Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

(A psalm of praise.)

The Lord Is God

A Bright Future for the Lord's Sheep

The Lord God said:

²⁵ The people of Israel are my sheep, and I solemnly promise that they will live in peace. I will chase away every wild animal from the desert and the forest, so my sheep will not be afraid. ²⁶ They will live around my holy mountain,^[a] and I will bless them by sending more than enough rain ²⁷ to make their trees produce fruit and their crops to grow. I will set them free from slavery and let them live safely in their own land. Then they will know that I am the Lord. ²⁸ Foreign nations will never again rob them, and wild animals will no longer kill and eat them. They will have nothing to fear. ²⁹ I will make their fields produce large amounts of crops, so they will never again go hungry or be laughed at by foreigners. ³⁰ Then everyone will know that I protect my people Israel. I, the Lord, make this promise. ³¹ They are my sheep; I am their God, and I take care of them.

Jesus' Mother and Brothers

(Mark 3.31-35; Luke 8.19-21)

⁴⁶ While Jesus was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and brothers came and stood outside because they wanted to talk with him. ⁴⁷ Someone told Jesus, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside and want to talk with you.”^[a]

⁴⁸ Jesus answered, “Who is my mother and who are my brothers?” ⁴⁹ Then he pointed to his disciples and said, “These are my mother and my brothers! ⁵⁰ Anyone who obeys my Father in heaven is my brother or sister or mother.”