Open Word

FIRST READING

Micah 5:1-5a

Verse 1. Now, O daughter of troops, mobilize your troops; for a siege is laid against us! With a rod they will strike the cheek of the judge of Israel. Verse 2. But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel — One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity. Verse 3. Therefore Israel will be abandoned until she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of His brothers will return to the children of Israel. Verse 4. He will stand and shepherd His flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majestic name of the LORD His God. And they will dwell securely, for then His greatness will extend to the ends of the earth. Verse 5. And He will be our peace when Assyria invades our land and tramples our citadels.

PSALM

Psalm 79

A Psalm of Asaph. The nations, O God, have invaded Your inheritance; they have defiled Your holy temple and reduced Jerusalem to rubble.

They have given the corpses of Your servants as food to the birds of the air, the flesh of Your saints to the beasts of the earth.

They have poured out their blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there is no one to bury the dead.

We have become a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and derision to those around us.

How long, O LORD? Will You be angry forever? Will Your jealousy burn like fire?

Pour out Your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge You, on the kingdoms that refuse to call on Your name,

for they have devoured Jacob and devastated his homeland.

Do not hold past sins against us; let Your compassion come quickly, for we are brought low.

Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name; deliver us and atone for our sins, for the sake of Your name.

Why should the nations ask, “Where is their God?” Before our eyes, make known among the nations Your vengeance for the bloodshed of Your servants.

May the groans of the captives reach You; by the strength of Your arm preserve those condemned to death.

Pay back into the laps of our neighbors sevenfold the reproach they hurled at You, O Lord.

Then we Your people, the sheep of Your pasture, will thank You forever; from generation to generation we will declare Your praise.

SECOND READING

Luke 21:34-38

Verse 34. But watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life — and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a snare. Verse 35. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of all the earth. Verse 36. So keep watch at all times, and pray that you may have the strength to escape all that is about to happen and to stand before the Son of Man.” Verse 37. Every day Jesus taught at the temple, but every evening He went out to spend the night on the Mount of Olives. Verse 38. And early in the morning all the people would come to hear Him at the temple.