[Propertalk] READINGS for the FIFTEENTH SUNDAY after PENTECOST

[Charles Wohlers]

The following are the readings for the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost 
(Proper 20), Sept. 21, according to the Revised Common (RCL), Episcopal 
(ECUSA), Roman Catholic, Canadian BAS, and the Church of England (Common 
Worship) lectionaries. All readings are taken from the New Revised Standard 
Version (NRSV) of the Bible. Unless noted otherwise, the ECUSA, Canadian and 
C of E lectionaries are identical to the RCL for this day. Throughout 
Pentecost the alternate RCL Psalm would normally be used with the alternate 
RCL O. T. reading. Note also that the Canadian RCL does not have the 
alternative readings.


OLD TESTAMENT:  Exodus 16: 2 - 15  (RCL)

Exod 16:2 (NRSV) The whole congregation of the Israelites complained against
Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. 3 The Israelites said to them, "If only
we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the
fleshpots and ate our fill of bread; for you have brought us out into this
wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger."
4 Then the LORD said to Moses, "I am going to rain bread from heaven for
you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In
that way I will test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not. 5
On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as
much as they gather on other days." 6 So Moses and Aaron said to all the
Israelites, "In the evening you shall know that it was the LORD who brought
you out of the land of Egypt, 7 and in the morning you shall see the glory
of the LORD, because he has heard your complaining against the LORD. For
what are we, that you complain against us?" 8 And Moses said, "When the LORD
gives you meat to eat in the evening and your fill of bread in the morning,
because the LORD has heard the complaining that you utter against him--what
are we? Your complaining is not against us but against the LORD."
9 Then Moses said to Aaron, "Say to the whole congregation of the
Israelites, "Draw near to the LORD, for he has heard your complaining.'" 10
And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked
toward the wilderness, and the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud. 11
The LORD spoke to Moses and said, 12 "I have heard the complaining of the
Israelites; say to them, "At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning
you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the LORD
your God.'"
13 In the evening quails came up and covered the camp; and in the morning
there was a layer of dew around the camp. 14 When the layer of dew lifted,
there on the surface of the wilderness was a fine flaky substance, as fine
as frost on the ground. 15 When the Israelites saw it, they said to one
another, "What is it?" For they did not know what it was. Moses said to
them, "It is the bread that the LORD has given you to eat.


Jonah 3: 10 - 4: 11  (alt. for RCL)

Jona 3:10 (NRSV) When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil
ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would
bring upon them; and he did not do it. 4:1 But this was very displeasing to
Jonah, and he became angry. 2 He prayed to the LORD and said, "O LORD! Is
not this what I said while I was still in my own country? That is why I fled
to Tar'shish at the beginning; for I knew that you are a gracious God and
merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and ready to
relent from punishing. 3 And now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for
it is better for me to die than to live." 4 And the LORD said, "Is it right
for you to be angry?" 5 Then Jonah went out of the city and sat down east of
the city, and made a booth for himself there. He sat under it in the shade,
waiting to see what would become of the city.
6 The LORD God appointed a bush, and made it come up over Jonah, to give
shade over his head, to save him from his discomfort; so Jonah was very
happy about the bush. 7 But when dawn came up the next day, God appointed a
worm that attacked the bush, so that it withered. 8 When the sun rose, God
prepared a sultry east wind, and the sun beat down on the head of Jonah so
that he was faint and asked that he might die. He said, "It is better for me
to die than to live."
9 But God said to Jonah, "Is it right for you to be angry about the bush?"
And he said, "Yes, angry enough to die." 10 Then the LORD said, "You are
concerned about the bush, for which you did not labor and which you did not
grow; it came into being in a night and perished in a night. 11 And should I
not be concerned about Nin'eveh, that great city, in which there are more
than a hundred and twenty thousand persons who do not know their right hand
from their left, and also many animals?"


Isaiah 55: 6 - 9  (Roman Catholic)

Isai 55:6 (NRSV) Seek the LORD while he may be found,
call upon him while he is near;
7 let the wicked forsake their way,
and the unrighteous their thoughts;
let them return to the LORD, that he may have mercy on them,
and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.


PSALM  105: 1 - 6, 37 - 45  (RCL)

Psal 105:1 (NRSV) O give thanks to the LORD, call on his name,
make known his deeds among the peoples.
2 Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wonderful works.
3 Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
4 Seek the LORD and his strength;
seek his presence continually.
5 Remember the wonderful works he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments he uttered,
6 O offspring of his servant Abraham,
children of Jacob, his chosen ones.

37 Then he brought Israel out with silver and gold,
and there was no one among their tribes who stumbled.
38 Egypt was glad when they departed,
for dread of them had fallen upon it.
39 He spread a cloud for a covering,
and fire to give light by night.
40 They asked, and he brought quails,
and gave them food from heaven in abundance.
41 He opened the rock, and water gushed out;
it flowed through the desert like a river.
42 For he remembered his holy promise,
and Abraham, his servant.
43 So he brought his people out with joy,
his chosen ones with singing.
44 He gave them the lands of the nations,
and they took possession of the wealth of the peoples,
45 that they might keep his statutes
and observe his laws.
Praise the LORD!


Psalm 145: 1 - 8   (alt. for RCL)
Psalm 145: 2 - 3, 8 - 9, 17 - 18   (Roman Catholic)

Psal 145:1 (NRSV) I will extol you, my God and King,
and bless your name forever and ever.
2 Every day I will bless you,
and praise your name forever and ever.
3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;
his greatness is unsearchable.
4 One generation shall laud your works to another,
and shall declare your mighty acts.
5 On the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
6 The might of your awesome deeds shall be proclaimed,
and I will declare your greatness.
7 They shall celebrate the fame of your abundant goodness,
and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
8 The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 The LORD is good to all,
and his compassion is over all that he has made.
10 All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD,
and all your faithful shall bless you.
11 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom,
and tell of your power,
12 to make known to all people your mighty deeds,
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures throughout all generations.
The LORD is faithful in all his words,
and gracious in all his deeds.
14 The LORD upholds all who are falling,
and raises up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food in due season.
16 You open your hand,
satisfying the desire of every living thing.
17 The LORD is just in all his ways,
and kind in all his doings.
18 The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desire of all who fear him;
he also hears their cry, and saves them.
20 The LORD watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.
21 My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD,
and all flesh will bless his holy name forever and ever.


NEW TESTAMENT: Philippians 1: 21 - 30   (RCL)
                               Philippians 1: 20b - 24, 27a   (Roman
Catholic)

Phil 1:20 (NRSV) Christ will be exalted now as always in my body, whether by
life or by death. 21 For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. 22 If I
am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me; and I do not know
which I prefer. 23 I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart
and be with Christ, for that is far better; 24 but to remain in the flesh is
more necessary for you. 25 Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will
remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in faith, 26
so that I may share abundantly in your boasting in Christ Jesus when I come
to you again.
27 Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that,
whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that
you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for
the faith of the gospel, 28 and are in no way intimidated by your opponents.
For them this is evidence of their destruction, but of your salvation. And
this is God's doing. 29 For he has graciously granted you the privilege not
only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well-- 30 since you
are having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I still
have.



GOSPEL: Matthew 20: 1 - 16   (all)

Matt 20:1 (NRSV) "For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out
early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing
with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard.
3 When he went out about nine o'clock, he saw others standing idle in the
marketplace; 4 and he said to them, "You also go into the vineyard, and I
will pay you whatever is right.' So they went. 5 When he went out again
about noon and about three o'clock, he did the same. 6 And about five
o'clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them,
"Why are you standing here idle all day?' 7 They said to him, "Because no
one has hired us.' He said to them, "You also go into the vineyard.' 8 When
evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, "Call the
laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to
the first.' 9 When those hired about five o'clock came, each of them
received the usual daily wage. 10 Now when the first came, they thought they
would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. 11
And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, 12 saying,
"These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who
have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.' 13 But he replied
to one of them, "Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me
for the usual daily wage? 14 Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to
give to this last the same as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what
I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?'
16 So the last will be first, and the first will be last."

Note: The Roman Catholic lectionary omits the last part of v. 16.


Chad Wohlers
Woodbury, VT USA
chadwohl at satucket.com