16 (17-24)

-----------------------------------

Do the right thing and the Lord God will be on your side. Do not be afraid of your lack, because God has plenty

-------------------------------------

Psalm 146

Lauda, anima mea

1: Hallelujah!
Praise the LORD, O my soul! *
I will praise the LORD as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
2: Put not your trust in rulers, nor in any child of earth, *
for there is no help in them.
3: When they breathe their last, they return to earth, *
and in that day their thoughts perish.
4: Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help!*
whose hope is in the LORD their God;
5: Who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them; *
who keeps his promise for ever;
6: Who gives justice to those who are oppressed, *
and food to those who hunger.
7: The LORD sets the prisoners free;
the LORD opens the eyes of the blind; *
the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down;
8: The LORD loves the righteous;
the LORD cares for the stranger; *
he sustains the orphan and widow,
but frustrates the way of the wicked.
9: The LORD shall reign for ever, *
your God, O Zion, throughout all generations.
Hallelujah!

--------------------------------

It is good to have God on our side than anyone else. God can and will help us in time of need if we can keep him on our side.

--------------------------------

1 Kings 17:17-24

------------------------------------

The Lord listens to the voice of men even though we are sinners. God will bring life back to us when we can cry out for His help.

-------------------------------------

Psalm 30

Exaltabo te, Domine

1: I will exalt you, O LORD,
because you have lifted me up *
and have not let my enemies triumph over me.
2: O LORD my God, I cried out to you, *
and you restored me to health.
3: You brought me up, O LORD, from the dead; *
you restored my life as I was going down to the grave.
4: Sing to the LORD, you servants of his; *
give thanks for the remembrance of his holiness.
5: For his wrath endures but the twinkling of an eye, *
his favor for a lifetime.
6: Weeping may spend the night, *
but joy comes in the morning.
7: While I felt secure, I said,
"I shall never be disturbed. *
You, LORD, with your favor, made me as strong as the mountains."
8: Then you hid your face, *
and I was filled with fear.
9: I cried to you, O LORD; *
I pleaded with the Lord, saying,
10: "What profit is there in my blood, if I go down to the Pit? *
will the dust praise you or declare your faithfulness?
11: Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me; *
O LORD, be my helper."
12: You have turned my wailing into dancing; *
you have put off my sack-cloth and clothed me with joy.
13: Therefore my heart sings to you without ceasing; *
O LORD my God, I will give you thanks for ever.

Galatians 1:11-24

------------------------

God will reveal Himself / Herself to us if we can pay attention. It is hard to pay attention to anybody. But may be if we try it might brings us to peace.

------------------------

Luke 7:11-17

----------------------

God brings newness and life no matter what happens to us. God will look upon us with great mercy.

How to Use These Readings and Reflections

Sermons on the readings of previous Sunday can be found here
Podcasts of the sermons can be found here
Visit my church: All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Russellville, AR
You can read more about me at my website
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First Sunday after Pentecost: Trinity Sunday Year C

2010-05-25T20:50:00.000-05:00

Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31

Does not wisdom call,: and does not understanding raise her voice?
On the heights, beside the way,: at the crossroads she takes her stand;
beside the gates in front of the town,: at the entrance of the portals she cries out:
"To you, O people, I call,: and my cry is to all that live.
The LORD created me at the beginning of his work,: the first of his acts of long ago.
Ages ago I was set up,: at the first, before the beginning of the earth.
When there were no depths I was brought forth,: when there were no springs abounding with water.
Before the mountains had been shaped,: before the hills, I was brought forth--
when he had not yet made earth and fields,: or the world's first bits of soil.
When he established the heavens, I was there,: when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,
when he made firm the skies above,: when he established the fountains of the deep,
when he assigned to the sea its limit,: so that the waters might not transgress his command,
when he marked out the foundations of the earth,: then I was beside him, like a master worker;
and I was daily his delight,: rejoicing before him always,
rejoicing in his inhabited world: and delighting in the human race."

Psalm 8 Page 592,

Domine, Dominus noster

1: O LORD our Governor, *
how exalted is your Name in all the world!
2: Out of the mouths of infants and children *
your majesty is praised above the heavens.
3: You have set up a stronghold against your adversaries, *
to quell the enemy and the avenger.
4: When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, *
the moon and the stars you have set in their courses,
5: What is man that you should be mindful of him? *
the son of man that you should seek him out?
6: You have made him but little lower than the angels; *
you adorn him with glory and honor;
7: You give him mastery over the works of your hands; *
you put all things under his feet:
8: All sheep and oxen, *
even the wild beasts of the field,
9: The birds of the air, the fish of the sea, *
and whatsoever walks in the paths of the sea.
10: O LORD our Governor, *
how exalted is your Name in all the world!

or

Canticle 2

Canticle 13

A Song of Praise Benedictus es, Domine
Song of the Three Young Men, 29-34

Glory to you, Lord God of our fathers; *
you are worthy of praise; glory to you.
Glory to you for the radiance of your holy Name; *
we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.

Glory to you in the splendor of your temple; *
on the throne of your majesty, glory to you.
Glory to you, seated between the Cherubim; *
we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.

Glory to you, beholding the depths; *
in the high vault of heaven, glory to you.
Glory to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; *
we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.

Romans 5:1-5

Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

John 16:12-15

Jesus said to the disciples, "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you."

How to Use These Readings and Reflections

Sermons on the readings of previous Sunday can be found here
Podcasts of the sermons can be found here
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Fourth Sunday of Easter; Year C

2010-04-19T20:48:00.000-05:00

Acts 9:36-43

Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, "Please come to us without delay." So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them. Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, "Tabitha, get up." Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. Meanwhile he stayed in Joppa for some time with a certain Simon, a tanner.

Psalm 23

Dominus regit me

1: The LORD is my shepherd; *
I shall not be in want.
2: He makes me lie down in green pastures *
and leads me beside still waters.
3: He revives my soul *
and guides me along right pathways for his Name's sake.
4: Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I shall fear no evil; *
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5: You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; *
you have anointed my head with oil,
and my cup is running over.
6: Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, *
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Revelation 7:9-17

After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice, saying,

"Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!"

And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, singing,

"Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom
and thanksgiving and honor
and power and might
be to our God forever and ever! Amen."

Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, "Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?" I said to him, "Sir, you are the one that knows." Then he said to me, "These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

For this reason they are before the throne of God,: and worship him day and night within his temple,; and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them.
They will hunger no more, and thirst no more;: the sun will not strike them,; nor any scorching heat;
for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd,: and he will guide them to springs of the water of life,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

John 10:22-30

At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly." Jesus answered, "I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name testify to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father's hand. The Father and I are one."

How to Use These Readings and Reflections

Sermons on the readings of previous Sunday can be found here
Podcasts of the sermons can be found here
Visit my church: All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Russellville, AR
You can read more about me at my website
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Third Sunday of Easter; Year C

2010-04-12T20:47:00.000-05:00

Acts 9:1-6, (7-20)

Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" He asked, "Who are you, Lord?" The reply came, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do." [The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." He answered, "Here I am, Lord." The Lord said to him, "Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight." But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name." But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name." So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is the Son of God."]

Psalm 30

Exaltabo te, Domine

1: I will exalt you, O LORD,
because you have lifted me up *
and have not let my enemies triumph over me.
2: O LORD my God, I cried out to you, *
and you restored me to health.
3: You brought me up, O LORD, from the dead; *
you restored my life as I was going down to the grave.
4: Sing to the LORD, you servants of his; *
give thanks for the remembrance of his holiness.
5: For his wrath endures but the twinkling of an eye, *
his favor for a lifetime.
6: Weeping may spend the night, *
but joy comes in the morning.
7: While I felt secure, I said,
"I shall never be disturbed. *
You, LORD, with your favor, made me as strong as the mountains."
8: Then you hid your face, *
and I was filled with fear.
9: I cried to you, O LORD; *
I pleaded with the Lord, saying,
10: "What profit is there in my blood, if I go down to the Pit? *
will the dust praise you or declare your faithfulness?
11: Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me; *
O LORD, be my helper."
12: You have turned my wailing into dancing; *
you have put off my sack-cloth and clothed me with joy.
13: Therefore my heart sings to you without ceasing; *
O LORD my God, I will give you thanks for ever.

Revelation 5:11-14

I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, singing with full voice,

"Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!"

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing,

"To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!"

And the four living creatures said, "Amen!" And the elders fell down and worshiped.

John 21:1-19

Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, "Children, you have no fish, have you?" They answered him, "No." He said to them, "Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.

When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught." So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, "Who are you?" because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs." A second time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go." (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, "Follow me."

How to Use These Readings and Reflections

Sermons on the readings of previous Sunday can be found here
Podcasts of the sermons can be found here
Visit my church: All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Russellville, AR
You can read more about me at my website
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Second Sunday of Easter; Year C

2010-04-05T20:45:00.000-05:00

Acts 5:27-32

When the temple police had brought the apostles, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, saying, "We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man's blood on us." But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him."

Psalm 118:14-29

14

The LORD is my strength and my song, *
and he has become my salvation.
15: There is a sound of exultation and victory *
in the tents of the righteous:
16: "The right hand of the LORD has triumphed! *
the right hand of the LORD is exalted!
the right hand of the LORD has triumphed!"
17: I shall not die, but live, *
and declare the works of the LORD.
18: The LORD has punished me sorely, *
but he did not hand me over to death.
19: Open for me the gates of righteousness; *
I will enter them;
I will offer thanks to the LORD.
20: "This is the gate of the LORD; *
he who is righteous may enter."
21: I will give thanks to you, for you answered me *
and have become my salvation.
22: The same stone which the builders rejected *
has become the chief cornerstone.
23: This is the LORD'S doing, *
and it is marvelous in our eyes.
24: On this day the LORD has acted; *
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
25: Hosannah, LORD, hosannah! *
LORD, send us now success.
26: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; *
we bless you from the house of the LORD.
27: God is the LORD; he has shined upon us; *
form a procession with branches up to the horns of the altar.
28: "You are my God, and I will thank you; *
you are my God, and I will exalt you."
29: Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; *
his mercy endures for ever.

or

Psalm 150

1: Hallelujah!
Praise God in his holy temple; *
praise him in the firmament of his power.
2: Praise him for his mighty acts; *
praise him for his excellent greatness.
3: Praise him with the blast of the ram's-horn; *
praise him with lyre and harp.
4: Praise him with timbrel and dance; *
praise him with strings and pipe.
5: Praise him with resounding cymbals; *
praise him with loud-clanging cymbals.
6: Let everything that has breath *
praise the LORD.
Hallelujah!

Revelation 1:4-8

John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. So it is to be. Amen. "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.

John 20:19-31

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe."

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

Easter Day; Year C

2010-03-29T20:42:00.000-05:00

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

In exitu Israel

1: Hallelujah!
When Israel came out of Egypt, *
the house of Jacob from a people of strange speech,
2: Judah became God's sanctuary *
and Israel his dominion.
3: The sea beheld it and fled; *
Jordan turned and went back.
4: The mountains skipped like rams, *
and the little hills like young sheep.
5: What ailed you, O sea, that you fled? *
O Jordan, that you turned back?
6: You mountains, that you skipped like rams? *
you little hills like young sheep?
7: Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, *
at the presence of the God of Jacob,
8: Who turned the hard rock into a pool of water *
and flint-stone into a flowing spring.

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.

Luke 24:13-49

Now on that same day, the first day of the week, two of the disciples 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."

How to Use These Readings and Reflections

Sermons on the readings of previous Sunday can be found here
Podcasts of the sermons can be found here
Visit my church: All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Russellville, AR
You can read more about me at my website
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Year C, Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday

2010-03-21T23:51:00.000-05:00

Luke 19:28-40

After telling a parable to the crowd at Jericho, Jesus went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, "Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' just say this, 'The Lord needs it.'" So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?" They said, "The Lord needs it." Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying,

"Blessed is the king: who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven,: and glory in the highest heaven!"

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, order your disciples to stop." He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out."

Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 Page 760, BCP

Confitemini Domino

1: Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; *
his mercy endures for ever.
2: Let Israel now proclaim, *
"His mercy endures for ever."
19: Open for me the gates of righteousness; *
I will enter them;
I will offer thanks to the LORD.
20: "This is the gate of the LORD; *
he who is righteous may enter."
21: I will give thanks to you, for you answered me *
and have become my salvation.
22: The same stone which the builders rejected *
has become the chief cornerstone.
23: This is the LORD'S doing, *
and it is marvelous in our eyes.
24: On this day the LORD has acted; *
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
25: Hosannah, LORD, hosannah! *
LORD, send us now success.
26: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; *
we bless you from the house of the LORD.
27: God is the LORD; he has shined upon us; *
form a procession with branches up to the horns of the altar.
28: "You are my God, and I will thank you; *
you are my God, and I will exalt you."
29: Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; *
his mercy endures for ever.

----------------------------------------

at The Liturgy of the Word

Isaiah 50:4-9a

The Lord GOD has given me: the tongue of a teacher,
that I may know how to sustain: the weary with a word.
Morning by morning he wakens--: wakens my ear; to listen as those who are taught.
The Lord GOD has opened my ear,: and I was not rebellious,; I did not turn backward.
I gave my back to those who struck me,: and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard;
I did not hide my face: from insult and spitting.
The Lord GOD helps me;: therefore I have not been disgraced;
therefore I have set my face like flint,: and I know that I shall not be put to shame;; he who vindicates me is near.
Who will contend with me?: Let us stand up together.
Who are my adversaries?: Let them confront me.
It is the Lord GOD who helps me;: who will declare me guilty?

Psalm 31:9-16

In te, Domine, speravi

9: Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am in trouble; *
my eye is consumed with sorrow,
and also my throat and my belly.
10: For my life is wasted with grief,
and my years with sighing; *
my strength fails me because of affliction,
and my bones are consumed.
11: I have become a reproach to all my enemies and even to my neighbors,
a dismay to those of my acquaintance; *
when they see me in the street they avoid me.
12: I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind; *
I am as useless as a broken pot.
13: For I have heard the whispering of the crowd;
fear is all around; *
they put their heads together against me;
they plot to take my life.
14: But as for me, I have trusted in you, O LORD. *
I have said, "You are my God.
15: My times are in your hand; *
rescue me from the hand of my enemies,
and from those who persecute me.
16: Make your face to shine upon your servant, *
and in your loving-kindness save me."

Philippians 2:5-11

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
who, though he was in the form of God,: did not regard equality with God; as something to be exploited,
but emptied himself,: taking the form of a slave,; being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,: he humbled himself; and became obedient to the point of death--; even death on a cross.
Therefore God also highly exalted him: and gave him the name; that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus: every knee should bend,; in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess: that Jesus Christ is Lord,; to the glory of God the Father.

Luke 22:14-23:56

When the hour for the Passover meal came, Jesus took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. He said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God." Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, "Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, "This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table. For the Son of Man is going as it has been determined, but woe to that one by whom he is betrayed!" Then they began to ask one another, which one of them it could be who would do this.

A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. But he said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

"You are those who have stood by me in my trials; and I confer on you, just as my Father has conferred on me, a kingdom, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

"Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." And he said to him, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death!" Jesus said, "I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow this day, until you have denied three times that you know me."

He said to them, "When I sent you out without a purse, bag, or sandals, did you lack anything?" They said, "No, not a thing." He said to them, "But now, the one who has a purse must take it, and likewise a bag. And the one who has no sword must sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you, this scripture must be fulfilled in me, `And he was counted among the lawless'; and indeed what is written about me is being fulfilled." They said, "Lord, look, here are two swords." He replied, "It is enough."

He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. When he reached the place, he said to them, "Pray that you may not come into the time of trial." Then he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, knelt down, and prayed, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done." When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, and he said to them, "Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial."

While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him; but Jesus said to him, "Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man?" When those who were around him saw what was coming, they asked, "Lord, should we strike with the sword?" Then one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, "No more of this!" And he touched his ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple police, and the elders who had come for him, "Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a bandit? When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness!"

Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest's house. But Peter was following at a distance. When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. Then a servant-girl, seeing him in the firelight, stared at him and said, "This man also was with him." But he denied it, saying, "Woman, I do not know him." A little later someone else, on seeing him, said, "You also are one of them." But Peter said, "Man, I am not!" Then about an hour later still another kept insisting, "Surely this man also was with him; for he is a Galilean." But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are talking about!" At that moment, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed. The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, "Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly.

Now the men who were holding Jesus began to mock him and beat him; they also blindfolded him and kept asking him, "Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?" They kept heaping many other insults on him.

When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, gathered together, and they brought him to their council. They said, "If you are the Messiah, tell us." He replied, "If I tell you, you will not believe; and if I question you, you will not answer. But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God." All of them asked, "Are you, then, the Son of God?" He said to them, "You say that I am." Then they said, "What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips!"]

Then the assembly rose as a body and brought Jesus before Pilate. They began to accuse him, saying, "We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king." Then Pilate asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" He answered, "You say so." Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, "I find no basis for an accusation against this man." But they were insistent and said, "He stirs up the people by teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to this place."

When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. And when he learned that he was under Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him off to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see him perform some sign. He questioned him at some length, but Jesus gave him no answer. The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. Even Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him; then he put an elegant robe on him, and sent him back to Pilate. That same day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other; before this they had been enemies.

Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, and said to them, "You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death. I will therefore have him flogged and release him."

Then they all shouted out together, "Away with this fellow! Release Barabbas for us!" (This was a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.) Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; but they kept shouting, "Crucify, crucify him!" A third time he said to them, "Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him." But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed. So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted. He released the man they asked for, the one who had been put in prison for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over as they wished.

As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus. A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For the days are surely coming when they will say, 'Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.' Then they will begin to say to the mountains, 'Fall on us'; and to the hills, 'Cover us.' For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?"

Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!" The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" There was also an inscription over him, "This is the King of the Jews."

One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, "Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!" But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He replied, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun's light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit." Having said this, he breathed his last. When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, "Certainly this man was innocent." And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts. But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, who, though a member of the council, had not agreed to their plan and action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea, and he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid. It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning. The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments.

On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

or

Luke 23:1-49

The assembly of the elders of the people rose as a body and brought Jesus before Pilate. They began to accuse him, saying, "We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king." Then Pilate asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" He answered, "You say so." Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, "I find no basis for an accusation against this man." But they were insistent and said, "He stirs up the people by teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to this place."

How to Use These Readings and Reflections

Sermons on the readings of previous Sunday can be found here
Podcasts of the sermons can be found here
Visit my church: All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Russellville, AR
You can read more about me at my website
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Palm Sunday - 2010

2010-03-21T23:48:00.000-05:00

Luke 19:28-40

"Blessed is the king: who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven,: and glory in the highest heaven!"

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, order your disciples to stop." He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out."

-----------------------------------

We are called to embody in us the blessedness of God by bringing peace to the world around us. We are called to live Christ everyday

___________________

Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29

Confitemini Domino

1: Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; *
his mercy endures for ever.
2: Let Israel now proclaim, *
"His mercy endures for ever."
19: Open for me the gates of righteousness; *
I will enter them;
I will offer thanks to the LORD.
20: "This is the gate of the LORD; *
he who is righteous may enter."
21: I will give thanks to you, for you answered me *
and have become my salvation.
22: The same stone which the builders rejected *
has become the chief cornerstone.
23: This is the LORD'S doing, *
and it is marvelous in our eyes.
24: On this day the LORD has acted; *
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
25: Hosannah, LORD, hosannah! *
LORD, send us now success.
26: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; *
we bless you from the house of the LORD.
27: God is the LORD; he has shined upon us; *
form a procession with branches up to the horns of the altar.
28: "You are my God, and I will thank you; *
you are my God, and I will exalt you."
29: Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; *
his mercy endures for ever.

Isaiah 50:4-9a

The Lord GOD has given me: the tongue of a teacher,
that I may know how to sustain: the weary with a word.
Morning by morning he wakens--: wakens my ear; to listen as those who are taught.
The Lord GOD has opened my ear,: and I was not rebellious,; I did not turn backward.
I gave my back to those who struck me,: and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard;
I did not hide my face: from insult and spitting.
The Lord GOD helps me;: therefore I have not been disgraced;
therefore I have set my face like flint,: and I know that I shall not be put to shame;; he who vindicates me is near.
Who will contend with me?: Let us stand up together.
Who are my adversaries?: Let them confront me.
It is the Lord GOD who helps me;: who will declare me guilty?

----------------------------------------

Let us not turn backwards. Life is a journey forwards and being spiritual is a journey forwards than backwards.

-----------------------------------------

Psalm 31:9-16

In te, Domine, speravi

9: Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am in trouble; *
my eye is consumed with sorrow,
and also my throat and my belly.
10: For my life is wasted with grief,
and my years with sighing; *
my strength fails me because of affliction,
and my bones are consumed.
11: I have become a reproach to all my enemies and even to my neighbors,
a dismay to those of my acquaintance; *
when they see me in the street they avoid me.
12: I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind; *
I am as useless as a broken pot.
13: For I have heard the whispering of the crowd;
fear is all around; *
they put their heads together against me;
they plot to take my life.
14: But as for me, I have trusted in you, O LORD. *
I have said, "You are my God.
15: My times are in your hand; *
rescue me from the hand of my enemies,
and from those who persecute me.
16: Make your face to shine upon your servant, *
and in your loving-kindness save me."

-----------------------------

Even though we are broken within with sickness and sinfulness, God is unbroken and ready to restore us back to wholeness. But we have to get back to God.

---------------------------

Philippians 2:5-11

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
who, though he was in the form of God,: did not regard equality with God; as something to be exploited,
but emptied himself,: taking the form of a slave,; being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,: he humbled himself; and became obedient to the point of death--; even death on a cross.
Therefore God also highly exalted him: and gave him the name; that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus: every knee should bend,; in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess: that Jesus Christ is Lord,; to the glory of God the Father.

Luke 22:14-23:56

Now the men who were holding Jesus began to mock him and beat him; they also blindfolded him and kept asking him, "Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?" They kept heaping many other insults on him.

On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

or

Luke 23:1-49

How to Use These Readings and Reflections

Sermons on the readings of previous Sunday can be found here
Podcasts of the sermons can be found here
Visit my church: All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Russellville, AR
You can read more about me at my website
You can subscribe to these readings by email. Enter your email address and click subscribe, and follow the instructions.

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Year C, Fifth Sunday in Lent

2010-03-15T23:47:00.000-05:00

Isaiah 43:16-21

Thus says the LORD,: who makes a way in the sea,; a path in the mighty waters,
who brings out chariot and horse,: army and warrior;
they lie down, they cannot rise,: they are extinguished, quenched like a wick:
Do not remember the former things,: or consider the things of old.
I am about to do a new thing;: now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness: and rivers in the desert.
The wild animals will honor me,: the jackals and the ostriches;
for I give water in the wilderness,: rivers in the desert,
to give drink to my chosen people,: the people whom I formed for myself
so that they might declare my praise.

Psalm 126 Page 782, BCP

In convertendo

1: When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, *
then were we like those who dream.
2: Then was our mouth filled with laughter, *
and our tongue with shouts of joy.
3: Then they said among the nations, *
"The LORD has done great things for them."
4: The LORD has done great things for us, *
and we are glad indeed.
5: Restore our fortunes, O LORD, *
like the watercourses of the Negev.
6: Those who sowed with tears *
will reap with songs of joy.
7: Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed, *
will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves.

Philippians 3:4b-14

If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.

John 12:1-8

Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?" (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Jesus said, "Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me."

How to Use These Readings and Reflections

Sermons on the readings of previous Sunday can be found here
Podcasts of the sermons can be found here
Visit my church: All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Russellville, AR
You can read more about me at my website
You can subscribe to these readings by email. Enter your email address and click subscribe, and follow the instructions.

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Year C, Fourth Sunday in Lent

2010-03-07T22:39:00.000-06:00

Joshua 5:9-12

The LORD said to Joshua, "Today I have rolled away from you the disgrace of Egypt." And so that place is called Gilgal to this day.

While the Israelites were camped in Gilgal they kept the passover in the evening on the fourteenth day of the month in the plains of Jericho. On the day after the passover, on that very day, they ate the produce of the land, unleavened cakes and parched grain. The manna ceased on the day they ate the produce of the land, and the Israelites no longer had manna; they ate the crops of the land of Canaan that year.

Psalm 32

Beati quorum

1: Happy are they whose transgressions are forgiven, *
and whose sin is put away!
2: Happy are they to whom the LORD imputes no guilt, *
and in whose spirit there is no guile!
3: While I held my tongue, my bones withered away, *
because of my groaning all day long.
4: For your hand was heavy upon me day and night; *
my moisture was dried up as in the heat of summer.
5: Then I acknowledged my sin to you, *
and did not conceal my guilt.
6: I said," I will confess my transgressions to the LORD." *
Then you forgave me the guilt of my sin.
7: Therefore all the faithful will make their prayers to you in time of trouble; *
when the great waters overflow, they shall not reach them.
8: You are my hiding-place;
you preserve me from trouble; *
you surround me with shouts of deliverance.
9: "I will instruct you and teach you in the way that you should go; *
I will guide you with my eye.
10: Do not be like horse or mule, which have no understanding; *
who must be fitted with bit and bridle,
or else they will not stay near you."
11: Great are the tribulations of the wicked; *
but mercy embraces those who trust in the LORD.
12: Be glad, you righteous, and rejoice in the LORD; *
shout for joy, all who are true of heart.

2 Corinthians 5:16-21

From now on, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

All the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to Jesus. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them."

So Jesus told them this parable:

"There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.' So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands."' So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly, bring out a robe--the best one--and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!' And they began to celebrate.

"Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.' Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, 'Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!' Then the father said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.'"

How to Use These Readings and Reflections

Choose the first reading and its reflections for Monday, the second Reading and Reflections for Tuesday and on for each day of the week. By the end of the week you will be ready for the Celebration of Holy Eucharist and a spiritual experience that you got ready in the course of the week. You can use these readings for centering prayer, personal meditation, early morning reflections or prayer groups etc. Make this a daily practice and you will begin to see God’s ever loving hand each and every moment of your life.

Sermons on the readings of previous Sunday can be found here
Podcasts of the sermons can be found here
Visit my church: All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Russellville, AR
You can read more about me at my website
You can subscribe to these readings by email. Enter your email address and click subscribe, and follow the instructions.

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Year C, Third Sunday in Lent

2010-02-28T22:43:00.000-06:00

Exodus 3:1-15

Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. Then Moses said, "I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up." When the LORD saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am." Then he said, "Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground." He said further, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

Then the LORD said, "I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them from the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the country of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. The cry of the Israelites has now come to me; I have also seen how the Egyptians oppress them. So come, I will send you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt." But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" He said, "I will be with you; and this shall be the sign for you that it is I who sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God on this mountain."

But Moses said to God, "If I come to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' what shall I say to them?" God said to Moses, "I AM Who I AM." He said further, "Thus you shall say to the Israelites, 'I AM has sent me to you.'" God also said to Moses, "Thus you shall say to the Israelites, 'The LORD, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you':

This is my name forever,: and this my title for all generations.

Psalm 63:1-8

Deus, Deus meus

1: O God, you are my God; eagerly I seek you; *
my soul thirsts for you, my flesh faints for you,
as in a barren and dry land where there is no water.
2: Therefore I have gazed upon you in your holy place, *
that I might behold your power and your glory.
3: For your loving-kindness is better than life itself; *
my lips shall give you praise.
4: So will I bless you as long as I live *
and lift up my hands in your Name.
5: My soul is content, as with marrow and fatness, *
and my mouth praises you with joyful lips,
6: When I remember you upon my bed, *
and meditate on you in the night watches.
7: For you have been my helper, *
and under the shadow of your wings I will rejoice.
8: My soul clings to you; *
your right hand holds me fast.

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, and they were struck down in the wilderness.

Now these things occurred as examples for us, so that we might not desire evil as they did. Do not become idolaters as some of them did; as it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink, and they rose up to play." We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did, and were destroyed by serpents. And do not complain as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. These things happened to them to serve as an example, and they were written down to instruct us, on whom the ends of the ages have come. So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall. No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.

Luke 13:1-9

There were some present who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, "Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them--do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did."

Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, 'See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?' He replied, 'Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'"

How to Use These Readings and Reflections

Sermons on the readings of previous Sunday can be found here
Podcasts of the sermons can be found here
Visit my church: All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Russellville, AR
You can read more about me at my website
You can subscribe to these readings by email. Enter your email address and click subscribe, and follow the instructions.

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Year C - Second Sunday in Lent

2010-02-24T07:13:00.001-06:00

Genesis 15:1-12,17-18

The word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, "Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great." But Abram said, "O Lord GOD, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?" And Abram said, "You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir." But the word of the LORD came to him, "This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir." He brought him outside and said, "Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your descendants be." And he believed the LORD; and the LORD reckoned it to him as righteousness.

Then he said to him, "I am the LORD who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess." But he said, "O Lord GOD, how am I to know that I shall possess it?" He said to him, "Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon." He brought him all these and cut them in two, laying each half over against the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away.

As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a deep and terrifying darkness descended upon him.

When the sun had gone down and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, "To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates."

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Abram complained to the Lord of not having a child. He spoke with passion and pain. God listened with compassion and kindness. God took action and a new generation was created. Trust in the Lord.

----------------------------------------------------

Psalm 27

Dominus illuminatio

1: The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom then shall I fear? *
the LORD is the strength of my life;
of whom then shall I be afraid?
2: When evildoers came upon me to eat up my flesh, *
it was they, my foes and my adversaries, who; stumbled and fell.
3: Though an army should encamp against me, *
yet my heart shall not be afraid;
4: And though war should rise up against me, *
yet will I put my trust in him.
5: One thing have I asked of the LORD;
one thing I seek; *
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days</FONT size>; of my life;
6: To behold the fair beauty of the LORD *
and to seek him in his temple.
7: For in the day of trouble he shall keep me safe</FONT size>; in his shelter; *
he shall hide me in the secrecy of his dwelling
and set me high upon a rock.
8: Even now he lifts up my head *
above my enemies round about me.
9: Therefore I will offer in his dwelling an oblation
with sounds of great gladness; *
I will sing and make music to the LORD.
10: Hearken to my voice, O LORD, when I call; *
have mercy on me and answer me.
11: You speak in my heart and say, "Seek my face." *
Your face, LORD, will I seek.
12: Hide not your face from me, *
nor turn away your servant in displeasure.
13: You have been my helper;
cast me not away; *
do not forsake me, O God of my salvation.
14: Though my father and my mother forsake me, *
the LORD will sustain me.
15: Show me your way, O LORD; *
lead me on a level path, because of my enemies.
16: Deliver me not into the hand of my adversaries, *
for false witnesses have risen up against me,
and also those who speak malice.
17: What if I had not believed
that I should see the goodness of the LORD *
in the land of the living!
18: O tarry and await the LORD'S pleasure;
be strong, and he shall comfort your heart; *
wait patiently for the LORD.

----------------------------------------------------

God is our strength, we pray often. But what is needed is allowing time to experience that strength. Patience is a virtue and needs growing.

----------------------------------------------------

Philippians 3:17-4:1

Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

----------------------------------------------------

Essential the writer is inviting us to get in touch with the truth about ourselves, that we do not belong here, we belong with God. Our inheritance and our portion is that of God’s and therefore behave like one.

----------------------------------------------------

Luke 13:31-35

Some Pharisees came and said to Jesus, "Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you." He said to them, "Go and tell that fox for me, 'Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.' Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, 'Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.'"

----------------------------------------------------

It is hard to recognize who lives like the child of God and who talks like one. There are many out there who are although from God ultimately acts like not from God and therefore misleads. If we come in the name of God then we are accorded all honors of God’s children.

----------------------------------------------------

How to Use These Readings and Reflections

Sermons on the readings of previous Sunday can be found here
Podcasts of the sermons can be found here
Visit my church: All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Russellville, AR
You can read more about me at my website

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Year C – Lent: Ash Wednesday

2010-02-16T07:37:00.000-06:00

Joel 2:1-2,12-17

Blow the trumpet in Zion;
sound the alarm on my holy mountain!
Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble,
for the day of the LORD is coming, it is near--
a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and thick darkness!
Like blackness spread upon the mountains
a great and powerful army comes;
their like has never been from of old,
nor will be again after them
in ages to come.
Yet even now, says the LORD,
return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
rend your hearts and not your clothing.
Return to the LORD, your God,
for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love,
and relents from punishing.
Who knows whether he will not turn and relent,
and leave a blessing behind him,
a grain offering and a drink offering
for the LORD, your God?
Blow the trumpet in Zion;
sanctify a fast;
call a solemn assembly;
gather the people.
Sanctify the congregation;
assemble the aged;
gather the children,
even infants at the breast.
Let the bridegroom leave his room,
and the bride her canopy.
Between the vestibule and the altar
let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep.
Let them say, "Spare your people, O LORD,
and do not make your heritage a mockery,
a byword among the nations.
Why should it be said among the peoples,
`Where is their God?'"

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Return to the Lord, invites the prophet. Call to return tells us that the house is still open and ready for us. God has not left us behind or given up on us inspite of what has happened in the past. God is waiting to sanctify us and make us heirs of the kingdom.

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Isaiah 58:1-12

Thus says the high and lofty one
who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
Shout out, do not hold back!
Lift up your voice like a trumpet!
Announce to my people their rebellion,
to the house of Jacob their sins.
Yet day after day they seek me
and delight to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that practiced righteousness
and did not forsake the ordinance of their God;
they ask of me righteous judgments,
they delight to draw near to God.
"Why do we fast, but you do not see?
Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?"
Look, you serve your own interest on your fast day,
and oppress all your workers.
Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight
and to strike with a wicked fist.
Such fasting as you do today
will not make your voice heard on high.
Is such the fast that I choose,
a day to humble oneself?
Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush,
and to lie in sackcloth and ashes?
Will you call this a fast,
a day acceptable to the LORD?
Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of injustice,
to undo the thongs of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover them,
and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up quickly;
your vindicator shall go before you,
the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer;
you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am.

If you remove the yoke from among you,
the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil,
if you offer your food to the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the afflicted,
then your light shall rise in the darkness
and your gloom be like the noonday.
The LORD will guide you continually,
and satisfy your needs in parched places,
and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
like a spring of water,
whose waters never fail.
Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;
you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
you shall be called the repairer of the breach,
the restorer of streets to live in.

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True fast is undoing injustice and bringing justice. In another words true fast is being truthfully loving of one another. Repentance is growing up. It is abstaining from pointing fingers, speaking evil and providing food for the hungry.

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Psalm 103 or 103:8-14

Benedic, anima mea

1: Bless the LORD, O my soul, *
and all that is within me, bless his holy Name.
2: Bless the LORD, O my soul, *
and forget not all his benefits.
3: He forgives all your sins *
and heals all your infirmities;
4: He redeems your life from the grave *
and crowns you with mercy and loving-kindness;
5: He satisfies you with good things, *
and your youth is renewed like an eagle's.
6: The LORD executes righteousness *
and judgment for all who are oppressed.
7: He made his ways known to Moses *
and his works to the children of Israel.
8: The LORD is full of compassion and mercy, *
slow to anger and of great kindness.
9: He will not always accuse us, *
nor will he keep his anger for ever.
10: He has not dealt with us according to our sins, *
nor rewarded us according to our wickedness.
11: For as the heavens are high above the earth, *
so is his mercy great upon those who fear him.
12: As far as the east is from the west, *
so far has he removed our sins from us.
13: As a father cares for his children, *
so does the LORD care for those who fear him.
14: For he himself knows whereof we are made; *
he remembers that we are but dust.
15: Our days are like the grass; *
we flourish like a flower of the field;
16: When the wind goes over it, it is gone, *
and its place shall know it no more.
17: But the merciful goodness of the LORD endures for ever on those who fear him, *
and his righteousness on children's children;
18: On those who keep his covenant *
and remember his commandments and do them.
19: The LORD has set his throne in heaven, *
and his kingship has dominion over all.
20: Bless the LORD, you angels of his,
you mighty ones who do his bidding, *
and hearken to the voice of his word.
21: Bless the LORD, all you his hosts, *
you ministers of his who do his will.
22: Bless the LORD, all you works of his,
in all places of his dominion; *
bless the LORD, O my soul.

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God is full of compassion. I have heard people say what we are full of sometimes. God is full of kindness. When we are filled with kindness compassion will be born giving birth to truth and justice, forgiveness and mercy.

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2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10

We entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says,

"At an acceptable time I have listened to you,
and on a day of salvation I have helped you."

See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! We are putting no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet are well known; as dying, and see-- we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

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Every moment is acceptable to God. Now is the time. The faster we get into the boat with God we get to the other side easier. For your God is ready and willing to help if you think you can’t do it alone. so, humility… how about it?

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Matthew 6:1-6,16-21

Jesus said, "Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

"So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

"And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

"And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

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This season let us give alms, pray and fast joyfully. Easy to give up and easy to pray. How about fasting? Not doing what impulses ask us to do is fasting. It is simple.

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How to Use These Readings and Reflections

Sermons on the readings of previous Sunday can be found here
Podcasts of the sermons can be found here
Visit my church: All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Russellville, AR
You can read more about me at my website

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Year C - First Sunday in Lent

2010-02-15T23:04:00.000-06:00

Deuteronomy 26:1-11

When you have come into the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance to possess, and you possess it, and settle in it, you shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you harvest from the land that the LORD your God is giving you, and you shall put it in a basket and go to the place that the LORD your God will choose as a dwelling for his name. You shall go to the priest who is in office at that time, and say to him, "Today I declare to the LORD your God that I have come into the land that the LORD swore to our ancestors to give us." When the priest takes the basket from your hand and sets it down before the altar of the LORD your God, you shall make this response before the LORD your God: "A wandering Aramean was my ancestor; he went down into Egypt and lived there as an alien, few in number, and there he became a great nation, mighty and populous. When the Egyptians treated us harshly and afflicted us, by imposing hard labor on us, we cried to the LORD, the God of our ancestors; the LORD heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. The LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with a terrifying display of power, and with signs and wonders; and he brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. So now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground that you, O LORD, have given me." You shall set it down before the LORD your God and bow down before the LORD your God. Then you, together with the Levites and the aliens who reside among you, shall celebrate with all the bounty that the LORD your God has given to you and to your house.

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Take the first fruits of your labor, your thoughts, your acts and your offspring, your life, your relationship and all that you are, and give it to God in a action. Then you will know what it means to commit to the life style of a spiritual person.

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Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16

Qui habitat

1: He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, *
abides under the shadow of the Almighty.
2: He shall say to the LORD,
"You are my refuge and my stronghold, *
my God in whom I put my trust."
9: Because you have made the LORD your refuge, *
and the Most High your habitation,
10: There shall no evil happen to you, *
neither shall any plague come near your dwelling.
11: For he shall give his angels charge over you, *
to keep you in all your ways.
12: They shall bear you in their hands, *
lest you dash your foot against a stone.
13: You shall tread upon the lion and adder; *
you shall trample the young lion and the serpent under your feet.
14: Because he is bound to me in love,
therefore will I deliver him; *
I will protect him, because he knows my Name.
15: He shall call upon me, and I will answer him; *
I am with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and bring him to honor.
16: With long life will I satisfy him, *
and show him my salvation.

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It is the Lord who watches over you and therefore you are in the hands of the right one.

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Romans 10:8b-13

"The word is near you,: on your lips and in your heart"

(that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. The scripture says, "No one who believes in him will be put to shame." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

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Confess and live what you believe is simply what the Lord is saying. If you do not believe in the Lord then there is no confession of what you don’t believe.

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Luke 4:1-13

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread." Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone.'"

Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, "To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours." Jesus answered him, "It is written,

'Worship the Lord your God,: and serve only him.'"

Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written,

'He will command his angels concerning you,: to protect you,'

and

'On their hands they will bear you up,: so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.'"

Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.

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We are tempted daily to tamper with what God has created and change the basic nature of God’s creation. Sound of God is clear and beautiful when nothing else obstructs it as you can see the experience of Christ.

----------------------------------------------------

How to Use These Readings and Reflections

Sermons on the readings of previous Sunday can be found here
Podcasts of the sermons can be found here
Visit my church: All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Russellville, AR
You can read more about me at my website
You can subscribe to these readings by email. Enter your email address and click subscribe, and follow the instructions.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Year C - Last Sunday after Epiphany

2010-02-10T07:28:00.001-06:00

Exodus 34:29-35

Moses came down from Mount Sinai. As he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called to them; and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke with them. Afterward all the Israelites came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the LORD had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face; but whenever Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he would take the veil off, until he came out; and when he came out, and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, the Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of his face was shining; and Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with him.

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When we encounter God we change internally and externally. If we haven’t yet, then we haven’t met God yet. Keep on and don’t give up. We all have a tablet God wants us to have as a rule of life for each one of us.

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Psalm 99

Dominus regnavit

1: The LORD is King;
let the people tremble; *
he is enthroned upon the cherubim;
let the earth shake.
2: The LORD is great in Zion; *
he is high above all peoples.
3: Let them confess his Name, which is great and awesome; *
he is the Holy One.
4: "O mighty King, lover of justice,
you have established equity; *
you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob."
5: Proclaim the greatness of the LORD our God
and fall down before his footstool; *
he is the Holy One.
6: Moses and Aaron among his priests,
and Samuel among those who call upon his Name, *
they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.
7: He spoke to them out of the pillar of cloud; *
they kept his testimonies and the decree that he gave them.
8: O LORD our God, you answered them indeed; *
you were a God who forgave them,
yet punished them for their evil deeds.
9: Proclaim the greatness of the LORD our God
and worship him upon his holy hill; *
for the LORD our God is the Holy One.

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God arrives when our hearts are ready. At the arrival of God within us we shall be shaken. We are called to recognize our smallness in the face of the Greatness of God.

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2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2

Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness, not like Moses, who put a veil over his face to keep the people of Israel from gazing at the end of the glory that was being set aside. But their minds were hardened. Indeed, to this very day, when they hear the reading of the old covenant, that same veil is still there, since only in Christ is it set aside. Indeed, to this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds; but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.

Therefore, since it is by God's mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God's word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God.

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When God’s glory is revealed we are blessed by a truthful image of ourselves. When we are unveiled then we are genuine and pure.

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Luke 9:28-36, [37-43a]

About eight days after Peter had acknowledged Jesus as the Christ of God, Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah"--not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.

[On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. Just then a man from the crowd shouted, "Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child. Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he shrieks. It convulses him until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him. I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not." Jesus answered, "You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here." While he was coming, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. And all were astounded at the greatness of God.]

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It is good for us to be near the tent of God and God’s prophets. God pitches his tent and invites his friends to it. We are all called to be in the tent with Christ and not outside. Who is willing to sit at the tent with Christ and who is willing to let the party be over and walk into the world for Christ is the ultimate question.

----------------------------------------------------

How to Use These Readings and Reflections

Sermons on the readings of previous Sunday can be found here
Podcasts of the sermons can be found here
Visit my church: All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Russellville, AR
You can read more about me at my website
You can subscribe to these readings by email. Enter your email address and click subscribe, and follow the instructions.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Year C - Fifth Sunday after Epiphany

2010-01-31T22:58:00.000-06:00

Isaiah 6:1-8, [9-13]

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple. Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. And one called to another and said:

"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts;

the whole earth is full of his glory."

The pivots on the thresholds shook at the voices of those who called, and the house filled with smoke. And I said: "Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!"

Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. The seraph touched my mouth with it and said: "Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out." Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I; send me!" [And he said, "Go and say to this people:

Then I said, "How long, O Lord?" And he said: "Until cities lie waste without inhabitant, and houses without people, and the land is utterly desolate; until the LORD sends everyone far away, and vast is the emptiness in the midst of the land. Even if a tenth part remain in it, it will be burned again, like a terebinth or an oak whose stump remains standing when it is felled." The holy seed is its stump.]

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We are people of unclean lips and hearts. However God finds us capable of delivering God’s message.

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Psalm 138

Confitebor tibi

1: I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with my whole heart; *
before the gods I will sing your praise.
2: I will bow down toward your holy temple
and praise your Name, *
because of your love and faithfulness;
3: For you have glorified your Name *
and your word above all things.
4: When I called, you answered me; *
you increased my strength within me.
5: All the kings of the earth will praise you, O LORD, *
when they have heard the words of your mouth.
6: They will sing of the ways of the LORD, *
that great is the glory of the LORD.
7: Though the LORD be high, he cares for the lowly; *
he perceives the haughty from afar.
8: Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you keep me safe; *
you stretch forth your hand against the fury of my enemies;
your right hand shall save me.
9: The LORD will make good his purpose for me; *
O LORD, your love endures for ever;
do not abandon the works of your hands.

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God gives us strength when we call up on Him. What God finds within us is what man can not find. If you are comfortable with what God finds within you, do not be afraid of what people might find within you.

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1 Corinthians 15:1-11

I would remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news that I proclaimed to you, which you in turn received, in which also you stand, through which also you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message that I proclaimed to you--unless you have come to believe in vain.

For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me has not been in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them--though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we proclaim and so you have come to believe.

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What happened in the life of Christ is what God designed all along for mankind. But taking it gracefully is what made the difference. May be God has designed the same for us if only we can take it gracefully to see the Salvation coming alive through us.

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Luke 5:1-11

Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch." Simon answered, "Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets." When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!" For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people." When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.

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We work hard daily. We catch half or less than half the catch with all our efforts many times. May be going along with God might help us to get a bigger catch. It will be worth for us only when that is God. Fish for God and all will be well.

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Sermons on the readings of the previous Sunday can be found here

Year C - Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany

2010-01-24T18:54:00.000-06:00

Jeremiah 1:4-10

The word of the LORD came to me saying,
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations."
Then I said, "Ah, Lord GOD! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy." But the LORD said to me,
"Do not say, 'I am only a boy';
for you shall go to all to whom I send you,
and you shall speak whatever I command you,
Do not be afraid of them,
for I am with you to deliver you,: says the LORD."
Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth; and the LORD said to me,
"Now I have put my words in your mouth.
See, today I appoint you over nations and over kingdoms,
to pluck up and to pull down,
to destroy and to overthrow,
to build and to plant."

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God knows you and has consecrated you. When God consecrated us we were filled with a great potential. NO matter how that looks like in this world of humans, you are still more than you imagine you to be simply because it is God who consecrated you before man recognized you.

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Psalm 71:1-6

In te, Domine, speravi

1: In you, O LORD, have I taken refuge; *
let me never be ashamed.
2: In your righteousness, deliver me and set me free; *
incline your ear to me and save me.
3: Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe; *
you are my crag and my stronghold.
4: Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, *
from the clutches of the evildoer and the oppressor.
5: For you are my hope, O Lord GOD, *
my confidence since I was young.
6: I have been sustained by you ever since I was born;
from my mother's womb you have been my strength; *
my praise shall be always of you.

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It is God who can and will sustain you through tough times in life. Why? Because God turned you on to this world with a purpose that needs to be fulfilled. God will fulfill all that is been set within you.

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1 Corinthians 13:1-13

If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.

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Although we may not sound like the angels at times we have the potential for it. But truly that becomes real only when it includes people and their lives. We speak like angels for real only when we live like Angels. Until then it is pretending to be like angels.

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Luke 4:21-30

In the synagogue at Nazareth, Jesus read from the book of the prophet Isaiah, and began to say, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, "Is not this Joseph's son?" He said to them, "Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, 'Doctor, cure yourself!' And you will say, 'Do here also in your hometown the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.'" And he said, "Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet's hometown. But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian." When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.

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Everytime we like the children of God the scriptures will be fulfilled. Scripture is the story of mankind through the eyes of God. When we behave like the children of God, God makes the scripture come alive.

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How to Use These Readings and Reflections

Sermons on the readings of previous Sunday can be found here
Podcasts of the sermons can be found here
Visit my church: All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Russellville, AR
You can read more about me at my website
You can subscribe to these readings by email. Enter your email address and click subscribe, and follow the instructions.

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Year C - Third Sunday after the Epiphany

2010-01-18T22:52:00.000-06:00

Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10

All the people of Israel gathered together into the square before the Water Gate. They told the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had given to Israel. Accordingly, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could hear with understanding. This was on the first day of the seventh month. He read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law. And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and all the people answered, "Amen, Amen," lifting up their hands. Then they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. So they read from the book, from the law of God, with interpretation. They gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.

And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep." For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law. Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our LORD; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

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In all our adversity God is our strength. We are always at the gates of joy when we share from our abundance and littleness. The Law of the Lord is plenty for those who who listen to the voice of God.

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Psalm 19

Caeli enarrant

1: The heavens declare the glory of God, *
and the firmament shows his handiwork.
2: One day tells its tale to another, *
and one night imparts knowledge to another.
3: Although they have no words or language, *
and their voices are not heard,
4: Their sound has gone out into all lands, *
and their message to the ends of the world.
5: In the deep has he set a pavilion for the sun; *
it comes forth like a bridegroom out of his chamber;
it rejoices like a champion to run its course.
6: It goes forth from the uttermost edge of the heavens
and runs about to the end of it again; *
nothing is hidden from its burning heat.
7: The law of the LORD is perfect
and revives the soul; *
the testimony of the LORD is sure
and gives wisdom to the innocent.
8: The statutes of the LORD are just
and rejoice the heart; *
the commandment of the LORD is clear
and gives light to the eyes.
9: The fear of the LORD is clean
and endures for ever; *
the judgments of the LORD are true
and righteous altogether.
10: More to be desired are they than gold,
more than much fine gold, *
sweeter far than honey,
than honey in the comb.
11: By them also is your servant enlightened, *
and in keeping them there is great reward.
12: Who can tell how often he offends? *
cleanse me from my secret faults.
13: Above all, keep your servant from presumptuous sins;
let them not get dominion over me; *
then shall I be whole and sound,
and innocent of a great offense.
14: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my
heart be acceptable in your sight, *
O LORD, my strength and my redeemer.

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What revives us in our sorrows and pains is the knowledge of God’s promptings for good living. What makes us stronger than gold and brighter than jewels is the life in God.

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1 Corinthians 12:12-31a

Just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--Jews or Greeks, slaves or free--and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot would say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear would say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many members, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But strive for the greater gifts.

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We are in one body a community of parts. So are we in a community of people made up of individuals. Nothing stands alone and can not stand alone. What stands alone falls apart and what stays together holds on. Knowing we are not alone even when lost is the starting point of faithful living.

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Luke 4:14-21

Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.

When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:

'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me: to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives: and recovery of sight to the blind,; to let the oppressed go free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."

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The spirit of God makes us responsible not just for ourselves but those who are around us. It gives freedom to anyone who comes in contact with us. Freedom is the gift that can not be contained by one or another.

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How to Use These Readings and Reflections

Sermons on the readings of previous Sunday can be found here
Podcasts of the sermons can be found here
Visit my church: All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Russellville, AR
You can read more about me at my website

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Year C - Second Sunday after the Epiphany

2010-01-11T22:49:00.000-06:00

Isaiah 62:1-5

For Zion's sake I will not keep silent,: and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest,
until her vindication shines out like the dawn,: and her salvation like a burning torch.
The nations shall see your vindication,: and all the kings your glory;
and you shall be called by a new name: that the mouth of the LORD will give.
You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD,: and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
You shall no more be termed Forsaken,: and your land shall no more be termed Desolate;
but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her,: and your land Married;
for the LORD delights in you,: and your land shall be married.
For as a young man marries a young woman,: so shall your builder marry you,
and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,: so shall your God rejoice over you.

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You are precious in the eyes of God. When you shine God is pleased as it is God himself who shines through you. God’s delight in you is better than all the joys of the world combined.

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Psalm 36:5-10

Dixit injustus

5: Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, *
and your faithfulness to the clouds.
6: Your righteousness is like the strong mountains,
your justice like the great deep; *
you save both man and beast, O LORD.
7: How priceless is your love, O God! *
your people take refuge under the shadow of your wings.
8: They feast upon the abundance of your house; *
you give them drink from the river of your delights.
9: For with you is the well of life, *
and in your light we see light.
10: Continue your loving-kindness to those who know you, *
and your favor to those who are true of heart.

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God love is so priceless that nothing in the world can substitute it. It is so precious that it is shared with the most precious, which is you. When we are in God we see light and have life in its fullness.

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1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans, you were enticed and led astray to idols that could not speak. Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God ever says "Let Jesus be cursed!" and no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except by the Holy Spirit.

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.

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The characteristic of a person living in God is the goodness in him or her that gives life. We are all blessed with gifts to transform the world. But none of us are given the gift to do it alone. It is always fulfilled in the company of several others with varied gifts.

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John 2:1-11

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, "Fill the jars with water." And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, "Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward." So they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, "Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now." Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

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God celebrates union of love. God dances with those who have the courage to give oneself to the other in love. Even if there is something lacking in that whole process God pour the wine of love that has never been done before.

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How to Use These Readings and Reflections

Sermons on the readings of previous Sunday can be found here
Podcasts of the sermons can be found here
Visit my church: All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Russellville, AR
You can read more about me at my website

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Year C - First Sunday after the Epiphany: The Baptism of our Lord

2010-01-05T09:01:00.001-06:00

Isaiah 43:1-7

Thus says the Lord,: he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;: I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;: and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,: and the flame shall not consume you.
For I am the Lord your God,: the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I give Egypt as your ransom,: Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you.
Because you are precious in my sight,: and honored, and I love you,
I give people in return for you,: nations in exchange for your life.
Do not fear, for I am with you;: I will bring your offspring from the east,; and from the west I will gather you;
I will say to the north, "Give them up,": and to the south, "Do not withhold;
bring my sons from far away: and my daughters from the end of the earth--
everyone who is called by my name,: whom I created for my glory,; whom I formed and made."

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God knows who you are even before you were born. God has loved you like God’s own from day one. Let nothing desperation as the one who loves you is greater than all others put together.

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Psalm 29

Afferte Domino

1: Ascribe to the LORD, you gods, *
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
2: Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his Name; *
worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
3: The voice of the LORD is upon the waters;
the God of glory thunders; *
the LORD is upon the mighty waters.
4: The voice of the LORD is a powerful voice; *
the voice of the LORD is a voice of splendor.
5: The voice of the LORD breaks the cedar trees; *
the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon;
6: He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, *
and Mount Hermon like a young wild ox.
7: The voice of the LORD splits the flames of fire;
the voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; *
the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
8: The voice of the LORD makes the oak trees writhe *
and strips the forests bare.
9: And in the temple of the LORD *
all are crying, "Glory!"
10: The LORD sits enthroned above the flood; *
the LORD sits enthroned as King for evermore.
11: The LORD shall give strength to his people; *
the LORD shall give his people the blessing of peace.

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Voice of God is powerful enough to transform anything. Hearing is every day is what makes us transformative people.

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Acts 8:14-17

When the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit (for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

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Believe in God and lay your hands to bring life. Holy Spirit is upon you from the moment of Baptism. Holy Spirit gives life and that Spirit is within you.

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Luke 3:15-17,21-22

As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, "I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."

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God will be pleased with you as much as God is pleased with Christ when you begin to do God’s work. You are God’s beloved and chosen, Son and Daughter.

How to Use These Readings and Reflections

Sermons on the readings of previous Sunday can be found here
Podcasts of the sermons can be found here
Visit my church: All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Russellville, AR
You can read more about me at my website
You can subscribe to these readings by email. Enter your email address and click subscribe, and follow the instructions.

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Year C - The Epiphany

2010-01-04T23:34:00.000-06:00

Isaiah 60:1-6

Arise, shine; for your light has come,: and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
For darkness shall cover the earth,: and thick darkness the peoples;
but the LORD will arise upon you,: and his glory will appear over you.
Nations shall come to your light,: and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
Lift up your eyes and look around;: they all gather together, they come to you;
your sons shall come from far away,: and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses' arms.
Then you shall see and be radiant;: your heart shall thrill and rejoice,
because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you,: the wealth of the nations shall come to you.
A multitude of camels shall cover you,: the young camels of Midian and Ephah;; all those from Sheba shall come.
They shall bring gold and frankincense,: and shall proclaim the praise of the LORD.

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Changes in the lives of people, order in a world of chaos comes from the light that shines in dark moments of life. Nations or peoples, it is the brightness of God that removes fear and desperation.

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Psalm 72:1-7,10-14

Deus, judicium

1: Give the King your justice, O God, *
and your righteousness to the King's Son;
2: That he may rule your people righteously *
and the poor with justice;
3: That the mountains may bring prosperity to the people, *
and the little hills bring righteousness.
4: He shall defend the needy among the people; *
he shall rescue the poor and crush the oppressor.
5: He shall live as long as the sun and moon endure, *
from one generation to another.
6: He shall come down like rain upon the mown field, *
like showers that water the earth.
7: In his time shall the righteous flourish; *
there shall be abundance of peace till the moon shall be no more.
10: The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall pay tribute, *
and the kings of Arabia and Saba offer gifts.
11: All kings shall bow down before him, *
and all the nations do him service.
12: For he shall deliver the poor who cries out in distress, *
and the oppressed who has no helper.
13: He shall have pity on the lowly and poor; *
he shall preserve the lives of the needy.
14: He shall redeem their lives from oppression and violence, *
and dear shall their blood be in his sight.

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New dawn brings in new justice. Justice is new to us because we got used to the old. For God justice had been same and real all along.

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Ephesians 3:1-12

This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles-- for surely you have already heard of the commission of God's grace that was given me for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God's grace that was given me by the working of his power. Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.

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If the mystery of God is been revealed to you, can you handle it? If you have a choice between mystery and clarity what will you choose and why? Mystery can make you glow and clarity can give you an end.

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Matthew 2:1-12

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

`And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,: are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler: who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

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A light shines when a child is born. A star appears when a human being comes to life. God appears every time light appears. For God made it and only God can stand it. When you were born God was making sure the star was shining brighter with hope.

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Year C - Second Sunday after Christmas

2009-12-28T23:32:00.000-06:00

Jeremiah 31:7-14

Thus says the LORD:

Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob,: and raise shouts for the chief of the nations;
proclaim, give praise, and say,: "Save, O LORD, your people,; the remnant of Israel."
See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north,: and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth,
among them the blind and the lame, those with child and: those in labor, together;; a great company, they shall return here.
With weeping they shall come,: and with consolations I will lead them back,
I will let them walk by brooks of water,: in a straight path in which they shall not stumble;
for I have become a father to Israel,: and Ephraim is my firstborn.
Hear the word of the LORD, O nations,: and declare it in the coastlands far away;
say, "He who scattered Israel will gather him,: and will keep him as a shepherd a flock."
For the LORD has ransomed Jacob,: and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him.
They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion,: and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the LORD,
over the grain, the wine, and the oil,: and over the young of the flock and the herd;
their life shall become like a watered garden,: and they shall never languish again.
Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance,: and the young men and the old shall be merry.
I will turn their mourning into joy,: I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.
I will give the priests their fill of fatness,: and my people shall be satisfied with my bounty,

says the LORD.

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God can change the all that sad and gloomy into joyful and happy. It is God who comforts and consoles. We are have a choice with God. But not with man. who will you choose to be on your side.

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Psalm 84 or 84:1-8

Quam dilecta!

1: How dear to me is your dwelling, O LORD of hosts! *
My soul has a desire and longing for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God.
2: The sparrow has found her a house
and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young; *
by the side of your altars, O LORD of hosts,
my King and my God.
3: Happy are they who dwell in your house! *
they will always be praising you.
4: Happy are the people whose strength is in you! *
whose hearts are set on the pilgrims' way.
5: Those who go through the desolate valley will find it a place of springs, *
for the early rains have covered it with pools of water.
6: They will climb from height to height, *
and the God of gods will reveal himself in Zion.
7: LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; *
hearken, O God of Jacob.
8: Behold our defender, O God; *
and look upon the face of your Anointed.
9: For one day in your courts is better than a thousand in my own room, *
and to stand at the threshold of the house of my God
than to dwell in the tents of the wicked.
10: For the LORD God is both sun and shield; *
he will give grace and glory;
11: No good thing will the LORD withhold *
from those who walk with integrity.
12: O LORD of hosts, *
happy are they who put their trust in you!

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Greatest happiness comes from knowing all what we know and do are not enough without God. But with God we have it all. Who is your strength and Salvation?

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Ephesians 1:3-6,15-19a

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe.

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Who do you remember in prayers? Who are you most thankful for in life?

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Matthew 2:13-15,19-23

Now after the wise men had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, "Out of Egypt I have called my son."

When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child's life are dead." Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, "He will be called a Nazorean."

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What dream drives you to escape from evil? If you do will you follow it? all of us dreams and visions that asks us to run away into the land of Egypt, a far distant place where only God can find us. do we take a journey far away in the wilderness so that God can search, find and transform us.

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Luke 2:41-52

Now the parents of Jesus went to Jerusalem every year for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day's journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, "Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety." He said to them, "Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand what he said to them. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart.

And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.

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Will you stay behind if that means it is God in your life? Where is God? Will you return to the temple if what you are looking for can not be found anywhere you usually look? Can that be God and be satisfied once and for all.

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Matthew 2:1-12

`And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,: are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler: who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"

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Year C - First Sunday After Christmas

2009-12-25T23:21:00.000-06:00

Isaiah 61:10-62:3

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD,: my whole being shall exult in my God;
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation,: he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,: and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
For as the earth brings forth its shoots,: and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,
so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise: to spring up before all the nations.
For Zion's sake I will not keep silent,: and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest,
until her vindication shines out like the dawn,: and her salvation like a burning torch.
The nations shall see your vindication,: and all the kings your glory;
and you shall be called by a new name: that the mouth of the LORD will give.
You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD,: and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

When the Lord God arrives in life, there is enough reason to rejoice. How about you? What makes you happy and joyful in life?

Psalm 147 or 147:13-21

Laudate Dominum

1: Hallelujah!
How good it is to sing praises to our God! *
how pleasant it is to honor him with praise!
2: The LORD rebuilds Jerusalem; *
he gathers the exiles of Israel.
3: He heals the brokenhearted *
and binds up their wounds.
4: He counts the number of the stars *
and calls them all by their names.
5: Great is our LORD and mighty in power; *
there is no limit to his wisdom.
6: The LORD lifts up the lowly, *
but casts the wicked to the ground.
7: Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; *
make music to our God upon the harp.
8: He covers the heavens with clouds *
and prepares rain for the earth;
9: He makes grass to grow upon the mountains *
and green plants to serve mankind.
10: He provides food for flocks and herds *
and for the young ravens when they cry.
11: He is not impressed by the might of a horse; *
he has no pleasure in the strength of a man;
12: But the LORD has pleasure in those who fear him, *
in those who await his gracious favor.
13: Worship the LORD, O Jerusalem; *
praise your God, O Zion;
14: For he has strengthened the bars of your gates; *
he has blessed your children within you.
15: He has established peace on your borders; *
he satisfies you with the finest wheat.
16: He sends out his command to the earth, *
and his word runs very swiftly.
17: He gives snow like wool; *
he scatters hoarfrost like ashes.
18: He scatters his hail like bread crumbs; *
who can stand against his cold?
19: He sends forth his word and melts them; *
he blows with his wind, and the waters flow.
20: He declares his word to Jacob, *
his statutes and his judgments to Israel.
21: He has not done so to any other nation; *
to them he has not revealed his judgments.
Hallelujah!

God’s words are powerful to melt even the hardest of all rocks or substances in the world. If we listen to His words, our hearts might melt as well. Let us make our vows to hear the Words of God everyday.

Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.

We are blessed by God’s claiming us as His / Her children. Who is blessed by us by our claiming them as our brother or sister? who is not in the fold of our brothers and sisters? and why not?

John 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.'") From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father's heart, who has made him known.

It is word that made flesh among us. The words that you share will bring life or death to someone as well. Bring the glory of God through your words. For God continues to speak the Word that creates and you are part of the process.

Visit us at: http://www.allsaintsrussellville.net

Year C -The Nativity of Our Lord

2009-12-20T20:33:00.000-06:00

Isaiah 9:2-7

The people who walked in darkness: have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness--: on them light has shined.
You have multiplied the nation,: you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you: as with joy at the harvest,; as people exult when dividing plunder.
For the yoke of their burden,: and the bar across their shoulders,; the rod of their oppressor,; you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For all the boots of the tramping warriors: and all the garments rolled in blood; shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
For a child has been born for us,: a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;: and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,: Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His authority shall grow continually,: and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.: He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness: from this time onward and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

We walk in light because of God. We rejoice because we have been brought to newness and redemption. God’s authority for sure is better than of anyone else you or I know. Therefore let us continually rejoice in the throne of David.

Psalm 96

Cantate Domino

1: Sing to the LORD a new song; *
sing to the LORD, all the whole earth.
2: Sing to the LORD and bless his Name; *
proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day.
3: Declare his glory among the nations *
and his wonders among all peoples.
4: For great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; *
he is more to be feared than all gods.
5: As for all the gods of the nations, they are but idols; *
but it is the LORD who made the heavens.
6: Oh, the majesty and magnificence of his presence! *
Oh, the power and the splendor of his sanctuary!
7: Ascribe to the LORD, you families of the peoples; *
ascribe to the LORD honor and power.
8: Ascribe to the LORD the honor due his Name; *
bring offerings and come into his courts.
9: Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness; *
let the whole earth tremble before him.
10: Tell it out among the nations: "The LORD is King! *
he has made the world so firm that it cannot be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity."
11: Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad;
let the sea thunder and all that is in it; *
let the field be joyful and all that is therein.
12: Then shall all the trees of the wood shout for joy
before the LORD when he comes, *
when he comes to judge the earth.
13: He will judge the world with righteousness *
and the peoples with his truth.

We will be judged by the most righteous judge. None of us shall give into judging others. Let God make us rejoice in the grace of God’s own power to change the course of this world.

Titus 2:11-14

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

God’s grace appeared not because of man’s grace, but God’s love.

Luke 2:1-14(15-20)

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see-- I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest heaven,: and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"

[When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. ]

Glory of God shines in the hearts of those who have the courage to bring peace. Peace within oneself, among friends and foes, neighbors and nations. But first brings it in from the living and knowledge of God’s will for oneself.

How to Use These Readings and Reflections

Sermons on the readings of previous Sunday can be found here
Podcasts of the sermons can be found here
Visit my church: All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Russellville, AR
You can read more about me at my website
You can subscribe to these readings by email. Enter your email address and click subscribe, and follow the instructions.

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Year C – Advent 4

2009-12-14T23:39:00.000-06:00

Micah 5:2-5a

But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah,: who are one of the little clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me: one who is to rule in Israel,
whose origin is from of old,: from ancient days.
Therefore he shall give them up until the time: when she who is in labor has brought forth;
then the rest of his kindred shall return: to the people of Israel.
And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the LORD,: in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God.
And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great: to the ends of the earth;
and he shall be the one of peace.



Canticle 15

The Song of Mary Magnificat
Luke 1:46-55

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; *
    for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
    the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him *
    in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm, *
    he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *
    and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, *
    and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel, *
    for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
The promise he made to our fathers, *
    to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
    as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

or

Canticle 3

or

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Look at Mary, the last and the least. But the first in the eyes of God. Humility rises to the top and pride goes deep down the drain. Let us be humble in the presence of God.

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Psalm 80:1-7

Qui regis Israel

1: Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock; *
shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim.
2: In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, *
stir up your strength and come to help us.
3: Restore us, O God of hosts; *
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
4: O LORD God of hosts, *
how long will you be angered
despite the prayers of your people?
5: You have fed them with the bread of tears; *
you have given them bowls of tears to drink.
6: You have made us the derision of our neighbors, *
and our enemies laugh us to scorn.
7: Restore us, O God of hosts; *
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

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God can restore us no matter how shattered we are. Give in to His hands and God will mould you better than you are today.

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Hebrews 10:5-10

Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said,

"Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired,: but a body you have prepared for me;
in burnt offerings and sin offerings: you have taken no pleasure.
Then I said, 'See, God, I have come to do your will, O God': (in the scroll of the book it is written of me)."

When he said above, "You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings" (these are offered according to the law), then he added, "See, I have come to do your will." He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. And it is by God's will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

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What God looks for is a contrite heart and merciful spirit. What are you blessed with? Both or neither?

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Luke 1:39-45(46-55)

In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord."

[And Mary said,

"My soul magnifies the Lord,: and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.: Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,: and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him: from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;: he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,: and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,: and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,: in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,: to Abraham and to his descendants forever."]

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From generation to generation God remembers the humble. Your hearts desires are read before you are able to form them into human language. May be God will make things happen for you as did to Mary.

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How to Use These Readings and Reflections

Sermons on the readings of previous Sunday can be found here
Podcasts of the sermons can be found here
Visit my church: All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Russellville, AR
You can read more about me at my website

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Year C, Advent 3

2009-12-06T17:00:00.000-06:00

Zephaniah 3:14-20

Sing aloud, O daughter Zion;: shout, O Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all your heart,: O daughter Jerusalem!
The LORD has taken away the judgments against you,: he has turned away your enemies.
The king of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst;: you shall fear disaster no more.
On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:
Do not fear, O Zion;: do not let your hands grow weak.
The LORD, your God, is in your midst,: a warrior who gives victory;
he will rejoice over you with gladness,: he will renew you in his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing: as on a day of festival.
I will remove disaster from you,: so that you will not bear reproach for it.
I will deal with all your oppressors: at that time.
And I will save the lame: and gather the outcast,
and I will change their shame into praise: and renown in all the earth.
At that time I will bring you home,: at the time when I gather you;
for I will make you renowned and praised: among all the peoples of the earth,
when I restore your fortunes: before your eyes, says the LORD.

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God puts together a coalition of people that are weak and left out. Wisdom of God brings the foolishness of mankind to fruition through humility of those who follow His Words.

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Canticle 9

The First Song of Isaiah Ecce Deus

Isaiah 12:2-6

Surely, it is God who saves me; *: I will trust in him and not be afraid.
For the Lord is my stronghold and my sure defense, *: and he will be my Savior.
Therefore you shall draw water with rejoicing *: from the springs of salvation.
And on that day you shall say, *: Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his Name;
Make his deeds known among the peoples; *: see that they remember that his Name is exalted.
Sing the praises of the Lord, for he has done great things, *: and this is known in all the world.
Cry aloud, inhabitants of Zion, ring out your joy, *: for the great one in the midst of you is the Holy One of Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

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Springs of Salvation is near you today. Dig deeper within and there will be wells of living water.
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Philippians 4:4-7

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

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How much have you worried in your life? and how much have you saved through it? How about letting it aside for a few minute today and ask God to take control.

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Luke 3:7-18

John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."

And the crowds asked him, "What then should we do?" In reply he said to them, "Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise." Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, "Teacher, what should we do?" He said to them, "Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you." Soldiers also asked him, "And we, what should we do?" He said to them, "Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages."

So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.

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What have you set aside this season to share with those in need? Coats? Hearts or Hands? NO matter what, what you plant is what grows and what you give is what comes back.

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How to Use These Readings and Reflections

Sermons on the readings of previous Sunday can be found here
Podcasts of the sermons can be found here
Visit my church: All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Russellville, AR
You can read more about me at my website

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Year C, Advent 2

2009-12-01T22:27:00.000-06:00

Baruch 5:1-9

Take off the garment of your sorrow and affliction, O Jerusalem,: and put on forever the beauty of the glory from God.
Put on the robe of the righteousness that comes from God;: put on your head the diadem of the glory of the Everlasting;
for God will show your splendor everywhere under heaven.
For God will give you evermore the name,: "Righteous Peace, Godly Glory."
Arise, O Jerusalem, stand upon the height;: look toward the east,
and see your children gathered from west and east: at the word of the Holy One,; rejoicing that God has remembered them.
For they went out from you on foot,: led away by their enemies;
but God will bring them back to you,: carried in glory, as on a royal throne.
For God has ordered that every high mountain and the everlasting hills be made low: and the valleys filled up, to make level ground,; so that Israel may walk safely in the glory of God.
The woods and every fragrant tree: have shaded Israel at God's command.
For God will lead Israel with joy,: in the light of his glory,; with the mercy and righteousness that come from him.

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Philippians 1:3-11

I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God's grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

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Luke 3:1-6

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,

"The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
'Prepare the way of the Lord,: make his paths straight.
Every valley shall be filled,: and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall be made straight,: and the rough ways made smooth;
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'"

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How to Use These Readings and Reflections

Sermons on the readings of previous Sunday can be found here
Podcasts of the sermons can be found here
Visit my church: All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Russellville, AR
You can read more about me at my website

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Year C, Advent 1

2009-11-30T23:27:00.000-06:00

Jeremiah 33:14-16

The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: "The LORD is our righteousness."

God makes promises and keeps it. How about you?

Psalm 25:1-9

Ad te, Domine, levavi

1: To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul;
my God, I put my trust in you; *
let me not be humiliated,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
2: Let none who look to you be put to shame; *
let the treacherous be disappointed in their schemes.
3: Show me your ways, O LORD, *
and teach me your paths.
4: Lead me in your truth and teach me, *
for you are the God of my salvation;
in you have I trusted all the day long.
5: Remember, O LORD, your compassion and love, *
for they are from everlasting.
6: Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions; *
remember me according to your love
and for the sake of your goodness, O LORD.
7: Gracious and upright is the LORD; *
therefore he teaches sinners in his way.
8: He guides the humble in doing right *
and teaches his way to the lowly.
9: All the paths of the LORD are love and faithfulness *
to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

Let us earnestly pray to the Lord to show us His way, that we may walk in righteousness rather than self-righteousness.

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.

Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

What is the greatest joy in your life? How much of it is from relationships?

Luke 21:25-36

Jesus said, "There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

Then he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

"Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."

What is the end time you are looking for? Are you forgetting to live today because of anticipation of tomorrow?

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RCL Readings & Short Reflections for the week!

Sunday closest to July 27, Proper 12, Year C

Benedixisti, Domine

Confitebor tibi

Sunday closest to July 20, Proper 11, Year C

Quid

Domine, quis habitabit?

Sunday closest to July 13, Proper 10, Year C

Amos 7:7-17

Psalm 82

Deuteronomy 30:9-14

Psalm 25:1-10

Colossians 1:1-14

Luke 10:25-37

Sunday closest to July 6, Year C, Proper 9

2 Kings 5:1-14

Exaltabo te, Domine

Isaiah 66:10-14

Psalm 66:1-8

Jubilate Deo

Galatians 6:(1-6)7-16

Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

Sunday closest to June 29 Proper 8 Year C

2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14

Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20

1 Kings 19:15-16,19-21

Psalm 16

Galatians 5:1,13-25

Luke 9:51-62

Sunday closest to June 22, Year C, Proper 7

Psalm 42 Page 643, BCP

Quemadmodum

and

Psalm 43

Judica me, Deus

Isaiah 65:1-9

Psalm 22:18-27

Galatians 3:23-29

Luke 8:26-39

Sunday closest to June 15, Proper 6

1 Kings 21:1-10, (11-14), 15-21a

Psalm 5:1-8

Give ear to my words, O LORD; * consider my meditation.

2 Samuel 11:26-12:10,13-15

Psalm 32 Page 624

Galatians 2:15-21

Luke 7:36-8:3

Sunday closest to June 8, Proper 5, Year C

1 Kings 17:8-16 (17-24)

Psalm 146

Psalm 30

Galatians 1:11-24

Luke 7:11-17

Ordinary Time; Proper 5; Year C

1 Kings 17:8-16 (17-24)

Psalm 146

Lauda, anima mea

1 Kings 17:17-24

Psalm 30

Exaltabo te, Domine

Galatians 1:11-24

Luke 7:11-17

First Sunday after Pentecost: Trinity Sunday Year C

Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31

Psalm 8 Page 592,

Domine, Dominus noster

or

Canticle 2

Canticle 13

Romans 5:1-5

John 16:12-15

Fourth Sunday of Easter; Year C

Psalm 23

Dominus regit me

Revelation 7:9-17

John 10:22-30

Third Sunday of Easter; Year C

Acts 9:1-6, (7-20)

Psalm 30

Exaltabo te, Domine

Give ear to my words, O LORD; *
consider my meditation.