The Sunday Lectionary and Prayers for Sunday, July 9, 2023—Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

The Sunday Lectionary Readings

Sunday, July 9, 2023 — 6th Sunday After Pentecost

[Ordinary 14, Proper 9]

(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

Come to Me!

Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67; Psalm 45:10-17; Romans 7:15-25a; Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

Opening Statement

Emerging from each of these vivid texts is the power of discovery. The faithful servant stumbles across Providence's plan as he helps Isaac and Rebekah discover one another (Genesis 24). Yahweh's works exist to "make known to all people" the splendor of God's kingdom (Psalm 145:12). The Apostle discovers that regardless of intention, evil is never far away (Romans 7:21). Finally, Our Lord Jesus invites us to discover a secret—what has been hidden from the wise intelligentsia is given to those who would come to him (Matthew 11:25b, 28).

Opening Prayer

(adapted from Genesis 24, Romans 7)

Like an oasis in the desert, worship satisfies our sin-besieged souls. Today, help us find the good in this life by delighting in your presence, and help us find the hope you have placed in our innermost selves. Amen.

Prayer of Confession

Merciful and loving God, we are so grateful for your redeeming love for each one of us. We confess that there have been times of doubt in our spirits. We confess that when the times of difficulties are upon us, we don’t always believe that you will take our burdens. We feel we have to always be in control, trying to demand the desired outcome. Help us to place our trust in you. Remind us that you surround us continually with your care, you never just let us go to drift aimlessly about. Open our hearts and spirits again to your healing powers. For we pray these things in the name of Jesus, the one who will take our burdens and give us peace. Amen.

Words of Assurance

Hear the good news, dear friends! Jesus releases us from our burdens. Place your whole trust in his love. Amen.

Today’s Verse-of-the-Day:

Ephesians 3:20-21

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Do you understand how momentous this first line is? Jesus can do abundantly more than all you ask or think! His presence in your life means that you are blessed beyond human capacity to comprehend. One day, all will be made clear. One day, because of Jesus, you will be in heaven with Him. And this is truly beyond our comprehension! What we do know is that this is all possible because Jesus died and rose for us. He truly deserves to be glorified.

First Reading

Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67

Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah

So he said, “I am Abraham’s servant. The Lord has blessed my master abundantly, and he has become wealthy. He has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, male and female servants, and camels and donkeys. My master’s wife Sarah has borne him a son in her old age, and he has given him everything he owns. And my master made me swear an oath, and said, ‘You must not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live, but go to my father’s family and to my own clan, and get a wife for my son.’

“When I came to the spring today, I said, ‘Lord, God of my master Abraham, if you will, please grant success to the journey on which I have come. See, I am standing beside this spring. If a young woman comes out to draw water and I say to her, “Please let me drink a little water from your jar,” and if she says to me, “Drink, and I’ll draw water for your camels too,” let her be the one the Lord has chosen for my master’s son.’

“Before I finished praying in my heart, Rebekah came out, with her jar on her shoulder. She went down to the spring and drew water, and I said to her, ‘Please give me a drink.’

“She quickly lowered her jar from her shoulder and said, ‘Drink, and I’ll water your camels too.’ So I drank, and she watered the camels also.

“I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’

“She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel son of Nahor, whom Milkah bore to him.’

“Then I put the ring in her nose and the bracelets on her arms, and I bowed down and worshiped the Lord. I praised the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me on the right road to get the granddaughter of my master’s brother for his son. Now if you will show kindness and faithfulness to my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, so I may know which way to turn.”

So they called Rebekah and asked her, “Will you go with this man?”

“I will go,” she said.

So they sent their sister Rebekah on her way, along with her nurse and Abraham’s servant and his men. And they blessed Rebekah and said to her,

“Our sister, may you increase
    to thousands upon thousands;
may your offspring possess
    the cities of their enemies.”

Then Rebekah and her attendants got ready and mounted the camels and went back with the man. So the servant took Rebekah and left.

Now Isaac had come from Beer Lahai Roi, for he was living in the Negev. He went out to the field one evening to meditate, and as he looked up, he saw camels approaching. Rebekah also looked up and saw Isaac. She got down from her camel and asked the servant, “Who is that man in the field coming to meet us?”

“He is my master,” the servant answered. So she took her veil and covered herself.

Then the servant told Isaac all he had done. Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah, and he married Rebekah. So she became his wife, and he loved her; and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

 

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 45:10-17
God has anointed you
Eructavit cor meum

“Hear, O daughter; consider and listen closely; *
  forget your people and your father’s house.

The king will have pleasure in your beauty; *
  he is your master; therefore do him honor.

The people of Tyre are here with a gift; *
  the rich among the people seek your favor.”

All glorious is the princess as she enters; *
  her gown is cloth-of-gold.

In embroidered apparel she is brought to the king; *
  after her the bridesmaids follow in procession.

With joy and gladness they are brought, *
  and enter into the palace of the king.

“In place of fathers, O king, you shall have sons; *
  you shall make them princes over all the earth.

I will make your name to be remembered
    from one generation to another; *
  therefore nations will praise you for ever and ever.”

Heavenly Father, our hearts overflow with love for You. Our love for You is a holy love; the love that You first poured into our hearts. We only return to You what You have first given to us: love, friendship, grace upon grace. We pledge our lives to Your service. We pray that by the power of Your indwelling Spirit we will remain loyal to You always. Help us share the good news of Jesus’ coming and His saving sacrifice with those who do not know Him. Help us demonstrate His resurrection life by the way we witness for Him in all our words and ways. We thank You for Your presence with us as we pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Second Reading

Romans 7:15-25a

The struggle within the self

 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

The Gospel

Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

The yoke of discipleship

 “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:

“‘We played the pipe for you,
    and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge,
    and you did not mourn.’

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”

At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

“All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Here end the Readings

Click HERE to read today’s Holy Gospel Lesson message

The Apostles’ Creed

• I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

• I believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord, who was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to hell. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.

• I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Holy Communion

A nondenominational serving of bread and wine

Many churches around the world are working hard to adapt to online worship, and one challenge is how our members can celebrate communion from home. Though no video can truly replace the experience of celebrating together in our places of worship, we know that where two or more are gathered, the Lord is present.

Benediction

Weary travelers, go now in peace with the love of Christ in your hearts. You are released from your burdens! Go with joy to serve God. Amen.

Rest in Me

 

Optional parts of the readings are set off in [square brackets].

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Responsive Readings from the Common Book of Prayer (1789).

The Daily Lectionary is a three year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year A. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2023, we will be in Year B. The year which ended at Advent 2022 was Year A. These readings complement the Sunday and festival readings: Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead; Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and digest on what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org
The Sunday Lectionary and Prayers for Sunday, July 9, 2023
Sixthth Sunday after Pentecost
Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67; Psalm 45:10-17;
Romans 7:15-25a; Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
Emerging from each of these vivid texts is the power of discovery. The faithful servant stumbles across Providence's plan as he helps Isaac and Rebekah discover one another (Genesis 24). Yahweh's works exist to "make known to all people" the splendor of God's kingdom (Psalm 145:12). The Apostle discovers that regardless of intention, evil is never far away (Romans 7:21). Finally, Our Lord Jesus invites us to discover a secret—what has been hidden from the wise intelligentsia is given to those who would come to him (Matthew 11:25b, 28).