Selected Scripture Readings
| November 11, 2018 |
| EPISTLE: Ephesians (4: 1-6) Brothers and Sisters! I plead with you, then, as a prisoner for the Lord, to live a life worthy of the calling you have received, with perfect humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another lovingly. Make every effort to preserve the unity which has the Spirit as its origin and peace as its binding force. There is but one body and one Spirit, just as there is but one hope given all of you by your call. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all, and works through all, and is in all. GOSPEL: Luke (10: 25-37)
On one occasion a lawyer stood up to pose him
this problem, “Teacher, what must I do to
inherit everlasting life?” Jesus answered him:
“What is written in the law? How do you read
it?” He replied: “You shall love the Lord your
God with all your heart, with all your soul, with
all your strength, and with all your mind; and
your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus said, “You
have answered correctly. Do this and you shall
live.” But because he wished to justify himself
he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
Jesus replied: “There was a man going down
from Jerusalem to Jericho who fell prey to
robbers. They stripped him, beat him, and then
went off leaving him half-dead. A priest
happened to be going down the same road; he
saw him but continued on. Likewise there was
a Levite who came the same way; he saw him
and went on. But a Samaritan who was
journeying along came on him and was moved
to pity at the sight. He approached him and
dressed his wounds, pouring in oil and wine. He
then hoisted him on his own beast and brought
him to an inn, where he cared for him. The next
day he took out two silver pieces and gave
them to the innkeeper with the request: ‘Look
after him, and if there is any further expense I
will repay you on my way back.’ Which of these
three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the man
who fell in with the robbers?” The answer
came, “The one who treated him with
compassion.” Jesus said to him, “Then go and
do the same.”
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| November 18, 2018 |
| EPISTLE: Ephesians (5: 8-19)
Brothers and Sisters: Live as children of light.
Light produces every kind of goodness and
justice and truth. Be correct in your judgment of
what pleases the Lord. Take no part in vain
deeds done in darkness; rather, condemn
them. It is shameful even to mention the things
these people do in secret; but when such
deeds are condemned they are seen in the
light of day, and all that then appears is light.
That is why we read: “Awake, O sleeper, arise
from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”
Keep careful watch over your conduct. Do not
act like fools, but like thoughtful men. Make the
most of the present opportunity, for these are
evil days. Do not continue in ignorance, but try
to discern the will of the Lord. Avoid getting
drunk on wine; That leads to debauchery. Be
filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in
psalms and hymns and inspired songs. Sing
praise to the Lord with all your hearts.
At that time the Lord told this parable: “There
was a rich man who had a good harvest. ‘What
shall I do?’ he asked himself. ‘I have no place
to store my harvest. I know!’ he said, ‘I will pull
down my grain bins and build larger ones. All
my grain and my goods will go there. Then I will
say to myself: You have blessings in reserve
for years to come. Relax! Eat heartily, drink
well. Enjoy yourself.’ But God said to him, ‘You
fool! This very night your life shall be required
of you. To whom will all this piled-up wealth of
yours go?’ That is the way it works with the
man who grows rich for himself instead of
growing rich in the sight of God.”
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November 25, 2018 |
| EPISTLE: Ephesians (6: 10-17) Brothers and Sisters! Draw your strength from the Lord and his mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. Our battle is not against human forces but against the principalities and powers, the rulers of this world of darkness, the evil spirits in regions above. You must put on the armor of God if you are to resist on the evil day; do all that your duty requires, and hold your ground. Stand fast, with the truth as the belt around your waist, justice as your breastplate, and zeal to propagate the gospel of peace as your footgear. In all circumstances hold faith up before you as your shield, it will help you extinguish the fiery darts of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, the word of God. GOSPEL: Luke (13: 10-17) At that time, on a sabbath day, Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues. There was a woman there who for eighteen years had been possessed by a spirit which drained her strength. She was badly stooped, quite incapable of standing erect. When Jesus saw her, he called her to him and said, “Woman, you are free of your infirmity.” He laid his hand on her, and immediately she stood up straight and began thanking God. The chief of the synagogue, indignant that Jesus should have healed on the sabbath, said to the congregation, “There are six days for working. Come on those days to be cured, not on the sabbath.” The Lord said in reply, “O you hypocrites! Which one of you does not let his ox or ass out of the stall on the sabbath to water it?” Should not this daughter of Abraham here who has been in the bondage of Satan for eighteen years have been released from her shackles on the sabbath?” At these words, his opponents were covered with confusion; meanwhile, everyone else rejoiced at the marvels Jesus was accomplishing. |
| December 02, 2018 |
| EPISTLE: Colossians (3: 12-16) Brothers and Sisters! Because you are God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with heartfelt mercy, with kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another; forgive whatever grievances you have against one another. Forgive as the Lord has forgiven you. Over all these virtues put on love which binds the rest together and makes them perfect. Christ’s peace must reign in your hearts, since as members of the one body you have been called to that peace. Dedicate yourselves to thankfulness. Let the word of Christ, rich as it is, dwell in you. In wisdom made perfect, instruct and admonish one another. Sing gratefully to God from your hearts in psalms, hymns, and inspired songs. GOSPEL: Luke (18: 18-27) At that time, one of the ruling class asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to share in everlasting life?’’ Jesus said to him, “Why call me ‘good’? None is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery. You shall not kill. You shall not steal. You shall not bear dishonest witness. Honor your father and your mother.’’’ He replied, “I have kept all these since I was a boy.’’ When Jesus heard this he said to him: “There is one thing further you must do. Sell all you have and give to the poor. You will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me.’’ On hearing this he grew melancholy, for he was a very rich man. When Jesus observed this he said: “How hard it will be for the rich to go into the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.’’ His listeners asked him, “Who, then, can be saved?’’ to which he replied, “Things that are impossible for men are possible for God.’’ This page was last updated
November 07, 2018 |