Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
VI. Elisha Succeeds Elijah[a]
Chapter 2
Elijah’s Journey. 1 When the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, he and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal.[b]
2 Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, please. The Lord has sent me on to Bethel.” Elisha replied, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.
6 Elijah said to him, “Stay here, please. The Lord has sent me on to the Jordan.” Elisha replied, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two went on together. 7 Fifty of the guild prophets followed and stood facing them at a distance, while the two of them stood next to the Jordan.
Elisha Succeeds Elijah. 8 Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up and struck the water: it divided, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground.(A)
9 (B)When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Request whatever I might do for you, before I am taken from you.” Elisha answered, “May I receive a double portion of your spirit.”[a] 10 He replied, “You have asked something that is not easy. Still, if you see me taken up from you, your wish will be granted; otherwise not.” 11 As they walked on still conversing, a fiery chariot and fiery horses came between the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind,(C) 12 and Elisha saw it happen. He cried out, “My father! my father![b] Israel’s chariot and steeds!” Then he saw him no longer.
He gripped his own garment, tore it into two pieces, 13 and picked up the mantle which had fallen from Elijah. Then he went back and stood at the bank of the Jordan. 14 Wielding the mantle which had fallen from Elijah, he struck the water and said, “The Lord, the God of Elijah—where is he now?”[c] He struck the water: it divided, and he crossed over.
Psalm 77[a]
Confidence in God During National Distress
1 For the leader; According to Jeduthun. A psalm of Asaph.
I
2 I cry aloud to God,
I cry to God to hear me.
II
12 [b]I will recall the deeds of the Lord;
yes, recall your wonders of old.(B)
13 I will ponder all your works;
on your exploits I will meditate.
14 Your way, God, is holy;
what god is as great as our God?(C)
15 You are the God who does wonders;
among the peoples you have revealed your might.(D)
16 With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
the children of Jacob and Joseph.(E)
Selah
17 The waters saw you, God;
the waters saw you and lashed about,
even the deeps of the sea[c] trembled.(F)
18 The clouds poured down their rains;
the thunderheads rumbled;
your arrows flashed back and forth.(G)
19 The thunder of your chariot wheels resounded;
your lightning lit up the world;
the earth trembled and quaked.(H)
20 Through the sea was your way;
your path, through the mighty waters,
though your footsteps were unseen.(I)
13 For you were called for freedom, brothers.(A) But do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh; rather, serve[a] one another through love. 14 For the whole law(B) is fulfilled in one statement, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”[b] 15 But if you go on biting and devouring one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another.
16 (C)I say, then: live by the Spirit and you will certainly not gratify the desire of the flesh.[c] 17 For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do what you want.(D) 18 But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law.(E) 19 [d]Now the works of the flesh are obvious: immorality, impurity, licentiousness,(F) 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions,(G) 21 occasions of envy,[e] drinking bouts, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness,(H) 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.(I) 24 Now those who belong to Christ [Jesus] have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires.(J) 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit.(K)
V. The Journey to Jerusalem: Luke’s Travel Narrative[a]
Departure for Jerusalem; Samaritan Inhospitality. 51 [b]When the days for his being taken up[c] were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem,(A) 52 [d]and he sent messengers ahead of him.(B) On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, 53 but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. 54 When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?”(C) 55 Jesus turned and rebuked them, 56 and they journeyed to another village.
The Would-be Followers of Jesus.[e] 57 (D)As they were proceeding on their journey someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” 59 And to another he said, “Follow me.” But he replied, “[Lord,] let me go first and bury my father.” 60 But he answered him, “Let the dead bury their dead.[f] But you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 (E)And another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home.” 62 [To him] Jesus said, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.