Open Word

FIRST READING

Matthew 12:46-50

Verse 46. While Jesus was still speaking to the crowds, His mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to Him. Verse 47. Someone told Him, “Look, Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to You.” Verse 48. But Jesus replied, “Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?” Verse 49. Pointing to His disciples, He said, “Here are My mother and My brothers. Verse 50. For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”

PSALM

Psalm 148

Hallelujah! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise Him in the highest places.

Praise Him, all His angels; praise Him, all His heavenly hosts.

Praise Him, O sun and moon; praise Him, all you shining stars.

Praise Him, O highest heavens, and you waters above the skies.

Let them praise the name of the LORD, for He gave the command and they were created.

He established them forever and ever; He issued a decree that will never pass away.

Praise the LORD from the earth, all great sea creatures and ocean depths,

lightning and hail, snow and clouds, powerful wind fulfilling His word,

mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars,

wild animals and all cattle, crawling creatures and flying birds,

kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth,

young men and maidens, old and young together.

Let them praise the name of the LORD, for His name alone is exalted; His splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

He has raised up a horn for His people, the praise of all His saints, of Israel, a people near to Him. Hallelujah!

SECOND READING

Isaiah 49:5-15

Verse 5. And now says the LORD, who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant, to bring Jacob back to Him, that Israel might be gathered to Him— for I am honored in the sight of the LORD, and My God is My strength— Verse 6. He says: “It is not enough for You to be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.” Verse 7. Thus says the LORD, the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel, to Him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the Servant of rulers: “Kings will see You and rise, and princes will bow down, because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen You.” Verse 8. This is what the LORD says: “In the time of favor I will answer You, and in the day of salvation I will help You; I will keep You and appoint You to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land, to apportion its desolate inheritances, Verse 9. to say to the prisoners, ‘Come out,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Show yourselves.’ They will feed along the pathways, and find pasture on every barren hill. Verse 10. They will not hunger or thirst, nor will scorching heat or sun beat down on them. For He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water. Verse 11. I will turn all My mountains into roads, and My highways will be raised up. Verse 12. Behold, they will come from far away, from the north and from the west, and from the land of Aswan. ” Verse 13. Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; break forth in song, O mountains! For the LORD has comforted His people, and He will have compassion on His afflicted ones. Verse 14. But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me; the Lord has forgotten me!” Verse 15. “Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the son of her womb? Even if she could forget, I will not forget you!