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<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>The following are the readings for the Fourteenth
Sunday after Pentecost, August 29, (Proper 17) 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: Jeremiah 2: 4 - 13 (RCL)
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Jere 2:4 (NRSV) Hear the word of the LORD, O house
of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel. 5 Thus says the LORD:
<BR>What wrong did your ancestors find in me <BR>that they went far from me,
<BR>and went after worthless things, and became worthless themselves? <BR>6 They
did not say, "Where is the LORD <BR>who brought us up from the land of Egypt,
<BR>who led us in the wilderness, <BR>in a land of deserts and pits, <BR>in a
land of drought and deep darkness, <BR>in a land that no one passes through,
<BR>where no one lives?" <BR>7 I brought you into a plentiful land <BR>to eat
its fruits and its good things. <BR>But when you entered you defiled my land,
<BR>and made my heritage an abomination. <BR>8 The priests did not say, "Where
is the LORD?" <BR>Those who handle the law did not know me; <BR>the rulers
transgressed against me; <BR>the prophets prophesied by Ba'al, <BR>and went
after things that do not profit. <BR>9 Therefore once more I accuse you,
<BR>qsays the LORD, <BR>and I accuse your children's children. <BR>10 Cross to
the coasts of Cyprus and look, <BR>send to Ke'dar and examine with care; <BR>see
if there has ever been such a thing. <BR>11 Has a nation changed its gods,
<BR>even though they are no gods? <BR>But my people have changed their glory
<BR>for something that does not profit. <BR>12 Be appalled, O heavens, at this,
<BR>be shocked, be utterly desolate, <BR>qsays the LORD, <BR>13 for my people
have committed two evils: <BR>they have forsaken me, <BR>the fountain of living
water, <BR>and dug out cisterns for themselves, <BR>cracked cisterns <BR>that
can hold no water. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>
<DIV><BR>Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 10: 12 - 18 (alt. for RCL) </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Ecclus. 10:12 (NRSV) The beginning of human pride is to forsake the
Lord;<BR>the heart has withdrawn from its Maker.<BR>13 For the beginning of
pride is sin,<BR>and the one who clings to it pours out
abominations.<BR>Therefore the Lord brings upon them unheard-of
calamities,<BR>and destroys them completely.<BR>14 The Lord overthrows the
thrones of rulers,<BR>and enthrones the lowly in their place.<BR>15 The Lord
plucks up the roots of the nations, <BR>and plants the humble in their
place.<BR>16 The Lord lays waste the lands of the nations,<BR>and destroys them
to the foundations of the earth.<BR>17 He removes some of them and destroys
them,<BR>and erases the memory of them from the earth.<BR>18 Pride was not
created for human beings,<BR>or violent anger for those born of women. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><BR>Proverbs 25: 6 - 7 (alt. for RCL) </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Prov 25:6 (NRSV) Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence <BR>or
stand in the place of the great; <BR>7 for it is better to be told, "Come up
here," <BR>than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><BR>Ezekiel 18: 1 - 9, 25 - 29 (Can. BAS)</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Ezek 18:1 (NRSV) The word of the LORD came to me: 2 What do you mean by
repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, "The parents have eaten
sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge"? 3 As I live, says the
Lord GOD, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. 4 Know that all
lives are mine; the life of the parent as well as the life of the child is mine:
it is only the person who sins that shall die. <BR>5 If a man is righteous and
does what is lawful and right- 6 if he does not eat upon the mountains or lift
up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, does not defile his neighbor's
wife or approach a woman during her menstrual period, 7 does not oppress anyone,
but restores to the debtor his pledge, commits no robbery, gives his bread to
the hungry and covers the naked with a garment, 8 does not take advance or
accrued interest, withholds his hand from iniquity, executes true justice
between contending parties, 9 follows my statutes, and is careful to observe my
ordinances, acting faithfully-such a one is righteous; he shall surely live,
says the Lord GOD. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>25 Yet you say, "The way of the Lord is unfair." Hear now, O house of
Israel: Is my way unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair? 26 When the
righteous turn away from their righteousness and commit iniquity, they shall die
for it; for the iniquity that they have committed they shall die. 27 Again, when
the wicked turn away from the wickedness they have committed and do what is
lawful and right, they shall save their life. 28 Because they considered and
turned away from all the transgressions that they had committed, they shall
surely live; they shall not die. 29 Yet the house of Israel says, "The way of
the Lord is unfair." O house of Israel, are my ways unfair? Is it not your ways
that are unfair? </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><BR>Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 3: 17 - 18, 20, 28 - 29 (Roman
Catholic) </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>17 My child, perform your tasks with humility; <BR>then you will be loved
by those whom God accepts.<BR>18 The greater you are, the more you must humble
yourself;<BR>so you will find favor in the sight of the Lord. <BR>20 For great
is the might of the Lord;<BR>but by the humble he is glorified.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>28 When calamity befalls the proud, there is no healing,<BR>for an evil
plant has taken root in him.<BR>29 The mind of the intelligent appreciates
proverbs,<BR>and an attentive ear is the desire of the wise. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><BR>PSALM 81: 1, 10 - 16 (RCL) </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Psal 81:1 (NRSV) Sing aloud to God our strength; <BR>shout for joy to the
God of Jacob. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>10 I am the LORD your God, <BR>who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.
<BR>Open your mouth wide and I will fill it. <BR>11 "But my people did not
listen to my voice; <BR>Israel would not submit to me. <BR>12 So I gave them
over to their stubborn hearts, <BR>to follow their own counsels. <BR>13 O that
my people would listen to me, <BR>that Israel would walk in my ways! <BR>14 Then
I would quickly subdue their enemies, <BR>and turn my hand against their foes.
<BR>15 Those who hate the LORD would cringe before him, <BR>and their doom would
last forever. <BR>16 I would feed you with the finest of the wheat, <BR>and with
honey from the rock I would satisfy you." </DIV>
<DIV><BR><BR>Psalm 112 (alt. for RCL) </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Psal 112:1 (NRSV) Praise the LORD! <BR>Happy are those who fear the LORD,
<BR>who greatly delight in his commandments. <BR>2 Their descendants will be
mighty in the land; <BR>the generation of the upright will be blessed. <BR>3
Wealth and riches are in their houses, <BR>and their righteousness endures
forever. <BR>4 They rise in the darkness as a light for the upright; <BR>they
are gracious, merciful, and righteous. <BR>5 It is well with those who deal
generously and lend, <BR>who conduct their affairs with justice. <BR>6 For the
righteous will never be moved; <BR>they will be remembered forever. <BR>7 They
are not afraid of evil tidings; <BR>their hearts are firm, secure in the LORD.
<BR>8 Their hearts are steady, they will not be afraid; <BR>in the end they will
look in triumph on their foes. <BR>9 They have distributed freely, they have
given to the poor; <BR>their righteousness endures forever; <BR>their horn is
exalted in honor. <BR>10 The wicked see it and are angry; <BR>they gnash their
teeth and melt away; <BR>the desire of the wicked comes to nothing. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><BR>Psalm 15 (Can. BAS)</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Psal 15:1 (NRSV) O LORD, who may abide in your tent? <BR>Who may dwell on
your holy hill? <BR>2 Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, <BR>and
speak the truth from their heart; <BR>3 who do not slander with their tongue,
<BR>and do no evil to their friends, <BR>nor take up a reproach against their
neighbors; <BR>4 in whose eyes the wicked are despised, <BR>but who honor those
who fear the LORD; <BR>who stand by their oath even to their hurt; <BR>5 who do
not lend money at interest, <BR>and do not take a bribe against the innocent.
<BR>Those who do these things shall never be moved. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><BR>Psalm 68: 3 - 6, 9 - 10 (Roman Catholic) </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Psal 68:3 But let the righteous be joyful; <BR>let them exult before God;
<BR>let them be jubilant with joy. <BR>4 Sing to God, sing praises to his name;
<BR>lift up a song to him who rides upon the clouds -- <BR>his name is the
LORD-- <BR>be exultant before him. <BR>5 Father of orphans and protector of
widows <BR>is God in his holy habitation. <BR>6 God gives the desolate a home to
live in; <BR>he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>9 Rain in abundance, O God, you showered abroad; <BR>you restored your
heritage when it languished; <BR>10 your flock found a dwelling in it; <BR>in
your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Note: verse numbering in the Roman Catholic Bible is one higher.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><BR>NEW TESTAMENT: Hebrews 13: 1 - 8, 15 - 16
(RCL) <BR>
Hebrews 13: 1 - 8 (Can. BAS) </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Hebr 13:1 (NRSV) Let mutual love continue. 2 Do not neglect to show
hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without
knowing it. 3 Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison
with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being
tortured. 4 Let marriage be held in honor by all, and let the marriage bed be
kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers. 5 Keep your lives
free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said,
"I will never leave you or forsake you." 6 So we can say with confidence,
<BR>"The Lord is my helper; <BR>I will not be afraid. <BR>What can anyone do to
me?" <BR>7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you;
consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus
Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>15 Through him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to
God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16 Do not neglect to do
good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><BR>Hebrews 12: 18 - 19, 22 - 24a (Roman Catholic) </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Hebr 12:18 (NRSV) You have not come to something that can be touched, a
blazing fire, and darkness, and gloom, and a tempest, 19 and the sound of a
trumpet, and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that not another word be
spoken to them. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the
heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the
assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the judge of
all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the
mediator of a new covenant, </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><BR>GOSPEL: Luke 14: 1, 7 - 14 (all) </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Luke 14:1 (NRSV) On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a
leader of the Phar'isees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him
closely. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>7 When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a
parable. 8 "When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit
down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been
invited by your host; 9 and the host who invited both of you may come and say to
you, "Give this person your place,' and then in disgrace you would start to take
the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest
place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, "Friend, move up
higher'; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table
with you. 11 For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble
themselves will be exalted." <BR>12 He said also to the one who had invited him,
"When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your
brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in
return, and you would be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the
poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14 And you will be blessed, because
they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the
righteous." <BR></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>