Proper 28 (33) — Open Word

Semicontinuous (Track 1)

FIRST READING

1 Samuel 1:4-20

Verse 4. And whenever the day came for Elkanah to present his sacrifice, he would give portions to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters. Verse 5. But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved her even though the LORD had closed her womb. Verse 6. Because the LORD had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival would provoke her viciously to taunt her. Verse 7. And this went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the LORD, her rival taunted her until she wept and would not eat. Verse 8. “Hannah, why are you crying?” her husband Elkanah asked. “Why won’t you eat? Why is your heart so grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?” Verse 9. So after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the temple of the LORD. Verse 10. In her bitter distress, Hannah prayed to the LORD and wept with many tears. Verse 11. And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever touch his head.” Verse 12. As Hannah kept on praying before the LORD, Eli watched her mouth. Verse 13. Hannah was praying in her heart, and though her lips were moving, her voice could not be heard. So Eli thought she was drunk Verse 14. and said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Put away your wine!” Verse 15. “No, my lord,” Hannah replied. “I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have not had any wine or strong drink, but I have poured out my soul before the LORD. Verse 16. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman, for all this time I have been praying out of the depth of my anguish and grief.” Verse 17. “Go in peace,” Eli replied, “and may the God of Israel grant the petition you have asked of Him.” Verse 18. “May your maidservant find favor with you,” said Hannah. Then she went on her way, and she began to eat, and her face was no longer downcast. Verse 19. The next morning they got up early to bow in worship before the LORD, and then they returned home to Ramah. And Elkanah had relations with his wife Hannah, and the LORD remembered her. Verse 20. So in the course of time, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him from the LORD.”

PSALM

1 Samuel 2:1-10

At that time Hannah prayed: “My heart rejoices in the LORD; my horn is exalted in the LORD. My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies, for I rejoice in Your salvation.

There is no one holy like the LORD. Indeed, there is no one besides You! And there is no Rock like our God.

Do not boast so proudly, or let arrogance come from your mouth, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by Him actions are weighed.

The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble are equipped with strength.

The well-fed hire themselves out for food, but the starving hunger no more. The barren woman gives birth to seven, but she who has many sons pines away.

The LORD brings death and gives life; He brings down to Sheol and raises up.

The LORD sends poverty and wealth; He humbles and He exalts.

He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap. He seats them among princes and bestows on them a throne of honor. For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s, and upon them He has set the world.

He guards the steps of His faithful ones, but the wicked perish in darkness; for by his own strength shall no man prevail.

Those who oppose the LORD will be shattered. He will thunder from heaven against them. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth and will give power to His king. He will exalt the horn of His anointed.”

Complementary (Track 2)

FIRST READING

Daniel 12:1-3

Verse 1. “At that time Michael, the great prince who stands watch over your people, will rise up. There will be a time of distress, the likes of which will not have occurred from the beginning of nations until that time. But at that time your people — everyone whose name is found written in the book — will be delivered. Verse 2. And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt. Verse 3. Then the wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever.

PSALM

Psalm 16

A Miktam of David. Preserve me, O God, for in You I take refuge.

I said to the LORD, “You are my Lord; apart from You I have no good thing.”

As for the saints in the land, they are the excellence in whom all my delight resides.

Sorrows will multiply to those who chase other gods. I will not pour out their libations of blood, or speak their names with my lips.

The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; You have made my lot secure.

The lines of my boundary have fallen in pleasant places; surely my inheritance is delightful.

I will bless the LORD who counsels me; even at night my conscience instructs me.

I have set the LORD always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will dwell securely.

For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay.

You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.

SECOND READING

Hebrews 10:11-14, (15-18), 19-25

Verse 11. Day after day every priest stands to minister and to offer again and again the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. Verse 12. But when this Priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God. Verse 13. Since that time, He waits for His enemies to be made a footstool for His feet, Verse 14. because by a single offering He has made perfect for all time those who are being sanctified. Verse 19. Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, Verse 20. by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body, Verse 21. and since we have a great priest over the house of God, Verse 22. let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Verse 23. Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. Verse 24. And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Verse 25. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

GOSPEL

Mark 13:1-8

Verse 1. As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, look at the magnificent stones and buildings!” Verse 2. “Do you see all these great buildings?” Jesus replied. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” Verse 3. While Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately, Verse 4. “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to be fulfilled?” Verse 5. Jesus began by telling them, “See to it that no one deceives you. Verse 6. Many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many. Verse 7. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. These things must happen, but the end is still to come. Verse 8. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, as well as famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.