Saturday in Season after Pentecost

Semicontinuous (Track 1)

FIRST READING

Genesis 50:15-26

Verse 15. When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph bears a grudge? Then he will surely repay us for all the evil that we did to him.” Verse 16. So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Before he died, your father commanded, Verse 17. ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I beg you, please forgive the transgression and sin of your brothers, for they did you wrong.’ So now, Joseph, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept. Verse 18. His brothers also came to him, bowed down before him, and said, “We are your slaves!” Verse 19. But Joseph replied, “Do not be afraid. Am I in the place of God? Verse 20. As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this— to preserve the lives of many people. Verse 21. Therefore do not be afraid. I will provide for you and your little ones.” So Joseph reassured his brothers and spoke kindly to them. Verse 22. Now Joseph and his father’s household remained in Egypt, and Joseph lived to the age of 110. Verse 23. He saw Ephraim’s sons to the third generation, and indeed the sons of Machir son of Manasseh were brought up on Joseph’s knees. Verse 24. Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will surely visit you and bring you up from this land to the land He promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Verse 25. And Joseph made the sons of Israel take an oath and said, “God will surely attend to you, and then you must carry my bones up from this place.” Verse 26. So Joseph died at the age of 110. And they embalmed his body and placed it in a coffin in Egypt.

PSALM

Psalm 124

A song of ascents. Of David. If the LORD had not been on our side— let Israel now declare—

if the LORD had not been on our side when men attacked us,

when their anger flared against us, then they would have swallowed us alive,

then the floods would have engulfed us, then the torrent would have overwhelmed us,

then the raging waters would have swept us away.

Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as prey to their teeth.

We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowler; the net is torn, and we have slipped away.

Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Complementary (Track 2)

FIRST READING

Ezekiel 36:33-38

Verse 33. This is what the Lord GOD says: On the day I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will cause the cities to be resettled and the ruins to be rebuilt. Verse 34. The desolate land will be cultivated instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass through. Verse 35. Then they will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden. The cities that were once ruined, desolate, and destroyed are now fortified and inhabited.’ Verse 36. Then the nations around you that remain will know that I, the LORD, have rebuilt what was destroyed, and I have replanted what was desolate. I, the LORD, have spoken, and I will do it. Verse 37. This is what the Lord GOD says: Once again I will hear the plea of the house of Israel and do for them this: I will multiply their people like a flock. Verse 38. Like the numerous flocks for sacrifices at Jerusalem during her appointed feasts, so the ruined cities will be filled with flocks of people. Then they will know that I am the LORD.”

PSALM

Psalm 138

Of David. I give You thanks with all my heart; before the gods I sing Your praises.

I bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your loving devotion and Your faithfulness; You have exalted Your name and Your word above all else.

On the day I called, You answered me; You emboldened me and strengthened my soul.

All the kings of the earth will give You thanks, O LORD, when they hear the words of Your mouth.

They will sing of the ways of the LORD, for the glory of the LORD is great.

Though the LORD is on high, He attends to the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar.

If I walk in the midst of trouble, You preserve me from the anger of my foes; You extend Your hand, and Your right hand saves me.

The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me. O LORD, Your loving devotion endures forever — do not abandon the works of Your hands.

SECOND READING

Matthew 16:5-12

Verse 5. When they crossed to the other side, the disciples forgot to take bread. Verse 6. “Watch out!” Jesus told them. “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Verse 7. They discussed this among themselves and concluded, “It is because we did not bring any bread.” Verse 8. Aware of their conversation, Jesus said, “You of little faith, why are you debating among yourselves about having no bread? Verse 9. Do you still not understand? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? Verse 10. Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? Verse 11. How do you not understand that I was not telling you about bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Verse 12. Then they understood that He was not telling them to beware of the leaven used in bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.