Saturday in Lent — Open Word

FIRST READING

1 Samuel 15:32-34

Verse 32. Then Samuel said, “Bring me Agag king of the Amalekites.” Agag came to him cheerfully, for he thought, “Surely the bitterness of death is past.” Verse 33. But Samuel declared: “As your sword has made women childless, so your mother will be childless among women.” And Samuel hacked Agag to pieces before the LORD at Gilgal. Verse 34. Then Samuel went to Ramah, but Saul went up to his home in Gibeah of Saul.

PSALM

Psalm 23

A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.

He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of His name.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

SECOND READING

John 1:1-9

Verse 1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Verse 2. He was with God in the beginning. Verse 3. Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made. Verse 4. In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. Verse 5. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Verse 6. There came a man who was sent from God. His name was John. Verse 7. He came as a witness to testify about the Light, so that through him everyone might believe. Verse 8. He himself was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light. Verse 9. The true Light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.