Reign of Christ - Proper 29 (34)

Semicontinuous (Track 1)

FIRST READING

Jeremiah 23:1-6

Verse 1. “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” declares the LORD. Verse 2. Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says about the shepherds who tend My people: “You have scattered My flock and driven them away, and have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your deeds, declares the LORD. Verse 3. Then I Myself will gather the remnant of My flock from all the lands to which I have banished them, and I will return them to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and multiply. Verse 4. I will raise up shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or dismayed, nor will any go missing, declares the LORD. Verse 5. Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign wisely as King and will administer justice and righteousness in the land. Verse 6. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is His name by which He will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.

PSALM

Luke 1:68-79

“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and redeemed His people.

He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David,

as He spoke through His holy prophets, those of ages past,

salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us,

to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant,

the oath He swore to our father Abraham, to grant us

deliverance from hostile hands, that we may serve Him without fear,

in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our lives.

And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him,

to give to His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,

because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the Dawn will visit us from on high,

to shine on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

Complementary (Track 2)

FIRST READING

Jeremiah 23:1-6

PSALM

Psalm 46

For the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth is transformed and the mountains are toppled into the depths of the seas,

though their waters roar and foam and the mountains quake in the surge.

There is a river whose streams delight the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.

God is within her; she will not be moved. God will help her when morning dawns.

Nations rage, kingdoms crumble; the earth melts when He lifts His voice.

The LORD of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Come, see the works of the LORD, who brings devastation upon the earth.

He makes wars to cease throughout the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the shields in the fire.

“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted over the earth.”

The LORD of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

SECOND READING

Colossians 1:11-20

Verse 11. being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have full endurance and patience, and joyfully Verse 12. giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. Verse 13. He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son, Verse 14. in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Verse 15. The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. Verse 16. For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. Verse 17. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. Verse 18. And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have preeminence. Verse 19. For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, Verse 20. and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross.

GOSPEL

Luke 23:33-43

Verse 33. When they came to the place called The Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals, one on His right and the other on His left. Verse 34. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots. Verse 35. The people stood watching, and the rulers sneered at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.” Verse 36. The soldiers also mocked Him and came up to offer Him sour wine. Verse 37. “If You are the King of the Jews,” they said, “save Yourself!” Verse 38. Above Him was posted an inscription: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Verse 39. One of the criminals who hung there heaped abuse on Him. “Are You not the Christ?” he said. “Save Yourself and us!” Verse 40. But the other one rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same judgment? Verse 41. We are punished justly, for we are receiving what our actions deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Verse 42. Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” Verse 43. And Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”