Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

A psalm for giving grateful praise.

²⁵ “I will make a covenant with them. It promises to give them peace. I will get rid of the wild animals in the land. Then my sheep can live safely in the desert. They can sleep in the forests. ²⁶ I will make them and the places surrounding my holy mountain of Zion a blessing. I will send down rain at the right time. There will be showers of blessing. ²⁷ The trees will bear their fruit. And the ground will produce its crops. The people will be secure in their land. I will break the chains that hold them. I will save them from the power of those who made them slaves. Then they will know that I am the Lord. ²⁸ The nations will not carry them off anymore. Wild animals will no longer eat them up. They will live in safety. And no one will make them afraid. ²⁹ I will give them a land that is famous for its crops. They will never again be hungry there. The nations will not make fun of them anymore. ³⁰ Then they will know that I am with them. I am the Lord their God. And the Israelites will know that they are my people,” announces the Lord and King. ³¹ “You are my sheep. You belong to my flock. And I am your God,” announces the Lord and King.

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers

⁴⁶ While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside. They wanted to speak to him. ⁴⁷ Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside. They want to speak to you.”

⁴⁸ Jesus replied to him, “Who is my mother? And who are my brothers?” ⁴⁹ Jesus pointed to his disciples. He said, “Here is my mother! Here are my brothers! ⁵⁰ Anyone who does what my Father in heaven wants is my brother or sister or mother.”