Proper 21 (26) — Open Word

Semicontinuous (Track 1)

FIRST READING

Exodus 17:1-7

Verse 1. Then the whole congregation of Israel left the Desert of Sin, moving from place to place as the LORD commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. Verse 2. So the people contended with Moses, “Give us water to drink.” “Why do you contend with me?” Moses replied. “Why do you test the LORD?” Verse 3. But the people thirsted for water there, and they grumbled against Moses: “Why have you brought us out of Egypt — to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?” Verse 4. Then Moses cried out to the LORD, “What should I do with these people? A little more and they will stone me!” Verse 5. And the LORD said to Moses, “Walk on ahead of the people and take some of the elders of Israel with you. Take along in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. Verse 6. Behold, I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. And when you strike the rock, water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. Verse 7. He named the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled, and because they tested the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?”

PSALM

Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16

A Maskil of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, to my instruction; listen to the words of my mouth.

I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the beginning,

that we have heard and known and our fathers have relayed to us.

We will not hide them from their children but will declare to the next generation the praises of the LORD and His might and the wonders He has performed.

He worked wonders before their fathers in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan.

He split the sea and brought them through; He set the waters upright like a wall.

He led them with a cloud by day and with a light of fire all night.

He split the rocks in the wilderness and gave them drink as abundant as the seas.

He brought streams from the stone and made water flow down like rivers.

Complementary (Track 2)

FIRST READING

Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32

Verse 1. Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Verse 2. “What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel: ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the teeth of the children are set on edge’? Verse 3. As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel. Verse 4. Behold, every soul belongs to Me; both father and son are Mine. The soul who sins is the one who will die. Verse 25. Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Hear now, O house of Israel: Is it My way that is unjust? Is it not your ways that are unjust? Verse 26. If a righteous man turns from his righteousness and practices iniquity, he will die for this. He will die because of the iniquity he has committed. Verse 27. But if a wicked man turns from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will save his life. Verse 28. Because he considered and turned from all the transgressions he had committed, he will surely live; he will not die. Verse 29. Yet the house of Israel says, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Are My ways unjust, O house of Israel? Is it not your ways that are unjust? Verse 30. Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall. Verse 31. Cast away from yourselves all the transgressions you have committed, and fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel? Verse 32. For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live![’’]

PSALM

Psalm 25:1-9

Of David. To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul;

in You, my God, I trust. Do not let me be put to shame; do not let my enemies exult over me.

Surely none who wait for You will be put to shame; but those who engage in treachery without cause will be disgraced.

Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths.

Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; all day long I wait for You.

Remember, O LORD, Your compassion and loving devotion, for they are from age to age.

Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my rebellious acts; remember me according to Your loving devotion, because of Your goodness, O LORD.

Good and upright is the LORD; therefore He shows sinners the way.

He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way.

SECOND READING

Philippians 2:1-13

Verse 1. Therefore if you have any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, Verse 2. then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose. Verse 3. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Verse 4. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Verse 5. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: Verse 6. Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, Verse 7. but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. Verse 8. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross. Verse 9. Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, Verse 10. that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, Verse 11. and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Verse 12. Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. Verse 13. For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.

GOSPEL

Matthew 21:23-32

Verse 23. When Jesus returned to the temple courts and began to teach, the chief priests and elders of the people came up to Him. “By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave You this authority?” Verse 24. “I will also ask you one question,” Jesus replied, “and if you answer Me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. Verse 25. What was the source of John’s baptism? Was it from heaven or from men?” They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ Verse 26. But if we say, ‘From men,’ we are afraid of the people, for they all regard John as a prophet.” Verse 27. So they answered, “We do not know.” And Jesus replied, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things. Verse 28. But what do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first one and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ Verse 29. ‘I will not,’ he replied. But later he changed his mind and went. Verse 30. Then the man went to the second son and told him the same thing. ‘I will, sir,’ he said. But he did not go. Verse 31. Which of the two did the will of his father?” “The first, ” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. Verse 32. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.