Saturday in Lent — Open Word

FIRST READING

Genesis 16:7-15

Verse 7. Now the angel of the LORD found Hagar by a spring of water in the desert — the spring along the road to Shur. Verse 8. “Hagar, servant of Sarai,” he said, “where have you come from, and where are you going?” “I am running away from my mistress Sarai,” she replied. Verse 9. So the angel of the LORD told her, “Return to your mistress and submit to her authority.” Verse 10. Then the angel added, “I will greatly multiply your offspring so that they will be too numerous to count.” Verse 11. The angel of the LORD proceeded: “Behold, you have conceived and will bear a son. And you shall name him Ishmael, for the LORD has heard your cry of affliction. Verse 12. He will be a wild donkey of a man, and his hand will be against everyone, and everyone’s hand against him; he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.” Verse 13. So Hagar gave this name to the LORD who had spoken to her: “You are the God who sees me, ” for she said, “Here I have seen the One who sees me!” Verse 14. Therefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi. It is located between Kadesh and Bered. Verse 15. And Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram gave the name Ishmael to the son she had borne.

PSALM

Psalm 22:23-31

You who fear the LORD, praise Him! All descendants of Jacob, honor Him! All offspring of Israel, revere Him!

For He has not despised or detested the torment of the afflicted. He has not hidden His face from him, but has attended to his cry for help.

My praise for You resounds in the great assembly; I will fulfill my vows before those who fear You.

The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the LORD will praise Him. May your hearts live forever!

All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD. All the families of the nations will bow down before Him.

For dominion belongs to the LORD and He rules over the nations.

All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before Him— even those unable to preserve their lives.

Posterity will serve Him; they will declare the Lord to a new generation.

They will come and proclaim His righteousness to a people yet unborn — all that He has done.

SECOND READING

Mark 8:27-30

Verse 27. Then Jesus and His disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way, He questioned His disciples: “Who do people say I am?” Verse 28. They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” Verse 29. “But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ.” Verse 30. And Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about Him.