Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
A psalm of David.
23 The Lord is my shepherd. He gives me everything I need.
2 He lets me lie down in fields of green grass.
He leads me beside quiet waters.
3 He gives me new strength.
He guides me in the right paths
for the honor of his name.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid.
You are with me.
Your shepherd’s rod and staff
comfort me.
5 You prepare a feast for me
right in front of my enemies.
You pour oil on my head.
My cup runs over.
6 I am sure that your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life.
And I will live in the house of the Lord
forever.
Jeremiah Complains to the Lord
12 Lord, when I bring a matter to you,
you always do what is right.
But now I would like to speak with you
about whether you are being fair.
Why are sinful people successful?
Why do those who can’t be trusted have an easy life?
2 You have planted them.
Their roots are deep in the ground.
They grow and produce fruit.
They honor you by what they say.
But their hearts are far away from you.
3 Lord, you know me and see me.
You test my thoughts about you.
Drag those people off like sheep to be killed!
Set them apart for the day of their death!
4 How long will the land be thirsty for water?
How long will the grass in every field be dry?
The people who live in the land are evil.
So the animals and birds have died.
And that’s not all. The people are saying,
“The Lord won’t see what happens to us.”
The Lord Answers Jeremiah
5 The Lord says, “Suppose you have raced against people.
And suppose they have worn you out.
Then how would you be able to race against horses?
Suppose you feel safe only in open country.
Then how would you get along in the bushes near the Jordan River?
6 Even your relatives have turned against you.
They are members of your own family.
They have shouted loudly at you.
They might say nice things about you.
But do not trust them.
7 “I will turn my back on my people.
I will desert my land.
I love the people of Judah.
In spite of that, I will hand them over to their enemies.
8 My land has become to me
like a lion in the forest.
It roars at me.
So I hate it.
9 My own land has become like a spotted hawk.
And other hawks surround it and attack it.
Come, all you wild animals!
Gather together!
Come together to eat up my land.
10 Many shepherds will destroy my vineyard.
They will walk all over it.
They will turn my pleasant vineyard
into a dry and empty land.
11 My vineyard will become a desert.
It will be dry and empty in my sight.
The whole land will be completely destroyed.
And no one even cares.
12 Many will come to destroy it.
They will gather on the bare hilltops in the desert.
I will use them as my sword to destroy my people.
They will kill them from one end of the land to the other.
No one will be safe.
13 People will plant wheat. But all they will gather is thorns.
They will wear themselves out. But they will not have anything to show for it.
I am very angry with them.
So they will be ashamed of the crop they gather.”
A Blind Beggar Receives His Sight
35 Jesus was approaching Jericho. A blind man was sitting by the side of the road begging. 36 The blind man heard the crowd going by. He asked what was happening. 37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”
38 So the blind man called out, “Jesus! Son of David! Have mercy on me!”
39 Those who led the way commanded him to stop. They told him to be quiet. But he shouted even louder, “Son of David! Have mercy on me!”
40 Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When the man came near, Jesus spoke to him. 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked.
“Lord, I want to be able to see,” the blind man replied.
42 Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight. Your faith has healed you.” 43 Right away he could see. He followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.
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