Proper 8 (13) — Open Word

Semicontinuous (Track 1)

FIRST READING

2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14

Verse 1. Shortly before the LORD took Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal, Verse 2. and Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to Bethel.” But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. Verse 6. And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to the Jordan.” But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on. Verse 7. Then a company of fifty of the sons of the prophets went and stood at a distance, facing Elijah and Elisha as the two of them stood by the Jordan. Verse 8. And Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up, and struck the waters, which parted to the right and to the left, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground. Verse 9. After they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken away from you?” “Please, let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied. Verse 10. “You have requested a difficult thing,” said Elijah. “Nevertheless, if you see me as I am taken from you, it will be yours. But if not, then it will not be so.” Verse 11. As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire with horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up into heaven in a whirlwind. Verse 12. As Elisha watched, he cried out, “My father, my father, the chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And he saw Elijah no more. So taking hold of his own clothes, he tore them in two. Verse 13. Elisha also picked up the cloak that had fallen from Elijah, and he went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. Verse 14. Then he took the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and struck the waters. “Where now is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” he asked. And when he had struck the waters, they parted to the right and to the left, and Elisha crossed over.

PSALM

Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20

For the choirmaster. According to Jeduthun. A Psalm of Asaph. I cried out to God; I cried aloud to God to hear me.

In the day of trouble I sought the Lord; through the night my outstretched hands did not grow weary; my soul refused to be comforted.

I will remember the works of the LORD; yes, I will remember Your wonders of old.

I will reflect on all You have done and ponder Your mighty deeds.

Your way, O God, is holy. What god is so great as our God?

You are the God who works wonders; You display Your strength among the peoples.

With power You redeemed Your people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph.

The waters saw You, O God; the waters saw You and swirled; even the depths were shaken.

The clouds poured down water; the skies resounded with thunder; Your arrows flashed back and forth.

Your thunder resounded in the whirlwind; the lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked.

Your path led through the sea, Your way through the mighty waters, but Your footprints were not to be found.

You led Your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Complementary (Track 2)

FIRST READING

1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21

Verse 15. Then the LORD said to him, “Go back by the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you arrive, you are to anoint Hazael as king over Aram. Verse 16. You are also to anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel and Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel-meholah to succeed you as prophet. Verse 19. So Elijah departed and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve teams of oxen, and he was with the twelfth team. Elijah passed by him and threw his cloak around him. Verse 20. So Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, and then I will follow you.” “Go on back,” Elijah replied, “for what have I done to you?” Verse 21. So Elisha turned back from him, took his pair of oxen, and slaughtered them. Using the oxen’s equipment for fuel, he cooked the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow and serve Elijah.

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

Galatians 5:1, 13-25

Verse 1. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery. Verse 13. For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love. Verse 14. The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Verse 15. But if you keep on biting and devouring one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another. Verse 16. So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Verse 17. For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want. Verse 18. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Verse 19. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; Verse 20. idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, Verse 21. and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Verse 22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, Verse 23. gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Verse 24. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Verse 25. Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit.

GOSPEL

Luke 9:51-62

Verse 51. As the day of His ascension approached, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. Verse 52. He sent messengers on ahead, who went into a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him. Verse 53. But the people there refused to welcome Him, because He was heading for Jerusalem. Verse 54. When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do You want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” Verse 55. But Jesus turned and rebuked them. Verse 56. And He and His disciples went on to another village. Verse 57. As they were walking along the road, someone said to Jesus, “I will follow You wherever You go.” Verse 58. Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.” Verse 59. Then He said to another man, “Follow Me.” The man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” Verse 60. But Jesus told him, “Let the dead bury their own dead. You, however, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Verse 61. Still another said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first let me bid farewell to my family.” Verse 62. Then Jesus declared, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and then looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”