All Souls Church of Boulder

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the book of Acts:One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, at three o'clock in the afternoon. 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried in. People would lay him daily at the gate of the temple called the Beautiful Gate so that he could ask for alms from those entering the temple. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked them for alms. 4 Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 Jumping up, he stood and began to walk, and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 All the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and they recognized him as the one who used to sit and ask for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from 1 John chapter 4:7-10 My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn’t know the first thing about God, because God is love—so you can’t know him if you don’t love. This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. This is the kind of love we are talking about—not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they’ve done to our relationship with God.11-12 My dear, dear friends, if God loved us like this, we certainly ought to love each other. No one has seen God, ever. But if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and his love becomes complete in us—perfect love!13-16 This is how we know we’re living steadily and deeply in him, and he in us: He’s given us life from his life, from his very own Spirit. Also, we’ve seen for ourselves and continue to state openly that the Father sent his Son as Savior of the world. Everyone who confesses that Jesus is God’s Son participates continuously in an intimate relationship with God. We know it so well, we’ve embraced it heart and soul, this love that comes from God.17-18 God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we’re free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love.19 We, though, are going to love—love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first.20-21 If anyone boasts, “I love God,” and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won’t love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can’t see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You’ve got to love both.This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from 1 John chapter 3:11 For this is the original message we heard: We should love each other.12-13 We must not be like Cain, who joined the Evil One and then killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because he was deep in the practice of evil, while the acts of his brother were righteous. So don’t be surprised, friends, when the world hates you. This has been going on a long time.14-15 The way we know we’ve been transferred from death to life is that we love our brothers and sisters. Anyone who doesn’t love is as good as dead. Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know very well that eternal life and murder don’t go together.16-17 This is how we’ve come to understand and experience love: Christ sacrificed his life for us. This is why we ought to live sacrificially for one another, and not just be out for ourselves. If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God’s love? It disappears. And you made it disappear.18-20 My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality. It’s also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves.21-24 And friends, once that’s taken care of and we’re no longer accusing or condemning ourselves, we’re bold and free before God! We’re able to stretch our hands out and receive what we asked for because we’re doing what he said, doing what pleases him. Again, this is God’s command: to believe in his personally named Son, Jesus Christ. He told us to love each other, in line with the original command. As we keep his commands, we live deeply and surely in him, and he lives in us. And this is how we experience his deep and abiding presence in us: by the Spirit he gave us.This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from 1 John chapter 3:1 What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we’re called children of God! That’s who we really are. But that’s also why the world doesn’t recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who he is or what he’s up to.2-3 But friends, that’s exactly who we are: children of God. And that’s only the beginning. Who knows how we’ll end up! What we know is that when Christ is openly revealed, we’ll see him—and in seeing him, become like him. All of us who look forward to his Coming stay ready, with the glistening purity of Jesus’ life as a model for our own.4-6 All who indulge in a sinful life are dangerously lawless, for sin is a major disruption of God’s order. Surely you know that Christ showed up in order to get rid of sin. There is no sin in him, and sin is not part of his program. No one who lives deeply in Christ makes a practice of sin. None of those who do practice sin have taken a good look at Christ. They’ve got him all backward.7-8 So, my dear children, don’t let anyone divert you from the truth. It’s the person who acts right who is right, just as we see it lived out in our righteous Messiah.This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from 1 John chapter 1:From the very first day, we were there, taking it all in—we heard it with our own ears, saw it with our own eyes, verified it with our own hands. The Word of Life appeared right before our eyes; we saw it happen! And now we’re telling you in most sober prose that what we witnessed was, incredibly, this: The infinite Life of God himself took shape before us.We saw it, we heard it, and now we’re telling you so you can experience it along with us, this experience of communion with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. Our motive for writing is simply this: We want you to enjoy this, too. Your joy will double our joy!This, in essence, is the message we heard from Christ and are passing on to you: God is light, pure light; there’s not a trace of darkness in him.If we claim that we experience a shared life with him and continue to stumble around in the dark, we’re obviously lying through our teeth—we’re not living what we claim. But if we walk in the light, God himself being the light, we also experience a shared life with one another, as the sacrificed blood of Jesus, God’s Son, purges all our sin.If we claim that we’re free of sin, we’re only fooling ourselves. A claim like that is errant nonsense. On the other hand, if we admit our sins—simply come clean about them—he won’t let us down; he’ll be true to himself. He’ll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing. If we claim that we’ve never sinned, we out-and-out contradict God—make a liar out of him. A claim like that only shows off our ignorance of God.I write this, dear children, to guide you out of sin. But if anyone does sin, we have a Priest-Friend in the presence of the Father: Jesus Christ, righteous Jesus. When he served as a sacrifice for our sins, he solved the sin problem for good—not only ours, but the whole world’s.This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the Gospel of Mark chapter 16:When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” 4 When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from Psalm 85:I will listen to what you have to say, YHWH—a voice that speaks of peace, peacefor your people and your friendsso long as they don’t return to their folly. 9 Your salvation is near for those who revere youand your glory will dwell in our land. 10 Love and faithfulness have met;justice and peace have embraced. 11 Fidelity will sprout from the earthand justice will lean down from heaven. 12 YHWH will give us what is good,and our land will yield its harvest. 13 Justice will march before you, YHWH,and peace will prepare the way for your steps.And from the Gospel of Mark chapter 1 verses 1-8: The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way;the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’”John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the book of Matthew: Matthew 5:9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (New Revised Standard Version)You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family. (The Message) Happy are those who work for peace; God will call them his children! (Good News Translation)This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the book of Matthew: Matthew 5:8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.(NRSV)Happy are the utterly sincere, for they will see God! (J. B. Phillips)You’re blessed when you get your inside world – your mind and heart – put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. (The Message) This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the book of Matthew: Matthew 5:7Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. (New Revised Standard Version) Happy are people who show mercy, because they will receive mercy. (Common English Bible) Happy are the merciful, for they will have mercy shown to them! (J. B. Phillips) Wonderful news for the merciful! You’ll receive mercy yourselves. (New Testament for Everyone) You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being “care-full,” you find yourselves cared for. (The Message) This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the book of Matthew: Matthew 5:5Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.(King James Version)You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.(Message)How blessed are those who are humble, because it is they who will inherit the earth!(International Standard Version)What blessing comes to you when gentleness lives in you! For you will inherit the earth.(The Passion)This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the book of Matthew: Matthew 5:4Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.(King James Version) You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.(The Message)Those who mourn are fortunate! for they shall be comforted.(Living Bible)How happy are those who know what sorrow means for they will be given courage and comfort!(Phillips)Those who have sorrow are happy, because they will be comforted.(NLV)This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

Genesis 2:15-17,Genesis 3:1-7Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the Book of Genesis: 15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.”Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God say, ‘You shall not eat from any tree in the garden’?” 2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; 3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.’” 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not die; 5 for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

EpiphanyHear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the book of Romans:For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

Isaiah 58:6-12 Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the book of Isaiah: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.This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

Colossians 3:9-11 Galatians 3:26-27Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the letters to the people in Colossae:9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.And from the letter to the Galatians:26 In Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. 27 As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 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.

Isaiah 42:1-9, Matthew 3:13-17Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the book of Isaiah:Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights;I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.2 He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street;3 a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.4 He will not grow faint or be crushed until he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his teaching.5 Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it,who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it:6 I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you;I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations,7 to open the eyes that are blind,to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.8 I am the Lord, that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to idols.9 See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare;before they spring forth, I tell you of them.And from the book of Matthew: 13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

Matthew 2:1-12Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the book of Matthew:After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

Genesis 1:11-12, Exodus 2:1-4Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the books of Genesis and Exodus :Then God said, “Let the earth put forth vegetation: plants yielding seed, and fruit trees of every kind on earth that bear fruit with the seed in it.” And it was so. 12 The earth brought forth vegetation: plants yielding seed of every kind, and trees of every kind bearing fruit with the seed in it. And God saw that it was good.Exodus 2:1-4 Now a man from the house of Levi went and married a Levite woman. 2 The woman conceived and bore a son; and when she saw that he was a fine baby, she hid him three months. 3 When she could hide him no longer she got a papyrus basket for him, and plastered it with bitumen and pitch; she put the child in it and placed it among the reeds on the bank of the river. 4 His sister stood at a distance, to see what would happen to him.This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

Matthew 1:18-24aHear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the gospel of Matthew:Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife,This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

Genesis 1:1-2, John 1:1-2Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the book of Genesis:In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, 2 the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.And from the Gospel of John:In the beginningthere was the Word;the Word was in God’s presence,and the Word was God. 2 The Word was present to Godfrom the beginning. 3 Through the Wordall things came into being,and apart from the Wordnothing came into beingthat has come into being. 4 In the Word was life,and that life was humanity’s light— 5 a light that shines in the darkness,a light that the darkness has never overtaken.This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

Luke 23:33-43Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the Gospel of Luke:33 When they had reached the place called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there—together with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 And Jesus said, “Abba forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing.” Then they divided his garments, rolling dice for them. 35 The people stood there watching. The rulers, however, jeered him and said, “He saved others, let him save himself—if he really is the Messiah of God, the Chosen One!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him. They served Jesus sour wine 37 and said, “If you are really the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was an inscription above Jesus that read, “This is the King of the Jews.” 39 One of the criminals who hung there beside him insulted Jesus, too, saying, “Are you really the Messiah? Then save yourself—and us!” 40 But the other answered the first with a rebuke: “Don’t you even fear God? 41 We are only paying the price for what we have done, but this one has done nothing wrong!” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your glory.” 43 Jesus replied, “The truth is, today you’ll be with me in paradise!” 44 It was about noon, and darkness fell on the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45 because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the curtain in the sanctuary was torn in two, 46 and Jesus uttered a loud cry and said, “Abba, into your hands I commit my spirit.”This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

Matthew 6:25-34Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the Gospel of Matthew:25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your God in heaven feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? 28 And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will God not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 Those without faith are always running after these things. God knows everything you need. 33 Seek first God’s reign, and God’s justice, and all these things will be given to you besides. 34 Enough of worrying about tomorrow! Let tomorrow take care of itself. Today has troubles enough of its own.This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

Romans 8:14-19, 34-35, 37-39Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the book of Romans:14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba!” 16 it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with God so that we may also be glorified with God. 18 I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; 34 Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Christ who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

Genesis 32, Luke 18:1-8Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the book of Genesis and the Gospel of Luke :Genesis 32:22-3122 In the course of the night, Jacob arose, took the entire caravan, and crossed the ford of the Yabbok River. 23 After Jacob had crossed with all his possessions, he returned to the camp, 24 and he was completely alone. And there, someone† wrestled with Jacob until the first light of dawn. 25 Seeing that Jacob could not be overpowered, the other struck Jacob at the socket of the hip‡, and the hip was dislocated as they wrestled. 26 Then Jacob’s contender said, “Let me go, for day is breaking.” Jacob answered, “I will not let you go until you bless me.” 27 “What is your name?” the other asked. “Jacob,” he answered. 28 The other said, “Your name will no longer be called ‘Jacob,’ or ‘Heel-Grabber,’ but ‘Israel’—’God Wrestler"—because you have wrestled with both God and mortals, and you have prevailed.” 29 Then Jacob asked “Now tell me your name, I beg you.” The other said, “Why do you ask me my name?”—and blessed Jacob there. 30 Jacob named the place Peniel—“Face of God”—“because I have seen God face to face, yet my life was spared.” 31 At sunrise, Jacob left Peniel, limping along from the injured hip. 32 That is why, to this day, the Israelites do not eat the sciatic muscle that is on an animal’s hip socket, because Jacob’s hip socket was struck at the sciatic muscle.Luke 18:1-81 Jesus told the disciples a parable on the necessity of praying always and not losing heart: 2 “Once there was a judge in a certain city who feared no one—not even God. 3 A woman in that city who had been widowed kept coming to the judge and saying, ‘Give me legal protection from my opponent.’ 4 For a time the judge refused, but finally the judge thought, ‘I care little for God or people, 5 but this woman won’t leave me alone. I’d better give her the protection she seeks, or she’ll keep coming and wear me out!’” 6 Jesus said, “Listen to what this corrupt judge is saying. 7 Won’t God then do justice to the chosen who call out day and night? Will God delay long over them? 8 I tell you, God will give them swift justice. “But when the Promised One comes, will faith be found anywhere on earth?”This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the book of Habakkuk:THE ORACLE THAT HABAKKUK THE PROPHETreceived in a vision. 2 “How long, Yhwh, am I to cry for helpwhile you do not listen?How long will I cry ‘Oppression!’ in your earand you do not save? 3 Why do you make me look upon injustice?Why do you countenance tyranny?Outrage and violence—this is all I see!All is contention, and discord flourishes. 4 The law loses its hold,and justice never shows itself. The corrupt triumph over those who are righteous,and justice is perverted once again.”“I will stand on my watchtower,and take up my post on my battlements,watching to see what God will say to me,what answers God will make to my complaints.” 2 Then YHWH replied, “Write down this vision,inscribe it legibly on tabletsso that a herald can easily read it, 3 since this vision will stand as a witnessto the appointed time of judgment;it gives faithful testimonyabout a time that will come. If it is slow in coming, wait for it—for come it will, without fail: 4 “Look—those whose hearts are corruptwill faint with exhaustion,while those who steadfastly uphold justicewill live.”This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

Luke 11Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the Gospel of Luke: He 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.” 2 He said to them, “When you pray, say:Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come.3 Give us each day our daily bread.4 And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial.”This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

Luke 14:1-2; 7-14Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the Gospel of Luke: 1On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely. 2 Just then, in front of him, there was a man who had dropsy.7 Jesus went on to address a parable to the guests, noticing how they were trying to get a place of honor at the table. 8 “When you’re invited to a wedding party, don’t sit in the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished has been invited. 9 Otherwise the hosts might come and say to you, ‘Make room for this person,’ and you would have to proceed shamefacedly to the lowest place. 10 What you should do is go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your hosts approach you they’ll say, ‘My friend, come up higher.’ This will win you the esteem of the other guests. 11 For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” 12 Then Jesus said to the host, “Whenever you give a lunch or dinner, don’t invite your friends or colleagues or relatives or wealthy neighbors. They might invite you in return and thus repay you. 13 No, when you have a reception, invite those who are poor or have physical infirmities or are blind. 14 You should be pleased that they can’t repay you, for you’ll be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

Luke 12:13-21Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the Gospel of Luke: 13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” 16 Then he told them a parable: “The land of a rich man produced abundantly. 17 And he thought to himself, ‘What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?’ 18 Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ 20 But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

1 Samuel 3Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the book of 1 Samuel: 3 Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli. The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread.2 At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his room; 3 the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the Lord called, “Samuel! Samuel!” and he said, “Here I am!” 5 and ran to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. 6 The Lord called again, “Samuel!” Samuel got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lordhad not yet been revealed to him. 8 The Lord called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.10 Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” 11 Then the Lord said to Samuel, “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make both ears of anyone who hears of it tingle. 12 On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. 13 For I have told him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. 14 Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be expiated by sacrifice or offering forever.”15 Samuel lay there until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the Lord. Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. 16 But Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son.” He said, “Here I am.” 17 Eli said, “What was it that he told you? Do not hide it from me. May God do so to you and more also, if you hide anything from me of all that he told you.” 18 So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. Then he said, “It is the Lord; let him do what seems good to him.”19 As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was a trustworthy prophet of the Lord. 21 The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord.This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

Luke 10:38-42Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the book of Luke: 38 As they traveled, Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha welcomed him to her home. 39 She had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at Jesus’ feet and listened to his words. 40 Martha, who was busy with all the details of hospitality, came to Jesus and said, “Rabbi, don’t you care that my sister has left me all alone to do the household tasks? Tell her to help me!” 41 Jesus replied, “Martha, Martha! You’re anxious and upset about so many things, 42 but only a few things are necessary—really only one. Mary has chosen the better part, and she won’t be deprived of it.”This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

Luke 9:51-62Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the Gospel of Luke: As the time approached when he was to be taken from this world, Jesus firmly resolved to proceed toward Jerusalem 52 and sent messengers on ahead. They entered a Samaritan town to make preparations for him, 53 but the Samaritans wouldn’t welcome Jesus because his destination was Jerusalem. 54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Rabbi, do you want us to call down fire from heaven and destroy them?” 55 But Jesus turned and reprimanded them.* 56 Then they set off for another town. 57 As they were making their way along, they met a fellow traveler who said to Jesus, “I’ll follow you wherever you go.” 58 Jesus replied, “Foxes have lairs, the birds of the sky have nests, but the Chosen One has nowhere to rest.” 59 To another traveler Jesus said, “Follow me.” The traveler replied, “Let me bury my father first.” 60 Jesus said in return, “Let the dead bury their dead; you go and proclaim the reign of God everywhere.” 61 Yet another traveler approached Jesus in this way: “I’ll be your follower, Rabbi, but first let me say goodbye to my people at home.” 62 Jesus answered, “Whoever puts a hand to the plow but keeps looking back is unfit for the reign of God.”This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

Genesis 12:1-3Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the book of Genesis:Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

John 16:12-15Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the Gospel of John:12 I have much more to tell you,but you can’t bear to hear it now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes,she will guide you into all truth.She won’t speak on her own initiative;rather, she’ll speak only what she hears,and she’ll announce to youthings that are yet to come. 14 In doing this, the Spirit will give glory to me,for she will take what is mineand reveal it to you. 15 Everything that Abba God hasbelongs to me.This is why I said thatthe Spirit will take what is mineand reveal it to you. 16 Within a short time you won’t see me,but soon after that you’ll see me again.”This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

Deuteronomy 10:12-22, Matthew 25:34-40Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the book of Deuteronomy and Matthew:Deuteronomy 10:12-22So now Israel, what do you think God expects from you? Just this: Live in his presence in holy reverence, follow the road he sets out for you, love him, serve God, your God, with everything you have in you, obey the commandments and regulations of God that I’m commanding you today—live a good life.Look around you: Everything you see is God’s—the heavens above and beyond, the Earth, and everything on it. But it was your ancestors who God fell in love with; he picked their children—that’s you!—out of all the other peoples. That’s where we are right now. So cut away the thick calluses from your heart and stop being so willfully hardheaded. God, your God, is the God of all gods, he’s the Master of all masters, a God immense and powerful and awesome. He doesn’t play favorites, takes no bribes, makes sure orphans and widows are treated fairly, takes loving care of foreigners by seeing that they get food and clothing.You must treat foreigners with the same loving care— remember, you were once foreigners in Egypt. Reverently respect God, your God, serve him, hold tight to him, back up your promises with the authority of his name. He’s your praise! He’s your God! He did all these tremendous, these staggering things that you saw with your own eyes.When your ancestors entered Egypt, they numbered a mere seventy souls. And now look at you—you look more like the stars in the night skies in number. And your God did it.Matthew 25:34-40Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

John 14: 21-29Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the Gospel of John:23 Jesus answered, “Those who love me will be true to my word,and Abba God will love them;and we will come to themand make our dwelling place with them. 24 Those who don’t love medon’t keep my words.Yet the message you hear is not mine;it comes from Abba God who sent me. 25 This much have I said to you while still with you; 26 but the Advocate, the Holy Spiritwhom Abba God will send in my name,will instruct you in everythingand she will remind you of all that I told you. 27 Peace I leave with you;my peace I give to you;but the kind of peace I give youis not like the world’s peace.Don’t let your hearts be distressed;don’t be fearful. 28 You’ve heard me say,‘I am going away but I will return.’If you really loved me,you would rejoice because I am going to Abba God,for Abba is greater than I. 29 I tell you this now, before it happens,so that when it happens you will believe.This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

John 13:31-35Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the Gospel of John:Jesus said, “Now is the Chosen One glorified and God is glorified as well. 32 If God has been glorified, God will in turn glorify the Chosen One and will do so very soon. 33 My little children, I won’t be with you much longer. You’ll look for me, but what I said to the Temple authorities, I say to you: wher vvcze I am going, you cannot come. 34 I give you a new commandment: Love one another. And you’re to love one another the way I have loved you. 35 This is how all will know that you’re my disciples: that you truly love one another.”This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

John 10:22-30Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the Gospel of John:22 The time came for Hanukkah, the Feast of the Dedication, in Jerusalem. 23 It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the Temple area, in Solomon’s Porch, 24 when the Temple authorities surrounded him and said, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you really are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus replied, “I did tell you, but you don’t believe. The work I do in my Abba’s name gives witness in my favor, 26 but you don’t believe because you’re not my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never be lost. No one will ever snatch them from my hand. 29 Abba God, who gave them to me, is greater than anyone, and no one can steal them from Abba God. 30 For Abba and I are One.This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

John 21:1-19Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the Gospel of John:Later Jesus again was manifested to the disciples at Lake Tiberias. This is how the appearance took place. 2 Assembled were Simon Peter, Thomas “the Twin,” Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s children, and two other disciples. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I’m going out to fish.” “We’ll join you,” they replied, and went off to get into their boat. All through the night they caught nothing. 4 Just after daybreak, Jesus was standing on the shore, though none of the disciples knew it was Jesus. 5 He said to them, “Have you caught anything, friends?” “Not a thing,” they answered. 6 “Cast your net off to the starboard side,” Jesus suggested, “and you’ll find something.” So they made a cast and caught so many fish that they couldn’t haul the net in. 7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved cried out to Peter, “It’s the Teacher!” Upon hearing this, Simon Peter threw on his cloak—he was naked—and jumped into the water. 8 Meanwhile the other disciples brought the boat to shore, towing the net full of fish. They were not far from land—no more than a hundred yards. 9 When they landed, they saw that a charcoal fire had been prepared, with fish and some bread already being grilled. 10 “Bring some of the fish you just caught,” Jesus told them. 11 Simon Peter went aboard and hauled ashore the net, which was loaded with huge fish—one hundred fifty-three of them. In spite of the great number, the net was not torn. 12 “Come and eat your meal,” Jesus told them. None of the disciples dared to ask, “Who are you?”—they knew it was the savior. 13 Jesus came over, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This marked the third time that Jesus had appeared to the disciples after being raised from the dead. 15 When they had eaten their meal, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, do you love me more than these?” Peter said, “Yes, Rabbi, you know that I’m your friend.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 A second time Jesus put the question, “Simon, do you love me?” Peter said, “Yes, Rabbi, you know that I’m your friend.” Jesus replied, “Tend my sheep.” 17 A third time Jesus asked him, “Simon, do you love me as a friend would?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked, “Do you love me?” a third time. So he said, “You know everything, Rabbi. You know that I am your friend.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 The truth of the matter is,when you were young,you put on your own beltand walked where you liked;but when you get old,you will stretch out your handsand someone else will put a belt around youand take you where you don’t want to go.” 19 With these words, Jesus indicated the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then the savior said, “Follow me.”This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

John 20:19-31Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the Gospel of John:19 In the evening of that same day, the first day of the week, the doors were locked in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Temple authorities. Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 20 Having said this, the savior showed them the marks of crucifixion. The disciples were filled with joy when they saw Jesus, 21 who said to them again, “Peace be with you. As Abba God sent me, so I’m sending you.” 22 After saying this, Jesus breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven.If you retain anyone’s sins, they are retained.” 24 It happened that one of the Twelve, Thomas—nicknamed Didymus, or “Twin”—was absent when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples kept telling him, “We’ve seen Jesus!” Thomas’ answer was, “I’ll never believe it without putting my finger in the nail marks and my hand into the spear wound.” 26 On the eighth day, the disciples were once more in the room, and this time Thomas was with them. Despite the locked doors, Jesus came and stood before them, saying, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then, to Thomas, Jesus said, “Take your finger and examine my hands. Put your hand into my side. Don’t persist in your unbelief, but believe!” 28 Thomas said in response, “My Savior and my God!” 29 Jesus then said, “You’ve become a believer because you saw me. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” 30 Jesus performed many other signs as well—signs not recorded here—in the presence of the disciples. 31 But these have been recorded to help you believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Only Begotten, so that by believing you may have life in Jesus’ Name.This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

Luke 24:1-12Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the Gospel of Luke:On the first day of the week, at the first sign of dawn, the women came to the tomb bringing the spices they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled back from the tomb; 3 but when they entered the tomb, they didn’t find the body of Jesus. 4 While they were still at a loss over what to think of this, two figures in dazzling garments stood beside them. 5 Terrified, the women bowed to the ground. The two said to them, “Why do you search for the Living One among the dead? 6 Jesus is not here; Christ has risen. Remember what Jesus said to you while still in Galilee—7 that the Chosen One must be delivered into the hands of sinners and be crucified, and on the third day would rise again.” 8 With this reminder, the words of Jesus came back to them. 9 When they had returned from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and the others. 10 The women were Mary of Magdala, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James. The other women with them also told the apostles, 11 but the story seemed like nonsense and they refused to believe them. 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. He stooped down, but he could see nothing but the wrappings. So he went away, full of amazement at what had occurred.This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

John 12:1-8Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the Gospel of John:Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 2 There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. 3 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. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” 6 (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.) 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. 8 You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Luke 15:1-3,11-32Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the Gospel of Luke:1 Meanwhile, the tax collectors and the “sinners” were all gathering around Jesus to listen to his teaching, 2 at which the Pharisees and the religious scholars murmured, “This person welcomes sinners and eats with them!” 3 Jesus then addressed this parable to them:11 He added, “A man had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to their father, ‘Give me the share of the estate that is coming to me.’ So the father divided up the property between them. 13 Some days later, the younger son gathered up his belongings and went off to a distant land. Here he squandered all his money on loose living. 14 “After everything was spent, a great famine broke out in the land, and the son was in great need. 15 So he went to a landowner, who sent him to a farm to take care of the pigs. 16 The son was so hungry that he could have eaten the husks that were fodder for the pigs, but no one made a move to give him anything. 17 Coming to his senses at last, he said, ‘How many hired hands at my father’s house have more than enough to eat, while here I am starving! 18 I’ll quit and go back home and say, “I’ve sinned against God and against you; 19 I no longer deserve to be called one of your children. Treat me like one of your hired hands.”’ 20 With that, the younger son set off for home. “While still a long way off, the father caught sight of the returning child and was deeply moved. The father ran out to meet him, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 The son said to him, ‘I’ve sinned against God and against you; I no longer deserve to be called one of your children.’ 22 But his father said to one of the workers, ‘Quick! Bring out the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and shoes on his feet. 23 Take the calf we’ve been fattening and butcher it. Let’s eat and celebrate! 24 This son of mine was dead and has come back to life. He was lost and now he’s found!’ And the celebration began. 25 “Meanwhile the elder son had been out in the field. As he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. 26 He called one of the workers and asked what was happening. 27 The worker answered, ‘Your brother is home, and the fatted calf has been killed because your father has him back safe and sound.’ 28 “The son got angry at this and refused to go in to the party, but his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 The older son replied, ‘Look! For years now I’ve done every single thing you asked me to do. I never disobeyed even one of your orders, yet you never gave me so much as a kid goat to celebrate with my friends. 30 But then this son of yours comes home after going through your money with prostitutes, and you kill the fatted calf for him!’ 31 “ ‘But my child!’ the father said. ‘You’re with me always, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we have to celebrate and rejoice! This brother of yours was dead and has come back to life. He was lost and now he’s found.’”This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

Luke 13:28-36Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the Gospel of Luke:People will come from the East and the West, from the North and the South, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. 30 Some who are last will be first, and some who are first will be last.” 31 Just then, some Pharisees came to Jesus and said, “You need to get out of town, and fast. Herod is trying to kill you.” 32 Jesus replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘Today and tomorrow, I’ll be casting out devils and healing people, and on the third day I’ll reach my goal.’ 33 Even with all that, I’ll need to continue on my journey today, tomorrow and the day after that, since no prophet can be allowed to die anywhere except in Jerusalem. 34 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem! You kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! How often have I wanted to gather your children together as a mother bird collects her babies under her wings—yet you refuse me! 35 So take note: your house will be left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is the One who comes in the name of our God!’ ”This is the word of the Lord.Thanks be to God

Luke 4:1-13Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the Gospel of Luke:Jesus returned from the Jordan filled with the Holy Spirit, and she led him into the desert 2 for forty days, where he was tempted by the Devil. Jesus ate nothing during that time, at the end of which he was famished. 3 The Devil said to Jesus, “If you are God’s Own, command this stone to turn into bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “Scripture has it, ‘We don’t live on bread alone.’ ” 5 Then the Devil took Jesus up higher and showed him all the nations of the world in a single instant. 6 The Devil said, “I’ll give you all the power and the glory of these nations; the power has been given to me and I can give it to whomever I wish. 7 Prostrate yourself in homage before me, and it will all be yours.” 8 In reply, Jesus said, “Scripture has it: ‘You will worship the Most High God; God alone will you adore.’ ” 9 Then the Devil led Jesus to Jerusalem, set him up on the parapet of the Temple and said, “If you are God’s Own, throw yourself down from here, 10 for scripture has it, ‘God will tell the angels to take care of you; 11 with their hands they’ll support you, that you may never stumble on a stone.’ ” 12 Jesus said to the Devil in reply, “It also says, ‘Do not put God to the test.’ ” 13 When the Devil had finished all this tempting, Jesus was left alone. The Devil awaited another opportunity.This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

2 Corinthians 3:12-18Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the 2nd Letter to the Corinthians:12 Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness, 13 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. 14 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. 15 Indeed, to this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds; 16 but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 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.This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

Luke 6:27-38Scripture:Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the Gospel of Luke:27 “But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

Luke 6:17-26 Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the Gospel of Luke:17 Coming down the mountain with them, Jesus stopped in a level area where there were a great number of disciples. A large crowd of people was with them from Jerusalem and all over Judea, to as far north as the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon—18 people who had come to hear Jesus and be healed of their diseases, and even to be freed from unclean spirits. 19 Indeed, the whole crowd was trying to touch Jesus, because power was coming out of him and healing them all. 20 Looking at the disciples, Jesus said: “You who are poor are blessed, for the reign of God is yours. 21 You who hunger now are blessed,for you’ll be filled.You who weep now are blessed,for you’ll laugh. 22 You are blessed when people hate you, when they scorn and insult you and spurn your name as evilbecause of the Chosen One. 23 On the day they do so, rejoice and be glad: your reward will be great in heaven, for their ancestors treated the prophets the same way. 24 But woe to you rich, for you are now receiving your comfort in full. 25 Woe to you who are full, for you’ll go hungry.Woe to you who laugh now, for you’ll weep in your grief. 26 Woe to you when all speak well of you, for their ancestors treated the false prophetsin the same way.This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

Luke 5:1-11Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the Gospel of Luke:One day, Jesus was standing by Lake Gennesaret, and the crowd pressed in on him to hear the word of God. 2 He saw two boats moored by the side of the lake; the fishers had disembarked and were washing their nets. 3 Jesus stepped into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to pull out a short distance from the shore; then, remaining seated, he continued to teach the crowds from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Pull out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered, “Rabbi, we’ve been working hard all night long and have caught nothing; but if you say so, I’ll lower the nets.” 6 Upon doing so, they caught such a great number of fish that their nets were at the breaking point. 7 They signaled to their mates in the other boat to come and help them, and together they filled the two boats until they both nearly sank. 8 After Simon saw what happened, he was filled with awe and fell down before Jesus, saying, “Leave me, Rabbi, for I’m a sinner.” 9 For Simon and his shipmates were astonished at the size of the catch they had made, 10 as were James and John, Zebedee’s sons, who were Simon’s partners. Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you’ll fish among humankind.” 11 And when they brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Luke 4:21-30 Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the Gospel of Luke:21 Then he said to them, “Today, in your hearing, this scripture passage is fulfilled.” 22 All who were present spoke favorably of him; they marveled at the eloquence of the words on Jesus’ lips. They said, “Surely this isn’t Mary and Joseph’s son!” 23 Jesus said to them, “Undoubtedly you’ll quote me the proverb, ‘Physician, heal yourself,’ and say, ‘Do here in your own country the things we heard you did in Capernaum.’ 24 But the truth is, prophets never gain acceptance in their hometowns. 25 “The truth is, there were many women who were widowed in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens remained closed for three and a half years and a great famine spread over the land. 26 It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but to a woman who had been widowed in Zarephath, near Sidon. 27 Recall, too, that many had leprosy in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one was cured except Naaman the Syrian.” 28 At these words, the whole audience in the synagogue was filled with indignation. 29 They rose up and dragged Jesus out of town, leading him to the brow of the hill on which the city was built, with the intention of hurling him over the edge. 30 But he moved straight through the crowd and walked away.This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

Luke 4: 14-21Hear what the Spirit is saying from the Gospel of Luke:Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and his reputation spread throughout the region. 15 He was teaching in the Galilean synagogues, and all were loud in their praise. 16 Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. Entering the synagogue on the Sabbath, as was his habit, Jesus stood up to do the reading. 17 When the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed him, he unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: 18 “The Spirit of our God is upon me:because the Most High has anointed meto bring Good News to those who are poor.God has sent me to proclaim liberty to those held captive,recovery of sight to those who are blind,and release to those in prison— 19 to proclaim the year of our God’s favor.” 20 Rolling up the scroll, Jesus gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 Then he said to them, “Today, in your hearing, this scripture passage is fulfilled.”This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God