Readings for October 11,2020 annotated, lectionary 142

This translation is from the New American Bible. The bolded hyperlinks will take you to additional translations. The entire chapter is included to provide context. 

Information about the meaning of the original Hebrew of Greek of italicized  words is provided in blue beneath each reading.

Text highlighted in yellow tells us something about God’s nature or our relationship to Him. 

Text in green tells us about something God wants us to do. 

Text in red  describes what God tells us not to do. 

Reading 1

Isaiah 25:6-10

On this mountain the LORD of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines.

On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, the web that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from every face; the reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth; for the LORD has spoken.

On that day it will be said: "Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! This is the LORD for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!" For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain.

all, whole= כֹּל= kol

Blue Letter Bible

the whole; any, each, every, anything;totality, everything, of all kinds, every sort

Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon

(rendering πασι from the Septuagint)

when used of a number, all; all, the whole; every, every single one; all of them; all things as a unity, as a totality; of all kinds; everything; entirely, wholly; the universe; 

 

Responsorial Psalm 

Psalm 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6

R. (6cd) I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose; beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul.

R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
He guides me in right paths for his name's sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give me courage.

R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for years to come.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

 

Reading 2 

Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20

Brothers and sisters:

I know how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need. I can do all things in him who strengthens me. Still, it was kind of you to share in my distress. 

My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father, glory forever and ever. Amen.

 

Alleluia 

Ephesians 1:17-18

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts, so that we may know what is the hope that belongs to our call.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Gospel 

Matthew 22:1-14

Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and elders of the people in parables, saying,

"The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon  the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come. A second time he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come*  to the feast.”’

Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another his business.  The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. 

Then he said to his servants, 'The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come.  Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.’ The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests. 

But when the king came in to meet the guests, he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment.  The king said to him, 'My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?' But he was reduced to silence. Then the king said to his attendants, 'Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’ Many are invited, but few are chosen."

 

Summoned, invited = καλέω = kaleō

Blue Letter Bible

"to bid," in the sense of "invite;" "to speak, to call by name;"to call aloud, utter in a loud voice; to salute one by name; 

Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon

call, summon;demand, require; call to oneself; call to one's house or to a repast, invite;call by name, name

 

Come = ἔρχομαι = erchomai

Blue Letter Bible

to come from one place to another, and used both of persons arriving and of those returning; to appear, make one's appearance, come before the public; to go, to follow one; to come into being, arise, come forth, show itself, find place or influence

Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon 

start, set out;  come to, arrive at; come within a little of, be near

 

 Come* = δεῦτε = deute

Blue Letter Bible

come hither, come here; interjection, come!, come now!

Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon 

come hither!

 

Ignored = ἀμελέω = ameleō

Blue Letter Bible

denotes "to be careless, not to care"; neglect, not regarding; to be careless of, to neglect; make light of, neglect

Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon

have no care for, be neglectful of; to be careless, negligent; overlook;to be slighted, overlooked

 

Gathered together= συνάγω= synagō

Blue Letter Bible

"to assemble" (sun, "together," ago, "to bring"), is used of the "gathering together" of people or things; to bring together; to join together, join in one (those previously separated); into one's home, i.e. to receive hospitably, to entertain, take in

Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon

bring together, gather together; bring together, join in one, unite; make friends of, reconcile

 

Chosen = ἐκλεκτός = eklektos

Blue Letter Bible

Select, picked out

Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon 

picked out, select 

 

***

 

What these readings tell us about God:

the LORD of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast

rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines.
he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, the web that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever
The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from every face

This is the LORD for whom we looked

he has saved us!"

The LORD is my shepherd

I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose

beside restful waters he leads me

he refreshes my soul.
He guides me in right paths

you are at my side
with your rod and your staff that give me courage.
You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes
you anoint my head with oil

my cup overflows.
Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life

I can do all things in him who strengthens me

My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus

To our God and Father, glory forever and ever. Amen

May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts,

He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast

A second time he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet

The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. 
'The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come.  Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find

servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike

the king came in to meet the guests

Many are invited, but few are chosen

 

What these readings tell us to do:

Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us!

rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!"

live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life
live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life
Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil

live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life
live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life
dwell in the house of the LORD for years to come
live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life

know how to live in humble circumstances

know also how to live with abundance

know what is the hope that belongs to our call

 

What these readings tell us not to do:

they refused to come

ignored the invitation

went away, one to his farm, another to his business

laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them

Readings for October 4, 2020 annotated, lectionary 139

This translation is from the New American Bible. The bolded hyperlinks will take you to additional translations. The entire chapter is included to provide context. Other bolded hyperlinks will take to additional resources about the scriptures included in today’s readings.

Information about the meaning of the original Hebrew of Greek and other versions’ translations of italicized  words is provided in blue beneath each reading.

Text highlighted in yellow tells us something about God’s nature or our relationship to Him. 

Text in green tells us about something God wants us to do. 

Text in red  describes what God tells us not to do. 

 Reading 1 

Isaiah 5:1-7

Let me now sing of my friend, my friend's song concerning his vineyard.
My friend had a vineyard on a fertile hillside; he spaded it, cleared it of stones, and planted the choicest vines; within it he built a watchtower, and hewed out a wine press. Then he looked for the crop of grapes, but what it yielded was wild  grapes.

Now, inhabitants of Jerusalem and people of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard: 

What more was there to do for my vineyard that I had not done?
Why, when I looked for the crop of grapes, did it bring forth wild grapes?

Now, I will let you know what I mean to do with my vineyard: take away its hedge, give it to grazing, break through its wall, let it be trampled! Yes, I will make it a ruin: it shall not be pruned or hoed, but overgrown with thorns and briers; I will command the clouds not to send rain upon it.

The vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the people of Judah are his cherished plant; he looked for judgment, but see, bloodshed! for justice, but hark, the outcry!

Wild = בְּאֻשִׁים= be'ushiym

Blue Letter Bible

stinking or worthless things, wild grapes, stinkberries;stench, foul odour; poison-berries. 

New Living Translation:

“bitter”

Christian Standard Bible:

“worthless”

New English Translation:

“sour”

 Young’s Literal Translation:

“bad”
 

See also: Collected Meditations on Fruitfulness Based on Isaiah 5:1-2

Responsorial Psalm 

Psalm 80:9, 12, 13-14, 15-16, 19-20

R. (Is 5:7a) The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.
A vine from Egypt you transplanted; you drove away the nations and planted it.
It put forth its foliage to the Sea, its shoots as far as the River.

R. The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.
Why have you broken down its walls, so that every passer-by plucks its fruit, the boar from the forest lays it waste, and the beasts of the field feed upon it?

R. The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.
Once again, O LORD of hosts, look down from heaven, and see; take care of this vine, and protect what your right hand has planted the son of man whom you yourself made strong.

R. The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.
Then we will no more withdraw from you; give us new life, and we will call upon your name.
O LORD, God of hosts, restore us; if your face shine upon us, then we shall be saved.
R. The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.

 

Reading 2 

Philippians 4:6-9

Brothers and sisters:
Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.
Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding
will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you.

See also Philippians 4:4-9 annotated (“Be anxious for nothing...”) 

 Alleluia 

John 15:16

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I have chosen you from the world, says the Lord, to go and bear fruit that will remain.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Produce = καρπός = karpos

Blue Letter Bible

that which originates or comes from something, an effect, result; work, act, deed; advantage, profit, utility

Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon

returns, profits 

Gospel 

Matthew 21:33-43

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people:
"Hear another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower.  Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey. When vintage time drew near,
he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce.  

But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat, another they killed, and a third they stoned. Again, he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones, but they treated them in the same way. 

Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, 'They will respect my son.'
But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.’ They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?"

They answered him, "He will put those wretched men to a wretched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times."

Jesus said to them, "Did you never read in the Scriptures: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes?” Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit."

Produce = καρπός = karpos

Same as “fruit” in the alleluia verse.

 

***

What these readings tell us about God:

a vineyard on a fertile hillside

he spaded it, cleared it of stones, and planted the choicest vines

he built a watchtower,
and hewed out a wine press

he looked for the crop of grapes

What more was there to do for my vineyard that I had not done?
Why, when I looked for the crop of grapes, did it bring forth wild grapes?
Now, I will let you know what I mean to do with my vineyard: take away its hedge, give it to grazing, break through its wall, let it be trampled!

the people of Judah are his cherished plant

you transplanted

you drove away the nations and planted it.
It put forth its foliage to the Sea, its shoots as far as the River.

what your right hand has planted

the son of man whom you yourself made strong.

if your face shine upon us, then we shall be saved

Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding
will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

I have chosen you from the world, says the Lord, to go and bear fruit that will remain.

planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower

he leased it to tenants

he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce.  

Again, he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones
Finally, he sent his son to them

The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone

by the Lord has this been done

it is wonderful in our eyes

the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit

 

What These readings tell us to do:

we will no more withdraw from you

call upon your name.

in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God
whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me

go and bear fruit that will remain.

tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times
produce its fruit

 

What these readings tell us not to do:

wild grapes.

the tenants seized the servants and one they beat, another they killed, and a third they stoned

they said to one another, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.’ They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him

 

Collected Meditations on Fruitfulness Based on Isaiah 5:1-2

Introduction

 

Mediations of Fruitfulness based on Isaiah 5:1-2: God calls us to Him

 

Meditations on Fruitfulness based on Isaiah 5:1-2: Fruitfulness sometimes requires hardship

 

Meditations on Fruitfulness based on Isaiah 5:1-2: Fruitfulness requires healthy responses to pressure

 

Meditations on Fruitfulness based on Isaiah 5:1-2: We must get rid of "stones" to be fruitful

 

 Lenten Meditations of Fruitfulness based on Isaiah 5:1-2: The good stuff comes from God

 

Meditations on Fruitfulness based on Isaiah 5:1-2: Protecting our fruitfulness

 

Meditations on Fruitfulness based on Isaiah 5:1-2: God is looking for fruit

Readings for September 27,2020 annotated, lectionary 136

This translation is from the New American Bible. The bolded hyperlinks will take you to additional translations. The entire chapter is included to provide context.

Information about the meaning of the original Hebrew of Greek and other versions’ translations of italicized words is provided in blue beneath each reading.

Text highlighted in yellow tells us something about God’s nature or our relationship to Him. 

Text in green tells us about something God wants us to do.  

Text in red  describes what God tells us not to do. 

A collection of scriptures addressing similar principles can be found at: Wisdom Principles—God Loves and Calls Us to Him, In Spite of our Sin

Reading 1 

Ezekiel 18:25-28

Thus says the LORD: You say, "The LORD's way is not fair!" Hear now, house of Israel: Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair?

When someone virtuous turns away from virtue to commit iniquity, and dies, it is because of the iniquity he committed that he must die. But if he turns from the wickedness he has committed, he does what is right and just, he shall preserve his life; since he has turned away from all the sins that he has committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.

turns, turned = שׁוּב

Blue Letter Bible

to return, turn back;to restore, refresh, repair; to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish; to bring back to mind; to turn one’s self

 

Responsorial Psalm 

Psalm 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9

R. Remember your mercies, O Lord.
Your ways, O LORD, make known to me; teach me your paths, guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior.

R. Remember your mercies, O Lord.
Remember that your compassion, O LORD, and your love are from of old.
The sins of my youth and my frailties remember not; in your kindness remember me, because of your goodness, O LORD.

R. Remember your mercies, O Lord.
Good and upright is the LORD; thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice, and teaches the humble his way.
R. Remember your mercies, O Lord.

Mercies, compassion = רַחַ

Blue Letter Bible

Tender love, (great, tender) mercy, pity, very tender affection; pity, grace, favour

King James Version, English Standard Version, Revised Standard Version, American Standard Version, Young’s Literal Translation, Darby Translation, Webster’s Bible, Hebrew Names Version:

“mercies”

Reading 2 

Philippians 2:1-11

If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing.

Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but also for those of others.

Have in you the same attitude that is also in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.

Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

John 10:27

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

hear = ἀκούω 

Blue Letter Bible

Hearken; to attend to, consider what is or has been said; to understand, perceive the sense of what is said; to give ear; to comprehend, to understand; to perceive anyone's voice; to yield to, hear and obey; to yield obedience to the voice. 

Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon 

listen to, give ear to;hear and understand; hear oneself called, be called; understand, take

 

Gospel 

Matthew 21:28-32

Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people:
"What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, 'Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.' He said in reply, 'I will not, ' but afterwards changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, 'Yes, sir, ‘but did not go. Which of the two did his father's will?"

They answered, "The first."

Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes
are entering the kingdom of God before you. When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him."

believe = πιστεύω = pisteuō

Blue Letter Bible

to be persuaded of, to place confidence in, to trust; reliance upon, not mere credence; to entrust, commit to; to credit, place confidence in; to entrust a thing to one, i.e. his fidelity; 

Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon

trust, put faith in, rely on; comply; feel confident that a thing is, will be, has been; entrust something to another

***

What these readings tell us about God:

But if he turns from the wickedness he has committed, he does what is right and just, he shall preserve his life

your mercies, O Lord.
your truth

you are God my savior.

your mercies, O Lord.
your compassion

your love

your kindness

your goodness, 

your mercies, O Lord.
Good and upright is the LORD

he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice

teaches the humble his way.
your mercies, O Lord.

encouragement in Christ

solace in love

he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave

he humbled himself,
becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Because of this, God greatly exalted him

at the name of Jesus every knee should bend

every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.

What these readings tell us to do:

turns from the wickedness he has committed

humble

humble

participation in the Spirit

compassion and mercy

being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing

humbly regard others as more important than yourselves

looking out not for his own interests, but also for those of others

Have in you the same attitude that is also in Christ Jesus

he emptied himself

taking the form of a slave

humbled himself
obedient

every knee should bend

every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord

hear my voice

follow me

afterwards changed his mind and went. 

believe 

change your minds

believe him 

What these readings tell us not to do:

turns away from virtue

grasped