Seventh Sunday of the Apostles
June 22, 2008
First Reading: Deuteronomy 4:10-24
Moses said to the people: "Therefore take good heed to
yourselves. Since you saw no form on the day that the Lord
spoke to you at Horeb out of the midst of the fire, beware
lest you act corruptly by making a graven image for
yourselves, in the form of any figure, the likeness of male
or female, the likeness of any beast that is on the earth,
the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the air, the
likeness of anything that creeps on the ground, the likeness
of any fish that is in the water under the earth. And beware
lest you lift up your eyes to heaven, and when you see the
sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, you
be drawn away and worship them and serve them, things which
the Lord your God has allotted to all the peoples under the
whole heaven. But the Lord has taken you, and brought you
forth out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be a people
of his own possession, as at this day. Furthermore the Lord
was angry with me on your account, and he swore that I
should not cross the Jordan, and that I should not enter the
good land which the Lord your God gives you for an
inheritance. For I must die in this land, I must not go over
the Jordan; but you shall go over and take possession of
that good land. Take heed to yourselves, lest you forget the
covenant of the Lord your God, which he made with you, and
make a graven image in the form of anything which the Lord
your God has forbidden you. For the Lord your God is a
devouring fire, a jealous God.”
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Second
Reading: Isaiah 5:8-25
Woe to those who join house to house, who add field to field,
until there is no more room, and you are made to dwell alone in
the midst of the land. The Lord of hosts has sworn in my
hearing: "Surely many houses shall be desolate, large and
beautiful houses, without inhabitant. For ten acres of vineyard
shall yield but one bath, and a homer of seed shall yield but an
ephah." Woe to those who rise early in the morning, that they
may run after strong drink, who tarry late into the evening till
wine inflames them! They have lyre and harp, timbrel and flute
and wine at their feasts; but they do not regard the deeds of
the Lord, or see the work of his hands. Therefore my people go
into exile for want of knowledge; their honored men are dying of
hunger, and their multitude is parched with thirst. Therefore
Sheol has enlarged its appetite and opened its mouth beyond
measure, and the nobility of Jerusalem and her multitude go
down, her throng and he who exults in her. Man is bowed down,
and men are brought low, and the eyes of the haughty are
humbled. But the Lord of hosts is exalted in justice, and the
Holy God shows himself holy in righteousness. Then shall the
lambs graze as in their pasture, fatlings and kids shall feed
among the ruins.
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Epistle: 1 Corinthians 15:58-16:all
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always
abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your
labor is not in vain. Now concerning the contribution for the
saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are
to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put
something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that
contributions need not be made when I come. And when I arrive, I
will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift
to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable that I should go also, they
will accompany me…Be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be
courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love…All
the brethren send greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. If any one has no
love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come! The
grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in
Christ Jesus. Amen.
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Gospel: Luke 13:22-end
He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching, and
journeying toward Jerusalem. And some one said to him, "Lord,
will those who are saved be few?" And he said to them, "Strive
to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will want to
enter and will not be able. When once the householder has risen
up and shut the door, you will begin to stand outside and to
knock at the door, saying, 'Lord, open to us.' He will answer
you, 'I do not know where you come from.' Then you will begin to
say, 'We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our
streets.' But he will say, 'I tell you, I do not know where you
come from; depart from me, all you workers of iniquity!' There
you will weep and gnash your teeth, when you see Abraham and
Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and
you yourselves thrust out. And men will come from east and west,
and from north and south, and sit at table in the kingdom of
God. And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are
first who will be last." At that very hour some Pharisees came,
and said to him, "Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill
you." And he said to them, "Go and tell that fox, 'Behold, I
cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the
third day I finish my course. Nevertheless I must go on my way
today and tomorrow and the day following; for it cannot be that
a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.' O Jerusalem,
Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent
to you! How often would I have gathered your children together
as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!
Behold, your house is forsaken. And I tell you, you will not see
me until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the
Lord!'"
