FIRST
READING: Philemon
1: 7 - 20
7
For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother,
because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.
8
Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do
what is required,
9
yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you -- I, Paul, an
ambassador and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus --
10
I appeal to you for my child, Ones'imus, whose father I have become
in my imprisonment.
11
(Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you
and to me.)
12
I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart.
13
I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might
serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel;
14
but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your
goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own free will.
15
Perhaps this is why he was parted from you for a while, that you
might have him back for ever,
16
no longer as a slave but more than a slave, as a beloved brother,
especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in
the Lord.
17
So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive
me.
18
If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my
account.
19
I, Paul, write this with my own hand, I will repay it -- to say
nothing of your owing me even your own self.
20
Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my
heart in Christ.
PSALM:
Psalms 146:
7 - 10
7
who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets the prisoners free;
8
the LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are
bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous.
9
The LORD watches over the sojourners, he upholds the widow and the
fatherless; but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
10
The LORD will reign for ever, thy God, O Zion, to all generations.
Praise the LORD!
GOSPEL:
Luke 17:
20 - 25
20
Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, he
answered them, "The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to
be observed;
21
nor will they say, `Lo, here it is!' or `There!' for behold, the
kingdom of God is in the midst of you."
22
And he said to the disciples, "The days are coming when you will
desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and you will not see
it.
23
And they will say to you, `Lo, there!' or `Lo, here!' Do not go, do
not follow them.
24
For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to
the other, so will the Son of man be in his day.
25
But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this
generation.
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