[Propertalk] READINGS for the LITURGY of the PASSION

[Charles Wohlers]

The following are the readings for the Liturgy of the Passion on Palm 
Sunday, April 14, according to the Revised Common (RCL), Episcopal 
(ECUSA), Roman Catholic, Canadian BAS, and the Church of England (Common 
Worship) lectionaries. All readings are taken from the New Revised 
Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible. Unless noted otherwise, the ECUSA, 
Canadian and C of E lectionaries are identical to the RCL for this day.

The readings are posted on our web site: 
<http://satucket.com/lectionary>, in RTF format, which can be read by 
all word processors.



OLD TESTAMENT:   Isaiah 50: 4 - 9a   (RCL)
                                Isaiah 50: 4 - 7   (Roman Catholic)

Isai 50:4 (NRSV) The Lord GOD has given me
the tongue of a teacher,
that I may know how to sustain
the weary with a word.
Morning by morning he wakens--
wakens my ear
to listen as those who are taught.
5 The Lord GOD has opened my ear,
and I was not rebellious,
I did not turn backward.
6 I gave my back to those who struck me,
and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard;
I did not hide my face
from insult and spitting.
7 The Lord GOD helps me;
therefore I have not been disgraced;
therefore I have set my face like flint,
and I know that I shall not be put to shame;
8 he who vindicates me is near.
Who will contend with me?
Let us stand up together.
Who are my adversaries?
Let them confront me.
9 It is the Lord GOD who helps me;
who will declare me guilty?


PSALM 31: 9 - 16   (RCL)

Psal 31:9 (NRSV) Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress;
my eye wastes away from grief,
my soul and body also.
10 For my life is spent with sorrow,
and my years with sighing;
my strength fails because of my misery,
and my bones waste away.
11 I am the scorn of all my adversaries,
a horror to my neighbors,
an object of dread to my acquaintances;
those who see me in the street flee from me.
12 I have passed out of mind like one who is dead;
I have become like a broken vessel.
13 For I hear the whispering of many--
terror all around!--
as they scheme together against me,
as they plot to take my life.
14 But I trust in you, O LORD;
I say, "You are my God."
15 My times are in your hand;
deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.
16 Let your face shine upon your servant;
save me in your steadfast love.


Psalm 22: 7 - 8, 16 - 19, 22 - 23   (Roman Catholic)

Psal 22:7 (NRSV)  All who see me mock at me;
they make mouths at me, they shake their heads;
8 "Commit your cause to the LORD; let him deliver--
let him rescue the one in whom he delights!"

16 For dogs are all around me;
a company of evildoers encircles me.
My hands and feet have shriveled;
17 I can count all my bones.
They stare and gloat over me;
18 they divide my clothes among themselves,
and for my clothing they cast lots.
19 But you, O LORD, do not be far away!
O my help, come quickly to my aid!

22 I will tell of your name to my brothers and sisters;
in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:
23 You who fear the LORD, praise him!
All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him;
stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!

Note: Verse numbering in Roman Catholic Bibles is one greater then the 
above.


NEW TESTAMENT:   Philippians 2: 5 - 11   (RCL)
                                 Philippians 2: 6 - 11   (Roman Catholic)

Phil 2:5 (NRSV) Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
6 who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
7 but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
8 he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death--
even death on a cross.
9 Therefore God also highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.


GOSPEL:   Luke (22: 14 - 71) 23: 1 - 49 (50 - 56)   (RCL, Roman 
Catholic)

Luke 22:14 (NRSV) When the hour came, he took his place at the table, 
and the apostles with him. 15 He said to them, "I have eagerly desired 
to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16 for I tell you, I will 
not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God." 17 Then he took 
a cup, and after giving thanks he said, "Take this and divide it among 
yourselves; 18 for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the 
fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." 19 Then he took a 
loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to 
them, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in 
remembrance of me." 20 And he did the same with the cup after supper, 
saying, "This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my 
blood. 21 But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on 
the table. 22 For the Son of Man is going as it has been determined, but 
woe to that one by whom he is betrayed!" 23 Then they began to ask one 
another, which one of them it could be who would do this.
24 A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be 
regarded as the greatest. 25 But he said to them, "The kings of the 
Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called 
benefactors. 26 But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must 
become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. 27 For who 
is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not 
the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.
28 "You are those who have stood by me in my trials; 29 and I confer on 
you, just as my Father has conferred on me, a kingdom, 30 so that you 
may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones 
judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
31 "Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to sift all of you like 
wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail; 
and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." 33 
And he said to him, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to 
death!" 34 Jesus said, "I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow this 
day, until you have denied three times that you know me."
35 He said to them, "When I sent you out without a purse, bag, or 
sandals, did you lack anything?" They said, "No, not a thing." 36 He 
said to them, "But now, the one who has a purse must take it, and 
likewise a bag. And the one who has no sword must sell his cloak and buy 
one. 37 For I tell you, this scripture must be fulfilled in me, "And he 
was counted among the lawless'; and indeed what is written about me is 
being fulfilled." 38 They said, "Lord, look, here are two swords." He 
replied, "It is enough."
39 He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and 
the disciples followed him. 40 When he reached the place, he said to 
them, "Pray that you may not come into the time of trial." 41 Then he 
withdrew from them about a stone's throw, knelt down, and prayed, 42 
"Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will 
but yours be done." 43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and 
gave him strength. 44 In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his 
sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground. 45 
When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them 
sleeping because of grief, 46 and he said to them, "Why are you 
sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial."
47 While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd came, and the one 
called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus 
to kiss him; 48 but Jesus said to him, "Judas, is it with a kiss that 
you are betraying the Son of Man?" 49 When those who were around him saw 
what was coming, they asked, "Lord, should we strike with the sword?" 50 
Then one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his 
right ear. 51 But Jesus said, "No more of this!" And he touched his ear 
and healed him. 52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of 
the temple police, and the elders who had come for him, "Have you come 
out with swords and clubs as if I were a bandit? 53 When I was with you 
day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is 
your hour, and the power of darkness!"
54 Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high 
priest's house. But Peter was following at a distance. 55 When they had 
kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, 
Peter sat among them. 56 Then a servant-girl, seeing him in the 
firelight, stared at him and said, "This man also was with him." 57 But 
he denied it, saying, "Woman, I do not know him." 58 A little later 
someone else, on seeing him, said, "You also are one of them." But Peter 
said, "Man, I am not!" 59 Then about an hour later still another kept 
insisting, "Surely this man also was with him; for he is a Galilean." 60 
But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are talking about!" At that 
moment, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed. 61 The Lord turned 
and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he 
had said to him, "Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three 
times." 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.
63 Now the men who were holding Jesus began to mock him and beat him; 64 
they also blindfolded him and kept asking him, "Prophesy! Who is it that 
struck you?" 65 They kept heaping many other insults on him.
66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people, both chief 
priests and scribes, gathered together, and they brought him to their 
council. 67 They said, "If you are the Messiah, tell us." He replied, 
"If I tell you, you will not believe; 68 and if I question you, you will 
not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the 
right hand of the power of God." 70 All of them asked, "Are you, then, 
the Son of God?" He said to them, "You say that I am." 71 Then they 
said, "What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves 
from his own lips!" 23:1 Then the assembly rose as a body and brought 
Jesus before Pilate. 2 They began to accuse him, saying, "We found this 
man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, 
and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king." 3 Then Pilate asked 
him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" He answered, "You say so." 4 Then 
Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, "I find no basis for an 
accusation against this man." 5 But they were insistent and said, "He 
stirs up the people by teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where 
he began even to this place."
6 When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7 And 
when he learned that he was under Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him off 
to Her'od, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. 8 When Her'od saw 
Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long 
time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see him perform 
some sign. 9 He questioned him at some length, but Jesus gave him no 
answer. 10 The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently 
accusing him. 11 Even Her'od with his soldiers treated him with contempt 
and mocked him; then he put an elegant robe on him, and sent him back to 
Pilate. 12 That same day Her'od and Pilate became friends with each 
other; before this they had been enemies.
13 Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the 
people, 14 and said to them, "You brought me this man as one who was 
perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and 
have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15 
Neither has Her'od, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done 
nothing to deserve death. 16 I will therefore have him flogged and 
release him."
18 Then they all shouted out together, "Away with this fellow! Release 
Barab'bas for us!" 19 (This was a man who had been put in prison for an 
insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.) 20 
Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; 21 but they kept 
shouting, "Crucify, crucify him!" 22 A third time he said to them, "Why, 
what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of 
death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him." 23 But 
they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be 
crucified; and their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate gave his verdict 
that their demand should be granted. 25 He released the man they asked 
for, the one who had been put in prison for insurrection and murder, and 
he handed Jesus over as they wished.
26 As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyre'ne, who was 
coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him 
carry it behind Jesus. 27 A great number of the people followed him, and 
among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for 
him. 28 But Jesus turned to them and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do 
not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For 
the days are surely coming when they will say, "Blessed are the barren, 
and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.' 30 
Then they will begin to say to the mountains, "Fall on us'; and to the 
hills, "Cover us.' 31 For if they do this when the wood is green, what 
will happen when it is dry?"
32 Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death 
with him. 33 When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they 
crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on 
his left. 34 Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they do not 
know what they are doing." And they cast lots to divide his clothing. 35 
And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, 
saying, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of 
God, his chosen one!" 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and 
offering him sour wine, 37 and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, 
save yourself!" 38 There was also an inscription over him, "This is the 
King of the Jews."
39 One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and 
saying, "Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!" 40 But the 
other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the 
same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed have been condemned 
justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man 
has done nothing wrong." 42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you 
come into your kingdom." 43 He replied, "Truly I tell you, today you 
will be with me in Paradise."
44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until 
three in the afternoon, 45 while the sun's light failed; and the curtain 
of the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, 
said, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit." Having said this, 
he breathed his last. 47 When the centurion saw what had taken place, he 
praised God and said, "Certainly this man was innocent." 48 And when all 
the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken 
place, they returned home, beating their breasts. 49 But all his 
acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, 
stood at a distance, watching these things.
50 Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, who, though a 
member of the council, 51 had not agreed to their plan and action. He 
came from the Jewish town of Arimathe'a, and he was waiting expectantly 
for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the 
body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and 
laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid. 54 It was 
the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning. 55 The women who 
had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how 
his body was laid. 56 Then they returned, and prepared spices and 
ointments.
On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.


-- 
Chad Wohlers
chadwohl at satucket.com
Woodbury, VT   USA