Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

The Lord Speaks to Ezekiel

2 He said to me, “Human, stand up on your feet so I may speak with you.” ² While he spoke to me, the Spirit entered me and put me on my feet. Then I heard the Lord speaking to me.

³ He said, “Human, I am sending you to the people of Israel. That nation has turned against me and broken away from me. They and their ancestors have sinned against me until this very day. ⁴ I am sending you to people who are stubborn and who do not obey. You will say to them, ‘This is what the Lord God says.’ ⁵ They may listen, or they may not, since they are a people who have turned against me. But they will know that a prophet has been among them.

A Prayer for Mercy

A song for going up to worship.

² I know a man in Christ who was taken up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. I do not know whether the man was in his body or out of his body, but God knows. ^3-4 And I know that this man was taken up to paradise.^[a] I don’t know if he was in his body or away from his body, but God knows. He heard things he is not able to explain, things that no human is allowed to tell. ⁵ I will brag about a man like that, but I will not brag about myself, except about my weaknesses. ⁶ But if I wanted to brag about myself, I would not be a fool, because I would be telling the truth. But I will not brag about myself. I do not want people to think more of me than what they see me do or hear me say.

⁷ So that I would not become too proud of the wonderful things that were shown to me, a painful physical problem^[b] was given to me. This problem was a messenger from Satan, sent to beat me and keep me from being too proud. ⁸ I begged the Lord three times to take this problem away from me. ⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is enough for you. When you are weak, my power is made perfect in you.” So I am very happy to brag about my weaknesses. Then Christ’s power can live in me. ¹⁰ For this reason I am happy when I have weaknesses, insults, hard times, sufferings, and all kinds of troubles for Christ. Because when I am weak, then I am truly strong.

Jesus Goes to His Hometown

6 Jesus left there and went to his hometown, and his followers went with him. ² On the Sabbath day he taught in the synagogue. Many people heard him and were amazed, saying, “Where did this man get these teachings? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? And where did he get the power to do miracles? ³ He is just the carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And his sisters are here with us.” So the people were upset with Jesus.

⁴ Jesus said to them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his hometown and with his own people and in his own home.” ⁵ So Jesus was not able to work any miracles there except to heal a few sick people by putting his hands on them. ⁶ He was amazed at how many people had no faith.

Then Jesus went to other villages in that area and taught. ⁷ He called his twelve followers together and got ready to send them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits. ⁸ This is what Jesus commanded them: “Take nothing for your trip except a walking stick. Take no bread, no bag, and no money in your pockets. ⁹ Wear sandals, but take only the clothes you are wearing. ¹⁰ When you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. ¹¹ If the people in a certain place refuse to welcome you or listen to you, leave that place. Shake its dust off your feet^[a] as a warning to them.”^[b]

¹² So the followers went out and preached that people should change their hearts and lives. ¹³ They forced many demons out and put olive oil on many sick people and healed them.