Daily Readings for July 3-9, 2011

NEXT WEEKS LESSONS: The Third Sunday After Trinity

“This man receives sinners and eats with them” (Luke 15:1–10). This statement of judgment against Jesus by the Pharisees is in fact a proclamation of Gospel truth. For our God is one who delights in mercy, who casts all our sins into the depths of the sea through the cross (Micah 7:18–20). “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Tim 1:12–17). Those who refuse to be counted as sinners also refuse Jesus who came only for sinners. Those like the older son (Luke 15:11–32) who think they are righteous of themselves will not join in the heavenly celebration over the sinner who repents and so remain outside of the Father’s house. Let us therefore be on guard against self–righteously trusting in our own merits. “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:6–11). Rejoice that Jesus receives sinners like us and that He still sits at table with us in the Holy Supper, bestowing His forgiveness and life.

Collect: O God, the Protector of all that trust in You, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy, increase and multiply upon us Your mercy that, You being our Ruler and Guide, we may so pass through things temporal that we finally lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord . Amen.

Old Testament: Micah 7:18–20
Epistle: 1 Timothy 1:12–17
Holy Gospel: Luke 15:1–10

Daily Lectionary For July 3–July 9

July 3 The Parable of the Great Feast—Luke 14:15-24
Proverbs 17:1-28, John 16:17-33

July 4 The Seventy Return with Joy—Luke 10:17-24
Proverbs 20:5-25, John 17:1-26

July 5 The Parable of the Good Samaritan—Luke 10:25-37
Proverbs 22:1-21, John 18:1-14

July 6 Mary and Martha—Luke 10:38-42
Proverbs 22:22–23:12, John 18:15-40

July 7 Lord’s Prayer & the Friend at Midnight—Luke 11:1-13
Proverbs 24:1-22, John 19:1-22

July 8 A House Divided Cannot Stand—Luke 11:14-36
Proverbs 25:1-22, John 19:23-42

July 9 Looking Forward to the 3rd Sunday After Trinity
Micah 7:18–20, 1 Timothy 1:12–17, Luke 15:1–10