POPULARITY
At the Procession with Palms - GospelMatthew 21:1-11When Jesus and the disciples drew near Jerusalemand came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives,Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them,"Go into the village opposite you,and immediately you will find an ass tethered,and a colt with her.Untie them and bring them here to me.And if anyone should say anything to you, reply,'The master has need of them.'Then he will send them at once."This happened so that what had been spoken through the prophetmight be fulfilled:Say to daughter Zion,"Behold, your king comes to you,meek and riding on an ass,and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden."The disciples went and did as Jesus had ordered them.They brought the ass and the colt and laid their cloaks over them,and he sat upon them.The very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road,while others cut branches from the treesand strewed them on the road.The crowds preceding him and those followingkept crying out and saying:"Hosanna to the Son of David;blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord;hosanna in the highest."And when he entered Jerusalemthe whole city was shaken and asked, "Who is this?"And the crowds replied,"This is Jesus the prophet, from Nazareth in Galilee."At the Mass - Reading IIsaiah 50:4-7The Lord GOD has given me a well-trained tongue,that I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them.Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear;and I have not rebelled, have not turned back.I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard;my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting.The Lord GOD is my help, therefore I am not disgraced;I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame. Reading IIPhilippians 2:6-11Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.GospelMatthew 26:14—27:66One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot,went to the chief priests and said,"What are you willing to give meif I hand him over to you?"They paid him thirty pieces of silver,and from that time on he looked for an opportunityto hand him over.On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread,the disciples approached Jesus and said,"Where do you want us to preparefor you to eat the Passover?"He said,"Go into the city to a certain man and tell him,'The teacher says, "My appointed time draws near;in your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples."'"The disciples then did as Jesus had ordered,and prepared the Passover.When it was evening,he reclined at table with the Twelve.And while they were eating, he said,"Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me."Deeply distressed at this,they began to say to him one after another,"Surely it is not I, Lord?"He said in reply,"He who has dipped his hand into the dish with meis the one who will betray me.The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him,but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed.It would be better for that man if he had never been born."Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply,"Surely it is not I, Rabbi?"He answered, "You have said so."While they were eating,Jesus took bread, said the blessing,broke it, and giving it to his disciples said,"Take and eat; this is my body."Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying,"Drink from it, all of you,for this is my blood of the covenant,which will be shed on behalf of manyfor the forgiveness of sins.I tell you, from now on I shall not drink this fruit of the vineuntil the day when I drink it with you newin the kingdom of my Father."Then, after singing a hymn,they went out to the Mount of Olives.Then Jesus said to them,"This night all of you will have your faith in me shaken,for it is written:I will strike the shepherd,and the sheep of the flock will be dispersed;but after I have been raised up,I shall go before you to Galilee."Peter said to him in reply,"Though all may have their faith in you shaken,mine will never be."Jesus said to him,"Amen, I say to you,this very night before the cock crows,you will deny me three times."Peter said to him,"Even though I should have to die with you,I will not deny you."And all the disciples spoke likewise.Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane,and he said to his disciples,"Sit here while I go over there and pray."He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee,and began to feel sorrow and distress.Then he said to them,"My soul is sorrowful even to death.Remain here and keep watch with me."He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying,"My Father, if it is possible,let this cup pass from me;yet, not as I will, but as you will."When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep.He said to Peter,"So you could not keep watch with me for one hour?Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test.The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."Withdrawing a second time, he prayed again,"My Father, if it is not possible that this cup passwithout my drinking it, your will be done!"Then he returned once more and found them asleep,for they could not keep their eyes open.He left them and withdrew again and prayed a third time,saying the same thing again.Then he returned to his disciples and said to them,"Are you still sleeping and taking your rest?Behold, the hour is at handwhen the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners.Get up, let us go.Look, my betrayer is at hand."While he was still speaking,Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived,accompanied by a large crowd, with swords and clubs,who had come from the chief priests and the eldersof the people.His betrayer had arranged a sign with them, saying,"The man I shall kiss is the one; arrest him."Immediately he went over to Jesus and said,"Hail, Rabbi!" and he kissed him.Jesus answered him,"Friend, do what you have come for."Then stepping forward they laid hands on Jesus and arrested him.And behold, one of those who accompanied Jesusput his hand to his sword, drew it,and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his ear.Then Jesus said to him,"Put your sword back into its sheath,for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.Do you think that I cannot call upon my Fatherand he will not provide me at this momentwith more than twelve legions of angels?But then how would the Scriptures be fulfilledwhich say that it must come to pass in this way?"At that hour Jesus said to the crowds,"Have you come out as against a robber,with swords and clubs to seize me?Day after day I sat teaching in the temple area,yet you did not arrest me.But all this has come to passthat the writings of the prophets may be fulfilled."Then all the disciples left him and fled.Those who had arrested Jesus led him awayto Caiaphas the high priest,where the scribes and the elders were assembled.Peter was following him at a distanceas far as the high priest's courtyard,and going inside he sat down with the servantsto see the outcome.The chief priests and the entire Sanhedrinkept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesusin order to put him to death,but they found none,though many false witnesses came forward.Finally two came forward who stated,"This man said, 'I can destroy the temple of Godand within three days rebuild it.'"The high priest rose and addressed him,"Have you no answer?What are these men testifying against you?"But Jesus was silent.Then the high priest said to him,"I order you to tell us under oath before the living Godwhether you are the Christ, the Son of God."Jesus said to him in reply,"You have said so.But I tell you:From now on you will see 'the Son of Manseated at the right hand of the Power'and 'coming on the clouds of heaven.'"Then the high priest tore his robes and said,"He has blasphemed!What further need have we of witnesses?You have now heard the blasphemy;what is your opinion?"They said in reply,"He deserves to die!"Then they spat in his face and struck him,while some slapped him, saying,"Prophesy for us, Christ: who is it that struck you?"Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard.One of the maids came over to him and said,"You too were with Jesus the Galilean."But he denied it in front of everyone, saying,"I do not know what you are talking about!"As he went out to the gate, another girl saw himand said to those who were there,"This man was with Jesus the Nazorean."Again he denied it with an oath,"I do not know the man!"A little later the bystanders came over and said to Peter,"Surely you too are one of them;even your speech gives you away."At that he began to curse and to swear,"I do not know the man."And immediately a cock crowed.Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken:"Before the cock crows you will deny me three times."He went out and began to weep bitterly.When it was morning,all the chief priests and the elders of the peopletook counsel against Jesus to put him to death.They bound him, led him away,and handed him over to Pilate, the governor.Then Judas, his betrayer, seeing that Jesus had been condemned,deeply regretted what he had done.He returned the thirty pieces of silverto the chief priests and elders, saying,"I have sinned in betraying innocent blood."They said,"What is that to us?Look to it yourself."Flinging the money into the temple,he departed and went off and hanged himself.The chief priests gathered up the money, but said,"It is not lawful to deposit this in the temple treasury,for it is the price of blood."After consultation, they used it to buy the potter's fieldas a burial place for foreigners.That is why that field even today is called the Field of Blood.Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiahthe prophet,And they took the thirty pieces of silver,the value of a man with a price on his head,a price set by some of the Israelites,and they paid it out for the potter's fieldjust as the Lord had commanded me.Now Jesus stood before the governor, and he questioned him,"Are you the king of the Jews?"Jesus said, "You say so."And when he was accused by the chief priests and elders,he made no answer.Then Pilate said to him,"Do you not hear how many things they are testifying against you?"But he did not answer him one word,so that the governor was greatly amazed.Now on the occasion of the feastthe governor was accustomed to release to the crowdone prisoner whom they wished.And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.So when they had assembled, Pilate said to them,"Which one do you want me to release to you,Barabbas, or Jesus called Christ?"For he knew that it was out of envythat they had handed him over.While he was still seated on the bench,his wife sent him a message,"Have nothing to do with that righteous man.I suffered much in a dream today because of him."The chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowdsto ask for Barabbas but to destroy Jesus.The governor said to them in reply,"Which of the two do you want me to release to you?"They answered, "Barabbas!"Pilate said to them,"Then what shall I do with Jesus called Christ?"They all said,"Let him be crucified!"But he said,"Why? What evil has he done?"They only shouted the louder,"Let him be crucified!"When Pilate saw that he was not succeeding at all,but that a riot was breaking out instead,he took water and washed his hands in the sight of the crowd,saying, "I am innocent of this man's blood.Look to it yourselves."And the whole people said in reply,"His blood be upon us and upon our children."Then he released Barabbas to them,but after he had Jesus scourged,he handed him over to be crucified.Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus inside the praetoriumand gathered the whole cohort around him.They stripped off his clothesand threw a scarlet military cloak about him.Weaving a crown out of thorns, they placed it on his head,and a reed in his right hand.And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying,"Hail, King of the Jews!"They spat upon him and took the reedand kept striking him on the head.And when they had mocked him,they stripped him of the cloak,dressed him in his own clothes,and led him off to crucify him.As they were going out, they met a Cyrenian named Simon;this man they pressed into serviceto carry his cross.And when they came to a place called Golgotha—which means Place of the Skull —,they gave Jesus wine to drink mixed with gall.But when he had tasted it, he refused to drink.After they had crucified him,they divided his garments by casting lots;then they sat down and kept watch over him there.And they placed over his head the written charge against him:This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.Two revolutionaries were crucified with him,one on his right and the other on his left.Those passing by reviled him, shaking their heads and saying,"You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days,save yourself, if you are the Son of God,and come down from the cross!"Likewise the chief priests with the scribes and elders mocked him and said,"He saved others; he cannot save himself.So he is the king of Israel!Let him come down from the cross now,and we will believe in him.He trusted in God;let him deliver him now if he wants him.For he said, 'I am the Son of God.'"The revolutionaries who were crucified with himalso kept abusing him in the same way.From noon onward, darkness came over the whole landuntil three in the afternoon.And about three o'clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice,"Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?"which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"Some of the bystanders who heard it said,"This one is calling for Elijah."Immediately one of them ran to get a sponge;he soaked it in wine, and putting it on a reed,gave it to him to drink.But the rest said,"Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to save him."But Jesus cried out again in a loud voice,and gave up his spirit.Here all kneel and pause for a short time.And behold, the veil of the sanctuarywas torn in two from top to bottom.The earth quaked, rocks were split, tombs were opened,and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised.And coming forth from their tombs after his resurrection,they entered the holy city and appeared to many.The centurion and the men with him who were keeping watch over Jesusfeared greatly when they saw the earthquakeand all that was happening, and they said,"Truly, this was the Son of God!"There were many women there, looking on from a distance,who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him.Among them were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph,and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.When it was evening,there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph,who was himself a disciple of Jesus.He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus;then Pilate ordered it to be handed over.Taking the body, Joseph wrapped it in clean linenand laid it in his new tomb that he had hewn in the rock.Then he rolled a huge stone across the entrance to the tomband departed.But Mary Magdalene and the other Maryremained sitting there, facing the tomb.The next day, the one following the day of preparation,the chief priests and the Phariseesgathered before Pilate and said,"Sir, we remember that this impostor while still alive said,'After three days I will be raised up.'Give orders, then, that the grave be secured until the third day,lest his disciples come and steal him and say to the people,'He has been raised from the dead.'This last imposture would be worse than the first."Pilate said to them,"The guard is yours;go, secure it as best you can."So they went and secured the tombby fixing a seal to the stone and setting the guard. 1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13aPsalm 23: 1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6Ephesians 5:8-14John 9:1-41Fourth Sunday of LentLectionary: 31Reading I1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13aThe LORD said to Samuel:“Fill your horn with oil, and be on your way.I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have chosen my king from among his sons.”As Jesse and his sons came to the sacrifice, Samuel looked at Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD's anointed is here before him.”But the LORD said to Samuel: “Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him.Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the LORD looks into the heart.”In the same way Jesse presented seven sons before Samuel, but Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen any one of these.”Then Samuel asked Jesse,“Are these all the sons you have?”Jesse replied,“There is still the youngest, who is tending the sheep.”Samuel said to Jesse,“Send for him; we will not begin the sacrificial banquet until he arrives here.”Jesse sent and had the young man brought to them.He was ruddy, a youth handsome to behold and making a splendid appearance.The LORD said,“There—anoint him, for this is the one!”Then Samuel, with the horn of oil in hand, anointed David in the presence of his brothers; and from that day on, the spirit of the LORD rushed upon David.Reading IIEphesians 5:8-14Brothers and sisters:You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.Live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth.Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness; rather expose them, for it is shameful even to mention the things done by them in secret; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light.Therefore, it says: “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”GospelJohn 9:1-41As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth.His disciples asked him,“Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”Jesus answered,“Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day.Night is coming when no one can work.While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”When he had said this, he spat on the groundand made clay with the saliva,and smeared the clay on his eyes,and said to him, “Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” —which means Sent—.So he went and washed, and came back able to see.His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said, “Isn't this the one who used to sit and beg?”Some said, “It is, “but others said, “No, he just looks like him.”He said, “I am.”So they said to him, “How were your eyes opened?”He replied,“The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyesand told me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.'So I went there and washed and was able to see.”And they said to him, “Where is he?”He said, “I don't know.”They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees.Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a sabbath.So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see.He said to them,“He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see.”So some of the Pharisees said,“This man is not from God,because he does not keep the sabbath.”But others said,“How can a sinful man do such signs?”And there was a division among them.So they said to the blind man again, “What do you have to say about him,since he opened your eyes?”He said, “He is a prophet.”Now the Jews did not believe that he had been blind and gained his sight until they summoned the parents of the one who had gained his sight.They asked them,“Is this your son, who you say was born blind?How does he now see?”His parents answered and said, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind.We do not know how he sees now,nor do we know who opened his eyes.Ask him, he is of age;he can speak for himself.”His parents said this because they were afraidof the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone acknowledged him as the Christ,he would be expelled from the synagogue.For this reason his parents said,“He is of age; question him.”So a second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, “Give God the praise!We know that this man is a sinner.”He replied,“If he is a sinner, I do not know.One thing I do know is that I was blind and now I see.”So they said to him,“What did he do to you?How did he open your eyes?”He answered them,“I told you already and you did not listen.Why do you want to hear it again?Do you want to become his disciples, too?”They ridiculed him and said, “You are that man's disciple;we are disciples of Moses!We know that God spoke to Moses, but we do not know where this one is from.”The man answered and said to them,“This is what is so amazing, that you do not know where he is from, yet he opened my eyes.We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if one is devout and does his will, he listens to him.It is unheard of that anyone ever opened the eyes of a person born blind.If this man were not from God,he would not be able to do anything.”They answered and said to him,“You were born totally in sin,and are you trying to teach us?”Then they threw him out.When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out,he found him and said, Do you believe in the Son of Man?”He answered and said, “Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?”Jesus said to him,“You have seen him,the one speaking with you is he.”He said,“I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him.Then Jesus said,“I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see might see, and those who do see might become blind.”Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this and said to him, “Surely we are not also blind, are we?”Jesus said to them,“If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you are saying, ‘We see,' so your sin remains.
Reading I1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13aThe LORD said to Samuel:“Fill your horn with oil, and be on your way.I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have chosen my king from among his sons.”As Jesse and his sons came to the sacrifice, Samuel looked at Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD's anointed is here before him.”But the LORD said to Samuel: “Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him.Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the LORD looks into the heart.”In the same way Jesse presented seven sons before Samuel, but Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen any one of these.”Then Samuel asked Jesse,“Are these all the sons you have?”Jesse replied,“There is still the youngest, who is tending the sheep.”Samuel said to Jesse,“Send for him; we will not begin the sacrificial banquet until he arrives here.”Jesse sent and had the young man brought to them.He was ruddy, a youth handsome to behold and making a splendid appearance.The LORD said,“There—anoint him, for this is the one!”Then Samuel, with the horn of oil in hand, anointed David in the presence of his brothers; and from that day on, the spirit of the LORD rushed upon David.Reading IIEphesians 5:8-14Brothers and sisters:You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.Live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth.Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness; rather expose them, for it is shameful even to mention the things done by them in secret; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light.Therefore, it says: “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”GospelJohn 9:1-41As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth.His disciples asked him,“Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”Jesus answered,“Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day.Night is coming when no one can work.While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”When he had said this, he spat on the groundand made clay with the saliva,and smeared the clay on his eyes,and said to him, “Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” —which means Sent—.So he went and washed, and came back able to see.His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said, “Isn't this the one who used to sit and beg?”Some said, “It is, “but others said, “No, he just looks like him.”He said, “I am.”So they said to him, “How were your eyes opened?”He replied,“The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyesand told me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.'So I went there and washed and was able to see.”And they said to him, “Where is he?”He said, “I don't know.”They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees.Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a sabbath.So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see.He said to them,“He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see.”So some of the Pharisees said,“This man is not from God,because he does not keep the sabbath.”But others said,“How can a sinful man do such signs?”And there was a division among them.So they said to the blind man again, “What do you have to say about him,since he opened your eyes?”He said, “He is a prophet.”Now the Jews did not believe that he had been blind and gained his sight until they summoned the parents of the one who had gained his sight.They asked them,“Is this your son, who you say was born blind?How does he now see?”His parents answered and said, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind.We do not know how he sees now,nor do we know who opened his eyes.Ask him, he is of age;he can speak for himself.”His parents said this because they were afraidof the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone acknowledged him as the Christ,he would be expelled from the synagogue.For this reason his parents said,“He is of age; question him.”So a second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, “Give God the praise!We know that this man is a sinner.”He replied,“If he is a sinner, I do not know.One thing I do know is that I was blind and now I see.”So they said to him,“What did he do to you?How did he open your eyes?”He answered them,“I told you already and you did not listen.Why do you want to hear it again?Do you want to become his disciples, too?”They ridiculed him and said, “You are that man's disciple;we are disciples of Moses!We know that God spoke to Moses, but we do not know where this one is from.”The man answered and said to them,“This is what is so amazing, that you do not know where he is from, yet he opened my eyes.We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if one is devout and does his will, he listens to him.It is unheard of that anyone ever opened the eyes of a person born blind.If this man were not from God,he would not be able to do anything.”They answered and said to him,“You were born totally in sin,and are you trying to teach us?”Then they threw him out.When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out,he found him and said, Do you believe in the Son of Man?”He answered and said, “Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?”Jesus said to him,“You have seen him,the one speaking with you is he.”He said,“I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him.Then Jesus said,“I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see might see, and those who do see might become blind.”Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this and said to him, “Surely we are not also blind, are we?”Jesus said to them,“If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you are saying, ‘We see,' so your sin remains.
Reading 1 1 Sm 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a The LORD said to Samuel:"Fill your horn with oil, and be on your way.I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have chosen my king from among his sons."As Jesse and his sons came to the sacrifice, Samuel looked at Eliab and thought, "Surely the LORD's anointed is here before him."But the LORD said to Samuel: "Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him.Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the LORD looks into the heart."In the same way Jesse presented seven sons before Samuel, but Samuel said to Jesse, "The LORD has not chosen any one of these."Then Samuel asked Jesse,"Are these all the sons you have?"Jesse replied,"There is still the youngest, who is tending the sheep."Samuel said to Jesse,"Send for him; we will not begin the sacrificial banquet until he arrives here."Jesse sent and had the young man brought to them.He was ruddy, a youth handsome to behold and making a splendid appearance.The LORD said,"There—anoint him, for this is the one!"Then Samuel, with the horn of oil in hand, anointed David in the presence of his brothers; and from that day on, the spirit of the LORD rushed upon David.Reading 2 Eph 5:8-14 Brothers and sisters:You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.Live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth.Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness; rather expose them, for it is shameful even to mention the things done by them in secret; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light.Therefore, it says:"Awake, O sleeper,and arise from the dead,and Christ will give you light."Gospel Jn 9:1-41 As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth.His disciples asked him,"Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"Jesus answered,"Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day.Night is coming when no one can work.While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."When he had said this, he spat on the groundand made clay with the saliva,and smeared the clay on his eyes,and said to him, "Go wash in the Pool of Siloam" —which means Sent—.So he went and washed, and came back able to see.His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said, "Isn't this the one who used to sit and beg?"Some said, "It is, "but others said, "No, he just looks like him."He said, "I am."So they said to him, "How were your eyes opened?"He replied,"The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyesand told me, 'Go to Siloam and wash.'So I went there and washed and was able to see."And they said to him, "Where is he?"He said, "I don't know."They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees.Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a sabbath.So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see.He said to them,"He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see."So some of the Pharisees said,"This man is not from God,because he does not keep the sabbath."But others said,"How can a sinful man do such signs?"And there was a division among them.So they said to the blind man again, "What do you have to say about him,since he opened your eyes?"He said, "He is a prophet."Now the Jews did not believe that he had been blind and gained his sight until they summoned the parents of the one who had gained his sight.They asked them,"Is this your son, who you say was born blind?How does he now see?"His parents answered and said, "We know that this is our son and that he was born blind.We do not know how he sees now,nor do we know who opened his eyes.Ask him, he is of age;he can speak for himself."His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone acknowledged him as the Christ,he would be expelled from the synagogue.For this reason his parents said,"He is of age; question him."So a second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, "Give God the praise!We know that this man is a sinner."He replied,"If he is a sinner, I do not know.One thing I do know is that I was blind and now I see."So they said to him,"What did he do to you?How did he open your eyes?"He answered them,"I told you already and you did not listen.Why do you want to hear it again?Do you want to become his disciples, too?"They ridiculed him and said, "You are that man's disciple;we are disciples of Moses!We know that God spoke to Moses, but we do not know where this one is from."The man answered and said to them,"This is what is so amazing, that you do not know where he is from, yet he opened my eyes.We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if one is devout and does his will, he listens to him.It is unheard of that anyone ever opened the eyes of a person born blind.If this man were not from God,he would not be able to do anything."They answered and said to him,"You were born totally in sin,and are you trying to teach us?"Then they threw him out.When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out,he found him and said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?"He answered and said, "Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?"Jesus said to him,"You have seen him,the one speaking with you is he."He said,"I do believe, Lord," and he worshiped him.Then Jesus said,"I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see might see, and those who do see might become blind."Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this and said to him, "Surely we are not also blind, are we?"Jesus said to them,"If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you are saying, 'We see,' so your sin remains.
Fourth Sunday of LentLectionary: 31 Reading 1 1 SM 16:1B, 6-7, 10-13AThe LORD said to Samuel: “Fill your horn with oil, and be on your way.I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem,for I have chosen my king from among his sons.” As Jesse and his sons came to the sacrifice,Samuel looked at Eliab and thought,“Surely the LORD’s anointed is here before him.”But the LORD said to Samuel:“Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature,because I have rejected him.Not as man sees does God see,because man sees the appearancebut the LORD looks into the heart.”In the same way Jesse presented seven sons before Samuel,but Samuel said to Jesse,“The LORD has not chosen any one of these.”Then Samuel asked Jesse,“Are these all the sons you have?”Jesse replied,“There is still the youngest, who is tending the sheep.”Samuel said to Jesse,“Send for him;we will not begin the sacrificial banquet until he arrives here.”Jesse sent and had the young man brought to them.He was ruddy, a youth handsome to beholdand making a splendid appearance.The LORD said,“There—anoint him, for this is the one!”Then Samuel, with the horn of oil in hand,anointed David in the presence of his brothers;and from that day on, the spirit of the LORD rushed upon David. Responsorial Psalm PS 23: 1-3A, 3B-4, 5, 6. R. (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.beside restful waters he leads me;he refreshes my soul.R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.He guides me in right pathsfor his name’s sake.Even though I walk in the dark valleyI fear no evil; for you are at my sideWith your rod and your staffthat give me courage.R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.You spread the table before mein the sight of my foes;you anoint my head with oil;my cup overflows.R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.Only goodness and kindness follow meall the days of my life;and I shall dwell in the house of the LORDfor years to come.R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Reading 2 EPH 5:8-14 Brothers and sisters:You were once darkness,but now you are light in the Lord.Live as children of light,for light produces every kind of goodnessand righteousness and truth.Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness;rather expose them, for it is shameful even to mentionthe things done by them in secret;but everything exposed by the light becomes visible,for everything that becomes visible is light.Therefore, it says: “Awake, O sleeper,and arise from the dead,and Christ will give you light.” Verse Before The GospelJN 8:12 I am the light of the world, says the Lord;whoever follows me will have the light of life. Gospel JN 9:1-41 As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth.His disciples asked him,“Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents,that he was born blind?”Jesus answered,“Neither he nor his parents sinned;it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day.Night is coming when no one can work.While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”When he had said this, he spat on the groundand made clay with the saliva,and smeared the clay on his eyes,and said to him,“Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” —which means Sent—.So he went and washed, and came back able to see. His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said,“Isn’t this the one who used to sit and beg?”Some said, “It is, “but others said, “No, he just looks like him.”He said, “I am.”So they said to him, “How were your eyes opened?”He replied,“The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyesand told me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’So I went there and washed and was able to see.”And they said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I don’t know.” They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees.Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a sabbath.So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see.He said to them,“He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see.”So some of the Pharisees said,“This man is not from God,because he does not keep the sabbath.”But others said,“How can a sinful man do such signs?”And there was a division among them.So they said to the blind man again,“What do you have to say about him,since he opened your eyes?”He said, “He is a prophet.” Now the Jews did not believethat he had been blind and gained his sightuntil they summoned the parents of the one who had gained his sight.They asked them,“Is this your son, who you say was born blind?How does he now see?”His parents answered and said,“We know that this is our son and that he was born blind.We do not know how he sees now,nor do we know who opened his eyes.Ask him, he is of age;he can speak for himself.”His parents said this because they were afraidof the Jews, for the Jews had already agreedthat if anyone acknowledged him as the Christ,he would be expelled from the synagogue.For this reason his parents said,“He is of age; question him.” So a second time they called the man who had been blindand said to him, “Give God the praise!We know that this man is a sinner.”He replied,“If he is a sinner, I do not know.One thing I do know is that I was blind and now I see.”So they said to him,“What did he do to you?How did he open your eyes?”He answered them,“I told you already and you did not listen.Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?”They ridiculed him and said,“You are that man’s disciple;we are disciples of Moses!We know that God spoke to Moses,but we do not know where this one is from.”The man answered and said to them,“This is what is so amazing,that you do not know where he is from, yet he opened my eyes.We know that God does not listen to sinners,but if one is devout and does his will, he listens to him.It is unheard of that anyone ever opened the eyes of a person born blind.If this man were not from God,he would not be able to do anything.”They answered and said to him,“You were born totally in sin,and are you trying to teach us?”Then they threw him out. When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out,he found him and said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?”He answered and said,“Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?”Jesus said to him,“You have seen him,the one speaking with you is he.”He said,“I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him.Then Jesus said,“I came into this world for judgment,so that those who do not see might see,and those who do see might become blind.” Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard thisand said to him, “Surely we are not also blind, are we?”Jesus said to them,“If you were blind, you would have no sin;but now you are saying, ‘We see,’ so your sin remains. orJn 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38 As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth.He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva,and smeared the clay on his eyes,and said to him,“Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” — which means Sent —.So he went and washed, and came back able to see. His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said,“Isn’t this the one who used to sit and beg?”Some said, “It is, “but others said, “No, he just looks like him.”He said, “I am.” They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees.Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a sabbath.So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see.He said to them,“He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see.”So some of the Pharisees said,“This man is not from God,because he does not keep the sabbath.”But others said,“How can a sinful man do such signs?”And there was a division among them.So they said to the blind man again,“What do you have to say about him,since he opened your eyes?”He said, “He is a prophet.” They answered and said to him,“You were born totally in sin,and are you trying to teach us?”Then they threw him out. When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out,he found him and said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”He answered and said,“Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?”Jesus said to him,“You have seen him, andthe one speaking with you is he.”He said,“I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him.
Fourth Sunday of Lent Lectionary: 31 Reading 1 1 SM 16:1B, 6-7, 10-13A The LORD said to Samuel: “Fill your horn with oil, and be on your way. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have chosen my king from among his sons.” As Jesse and his sons came to the sacrifice, Samuel looked at Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD's anointed is here before him.” But the LORD said to Samuel: “Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him. Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the LORD looks into the heart.” In the same way Jesse presented seven sons before Samuel, but Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen any one of these.” Then Samuel asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” Jesse replied, “There is still the youngest, who is tending the sheep.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Send for him; we will not begin the sacrificial banquet until he arrives here.” Jesse sent and had the young man brought to them. He was ruddy, a youth handsome to behold and making a splendid appearance. The LORD said, “There—anoint him, for this is the one!” Then Samuel, with the horn of oil in hand, anointed David in the presence of his brothers; and from that day on, the spirit of the LORD rushed upon David. Reading 2 EPH 5:8-14 Brothers and sisters: You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth. Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness; rather expose them, for it is shameful even to mention the things done by them in secret; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore, it says: “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” Gospel JN 9:1-41 As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him. We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva, and smeared the clay on his eyes, and said to him, “Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” —which means Sent—. So he went and washed, and came back able to see. His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said, “Isn't this the one who used to sit and beg?” Some said, “It is, “ but others said, “No, he just looks like him.” He said, “I am.” So they said to him, “How were your eyes opened?” He replied, “The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and told me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.' So I went there and washed and was able to see.” And they said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I don't know.” They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees. Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a sabbath. So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see. He said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see.” So some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, because he does not keep the sabbath.” But others said, “How can a sinful man do such signs?” And there was a division among them. So they said to the blind man again, “What do you have to say about him, since he opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.” Now the Jews did not believe that he had been blind and gained his sight until they summoned the parents of the one who had gained his sight. They asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How does he now see?” His parents answered and said, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind. We do not know how he sees now, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him, he is of age; he can speak for himself.” His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone acknowledged him as the Christ, he would be expelled from the synagogue. For this reason his parents said, “He is of age; question him.” So a second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, “Give God the praise! We know that this man is a sinner.” He replied, “If he is a sinner, I do not know. One thing I do know is that I was blind and now I see.” So they said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” He answered them, “I told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?” They ridiculed him and said, “You are that man's disciple; we are disciples of Moses! We know that God spoke to Moses, but we do not know where this one is from.” The man answered and said to them, “This is what is so amazing, that you do not know where he is from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if one is devout and does his will, he listens to him. It is unheard of that anyone ever opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, he would not be able to do anything.” They answered and said to him, “You were born totally in sin, and are you trying to teach us?” Then they threw him out. When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, he found him and said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered and said, “Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, the one speaking with you is he.” He said, “I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him. Then Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see might see, and those who do see might become blind.” Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this and said to him, “Surely we are not also blind, are we?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you are saying, ‘We see,' so your sin remains.
Keith talks about a form of love which modern people too easily minimize and forget: friendship. If you live in the Columbia area, we hope you’ll join us in person. Our Twitter (https://twitter.com/TheCrossingCoMo) . Want to learn about more 1-2 Samuel? Do you want a deeper look into David’s life? We recommend picking up either Walter Bruegemann’s (https://www.amazon.com/First-Second-Samuel-Interpretation-Commentary/dp/0804231087/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=brueggemann+1-2+samuel&qid=1565905160&s=gateway&sr=8-1) commentary on 1-2 Samuel. All the links mentioned in this episode: Website: https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/about/sundays/ (https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/about/sundays/) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO/ (https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ (https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO/) Twitter: https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ (https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/) Books – Bill Arnold, NIVAC 1-2 Samuel Commentary: https://www.amazon.com/Samuel-NIV-Application-Commentary/dp/0310210860/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=arnold+1-2+samuel&qid=1565905180&s=gateway&sr=8-1 (https://www.amazon.com/Samuel-NIV-Application-Commentary/dp/0310210860/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=arnold+1-2+samuel&qid=1565905180&s=gateway&sr=8-1) Walter Bruegemann, Interpretation 1-2 Samuel Commentary: https://www.amazon.com/First-Second-Samuel-Interpretation-Commentary/dp/0804231087/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=brueggemann+1-2+samuel&qid=1565905160&s=gateway&sr=8-1 (https://www.amazon.com/First-Second-Samuel-Interpretation-Commentary/dp/0804231087/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=brueggemann+1-2+samuel&qid=1565905160&s=gateway&sr=8-1) Support this podcast
Keith explores the power of jealousy to wreck lives, and what genuine success looks like. If you live in the Columbia area, we hope you’ll join us in person. Our Twitter (https://twitter.com/TheCrossingCoMo) . Want to learn about more 1-2 Samuel? Do you want a deeper look into David’s life? We recommend picking up either Walter Bruegemann’s (https://www.amazon.com/First-Second-Samuel-Interpretation-Commentary/dp/0804231087/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=brueggemann+1-2+samuel&qid=1565905160&s=gateway&sr=8-1) commentary on 1-2 Samuel. All the links mentioned in this episode: Website: https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO/ (https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ (https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO/) Twitter: https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ (https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/) Books – Bill Arnold, NIVAC 1-2 Samuel Commentary: https://www.amazon.com/Samuel-NIV-Application-Commentary/dp/0310210860/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=arnold+1-2+samuel&qid=1565905180&s=gateway&sr=8-1 (https://www.amazon.com/Samuel-NIV-Application-Commentary/dp/0310210860/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=arnold+1-2+samuel&qid=1565905180&s=gateway&sr=8-1) Walter Bruegemann, Interpretation 1-2 Samuel Commentary: https://www.amazon.com/First-Second-Samuel-Interpretation-Commentary/dp/0804231087/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=brueggemann+1-2+samuel&qid=1565905160&s=gateway&sr=8-1 (https://www.amazon.com/First-Second-Samuel-Interpretation-Commentary/dp/0804231087/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=brueggemann+1-2+samuel&qid=1565905160&s=gateway&sr=8-1) Support this podcast
We continue our new series, David in 22 Stories. In this episode we look at one of the most famous Bible stories: David and Goliath. If you live in the Columbia area, we hope you’ll join us in person. Our Twitter (https://twitter.com/TheCrossingCoMo) . Want to learn about more 1-2 Samuel? Do you want a deeper look into David’s life? We recommend picking up either Walter Bruegemann’s (https://www.amazon.com/First-Second-Samuel-Interpretation-Commentary/dp/0804231087/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=brueggemann+1-2+samuel&qid=1565905160&s=gateway&sr=8-1) commentary on 1-2 Samuel. All the links mentioned in this episode: Website: https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/about/sundays/ (https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/about/sundays/) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO/ (https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ (https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO/) Twitter: https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ (https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/) Books – Bill Arnold, NIVAC 1-2 Samuel Commentary: https://www.amazon.com/Samuel-NIV-Application-Commentary/dp/0310210860/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=arnold+1-2+samuel&qid=1565905180&s=gateway&sr=8-1 (https://www.amazon.com/Samuel-NIV-Application-Commentary/dp/0310210860/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=arnold+1-2+samuel&qid=1565905180&s=gateway&sr=8-1) Walter Bruegemann, Interpretation 1-2 Samuel Commentary: https://www.amazon.com/First-Second-Samuel-Interpretation-Commentary/dp/0804231087/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=brueggemann+1-2+samuel&qid=1565905160&s=gateway&sr=8-1 (https://www.amazon.com/First-Second-Samuel-Interpretation-Commentary/dp/0804231087/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=brueggemann+1-2+samuel&qid=1565905160&s=gateway&sr=8-1) Support this podcast
We continue our new series, David in 22 Stories. In this episode we meet David for the first time and see what God really cares the most about in people. If you live in the Columbia area, we hope you’ll join us in person. Our Twitter (https://twitter.com/TheCrossingCoMo) . Want to learn about more 1-2 Samuel? Do you want a deeper look into David’s life? We recommend picking up either Walter Bruegemann’s (https://www.amazon.com/First-Second-Samuel-Interpretation-Commentary/dp/0804231087/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=brueggemann+1-2+samuel&qid=1565905160&s=gateway&sr=8-1) commentary on 1-2 Samuel. All the links mentioned in this episode: Website: https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/about/sundays/ (https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/about/sundays/) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO/ (https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ (https://www.facebook.com/TheCrossingCOMO/) Twitter: https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/ (https://www.instagram.com/thecrossingcomo/) Books – Bill Arnold, NIVAC 1-2 Samuel Commentary: https://www.amazon.com/Samuel-NIV-Application-Commentary/dp/0310210860/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=arnold+1-2+samuel&qid=1565905180&s=gateway&sr=8-1 (https://www.amazon.com/Samuel-NIV-Application-Commentary/dp/0310210860/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=arnold+1-2+samuel&qid=1565905180&s=gateway&sr=8-1) Walter Bruegemann, Interpretation 1-2 Samuel Commentary: https://www.amazon.com/First-Second-Samuel-Interpretation-Commentary/dp/0804231087/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=brueggemann+1-2+samuel&qid=1565905160&s=gateway&sr=8-1 (https://www.amazon.com/First-Second-Samuel-Interpretation-Commentary/dp/0804231087/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=brueggemann+1-2+samuel&qid=1565905160&s=gateway&sr=8-1) Support this podcast
9 THE ROAD TO FAITH BY THE SPIRIT - PART 9 9 WALKING WITH THE LIVING GOD BEFORE THE MEN And the Lord answered Samuel: Do not look at his opinion, nor to the height of his stature, because I discard it; because Jehovah does not see what man sees; for man looks at what is in front of his eyes, but Jehovah looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16: 7 Put, then, now your hearts and your spirits in seeking Jehovah your God; and get up, and build the sanctuary of the LORD God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and the utensils consecrated to God, to the house built in the name of Jehovah. 1 Chronicles 22:19 Rather, as it is written: Things that eye did not see, nor heard heard, They have not risen in the heart of man, They are what God has prepared for those who love him. But God revealed them to us by the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. Why Who of the men knows the things of man, but the spirit of man What is in it? So nobody knew either the things of God, but the Spirit of God. 1 Corinthians 2: 9-11 Zoe Life Foundation Austin Sparks edited Liveman Dee 2019
Lessons: 1 Samuel 15:34-16:13. "As the Lord said to Samuel: “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature; for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”