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<DIV>The following are the readings for the Twenty-fourth Sunday after
Pentecost, Oct. 30, 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. This Sunday is known as the
Fourth Sunday before Advent in the C of E.</DIV>
<DIV>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.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>OLD TESTAMENT: Habbakuk 1: 1 - 4, 2: 1 - 4 (RCL) </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Haba 1:1 (NRSV) The oracle that the prophet Habak'kuk saw. </DIV>
<DIV>2 O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, </DIV>
<DIV>and you will not listen? </DIV>
<DIV>Or cry to you "Violence!" </DIV>
<DIV>and you will not save? </DIV>
<DIV>3 Why do you make me see wrongdoing </DIV>
<DIV>and look at trouble? </DIV>
<DIV>Destruction and violence are before me; </DIV>
<DIV>strife and contention arise. </DIV>
<DIV>4 So the law becomes slack </DIV>
<DIV>and justice never prevails. </DIV>
<DIV>The wicked surround the righteous-- </DIV>
<DIV>therefore judgment comes forth perverted. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>2:1 I will stand at my watchpost, </DIV>
<DIV>and station myself on the rampart; </DIV>
<DIV>I will keep watch to see what he will say to me, </DIV>
<DIV>and what he will answer concerning my complaint. </DIV>
<DIV>2 Then the LORD answered me and said: </DIV>
<DIV>Write the vision; </DIV>
<DIV>make it plain on tablets, </DIV>
<DIV>so that a runner may read it. </DIV>
<DIV>3 For there is still a vision for the appointed time; </DIV>
<DIV>it speaks of the end, and does not lie. </DIV>
<DIV>If it seems to tarry, wait for it; </DIV>
<DIV>it will surely come, it will not delay. </DIV>
<DIV>4 Look at the proud! </DIV>
<DIV>Their spirit is not right in them, </DIV>
<DIV>but the righteous live by their faith. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Isaiah 1: 10 - 18 (CofE, alt. for RCL) </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Isai 1:10 (NRSV) Hear the word of the LORD, </DIV>
<DIV>you rulers of Sod'om! </DIV>
<DIV>Listen to the teaching of our God, </DIV>
<DIV>you people of Gomor'rah! </DIV>
<DIV>11 What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? </DIV>
<DIV>says the LORD; </DIV>
<DIV>I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams </DIV>
<DIV>and the fat of fed beasts; </DIV>
<DIV>I do not delight in the blood of bulls, </DIV>
<DIV>or of lambs, or of goats. </DIV>
<DIV>12 When you come to appear before me, </DIV>
<DIV>who asked this from your hand? </DIV>
<DIV>Trample my courts no more; </DIV>
<DIV>13 bringing offerings is futile; </DIV>
<DIV>incense is an abomination to me. </DIV>
<DIV>New moon and sabbath and calling of convocation-- </DIV>
<DIV>I cannot endure solemn assemblies with iniquity. </DIV>
<DIV>14 Your new moons and your appointed festivals </DIV>
<DIV>my soul hates; </DIV>
<DIV>they have become a burden to me, </DIV>
<DIV>I am weary of bearing them. </DIV>
<DIV>15 When you stretch out your hands, </DIV>
<DIV>I will hide my eyes from you; </DIV>
<DIV>even though you make many prayers, </DIV>
<DIV>I will not listen; </DIV>
<DIV>your hands are full of blood. </DIV>
<DIV>16 Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; </DIV>
<DIV>remove the evil of your doings </DIV>
<DIV>from before my eyes; </DIV>
<DIV>cease to do evil, </DIV>
<DIV>17 learn to do good; </DIV>
<DIV>seek justice, </DIV>
<DIV>rescue the oppressed, </DIV>
<DIV>defend the orphan, </DIV>
<DIV>plead for the widow. </DIV>
<DIV>18 Come now, let us argue it out, </DIV>
<DIV>says the LORD: </DIV>
<DIV>though your sins are like scarlet, </DIV>
<DIV>they shall be like snow; </DIV>
<DIV>though they are red like crimson, </DIV>
<DIV>they shall become like wool. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Wisdom 11: 22 - 12:2 (Roman Catholic) </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Wisdom 11:22 (NRSV) Because the whole world before you is like a speck that
tips the scales,</DIV>
<DIV>and like a drop of morning dew that falls on the ground.</DIV>
<DIV>23 But you are merciful to all, for you can do all things,</DIV>
<DIV>and you overlook people’s sins, so that they may repent.</DIV>
<DIV>24 For you love all things that exist,</DIV>
<DIV>and detest none of the things that you have made,</DIV>
<DIV>for you would not have made anything if you had hated it.</DIV>
<DIV>25 How would anything have endured if you had not willed it?</DIV>
<DIV>Or how would anything not called forth by you have been preserved?</DIV>
<DIV>26 You spare all things, for they are yours, O Lord, you who love the
living. </DIV>
<DIV>12:1 For your immortal spirit is in all things.</DIV>
<DIV>2 Therefore you correct little by little those who trespass, </DIV>
<DIV>and you remind and warn them of the things through which they sin, </DIV>
<DIV>so that they may be freed from wickedness and put their trust in you, O
Lord. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>PSALM 119: 137 - 144 (RCL) </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Psal 119:137 (NRSV) You are righteous, O LORD, </DIV>
<DIV>and your judgments are right. </DIV>
<DIV>138 You have appointed your decrees in righteousness </DIV>
<DIV>and in all faithfulness. </DIV>
<DIV>139 My zeal consumes me </DIV>
<DIV>because my foes forget your words. </DIV>
<DIV>140 Your promise is well tried, </DIV>
<DIV>and your servant loves it. </DIV>
<DIV>141 I am small and despised, </DIV>
<DIV>yet I do not forget your precepts. </DIV>
<DIV>142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, </DIV>
<DIV>and your law is the truth. </DIV>
<DIV>143 Trouble and anguish have come upon me, </DIV>
<DIV>but your commandments are my delight. </DIV>
<DIV>144 Your decrees are righteous forever; </DIV>
<DIV>give me understanding that I may live. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Psalm 32: 1 - 7 (CofE, alt. for RCL) </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Psal 32:1 (NRSV) Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, </DIV>
<DIV>whose sin is covered. </DIV>
<DIV>2 Happy are those to whom the LORD imputes no iniquity, </DIV>
<DIV>and in whose spirit there is no deceit. </DIV>
<DIV>3 While I kept silence, my body wasted away </DIV>
<DIV>through my groaning all day long. </DIV>
<DIV>4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; </DIV>
<DIV>my strength was dried up {Meaning of Heb uncertain} as by the heat of
summer. [Se'lah] </DIV>
<DIV>5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you, </DIV>
<DIV>and I did not hide my iniquity; </DIV>
<DIV>I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," </DIV>
<DIV>and you forgave the guilt of my sin. [Se'lah] </DIV>
<DIV>6 Therefore let all who are faithful </DIV>
<DIV>offer prayer to you; </DIV>
<DIV>at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters </DIV>
<DIV>shall not reach them. </DIV>
<DIV>7 You are a hiding place for me; </DIV>
<DIV>you preserve me from trouble; </DIV>
<DIV>you surround me with glad cries of deliverance. [Se'lah] </DIV>
<DIV>8 I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; </DIV>
<DIV>I will counsel you with my eye upon you. </DIV>
<DIV>9 Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding, </DIV>
<DIV>whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle, </DIV>
<DIV>else it will not stay near you. </DIV>
<DIV>10 Many are the torments of the wicked, </DIV>
<DIV>but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the LORD. </DIV>
<DIV>11 Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, O righteous, </DIV>
<DIV>and shout for joy, all you upright in heart. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Note: Verse numbering in your Psalter may differ from the above.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Psalm 145: 1 - 2, 8 - 11, 13b - 14 (Roman Catholic) </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Psal 145:1 (NRSV) I will extol you, my God and King, </DIV>
<DIV>and bless your name forever and ever. </DIV>
<DIV>2 Every day I will bless you, </DIV>
<DIV>and praise your name forever and ever. </DIV>
<DIV>3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; </DIV>
<DIV>his greatness is unsearchable. </DIV>
<DIV>4 One generation shall laud your works to another, </DIV>
<DIV>and shall declare your mighty acts. </DIV>
<DIV>5 On the glorious splendor of your majesty, </DIV>
<DIV>and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. </DIV>
<DIV>6 The might of your awesome deeds shall be proclaimed, </DIV>
<DIV>and I will declare your greatness. </DIV>
<DIV>7 They shall celebrate the fame of your abundant goodness, </DIV>
<DIV>and shall sing aloud of your righteousness. </DIV>
<DIV>8 The LORD is gracious and merciful, </DIV>
<DIV>slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. </DIV>
<DIV>9 The LORD is good to all, </DIV>
<DIV>and his compassion is over all that he has made. </DIV>
<DIV>10 All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, </DIV>
<DIV>and all your faithful shall bless you. </DIV>
<DIV>11 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom, </DIV>
<DIV>and tell of your power, </DIV>
<DIV>12 to make known to all people your mighty deeds, </DIV>
<DIV>and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. </DIV>
<DIV>13 The LORD is faithful in all his words, </DIV>
<DIV>and gracious in all his deeds. </DIV>
<DIV>14 The LORD upholds all who are falling, </DIV>
<DIV>and raises up all who are bowed down. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>NEW TESTAMENT: 2 Thessalonians 1: 1 - 4, 11 - 12 (RCL) </DIV>
<DIV>
2 Thessalonians 1: 1 - 12 (C of E)</DIV>
<DIV>
2 Thessalonians 1: 1, 11 - 2: 2 (Roman Catholic) </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>2The 1:1 (NRSV) Paul, Silva'nus, and Timothy, </DIV>
<DIV>To the church of the Thessalo'nians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ: </DIV>
<DIV>2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
</DIV>
<DIV>3 We must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, as is
right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of everyone of you
for one another is increasing. 4 Therefore we ourselves boast of you among the
churches of God for your steadfastness and faith during all your persecutions
and the afflictions that you are enduring. </DIV>
<DIV>5 This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, and is intended to
make you worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering. 6 For
it is indeed just of God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and
to give relief to the afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is
revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8 in flaming fire, inflicting
vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel
of our Lord Jesus. 9 These will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction,
separated from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10 when
he comes to be glorified by his saints and to be marveled at on that day among
all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. 11 To this end
we always pray for you, asking that our God will make you worthy of his call and
will fulfill by his power every good resolve and work of faith, 12 so that the
name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the
grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2:1 As to the coming of our Lord
Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we beg you, brothers and
sisters, 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by spirit or by
word or by letter, as though from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord is
already here. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>GOSPEL: Luke 19: 1 - 10 (all) </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Luke 19:1 (NRSV) He entered Jericho and was passing through it. 2 A man was
there named Zacchae'us; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 He was
trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because
he was short in stature. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see
him, because he was going to pass that way. 5 When Jesus came to the place, he
looked up and said to him, "Zacchae'us, hurry and come down; for I must stay at
your house today." 6 So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. 7 All who
saw it began to grumble and said, "He has gone to be the guest of one who is a
sinner." 8 Zacchae'us stood there and said to the Lord, "Look, half of my
possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of
anything, I will pay back four times as much." 9 Then Jesus said to him, "Today
salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. 10 For the
Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost." </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>