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<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>The following are the readings for the Seventh
Sunday after Pentecost, July 11, (Proper 10) 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></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>OLD TESTAMENT: Amos 7: 7 - 17
(RCL)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Amos 7:7 (NRSV) This is what he showed me: the Lord
was standing beside a wall built with a plumb line, with a plumb line in his
hand. 8 And the LORD said to me, "A'mos, what do you see?" And I said, "A plumb
line." Then the Lord said, <BR>"See, I am setting a plumb line <BR>in the midst
of my people Israel; <BR>I will never again pass them by; <BR>9 the high places
of Isaac shall be made desolate, <BR>and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid
waste, <BR>and I will rise against the house of Jerobo'am with the sword."
<BR>10 Then Amazi'ah, the priest of Beth'el, sent to King Jerobo'am of Israel,
saying, "A'mos has conspired against you in the very center of the house of
Israel; the land is not able to bear all his words. 11 For thus A'mos has said,
<BR>"Jerobo'am shall die by the sword, <BR>and Israel must go into exile
<BR>away from his land.'" <BR>12 And Amazi'ah said to A'mos, "O seer, go, flee
away to the land of Judah, earn your bread there, and prophesy there; 13 but
never again prophesy at Beth'el, for it is the king's sanctuary, and it is a
temple of the kingdom." <BR>14 Then A'mos answered Amazi'ah, "I am no prophet,
nor a prophet's son; but I am a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore trees, 15
and the LORD took me from following the flock, and the LORD said to me, "Go,
prophesy to my people Israel.' <BR>16 "Now therefore hear the word of the LORD.
<BR>You say, "Do not prophesy against Israel, <BR>and do not preach against the
house of Isaac.' <BR>17 Therefore thus says the LORD: <BR>"Your wife shall
become a prostitute in the city, <BR>and your sons and your daughters shall fall
by the sword, <BR>and your land shall be parceled out by line; <BR>you yourself
shall die in an unclean land, <BR>and Israel shall surely go into exile away
from its land.'" </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>
<DIV><BR>Deuteronomy 30: 9 - 14 (alt. for RCL) <BR>Deuteronomy 30: 10 - 14
(Roman Catholic) </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Deut 30:9 (NRSV) ... [T]he LORD your God will make you abundantly
prosperous in all your undertakings, in the fruit of your body, in the fruit of
your livestock, and in the fruit of your soil. For the LORD will again take
delight in prospering you, just as he delighted in prospering your ancestors, 10
when you obey the LORD your God by observing his commandments and decrees that
are written in this book of the law, because you turn to the LORD your God with
all your heart and with all your soul. <BR>11 Surely, this commandment that I am
commanding you today is not too hard for you, nor is it too far away. 12 It is
not in heaven, that you should say, "Who will go up to heaven for us, and get it
for us so that we may hear it and observe it?" 13 Neither is it beyond the sea,
that you should say, "Who will cross to the other side of the sea for us, and
get it for us so that we may hear it and observe it?" 14 No, the word is very
near to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to observe. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Note: The Roman Catholic lectionary begins this reading with: "Moses said
to the people:" </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><BR>2 Kings 2: 1, 6 - 14 (Can. BAS)</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>2Kin 2:1 (NRSV) Now when the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven by
a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>6 Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here; for the LORD has sent me to the
Jordan." But he said, "As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not
leave you." So the two of them went on. 7 Fifty men of the company of prophets
{Heb [sons of the prophets] } also went, and stood at some distance from them,
as they both were standing by the Jordan. 8 Then Elijah took his mantle and
rolled it up, and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to
the other, until the two of them crossed on dry ground. <BR>9 When they had
crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me what I may do for you, before I am
taken from you." Elisha said, "Please let me inherit a double share of your
spirit." 10 He responded, "You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I
am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not." 11 As
they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire
separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. 12
Elisha kept watching and crying out, "Father, father! The chariots of Israel and
its horsemen!" But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes
and tore them in two pieces. <BR>13 He picked up the mantle of Elijah that had
fallen from him, and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. 14 He took
the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, saying,
"Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?" When he had struck the water, the water
was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><BR>PSALM 82 (RCL) </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Psal 82:1 (NRSV) God has taken his place in the divine council; <BR>in the
midst of the gods he holds judgment: <BR>2 "How long will you judge unjustly
<BR>and show partiality to the wicked? [Se'lah] <BR>3 Give justice to the weak
and the orphan; <BR>maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute. <BR>4
Rescue the weak and the needy; <BR>deliver them from the hand of the wicked."
<BR>5 They have neither knowledge nor understanding, <BR>they walk around in
darkness; <BR>all the foundations of the earth are shaken. <BR>6 I say, "You are
gods, <BR>children of the Most High, all of you; <BR>7 nevertheless, you shall
die like mortals, <BR>and fall like any prince." <BR>8 Rise up, O God, judge the
earth; <BR>for all the nations belong to you! </DIV>
<DIV><BR><BR>Psalm 25: 1 - 10 (alt. for RCL) </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Psal 25:1 (NRSV) To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul. <BR>2 O my God, in you
I trust; <BR>do not let me be put to shame; <BR>do not let my enemies exult over
me. <BR>3 Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame; <BR>let them be
ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. <BR>4 Make me to know your ways, O LORD;
<BR>teach me your paths. <BR>5 Lead me in your truth, and teach me, <BR>for you
are the God of my salvation; <BR>for you I wait all day long. <BR>6 Be mindful
of your mercy, O LORD, and of your steadfast love, <BR>for they have been from
of old. <BR>7 Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
<BR>according to your steadfast love remember me, <BR>for your goodness' sake, O
LORD! <BR>8 Good and upright is the LORD; <BR>therefore he instructs sinners in
the way. <BR>9 He leads the humble in what is right, <BR>and teaches the humble
his way. <BR>10 All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness,
<BR>for those who keep his covenant and his decrees. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Note: Verse numbering in your Psalter may differ from the above. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><BR>Psalm 139: 1 - 11 (Can. BAS)</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>139 Domine, probasti<BR> <BR>1 Lord, you have
searched me out and known me; *<BR> you know my sitting down and my
rising up;<BR> you discern my thoughts from
afar.<BR> <BR>2 You trace my journeys and my resting-places
*<BR> and are acquainted with all my ways.<BR> <BR>3
Indeed, there is not a word on my lips, *<BR> but you, O Lord,
know it altogether.<BR> <BR>4 You press upon me behind and
before *<BR> and lay your hand upon me.<BR> <BR>5
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; *<BR> it is so high
that I cannot attain to it.<BR> <BR>6 Where can I go then from
your Spirit? *<BR> where can I flee from your
presence?<BR> <BR>7 If I climb up to heaven, you are there;
*<BR> if I make the grave my bed, you are there
also.<BR> <BR>8 If I take the wings of the morning
*<BR> and dwell in the uttermost parts of the
sea,<BR> <BR>9 Even there your hand will lead me
*<BR> and your right hand hold me fast.<BR> <BR>10
If I say, “Surely the darkness will cover me, *<BR> and the
light around me turn to night,”<BR> <BR>11 Darkness is not dark
to you;<BR>the night is as bright as the day; *<BR> darkness and
light to you are both alike.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><BR>Psalm 69: 13, 16, 29-30, 32-33, 35a, 36 (Roman Catholic) </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Psal 69:13 (NRSV) But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD. <BR>At an
acceptable time, O God, <BR>in the abundance of your steadfast love, answer me.
<BR>With your faithful help <BR>16 Answer me, O LORD, for your steadfast love is
good; <BR>according to your abundant mercy, turn to me. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>29 But I am lowly and in pain; <BR>let your salvation, O God, protect me.
<BR>30 I will praise the name of God with a song; <BR>I will magnify him with
thanksgiving. <BR>32 Let the oppressed see it and be glad; <BR>you who seek God,
let your hearts revive. <BR>33 For the LORD hears the needy, <BR>and does not
despise his own that are in bonds. <BR>35 For God will save Zion <BR>and rebuild
the cities of Judah; </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>36 the children of his servants shall inherit it, <BR>and those who love
his name shall live in it. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Note: Verse numbering in Roman Catholic Bibles is one lower than the above.
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><BR>Psalm 19: 7 - 10 (alt. for Roman Catholic)</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Psal 19:7 (NRSV) The law of the LORD is perfect, <BR>reviving the soul;
<BR>the decrees of the LORD are sure, <BR>making wise the simple; <BR>8 the
precepts of the LORD are right, <BR>rejoicing the heart; <BR>the commandment of
the LORD is clear, <BR>enlightening the eyes; <BR>9 the fear of the LORD is
pure, <BR>enduring forever; <BR>the ordinances of the LORD are true <BR>and
righteous altogether. <BR>10 More to be desired are they than gold, <BR>even
much fine gold; <BR>sweeter also than honey, <BR>and drippings of the honeycomb.
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Note: Verse numbering in Roman Catholic Bibles is one lower than the above.
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><BR>NEW TESTAMENT: Colossians 1: 1 - 14 (all but Roman Catholic)</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Colo 1:1 (NRSV) Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and
Timothy our brother, <BR>2 To the saints and faithful brothers and sisters in
Christ in Colos'sae: <BR>Grace to you and peace from God our Father. <BR>3 In
our prayers for you we always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 4
for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have
for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. You have
heard of this hope before in the word of the truth, the gospel 6 that has come
to you. Just as it is bearing fruit and growing in the whole world, so it has
been bearing fruit among yourselves from the day you heard it and truly
comprehended the grace of God. 7 This you learned from Ep'aphras, our beloved
fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, 8 and he has
made known to us your love in the Spirit. <BR>9 For this reason, since the day
we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be
filled with the knowledge of God's will in all spiritual wisdom and
understanding, 10 so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing
to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of
God. 11 May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his
glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience,
while joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in
the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has rescued us from the power
of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom
we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><BR>Colossians 1: 15 - 20 (Roman Catholic) </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Colo 1:15 (NRSV) [Christ Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the
firstborn of all creation; 16 for in him all things in heaven and on earth were
created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or
powers--all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He himself is
before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 He is the head of the
body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he
might come to have first place in everything. 19 For in him all the fullness of
God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him God was pleased to reconcile to
himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the
blood of his cross. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><BR>GOSPEL: Luke 10: 25 - 37 (all) </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Luke 10:25 (NRSV) Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he
said, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 26 He said to him, "What is
written in the law? What do you read there?" 27 He answered, "You shall love the
Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your
strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." 28 And he said
to him, "You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live." <BR>29
But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" 30
Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into
the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him
half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw
him, he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Le'vite, when he came to
the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan while
traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. 34 He went
to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put
him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 The next
day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, "Take care of
him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.' 36 Which
of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands
of the robbers?" 37 He said, "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus said to him,
"Go and do likewise." <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>