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<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>The following are the readings for the Liturgy of
the Passion on Palm Sunday, March 28, 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.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>The readings are posted on our web site: <<A
href="http://satucket.com/lectionary">http://satucket.com/lectionary</A>>, in
RTF format, which can be read by all word processors.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>OLD TESTAMENT: Isaiah 50: 4 -
9a
(RCL)<BR>
Isaiah 50: 4 - 7 (Roman Catholic)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Isai 50:4 (NRSV) The Lord GOD has given me <BR>the
tongue of a teacher, <BR>that I may know how to sustain <BR>the weary with a
word. <BR>Morning by morning he wakens-- <BR>wakens my ear <BR>to listen as
those who are taught. <BR>5 The Lord GOD has opened my ear, <BR>and I was not
rebellious, <BR>I did not turn backward. <BR>6 I gave my back to those who
struck me, <BR>and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; <BR>I did not
hide my face <BR>from insult and spitting. <BR>7 The Lord GOD helps me;
<BR>therefore I have not been disgraced; <BR>therefore I have set my face like
flint, <BR>and I know that I shall not be put to shame; <BR>8 he who vindicates
me is near. <BR>Who will contend with me? <BR>Let us stand up together. <BR>Who
are my adversaries? <BR>Let them confront me. <BR>9 It is the Lord GOD who helps
me; <BR>who will declare me guilty? </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>
<DIV><BR>PSALM 31: 9 - 16 (RCL)</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Psal 31:9 (NRSV) Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; <BR>my
eye wastes away from grief, <BR>my soul and body also. <BR>10 For my life is
spent with sorrow, <BR>and my years with sighing; <BR>my strength fails because
of my misery, <BR>and my bones waste away. <BR>11 I am the scorn of all my
adversaries, <BR>a horror to my neighbors, <BR>an object of dread to my
acquaintances; <BR>those who see me in the street flee from me. <BR>12 I have
passed out of mind like one who is dead; <BR>I have become like a broken vessel.
<BR>13 For I hear the whispering of many-- <BR>terror all around!-- <BR>as they
scheme together against me, <BR>as they plot to take my life. <BR>14 But I trust
in you, O LORD; <BR>I say, "You are my God." <BR>15 My times are in your hand;
<BR>deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors. <BR>16 Let your face
shine upon your servant; <BR>save me in your steadfast love. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Psalm 22: 7 - 8, 16 - 19, 22 - 23 (Roman Catholic)</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Psal 22:7 (NRSV) All who see me mock at me; <BR>they make mouths at
me, they shake their heads; <BR>8 "Commit your cause to the LORD; let him
deliver-- <BR>let him rescue the one in whom he delights!" </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>16 For dogs are all around me; <BR>a company of evildoers encircles me.
<BR>My hands and feet have shriveled; <BR>17 I can count all my bones. <BR>They
stare and gloat over me; <BR>18 they divide my clothes among themselves, <BR>and
for my clothing they cast lots. <BR>19 But you, O LORD, do not be far away!
<BR>O my help, come quickly to my aid! </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>22 I will tell of your name to my brothers and sisters; <BR>in the midst of
the congregation I will praise you: <BR>23 You who fear the LORD, praise him!
<BR>All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him; <BR>stand in awe of him, all you
offspring of Israel! </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Note: Verse numbering in Roman Catholic Bibles is one greater then the
above.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><BR>NEW TESTAMENT: Philippians 2: 5 - 11
(RCL)<BR>
Philippians 2: 6 - 11 (Roman Catholic)</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Phil 2:5 (NRSV) Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, <BR>6
who, though he was in the form of God, <BR>did not regard equality with God
<BR>as something to be exploited, <BR>7 but emptied himself, <BR>taking the form
of a slave, <BR>being born in human likeness. <BR>And being found in human form,
<BR>8 he humbled himself <BR>and became obedient to the point of death--
<BR>even death on a cross. <BR>9 Therefore God also highly exalted him <BR>and
gave him the name <BR>that is above every name, <BR>10 so that at the name of
Jesus <BR>every knee should bend, <BR>in heaven and on earth and under the
earth, <BR>11 and every tongue should confess <BR>that Jesus Christ is Lord,
<BR>to the glory of God the Father. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><BR>GOSPEL: Luke (22: 14 - 71) 23: 1 - 49 (50 - 56)
(RCL, Roman Catholic)</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>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 Other
ancient authorities read [never eat it again]} 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. <BR>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. <BR>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. <BR>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."
<BR>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." <BR>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."<BR>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!" <BR>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. <BR>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. <BR>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." <BR>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. <BR>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." <BR>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. <BR>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?" <BR>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." <BR>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." <BR>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. <BR>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. <BR>On the sabbath they rested according to the
commandment. <BR></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Chad Wohlers<BR>Woodbury, Vermont USA<BR><A
href="mailto:chadwohl@satucket.com">chadwohl@satucket.com</A><BR><A
href="mailto:cwohlers@bridgew.edu">cwohlers@bridgew.edu</A><BR></DIV></FONT></BODY></HTML>