God calls us to deliver His love in concrete ways and blesses us when we do so (readings for Feb. 9, 2020, lectionary 73)

Key:

What these readings tell us about God

What these readings tell us to do

What these readings tell us not to do

Hyperlinks to additional resources

Reading 1: Isaiah 58:7-10

Thus says the LORD:

Share your bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless; clothe the naked when you see them, and do not turn your back on your own.Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am!

If you remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech; if you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 112:4-5, 6-7, 8-9  

R. The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.
Light shines through the darkness for the upright; he is gracious and merciful and just.Well for the man who is gracious and lends, who conducts his affairs with justice.
R. The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.
He shall never be moved; the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance.An evil report he shall not fear; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
R. The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.
His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear. Lavishly he gives to the poor;His justice shall endure forever; his horn shall be exalted in glory.
R. The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.

Reading 2: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 

When I came to you, brothers and sisters, proclaiming the mystery of God, I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling, and my message and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of Spirit and power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.

Alleluia: John 8:12  

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: Matthew 5:13-16  

Jesus said to his disciples:

“You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”

What these readings tell us about God:

the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard

Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am

Light shines through the darkness for the upright

he is gracious and merciful and just.

I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling, and my message and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of Spirit and power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.

I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.

What these readings tell us to do:

Share your bread with the hungry

shelter the oppressed and the homeless

clothe the naked when you see them

do not turn your back on your own.

remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech

bestow your bread on the hungry 

satisfy the afflicted

The just man is a light in darkness to the upright

Well for the man who is gracious and lends

who conducts his affairs with justice

The just man is a light in darkness to the upright

He shall never be moved

An evil report he shall not fear

his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD

The just man is a light in darkness to the upright

His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear

Lavishly he gives to the poor

His justice shall endure forever

The just man is a light in darkness to the upright

to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified

You are the salt of the earth

You are the light of the world

gives light to all in the house

your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father

Collections of related scripture:

Wisdom Principles: Caring For the Weak & Vulnerable

God almighty, the great I AM of scripture, comes to us. We should look for Him, live to serve Him, and obey His specific prompts. (readings for Feb. 2, 2020, lectionary 524)

Key:

What these readings tell us about God

What these readings tell us to do

Hyperlinks to additional resources

Reading 1: Malachi 3:1-4  

Thus says the Lord GOD: Lo, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me; And suddenly there will come to the temple the LORD whom you seek, And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire. Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. But who will endure the day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears? For he is like the refiner’s fire, or like the fuller’s lye. He will sit refining and purifying silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, refining them like gold or like silver that they may offer due sacrifice to the LORD. Then the sacrifice of Judah and Jerusalem will please the LORD, as in the days of old, as in years gone by.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 24:7, 8, 9, 10 

R.    Who is this king of glory?  It is the Lord!
Lift up, O gates, your lintels; reach up, you ancient portals, that the king of glory may come in!
R.    Who is this king of glory?  It is the Lord!
Who is this king of glory?The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle.
R.    Who is this king of glory?  It is the Lord!
Lift up, O gates, your lintels; reach up, you ancient portals, that the king of glory may come in!
R.    Who is this king of glory?  It is the Lord!
Who is this king of glory? The LORD of hosts; he is the king of glory.
R.    Who is this king of glory?  It is the Lord!

Reading 2: Hebrews 2:14-18  

Since the children share in blood and flesh, Jesus likewise shared in them, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the Devil, and free those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their life. Surely, he did not help angels but rather the descendants of Abraham; therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

Alleluia: Luke 2:32

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A light of revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: Luke 2:22-40

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.”

The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted --and you yourself a sword will pierce-- so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

What these readings tell us about God

I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me

suddenly there will come to the temple the LORD whom you seek

Yes, he is coming

who will endure the day of his coming?

he is like the refiner’s fire, or like the fuller’s lye

he will purify

refining them like gold or like silver
Then the sacrifice of Judah and Jerusalem will please the LORD

king of glory

the king of glory may come in!
The LORD, strong and mighty

the LORD, mighty in battle.
king of glory

the king of glory may come in!
The LORD of hosts

he is the king of glory.
king

free those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their life

become like his brothers and sisters in every way, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of the people

Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.
A light of revelation to the Gentiles

glory for your people Israel.

the Holy Spirit was upon him

It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit

He came in the Spirit into the temple

your salvation

you prepared in the sight of all the peoples

a light for revelation to the Gentiles

glory for your people Israel

so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed

The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

What these readings tell us to do:

offer due sacrifice to the LORD

please the LORD

Lift up...reach up...that the king of glory may come in!

Lift up...reach up...that the king of glory may come in!

righteous and devout

awaiting the consolation of Israel

He came in the Spirit into the temple

he took him into his arms and blessed God

She never left the temple

worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer

she gave thanks to God 

spoke about the child to all 

See also:

What we can learn from Jesus' Nativity: Jesus' presentation

What we can learn from Jesus' Nativity: Simeon blesses Mary

What we can learn from Jesus' Nativity: Anna Ratifies Mary 

Jesus brings light and healing into dark and broken places. We should come to Him, focus on Him, and not be distracted by fear or divisions (Readings for Jan. 26, 2020, Lectionary 67)

Key:

What these readings tell us about God

What these readings tell us to do

What these readings tell us not to do

Hyperlinks to additional resources

Reading 1: Isaiah 8:23-9:3  

First the Lord degraded the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali;
but in the end he has glorified the seaward road, the land west of the Jordan, the District of the Gentiles.

Anguish has taken wing, dispelled is darkness: for there is no gloom where but now there was distress. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, as they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as people make merry when dividing spoils. For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, and the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14  

R. (1a) The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid?
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
One thing I ask of the LORD; this I seek: To dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, 
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD and contemplate his temple.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage; be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Reading 2: 1 Corinthians 1:10-13

I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose. For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers and sisters, by Chloe’s people, that there are rivalries among you. I mean that each of you is saying, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.”

Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with the wisdom of human eloquence, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning.

Alleluia: Matthew 4:23  

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of the kingdom and cured every disease among the people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: Matthew 4:12-23  

When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen.

From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.

He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people.

What these readings tell us about God:

Anguish has taken wing

dispelled is darkness 

he has glorified

no gloom where ... there was distress

a great light

upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone

You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing

For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, and the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed

The Lord is my light and my salvation
The LORD is my light and my salvation
The LORD is my life’s refuge
The Lord is my light and my salvation
The Lord is my light and my salvation
the bounty of the LORD

The Lord is my light and my salvation

Jesus proclaimed the Gospel

cured every disease

among the people

a great light

light has arisen.

the kingdom of heaven is at hand

Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men

He called them

He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people

What these readings tell us to do:

ask of the LORD 

Seek

dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life

gaze on the loveliness of the LORD and contemplate

believe
Wait for the LORD with courage

be stouthearted

wait for the LORD

agree in what you say

there be no divisions among you
be united in the same mind and in the same purpose

Repent

Come after me

At once they left ... and followed him

immediately they left ...and followed him

What these readings tell us not to do:

fear
be afraid

rivalries

God comes to us as Jesus to draw us to Him—all people everywhere. We should embrace and actively, obediently, serve Him (Readings for Jan. 19, 2020, Lectionary 64)

Key:

What these readings tell us about God

What these readings tell us to do

Hyperlinks to additional resources

Reading 1: Isaiah 49:3, 5-6 

The LORD said to me: You are my servant, Israel, through whom I show my glory.

Now the LORD has spoken who formed me as his servant from the womb, that Jacob may be brought back to him and Israel gathered to him; and I am made glorious in the sight of the LORD, and my God is now my strength!

It is too little, the LORD says, for you to be my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and restore the survivors of Israel; I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10  

R/ Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
I have waited, waited for the LORD, and he stooped toward me and heard my cry.
And he put a new song into my mouth, a hymn to our God.
R/ Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
Sacrifice or offering you wished not, but ears open to obedience you gave me.
Holocausts or sin-offerings you sought not; then said I, “Behold I come.”
R/ Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
“In the written scroll it is prescribed for me, to do your will, O my God, is my delight, and your law is within my heart!”
R/ Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
I announced your justice in the vast assembly;I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.
R/ Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

Reading 2: 1 Corinthians 1:1-3 

Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, to the church of God that is in Corinth, to you who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be holy, with all those everywhere who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Alleluia: John 1:14A, 12A

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us.
To those who accepted him, he gave power to become children of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: John 1:29-34  

John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He is the one of whom I said, ‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’ I did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel.”

John testified further, saying, “I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from heaven and remain upon him. I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.”

What these readings tell us about God:

You are my servant

through whom I show my glory.
the LORD has spoken

formed me as his servant from the womb

that Jacob may be brought back to him and Israel gathered to him

and I am made glorious in the sight of the LORD

my God is now my strength!

I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth

he stooped toward me and heard my cry

he put a new song into my mouth

your justice

called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God

sanctified in Christ Jesus

called to be holy

all those everywhere who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

their Lord and ours

The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us
he gave power to become children of God

Jesus coming toward him

the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world

he existed before me

he might be made known to Israel

I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from heaven and remain upon him

he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit

he is the Son of God

What these readings tell us to do:

Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will
waited for the LORD

Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will
ears open to obedience 

I come
Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will
to do your will, O my God, is my delight

your law is within my heart
Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will
announced your justice 
I did not restrain my lips
Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will

call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

accepted him

Behold[]the Lamb of God