Lectionary Readings for Sunday 6.23.24 (Proper 7, Year B)
The interwoven story of Christ in the Scriptures
Enter the Story
Ordinary Time
The church year is divided into liturgical time and ordinary time. Liturgical time proceeds from Advent, through Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, and Easter to Pentecost and is structured loosely around the progression of the story of the Christ Event. Ordinary Time encompasses the other half of the year and has no specific thematic foci that shape Sunday worship.
And so we move into Kingdomtide or Ordinary Time, and the Lectionary begins the journey of challenging us again to live out the message and mission of Jesus that we have been remembering through the events of the Church Calendar so far.
Weekly Collect Prayer
O Lord, make us have perpetual love and reverence for your holy Name, for you never fail to help and govern those whom you have set upon the sure foundation of your loving-kindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Liturgical Color - Green
Monday 6.17.24 - Mark 4:35–41
Introduction
The passage from Mark 4:35–41 is a powerful narrative that highlights the disciples' struggle to fully grasp Jesus' divine nature. This story is part of a broader theme in the Gospel of Mark, where the disciples often fail to understand who Jesus truly is. This particular passage focuses on a moment of fear and lack of faith during a storm, contrasting the disciples' fear with Jesus' divine authority over nature.
Mark 4:35–41 (NRSV)
On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side."
And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him.
A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped.
But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?"
He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm.
He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?"
And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"
Summary
Mark repeatedly presents the disciples as not fully understanding who Jesus is in order to help his readers better understand the significance of the cross. In today’s Gospel lection, the disciples are scared of the power of a storm; but in their lack of faith, they fail to understand the power that Jesus has as the Child of God
Questions
If this story happened today, what would it look like?
What is the story showing or telling me?
Could it make a difference to my life? How? Did it? How?
How does this passage point to Jesus?
How does this passage connect or conflict with Jesus' teachings, loving actions, or mission?
How does this passage shape me to be more loving like Jesus?
Tuesday 6.18.24 - 2 Corinthians 6:1–13
Introduction
The passage from 2 Corinthians 6:1–13 is part of Paul's letter to the Corinthian church. In this section, Paul addresses the conflict that arose due to other missionaries who visited Corinth in his absence. These missionaries boasted about their appearance, religious experiences, and status. In contrast, Paul seeks to reconcile with the Corinthians by highlighting his own experiences and the suffering he has endured for the sake of the gospel. This passage emphasizes the importance of genuine faith and the trials that come with it.
2 Corinthians 6:1–13 (NRSV)
As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says, "At an acceptable time I have listened to you, and on a day of salvation I have helped you."
See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! We are putting no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet are well known; as dying, and see—we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
We have spoken frankly to you Corinthians; our heart is wide open to you. There is no restriction in our affections, but only in yours. In return—I speak as to children—open wide your hearts also.
Summary
Part of the conflict Paul experiences with the Corinthian church was rooted in missionaries who came to Corinth while he was gone. They commended themselves in terms of their appearance, religious experience, and status. In today’s lection from the letter, Paul seeks reconciliation by offering his own commendation in terms of the suffering he has endured.
Questions
If this story happened today, what would it look like?
What is the story showing or telling me?
Could it make a difference to my life? How? Did it? How?
How does this passage point to Jesus?
How does this passage connect or conflict with Jesus' teachings, loving actions, or mission?
How does this passage shape me to be more loving like Jesus?
Wednesday 6.19.24 - 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4–11, 19–23), 32–49
Introduction
The passage from 1 Samuel 17 recounts the famous story of David and Goliath. After being anointed by Samuel to become the future king of Israel, David enters the service of King Saul. In this narrative, David, a young shepherd boy, demonstrates his faith in God by defeating Goliath, the formidable champion of the Philistine army. This story highlights themes of faith, courage, and divine intervention.
1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4–11, 19–23), 32–49 (NRSV)
1a: Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle; they were gathered at Socoh, which belongs to Judah, and encamped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim.
4–11: And there came out from the camp of the Philistines a champion named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. He had a helmet of bronze on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze. He had greaves of bronze on his legs and a javelin of bronze slung between his shoulders. The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and his spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels of iron; and his shield-bearer went before him. He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why have you come out to draw up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants; but if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us.” And the Philistine said, “Today I defy the ranks of Israel! Give me a man, that we may fight together.” When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.
19–23: Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. David rose early in the morning, left the sheep with a keeper, took the provisions, and went as Jesse had commanded him. He came to the encampment as the army was going forth to the battle line, shouting the war cry. Israel and the Philistines drew up for battle, army against army. David left the things in charge of the keeper of the baggage, ran to the ranks, and went and greeted his brothers. As he talked with them, the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, came up out of the ranks of the Philistines, and spoke the same words as before. And David heard him.
32–49: David said to Saul, “Let no one’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are just a boy, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father; and whenever a lion or a bear came, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after it and struck it down, rescuing the lamb from its mouth; and if it turned against me, I would catch it by the jaw, strike it down, and kill it. Your servant has killed both lions and bears; and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, since he has defied the armies of the living God.” David said, “The Lord, who saved me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, will save me from the hand of this Philistine.” So Saul said to David, “Go, and may the Lord be with you!” Saul clothed David with his armor; he put a bronze helmet on his head and clothed him with a coat of mail. David strapped Saul’s sword over the armor, and he tried in vain to walk, for he was not used to them. Then David said to Saul, “I cannot walk with these; for I am not used to them.” So David removed them. Then he took his staff in his hand, and chose five smooth stones from the wadi, and put them in his shepherd’s bag, in the pouch; his sling was in his hand, and he drew near to the Philistine. The Philistine came on and drew near to David, with his shield-bearer in front of him. When the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him, for he was only a youth, ruddy and handsome in appearance. The Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. The Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the wild animals of the field.” But David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword and spear and javelin; but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This very day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head; and I will give the dead bodies of the Philistine army this very day to the birds of the air and to the wild animals of the earth, so that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the Lord does not save by sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s and he will give you into our hand.” When the Philistine drew nearer to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. David put his hand in his bag, took out a stone, slung it, and struck the Philistine on his forehead; the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell face down on the ground.
Summary
After Samuel anointed David to become king over Israel in the place of Saul without Saul’s knowledge, Saul brought David into his service to be his armor-bearer and to play the lyre to sooth his spirit. In today’s reading, the servant-boy David shows faith in God as he defeats the champion of the Philistine army, Goliath.
Questions
If this story happened today, what would it look like?
What is the story showing or telling me?
Could it make a difference to my life? How? Did it? How?
How does this passage point to Jesus?
How does this passage connect or conflict with Jesus' teachings, loving actions, or mission?
How does this passage shape me to be more loving like Jesus?
Thursday 6.20.24 - Psalm 9:9–20
Introduction
Psalms 9 and 10 were originally a single psalm, which is a prayer for deliverance. The psalmist’s claims that God is on the side of the weak against their oppressors are offered today as a commentary on the story of David facing Goliath. This passage, Psalm 9:9-20, reflects themes of divine justice and protection for the oppressed.
Psalm 9:9–20 (NRSV)
The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.
Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion. Declare his deeds among the peoples.
For he who avenges blood is mindful of them; he does not forget the cry of the afflicted.
Be gracious to me, O Lord. See what I suffer from those who hate me; you are the one who lifts me up from the gates of death,
so that I may recount all your praises, and, in the gates of daughter Zion, rejoice in your deliverance.
The nations have sunk in the pit that they made; in the net that they hid has their own foot been caught.
The Lord has made himself known, he has executed judgment; the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands. Higgaion. Selah
The wicked shall depart to Sheol, all the nations that forget God.
For the needy shall not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the poor perish forever.
Rise up, O Lord! Do not let mortals prevail; let the nations be judged before you.
Put them in fear, O Lord; let the nations know that they are only human. Selah
Summary
Psalms 9 and 10 were originally a single psalm, which is a prayer for deliverance. The psalmist’s claims that God is on the side of weak against their oppressors are offered today as a commentary on the story of David facing Goliath.
Questions
If this story happened today, what would it look like?
What is the story showing or telling me?
Could it make a difference to my life? How? Did it? How?
How does this passage point to Jesus?
How does this passage connect or conflict with Jesus' teachings, loving actions, or mission?
How does this passage shape me to be more loving like Jesus?
Friday 6.21.24 - Find the Intersection(s)
Questions
How does these passages point to Jesus?
How does these passages connect or conflict with Jesus' teachings, loving actions, or mission?
How does these passages shape me to be more loving like Jesus?
My Intersection(s)
Courage and Faith in the Face of Challenges
1 Samuel 17: (1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49: This is the famous story of David and Goliath. David, a young shepherd, faces the giant Goliath with nothing but a sling and his faith in God. Despite the fear and doubt around him, David shows great courage because he trusts God completely.
Mark 4:35-41: In this story, Jesus calms a storm while He and His disciples are in a boat. The disciples are terrified, but Jesus shows them that even in the scariest moments, they can have faith in Him. He has power over the storm.
Trusting in God's Protection and Presence
Psalm 9:9-20: This psalm reminds us that God is a refuge for the oppressed and a stronghold in times of trouble. It encourages us to trust in God’s protection and remember that God never forgets those who seek Him.
Mark 4:35-41: Jesus' calming of the storm demonstrates God's presence and power in our lives. It shows that even when we feel overwhelmed, God is with us and can bring peace to our chaos.
Enduring Hardships with Openness to God
2 Corinthians 6:1-13: Paul talks about all the hardships he has faced as he serves God—troubles, hardships, beatings, imprisonment, and more. Despite all this, he remains open and honest, showing the Corinthians that staying true to God means enduring difficulties but also finding strength and grace through them.
1 Samuel 17: (1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49: David’s willingness to face Goliath, despite the fear and doubts of others, mirrors Paul’s message of enduring hardships with faith and openness to God’s power.
God’s Justice and Help for the Needy
Psalm 9:9-20: Highlights how God is just and will not forget the needy. It assures us that God sees our struggles and stands up for those who are suffering.
2 Corinthians 6:1-13: Paul’s message also reflects God’s justice and support for the oppressed. His ministry is an example of serving God by standing with those in need and enduring struggles on their behalf.
Overcoming Fear through Faith
Mark 4:35-41: The disciples' fear of the storm is overcome by their faith in Jesus. This story teaches us that faith can help us conquer our fears.
1 Samuel 17: (1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49: David’s fearlessness in facing Goliath shows how faith in God can give us the courage to face even the biggest challenges.
What happened to the lectionary for June 30?