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<DIV>The following are the readings for the Liturgy of the Passion, Palm Sunday,
March 29, according to the Revised Common (RCL), Episcopal (ECUSA), Roman
Catholic, Church of England, and Anglican Church of Canada Lectionaries. All
readings are taken from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible.
Unless noted otherwise, the lectionaries of the ECUSA, C of E and the ACC are
identical to the RCL this Sunday.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>OLD TESTAMENT: Isaiah 50: 4 - 9a (all)</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Isai 50:4 (NRSV) The Lord GOD has given me </DIV>
<DIV>the tongue of a teacher, </DIV>
<DIV>that I may know how to sustain </DIV>
<DIV>the weary with a word. </DIV>
<DIV>Morning by morning he wakens-- </DIV>
<DIV>wakens my ear </DIV>
<DIV>to listen as those who are taught. </DIV>
<DIV>5 The Lord GOD has opened my ear, </DIV>
<DIV>and I was not rebellious, </DIV>
<DIV>I did not turn backward. </DIV>
<DIV>6 I gave my back to those who struck me, </DIV>
<DIV>and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; </DIV>
<DIV>I did not hide my face </DIV>
<DIV>from insult and spitting. </DIV>
<DIV>7 The Lord GOD helps me; </DIV>
<DIV>therefore I have not been disgraced; </DIV>
<DIV>therefore I have set my face like flint, </DIV>
<DIV>and I know that I shall not be put to shame; </DIV>
<DIV>8 he who vindicates me is near. </DIV>
<DIV>Who will contend with me? </DIV>
<DIV>Let us stand up together. </DIV>
<DIV>Who are my adversaries? </DIV>
<DIV>Let them confront me. </DIV>
<DIV>9 It is the Lord GOD who helps me; </DIV>
<DIV>who will declare me guilty? </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Note: the Roman Catholic lectionary omits vs. 8-9a.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>PSALM 31: 9 - 16 (RCL)</DIV>
<DIV>Psalm 31: 9 - 16 (17 - 18) (C of E)</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Psal 31:9 (NRSV) Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; </DIV>
<DIV>my eye wastes away from grief, </DIV>
<DIV>my soul and body also. </DIV>
<DIV>10 For my life is spent with sorrow, </DIV>
<DIV>and my years with sighing; </DIV>
<DIV>my strength fails because of my misery, </DIV>
<DIV>and my bones waste away. </DIV>
<DIV>11 I am the scorn of all my adversaries, </DIV>
<DIV>a horror to my neighbors, </DIV>
<DIV>an object of dread to my acquaintances; </DIV>
<DIV>those who see me in the street flee from me. </DIV>
<DIV>12 I have passed out of mind like one who is dead; </DIV>
<DIV>I have become like a broken vessel. </DIV>
<DIV>13 For I hear the whispering of many-- </DIV>
<DIV>terror all around!-- </DIV>
<DIV>as they scheme together against me, </DIV>
<DIV>as they plot to take my life. </DIV>
<DIV>14 But I trust in you, O LORD; </DIV>
<DIV>I say, "You are my God." </DIV>
<DIV>15 My times are in your hand; </DIV>
<DIV>deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors. </DIV>
<DIV>16 Let your face shine upon your servant; </DIV>
<DIV>save me in your steadfast love. </DIV>
<DIV>17 Do not let me be put to shame, O LORD, </DIV>
<DIV>for I call on you; </DIV>
<DIV>let the wicked be put to shame; </DIV>
<DIV>let them go dumbfounded to Sheol. </DIV>
<DIV>18 Let the lying lips be stilled </DIV>
<DIV>that speak insolently against the righteous </DIV>
<DIV>with pride and contempt. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Psalm 22: 7 - 8, 16 - 19, 22 - 23 (Roman Catholic)</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Psal 22 (NRSV) </DIV>
<DIV>7 All who see me mock at me; </DIV>
<DIV>they make mouths at me, they shake their heads; </DIV>
<DIV>8 "Commit your cause to the LORD; let him deliver-- </DIV>
<DIV>let him rescue the one in whom he delights!" </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>16 For dogs are all around me; </DIV>
<DIV>a company of evildoers encircles me. </DIV>
<DIV>My hands and feet have shriveled; </DIV>
<DIV>17 I can count all my bones. </DIV>
<DIV>They stare and gloat over me; </DIV>
<DIV>18 they divide my clothes among themselves, </DIV>
<DIV>and for my clothing they cast lots. </DIV>
<DIV>19 But you, O LORD, do not be far away! </DIV>
<DIV>O my help, come quickly to my aid! </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>22 I will tell of your name to my brothers and sisters;</DIV>
<DIV>in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:</DIV>
<DIV>23 You who fear the LORD, praise him!</DIV>
<DIV>All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him;</DIV>
<DIV>stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Note: Verse numbering in Roman Catholic bibles is different from the
above.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>NEW TESTAMENT: Philippians 2: 5 - 11 (all but Roman
Catholic)</DIV>
<DIV>
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,
</DIV>
<DIV>6 who, though he was in the form of God, </DIV>
<DIV>did not regard equality with God </DIV>
<DIV>as something to be exploited, </DIV>
<DIV>7 but emptied himself, </DIV>
<DIV>taking the form of a slave, </DIV>
<DIV>being born in human likeness. </DIV>
<DIV>And being found in human form, </DIV>
<DIV>8 he humbled himself </DIV>
<DIV>and became obedient to the point of death-- </DIV>
<DIV>even death on a cross. </DIV>
<DIV>9 Therefore God also highly exalted him </DIV>
<DIV>and gave him the name </DIV>
<DIV>that is above every name, </DIV>
<DIV>10 so that at the name of Jesus </DIV>
<DIV>every knee should bend, </DIV>
<DIV>in heaven and on earth and under the earth, </DIV>
<DIV>11 and every tongue should confess </DIV>
<DIV>that Jesus Christ is Lord, </DIV>
<DIV>to the glory of God the Father. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>GOSPEL: Mark 14: 1 - 15: 47 (longer version, RCL
& Roman Catholic)</DIV>
<DIV>
Mark 15: 1 - 39 (shorter version, all)</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Mark 14:1 (NRSV) It was two days before the Passover and the festival of
Unleavened Bread. The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to
arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him; 2 for they said, "Not during the festival,
or there may be a riot among the people." </DIV>
<DIV>3 While he was at Beth'any in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at
the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard,
and she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head. 4 But some were
there who said to one another in anger, "Why was the ointment wasted in this
way? 5 For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred
denarii, and the money given to the poor." And they scolded her. 6 But Jesus
said, "Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service
for me. 7 For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to
them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me. 8 She has done what she
could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial. 9 Truly I tell you,
wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will
be told in remembrance of her." </DIV>
<DIV>10 Then Judas Iscar'iot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief
priests in order to betray him to them. 11 When they heard it, they were greatly
pleased, and promised to give him money. So he began to look for an opportunity
to betray him. </DIV>
<DIV>12 On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is
sacrificed, his disciples said to him, "Where do you want us to go and make the
preparations for you to eat the Passover?" 13 So he sent two of his disciples,
saying to them, "Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet
you; follow him, 14 and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, "The
Teacher asks, Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my
disciples?' 15 He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make
preparations for us there." 16 So the disciples set out and went to the city,
and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal.
</DIV>
<DIV>17 When it was evening, he came with the twelve. 18 And when they had taken
their places and were eating, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, one of you will
betray me, one who is eating with me." 19 They began to be distressed and to say
to him one after another, "Surely, not I?" 20 He said to them, "It is one of the
twelve, one who is dipping bread into the bowl with me. 21 For the Son of Man
goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is
betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born." </DIV>
<DIV>22 While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it
he broke it, gave it to them, and said, "Take; this is my body." 23 Then he took
a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from
it. 24 He said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out
for many. 25 Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine
until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God." </DIV>
<DIV>26 When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 27
And Jesus said to them, "You will all become deserters; for it is written,
</DIV>
<DIV>"I will strike the shepherd, </DIV>
<DIV>and the sheep will be scattered.' </DIV>
<DIV>28 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee." 29 Peter
said to him, "Even though all become deserters, I will not." 30 Jesus said to
him, "Truly I tell you, this day, this very night, before the cock crows twice,
you will deny me three times." 31 But he said vehemently, "Even though I must
die with you, I will not deny you." And all of them said the same. </DIV>
<DIV>32 They went to a place called Gethsem'ane; and he said to his disciples,
"Sit here while I pray." 33 He took with him Peter and James and John, and began
to be distressed and agitated. 34 And he said to them, "I am deeply grieved,
even to death; remain here, and keep awake." 35 And going a little farther, he
threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might
pass from him. 36 He said, "Abba, Father, for you all things are possible;
remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want." 37 He came
and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, "Simon, are you asleep? Could you
not keep awake one hour? 38 Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the
time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." 39 And
again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. 40 And once more he came
and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know
what to say to him. 41 He came a third time and said to them, "Are you still
sleeping and taking your rest? Enough! The hour has come; the Son of Man is
betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer
is at hand." </DIV>
<DIV>43 Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve,
arrived; and with him there was a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief
priests, the scribes, and the elders. 44 Now the betrayer had given them a sign,
saying, "The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under
guard." 45 So when he came, he went up to him at once and said, "Rabbi!" and
kissed him. 46 Then they laid hands on him and arrested him. 47 But one of those
who stood near drew his sword and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting
off his ear. 48 Then Jesus said to them, "Have you come out with swords and
clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? 49 Day after day I was with you in
the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But let the scriptures be
fulfilled." 50 All of them deserted him and fled. </DIV>
<DIV>51 A certain young man was following him, wearing nothing but a linen
cloth. They caught hold of him, 52 but he left the linen cloth and ran off
naked. </DIV>
<DIV>53 They took Jesus to the high priest; and all the chief priests, the
elders, and the scribes were assembled. 54 Peter had followed him at a distance,
right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the guards,
warming himself at the fire. 55 Now the chief priests and the whole council were
looking for testimony against Jesus to put him to death; but they found none. 56
For many gave false testimony against him, and their testimony did not agree. 57
Some stood up and gave false testimony against him, saying, 58 "We heard him
say, "I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I
will build another, not made with hands.'" 59 But even on this point their
testimony did not agree. 60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked
Jesus, "Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?" 61 But he
was silent and did not answer. Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the
Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?" 62 Jesus said, "I am; and </DIV>
<DIV>"you will see the Son of Man </DIV>
<DIV>seated at the right hand of the Power,' </DIV>
<DIV>and "coming with the clouds of heaven.'" </DIV>
<DIV>63 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "Why do we still need
witnesses? 64 You have heard his blasphemy! What is your decision?" All of them
condemned him as deserving death. 65 Some began to spit on him, to blindfold
him, and to strike him, saying to him, "Prophesy!" The guards also took him over
and beat him. </DIV>
<DIV>66 While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the
high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she stared at him
and said, "You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth." 68 But he denied
it, saying, "I do not know or understand what you are talking about." And he
went out into the forecourt. Then the cock crowed. 69 And the servant-girl, on
seeing him, began again to say to the bystanders, "This man is one of them." 70
But again he denied it. Then after a little while the bystanders again said to
Peter, "Certainly you are one of them; for you are a Galilean." 71 But he began
to curse, and he swore an oath, "I do not know this man you are talking about."
72 At that moment the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered
that Jesus had said to him, "Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three
times." And he broke down and wept. 15:1 As soon as it was morning, the chief
priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council.
They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. 2 Pilate asked
him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" He answered him, "You say so." 3 Then the
chief priests accused him of many things. 4 Pilate asked him again, "Have you no
answer? See how many charges they bring against you." 5 But Jesus made no
further reply, so that Pilate was amazed. </DIV>
<DIV>6 Now at the festival he used to release a prisoner for them, anyone for
whom they asked. 7 Now a man called Barab'bas was in prison with the rebels who
had committed murder during the insurrection. 8 So the crowd came and began to
ask Pilate to do for them according to his custom. 9 Then he answered them, "Do
you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?" 10 For he realized that it
was out of jealousy that the chief priests had handed him over. 11 But the chief
priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barab'bas for them instead. 12
Pilate spoke to them again, "Then what do you wish me to do with the man you
call the King of the Jews?" 13 They shouted back, "Crucify him!" 14 Pilate asked
them, "Why, what evil has he done?" But they shouted all the more, "Crucify
him!" 15 So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barab'bas for them;
and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified. </DIV>
<DIV>16 Then the soldiers led him into the courtyard of the palace (that is, the
governor's headquarters) and they called together the whole cohort. 17 And they
clothed him in a purple cloak; and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they
put it on him. 18 And they began saluting him, "Hail, King of the Jews!" 19 They
struck his head with a reed, spat upon him, and knelt down in homage to him. 20
After mocking him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes
on him. Then they led him out to crucify him. </DIV>
<DIV>21 They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry
his cross; it was Simon of Cyre'ne, the father of Alexander and Rufus. 22 Then
they brought Jesus to the place called Gol'gotha (which means the place of a
skull). 23 And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh; but he did not take it.
24 And they crucified him, and divided his clothes among them, casting lots to
decide what each should take. </DIV>
<DIV>25 It was nine o'clock in the morning when they crucified him. 26 The
inscription of the charge against him read, "The King of the Jews." 27 And with
him they crucified two bandits, one on his right and one on his left. 28 29
Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, "Aha! You who
would destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 save yourself, and come
down from the cross!" 31 In the same way the chief priests, along with the
scribes, were also mocking him among themselves and saying, "He saved others; he
cannot save himself. 32 Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down from the
cross now, so that we may see and believe." Those who were crucified with him
also taunted him. </DIV>
<DIV>33 When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the
afternoon. 34 At three o'clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, "E'loi, E'loi,
lema' sabach'thani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" 35
When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, "Listen, he is calling for
Eli'jah." 36 And someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick,
and gave it to him to drink, saying, "Wait, let us see whether Eli'jah will come
to take him down." 37 Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. 38 And
the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. 39 Now when the
centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he
said, "Truly this man was God's Son!" </DIV>
<DIV>40 There were also women looking on from a distance; among them were Mary
Mag'dalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Jo'ses, and Salo'me.
41 These used to follow him and provided for him when he was in Galilee; and
there were many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem. </DIV>
<DIV>42 When evening had come, and since it was the day of Preparation, that is,
the day before the sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathe'a, a respected member of the
council, who was also himself waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God, went
boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 44 Then Pilate wondered if he
were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been
dead for some time. 45 When he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he
granted the body to Joseph. 46 Then Joseph bought a linen cloth, and taking down
the body, wrapped it in the linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been
hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. 47
Mary Mag'dalene and Mary the mother of Jo'ses saw where the body was laid.
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Chad
Wohlers<BR>Woodbury, VT
USA<BR>chadwohl@satucket.com<BR></DIV></DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>