[Propertalk] READINGS for the THIRD SUNDAY after PENTECOST

[Charles Wohlers]

The following are the readings for the Third Sunday after Pentecost, June 
21, (Proper 7, ECUSA; Proper 12, 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 Samuel 17: (1a, 4 - 11, 19 - 23) 32 - 49   (RCL)

1Sam 17:1 (NRSV) Now the Philis'tines gathered their armies for battle;

4 And there came out from the camp of the Philis'tines a champion named 
Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. 5 He had a helmet 
of bronze on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; the weight of 
the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze. 6 He had greaves of bronze on 
his legs and a javelin of bronze slung between his shoulders. 7 The shaft of 
his spear was like a weaver's beam, and his spear's head weighed six hundred 
shekels of iron; and his shield-bearer went before him. 8 He stood and 
shouted to the ranks of Israel, "Why have you come out to draw up for 
battle? Am I not a Philis'tine, and are you not servants of Saul? Choose a 
man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight 
with me and kill me, then we will be your servants; but if I prevail against 
him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us." 10 And the 
Philis'tine said, "Today I defy the ranks of Israel! Give me a man, that we 
may fight together." 11 When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the 
Philis'tine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.

19 Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of 
E'lah, fighting with the Philis'tines. 20 David rose early in the morning, 
left the sheep with a keeper, took the provisions, and went as Jesse had 
commanded him. He came to the encampment as the army was going forth to the 
battle line, shouting the war cry. 21 Israel and the Philis'tines drew up 
for battle, army against army. 22 David left the things in charge of the 
keeper of the baggage, ran to the ranks, and went and greeted his brothers. 
23 As he talked with them, the champion, the Philis'tine of Gath, Goliath by 
name, came up out of the ranks of the Philis'tines, and spoke the same words 
as before. And David heard him.

 32 David said to Saul, "Let no one's heart fail because of him; your 
servant will go and fight with this Philis'tine." 33 Saul said to David, 
"You are not able to go against this Philis'tine to fight with him; for you 
are just a boy, and he has been a warrior from his youth." 34 But David said 
to Saul, "Your servant used to keep sheep for his father; and whenever a 
lion or a bear came, and took a lamb from the flock, 35 I went after it and 
struck it down, rescuing the lamb from its mouth; and if it turned against 
me, I would catch it by the jaw, strike it down, and kill it. 36 Your 
servant has killed both lions and bears; and this uncircumcised Philis'tine 
shall be like one of them, since he has defied the armies of the living 
God." 37 David said, "The LORD, who saved me from the paw of the lion and 
from the paw of the bear, will save me from the hand of this Philis'tine." 
So Saul said to David, "Go, and may the LORD be with you!"
38 Saul clothed David with his armor; he put a bronze helmet on his head and 
clothed him with a coat of mail. 39 David strapped Saul's sword over the 
armor, and he tried in vain to walk, for he was not used to them. Then David 
said to Saul, "I cannot walk with these; for I am not used to them." So 
David removed them. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, and chose five 
smooth stones from the wadi, and put them in his shepherd's bag, in the 
pouch; his sling was in his hand, and he drew near to the Philis'tine.
41 The Philis'tine came on and drew near to David, with his shield-bearer in 
front of him. 42 When the Philis'tine looked and saw David, he disdained 
him, for he was only a youth, ruddy and handsome in appearance. 43 The 
Philis'tine said to David, "Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?" 
And the Philis'tine cursed David by his gods. 44 The Philis'tine said to 
David, "Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and 
to the wild animals of the field." 45 But David said to the Philis'tine, 
"You come to me with sword and spear and javelin; but I come to you in the 
name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have 
defied. 46 This very day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will 
strike you down and cut off your head; and I will give the dead bodies of 
the Philis'tine army this very day to the birds of the air and to the wild 
animals of the earth, so that all the earth may know that there is a God in 
Israel, 47 and that all this assembly may know that the LORD does not save 
by sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD's and he will give you into 
our hand."
48 When the Philis'tine drew nearer to meet David, David ran quickly toward 
the battle line to meet the Philis'tine. 49 David put his hand in his bag, 
took out a stone, slung it, and struck the Philis'tine on his forehead; the 
stone sank into his forehead, and he fell face down on the ground.


Job 38: 1 - 11   (alt. for RCL)
Job 38: 1, 8 - 11   (Roman Catholic)

Job  38:1 (NRSV) Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind:
2 "Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
3 Gird up your loins like a man,
I will question you, and you shall declare to me.
4 "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell me, if you have understanding.
5 Who determined its measurements--surely you know!
Or who stretched the line upon it?
6 On what were its bases sunk,
or who laid its cornerstone
7 when the morning stars sang together
and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy?
8 "Or who shut in the sea with doors
when it burst out from the womb?-- 
9 when I made the clouds its garment,
and thick darkness its swaddling band,
10 and prescribed bounds for it,
and set bars and doors,
11 and said, "Thus far shall you come, and no farther,
and here shall your proud waves be stopped'?

16 "Have you entered into the springs of the sea,
or walked in the recesses of the deep?
17 Have the gates of death been revealed to you,
or have you seen the gates of deep darkness?
18 Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth?
Declare, if you know all this.


1 Samuel 17: 57 - 18: 5, 10 - 16   (alt. for RCL)

1Sam 17:57 (NRSV) On David's return from killing the Philistine, Abner took 
him and brought him before Saul, with the head of the Philistine in his 
hand. 58 Saul said to him, "Whose son are you, young man?" And David 
answered, "I am the son of your servant Jesse the Bethlehemite."
18:1 When David had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was 
bound to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 2 Saul 
took him that day and would not let him return to his father's house. 3 Then 
Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. 4 
Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that he was wearing, and gave it to 
David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt. 5 David 
went out and was successful wherever Saul sent him; as a result, Saul set 
him over the army. And all the people, even the servants of Saul, approved.
10 The next day an evil spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and he raved 
within his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he did day by day. 
Saul had his spear in his hand; 11 and Saul threw the spear, for he thought, 
"I will pin David to the wall." But David eluded him twice.
12 Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him but had departed 
from Saul. 13 So Saul removed him from his presence, and made him a 
commander of a thousand; and David marched out and came in, leading the 
army. 14 David had success in all his undertakings; for the LORD was with 
him. 15 When Saul saw that he had great success, he stood in awe of him. 16 
But all Israel and Judah loved David; for it was he who marched out and came 
in leading them.


2 Samuel 5: 1 - 12   (Can. BAS)

2Sam 5:1 (NRSV) Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron, and 
said, "Look, we are your bone and flesh. 2 For some time, while Saul was 
king over us, it was you who led out Israel and brought it in. The LORD said 
to you: It is you who shall be shepherd of my people Israel, you who shall 
be ruler over Israel." 3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king at 
Hebron; and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD, 
and they anointed David king over Israel. 4 David was thirty years old when 
he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. 5 At Hebron he reigned over 
Judah seven years and six months; and at Jerusalem he reigned over all 
Israel and Judah thirty-three years.
6 The king and his men marched to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the 
inhabitants of the land, who said to David, "You will not come in here, even 
the blind and the lame will turn you back"-thinking, "David cannot come in 
here." 7 Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion, which is now the 
city of David. 8 David had said on that day, "Whoever would strike down the 
Jebusites, let him get up the water shaft to attack the lame and the blind, 
those whom David hates." Therefore it is said, "The blind and the lame shall 
not come into the house." 9 David occupied the stronghold, and named it the 
city of David. David built the city all around from the Millo inward. 10 And 
David became greater and greater, for the LORD, the God of hosts, was with 
him.
11 King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar trees, and 
carpenters and masons who built David a house. 12 David then perceived that 
the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his 
kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.


PSALM 9: 9 - 20   (RCL - goes with the Goliath reading)

Psal 9:9 (NRSV) The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.
10 And those who know your name put their trust in you,
for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.
11 Sing praises to the LORD, who dwells in Zion.
Declare his deeds among the peoples.
12 For he who avenges blood is mindful of them;
he does not forget the cry of the afflicted.
13 Be gracious to me, O LORD.
See what I suffer from those who hate me;
you are the one who lifts me up from the gates of death,
14 so that I may recount all your praises,
and, in the gates of daughter Zion,
rejoice in your deliverance.
15 The nations have sunk in the pit that they made;
in the net that they hid has their own foot been caught.
16 The LORD has made himself known, he has executed judgment;
the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands. [Higgai'on. Se'lah]
17 The wicked shall depart to She'ol,
all the nations that forget God.
18 For the needy shall not always be forgotten,
nor the hope of the poor perish forever.
19 Rise up, O LORD! Do not let mortals prevail;
let the nations be judged before you.
20 Put them in fear, O LORD;
let the nations know that they are only human. [Se'lah]


Psalm 133   (alt. for ECUSA - goes with the Saul / David reading)

Psal 133:1 (NRSV) How very good and pleasant it is
when kindred live together in unity!
2 It is like the precious oil on the head,
running down upon the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
running down over the collar of his robes.
3 It is like the dew of Hermon,
which falls on the mountains of Zion.
For there the LORD ordained his blessing,
life forevermore.


Psalm 107: 23 - 26, 28 - 31   (Roman Catholic)
Psalm 107: 1 - 3, 23 - 32   (alt. for RCL - goes with Job reading)

Psal 107:1 (NRSV) O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever.
2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so,
those he redeemed from trouble
3 and gathered in from the lands,
from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.

23 Some went down to the sea in ships,
doing business on the mighty waters;
24 they saw the deeds of the LORD,
his wondrous works in the deep.
25 For he commanded and raised the stormy wind,
which lifted up the waves of the sea.
26 They mounted up to heaven, they went down to the depths;
their courage melted away in their calamity;
27 they reeled and staggered like drunkards,
and were at their wits' end.
28 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
and he brought them out from their distress;
29 he made the storm be still,
and the waves of the sea were hushed.
30 Then they were glad because they had quiet,
and he brought them to their desired haven.
31 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love,
for his wonderful works to humankind.
32 Let them extol him in the congregation of the people,
and praise him in the assembly of the elders.


48   Magnus Dominus   (Can. BAS)

1   Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised; *
  in the city of our God is his holy hill.

2   Beautiful and lofty, the joy of all the earth, is the
  hill of Zion, *
  the very center of the world and the city of the great King.

3   God is in her citadels; *
  he is known to be her sure refuge.

4   Behold, the kings of the earth assembled *
  and marched forward together.

5   They looked and were astounded; *
  they retreated and fled in terror.

6   Trembling seized them there; *
  they writhed like a woman in childbirth,
  like ships of the sea when the east wind shatters them.

7   As we have heard, so have we seen,
in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God; *
  God has established her for ever.

8   We have waited in silence on your loving-kindness, O God, *
  in the midst of your temple.

9   Your praise, like your Name, O God, reaches to
the world's end; *
  your right hand is full of justice.

10   Let Mount Zion be glad
and the cities of Judah rejoice, *
  because of your judgments.

11   Make the circuit of Zion;
walk round about her; *
  count the number of her towers.

12   Consider well her bulwarks;
examine her strongholds; *
  that you may tell those who come after.

13   This God is our God for ever and ever; *
  he shall be our guide for evermore.


NEW TESTAMENT:   2 Corinthians 6: 1 - 13   (RCL)

2 Cor 6:1 (NRSV) As we work together with him, we urge you also not to 
accept the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says,
"At an acceptable time I have listened to you,
and on a day of salvation I have helped you."
See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! 3 We are 
putting no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our 
ministry, 4 but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: 
through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, 
imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6 by purity, 
knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, 7 truthful 
speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the 
right hand and for the left; 8 in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good 
repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and yet 
are well known; as dying, and see--we are alive; as punished, and yet not 
killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many 
rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
11 We have spoken frankly to you Corinthians; our heart is wide open to you. 
12 There is no restriction in our affections, but only in yours. 13 In 
return--I speak as to children--open wide your hearts also.


2 Corinthians 5: 14 - 17   (Roman Catholic)

2Cor 5:14 (NRSV) For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are 
convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. 15 And he died 
for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for 
him who died and was raised for them.
16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even 
though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer 
in that way. 17 So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: 
everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!


2 Corinthinans 5: 18 - 6: 2   (Can. BAS)

2Cor 5:18 (NRSV) All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through 
Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in 
Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, {Or [God was in Christ 
reconciling the world to himself] } not counting their trespasses against 
them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. 20 So we are 
ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we 
entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he 
made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the 
righteousness of God.
6:1 As we work together with him, {Gk [As we work together] } we urge you 
also not to accept the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says,
""At an acceptable time I have listened to you,
and on a day of salvation I have helped you." See, now is the acceptable 
time; see, now is the day of salvation!


GOSPEL:   Mark 4: 35 - 41   (all)

Mark 4:35 (NRSV) On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let 
us go across to the other side." 36 And leaving the crowd behind, they took 
him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. 37 A 
great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat 
was already being swamped. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the 
cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care 
that we are perishing?" 39 He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the 
sea, "Peace! Be still!" Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. 40 
He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?" 41 And they 
were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this, that 
even the wind and the sea obey him?"


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