Lectionary Readings for Sunday 8.4.24 (Proper 13, 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
Let your continual mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend your Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without your help, protect and govern it always by your goodness; 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 July 29, 2024: John 6:24-35
Introduction
The Gospel of John, traditionally attributed to the Apostle John, is known for its high Christology and unique portrayal of Jesus' ministry. John 6:24-35 is part of the Bread of Life discourse, where Jesus explains the significance of the feeding of the 5000. This passage emphasizes Jesus as the spiritual sustenance, contrasting with the physical bread provided in the miracle.
Passage (NRSVue)
"So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, 'Rabbi, when did you come here?' Jesus answered them, 'Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.' Then they said to him, 'What must we do to perform the works of God?' Jesus answered them, 'This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.' So they said to him, 'What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, "He gave them bread from heaven to eat."' Then Jesus said to them, 'Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.' They said to him, 'Sir, give us this bread always.' Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.'"
Summary
In John 6:24-35, Jesus addresses the crowd that followed him after the feeding of the 5000. He challenges their motives, urging them to seek spiritual nourishment rather than physical sustenance. Jesus declares himself as the "bread of life," promising eternal fulfillment to those who believe in him, thus shifting the focus from temporary miracles to everlasting faith.
Tuesday July 30, 2024: Ephesians 4:1-16
Introduction
The Epistle to the Ephesians, traditionally attributed to Paul, focuses on the unity and maturity of the Christian community. Ephesians 4:1-16 emphasizes the importance of living a life worthy of the calling received, fostering unity in the body of Christ, and growing into spiritual maturity through the gifts given by Christ.
Passage (NRSVue)
"I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it is said, 'When he ascended on high he made captivity itself a captive; he gave gifts to his people.' (When it says, 'He ascended,' what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is the same one who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things.) The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love."
Summary
Ephesians 4:1-16 calls believers to live in a manner worthy of their calling, emphasizing humility, gentleness, and unity. Paul highlights the diversity of spiritual gifts given by Christ to equip the church for ministry and to build up the body of Christ. The passage underscores the goal of achieving spiritual maturity and unity in faith, growing together in love and truth.
Wednesday July 31, 2024: 2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a
Introduction
The books of Samuel detail the history of Israel's transition from judges to monarchy. 2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a narrates the aftermath of King David's adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, Uriah. The prophet Nathan confronts David, leading to his repentance. This passage highlights themes of sin, accountability, and divine justice.
Passage (NRSVue)
"When the wife of Uriah heard that her husband was dead, she made lamentation for him. When the mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord, and the Lord sent Nathan to David. He came to him, and said to him, 'There were two men in a certain city, the one rich and the other poor. The rich man had very many flocks and herds; but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. He brought it up, and it grew up with him and with his children; it used to eat of his meager fare, and drink from his cup, and lie in his bosom, and it was like a daughter to him. Now there came a traveler to the rich man, and he was loath to take one of his own flock or herd to prepare for the wayfarer who had come to him, but he took the poor man’s lamb, and prepared that for the guest who had come to him.' Then David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man. He said to Nathan, 'As the Lord lives, the man who has done this deserves to die; he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.' Nathan said to David, 'You are the man! Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: I anointed you king over Israel, and I rescued you from the hand of Saul; I gave you your master’s house, and your master’s wives into your bosom, and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would have added as much more. Why have you despised the word of the Lord, to do what is evil in his sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, for you have despised me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife. Thus says the Lord: I will raise up trouble against you from within your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes, and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this very sun. For you did it secretly; but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.' David said to Nathan, 'I have sinned against the Lord.' Nathan said to David, 'Now the Lord has put away your sin; you shall not die.'"
Summary
In 2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a, the prophet Nathan confronts King David with a parable that reveals David's sin of adultery and murder. David's initial anger at the injustice in the parable turns to repentance when Nathan declares, "You are the man!" David acknowledges his sin, and Nathan pronounces God's judgment but also assures David of God's forgiveness. This passage underscores the gravity of sin, the necessity of accountability, and the possibility of redemption.
Thursday August 1, 2024: Psalm 51:1-12
Introduction
Psalm 51 is traditionally attributed to David, composed after his confrontation with Nathan regarding his sin with Bathsheba. This penitential psalm is a profound expression of remorse and a plea for divine mercy and cleansing. It is a key text in understanding the themes of repentance, forgiveness, and renewal in the Hebrew Bible. Psalm 51 is traditionally attributed to David, composed after his confrontation with Nathan regarding his sin with Bathsheba. This penitential psalm is a profound expression of remorse and a plea for divine mercy and cleansing. It is a key text in understanding the themes of repentance, forgiveness, and renewal in the Hebrew Bible.
Passage (NRSVue)
"Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless when you pass judgment.
Indeed, I was born guilty, a sinner when my mother conceived me.
You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit." "Have mercy on me, O God
Summary
Psalm 51:1-12 is a heartfelt plea for mercy and forgiveness. David acknowledges his sins and seeks God's cleansing and renewal. He emphasizes the importance of inner truth and wisdom, asking God to create a clean heart and a steadfast spirit within him. This passage highlights themes of repentance, divine mercy, and the transformative power of God's forgiveness.
Friday August 2, 2024: Find the Intersections
1. Spiritual Nourishment
John 6:24-35: Jesus as the Bread of Life offers spiritual sustenance that satisfies our deepest needs.
Ephesians 4:1-16: The gifts given by Christ to build up the church are part of the spiritual nourishment that helps believers grow and mature in their faith.
2. Unity and Growth
Ephesians 4:1-16: Paul emphasizes unity in the body of Christ and the importance of growing together in faith and maturity.
John 6:24-35: Jesus invites the crowd to seek the true bread from heaven, which unites all believers in the pursuit of eternal life.
3. Repentance and Forgiveness
2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a: David’s repentance after Nathan’s confrontation shows the need for acknowledging our sins and seeking God’s forgiveness.
Psalm 51:1-12: David’s heartfelt prayer for mercy and cleansing highlights the process of repentance and the desire for a renewed relationship with God.
4. Living a Transformed Life
Psalm 51:1-12: David’s plea for a pure heart and steadfast spirit reflects the desire to live a transformed life after experiencing God’s forgiveness.
Ephesians 4:1-16: Paul’s call to live a life worthy of our calling encourages believers to live transformed lives characterized by humility, patience, and love.