Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
The Lord—Our Shepherd
23 The Lord is my Shepherd. I will have everything I need. 2 He lets me rest in fields of green grass. He leads me beside the quiet waters. 3 He makes me strong again. He leads me in the way of living right with Himself which brings honor to His name. 4 Yes, even if I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not be afraid of anything, because You are with me. You have a walking stick with which to guide and one with which to help. These comfort me. 5 You are making a table of food ready for me in front of those who hate me. You have poured oil on my head. I have everything I need. 6 For sure, You will give me goodness and loving-kindness all the days of my life. Then I will live with You in Your house forever.
Jeremiah’s Question
12 You are right and good, O Lord, when I complain to You about my trouble. Yet I would like to talk with You about what is fair. Why does the way of the sinful go well? Why do all those who cannot be trusted have it so easy? 2 You have planted them, and they have taken root. They grow and have given fruit. You are near on their lips but far from their heart. 3 But You know me, O Lord. You see me. And You test how my heart is with You. Take them off like sheep to be killed. Set them apart for the day of killing. 4 How long will the land be filled with sorrow? How long will the grass of every field dry up? For the sin of those who live in it, animals and birds have been taken away, because men have said, “He will not see what happens to us.”
God’s Answer
5 “If you have run with men on foot and they have made you tired, then how can you run as fast as horses? If you fall down in a land of peace, how will you do among all the trees beside the Jordan? 6 For even your brothers and those of your father’s house have not been faithful to you. They have cried to you in a loud voice. Do not believe them, even if they say pleasing things to you.”
The Lord’s Sorrow for Israel
7 “I have left My house. I have left My chosen nation. I have given the loved one of My soul into the hand of those who hate her. 8 My chosen nation has become to Me like a lion among the trees. She has raised her voice against Me, so I hate her. 9 Is My chosen nation like a spot-covered, flesh-eating bird to Me? Are the flesh-eating birds against her on every side? Go, gather all the wild animals of the field, and bring them to eat. 10 Many shepherds have destroyed My grape-field. They have crushed My field under foot. They have turned My good field to an empty desert. 11 It has been laid waste. Destroyed and empty, it cries with sorrow before Me. The whole land has been laid waste, because no one cares. 12 On all the open hill-tops in the desert, destroyers have come. For the sword of the Lord destroys from one end of the land to the other. There is no peace for anyone. 13 They have planted grain and have gathered thorns. They have worked hard, but have nothing. Be ashamed of what you gather because of the burning anger of the Lord.”
Healing of the Blind Man (A)
35 Jesus was coming near Jericho. A blind man was sitting by the side of the road, begging. 36 He heard many people going by and asked what was happening. 37 They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was going by. 38 Then he cried out and said, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.” 39 The people spoke sharp words to him and told him not to call out. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.”
40 Jesus stopped and told the people to bring the blind man to Him. When the man was near, Jesus asked, 41 “What do you want Me to do for you?” He answered, “Lord, I want to see.” 42 Jesus said to him, “Then see! Your faith has healed you.” 43 At once he could see. He followed Jesus and gave thanks to God. All the people gave thanks to God when they saw it.
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