[Propertalk] READINGS for the ELEVENTH SUNDAY after PENTECOST

[Charles Wohlers]

The following are the readings for the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, 
August 16, (Proper 15, ECUSA; Proper 20, RCL & Roman Catholic) according to 
the Revised Common (RCL), Episcopal (ECUSA), Roman Catholic,  Church of 
England, and Canadian (BAS) Lectionaries. All readings are taken from the 
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible. Unless noted otherwise, 
the lectionaries of ECUSA, Canada and England are identical to the RCL this 
Sunday.



OLD TESTAMENT:  1 Kings 2: 10 - 12, 3: 3 - 14   (RCL)

1Kin 2:10 (NRSV) Then David slept with his ancestors, and was buried in the 
city of David. 11 The time that David reigned over Israel was forty years; 
he reigned seven years in He'bron, and thirty-three years in Jerusalem. 12 
So Solomon sat on the throne of his father David; and his kingdom was firmly 
established.

3:3 Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of his father David; 
only, he sacrificed and offered incense at the high places. 4 The king went 
to Gib'eon to sacrifice there, for that was the principal high place; 
Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 At Gib'eon 
the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, "Ask what I 
should give you." 6 And Solomon said, "You have shown great and steadfast 
love to your servant my father David, because he walked before you in 
faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you; and 
you have kept for him this great and steadfast love, and have given him a 
son to sit on his throne today. 7 And now, O LORD my God, you have made your 
servant king in place of my father David, although I am only a little child; 
I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And your servant is in the midst 
of the people whom you have chosen, a great people, so numerous they cannot 
be numbered or counted. 9 Give your servant therefore an understanding mind 
to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can 
govern this your great people?"
10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. 11 God said to him, 
"Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or 
riches, or for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself 
understanding to discern what is right, 12 I now do according to your word. 
Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been 
before you and no one like you shall arise after you. 13 I give you also 
what you have not asked, both riches and honor all your life; no other king 
shall compare with you. 14 If you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes 
and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your 
life."


Proverbs 9: 1 - 6   (Roman Catholic, alt. for RCL)

Prov 9:1 (NRSV) Wisdom has built her house,
she has hewn her seven pillars.
2 She has slaughtered her animals, she has mixed her wine,
she has also set her table.
3 She has sent out her servant-girls, she calls
from the highest places in the town,
4 "You that are simple, turn in here!"
To those without sense she says,
5 "Come, eat of my bread
and drink of the wine I have mixed.
6 Lay aside immaturity, and live,
and walk in the way of insight."


2 Samuel 18: 24 - 33   (Can. BAS)

2Sam 18:24 (NRSV) Now David was sitting between the two gates. The sentinel 
went up to the roof of the gate by the wall, and when he looked up, he saw a 
man running alone. 25 The sentinel shouted and told the king. The king said, 
"If he is alone, there are tidings in his mouth." He kept coming, and drew 
near. 26 Then the sentinel saw another man running; and the sentinel called 
to the gatekeeper and said, "See, another man running alone!" The king said, 
"He also is bringing tidings." 27 The sentinel said, "I think the running of 
the first one is like the running of Ahimaaz son of Zadok." The king said, 
"He is a good man, and comes with good tidings."
28 Then Ahimaaz cried out to the king, "All is well!" He prostrated himself 
before the king with his face to the ground, and said, "Blessed be the LORD 
your God, who has delivered up the men who raised their hand against my lord 
the king." 29 The king said, "Is it well with the young man Absalom?" 
Ahimaaz answered, "When Joab sent your servant, I saw a great tumult, but I 
do not know what it was." 30 The king said, "Turn aside, and stand here." So 
he turned aside, and stood still.
31 Then the Cushite came; and the Cushite said, "Good tidings for my lord 
the king! For the LORD has vindicated you this day, delivering you from the 
power of all who rose up against you." 32 The king said to the Cushite, "Is 
it well with the young man Absalom?" The Cushite answered, "May the enemies 
of my lord the king, and all who rise up to do you harm, be like that young 
man."
33 The king was deeply moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and 
wept; and as he went, he said, "O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! 
Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!"


PSALM 111   (RCL)

Psal 111:1 (NRSV) Praise the LORD!
I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart,
in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
2 Great are the works of the LORD,
studied by all who delight in them.
3 Full of honor and majesty is his work,
and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds;
the LORD is gracious and merciful.
5 He provides food for those who fear him;
he is ever mindful of his covenant.
6 He has shown his people the power of his works,
in giving them the heritage of the nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy.
8 They are established forever and ever,
to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He sent redemption to his people;
he has commanded his covenant forever.
Holy and awesome is his name.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever.


10   The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; *
  those who act accordingly have a good understanding;
  his praise endures for ever.


102   Domine, exaudi   (Can. BAS)

1   Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come before you; *
  hide not your face from me in the day of my trouble.

2   Incline your ear to me; *
  when I call, make haste to answer me,

3   For my days drift away like smoke, *
  and my bones are hot as burning coals.

4   My heart is smitten like grass and withered, *
  so that I forget to eat my bread.

5   Because of the voice of my groaning *
  I am but skin and bones.

6   I have become like a vulture in the wilderness, *
  like an owl among the ruins.

7   I lie awake and groan; *
  I am like a sparrow, lonely on a house-top.

8   My enemies revile me all day long, *
  and those who scoff at me have taken an oath against me.

9   For I have eaten ashes for bread *
  and mingled my drink with weeping.

10   Because of your indignation and wrath *
  you have lifted me up and thrown me away.

11   My days pass away like a shadow, *
  and I wither like the grass.

12   But you, O Lord, endure for ever, *
  and your Name from age to age.


Psalm 34: 1 - 6   (Roman Catholic)

Psal 34:1 (NRSV) I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD;
let the humble hear and be glad.
3 O magnify the LORD with me,
and let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me,
and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Look to him, and be radiant;
so your {Gk Syr Jerome: Heb [their] } faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor soul cried, and was heard by the LORD,
and was saved from every trouble.


Psalm 34: 9 - 14   (alt. for RCL)

Psal 34:9 (NRSV)  O fear the LORD, you his holy ones,
for those who fear him have no want.
10 The young lions suffer want and hunger,
but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
11 Come, O children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12 Which of you desires life,
and covets many days to enjoy good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil,
and your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Depart from evil, and do good;
seek peace, and pursue it.


NEW TESTAMENT:   Ephesians 5: 15 - 20   (all)

Ephe 5:15 (NRSV) Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as 
wise, 16 making the most of the time, because the days are evil. 17 So do 
not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 Do not get 
drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 
as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing 
and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, 20 giving thanks to God the 
Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.


GOSPEL:   John 6: 51 - 58   (RCL, Roman Catholic)

John 6:51 (NRSV) I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever 
eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the 
life of the world is my flesh."
52 The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, "How can this man give 
us his flesh to eat?" 53 So Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, 
unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no 
life in you. 54 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, 
and I will raise them up on the last day; 55 for my flesh is true food and 
my blood is true drink. 56 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide 
in me, and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sent me, and I live 
because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. 58 This 
is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors 
ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever."


Chad Wohlers
East Bridgewater, Mass.   USA
chadwohl at satucket.com
cwohlers at bridgew.edu