Ninth Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C
Only in years when Easter falls late Revised Common Lectionary, Year C, the year of Luke
Not appointed in the next three years: the calendar only reaches this Sunday when Easter falls early or late.
The Gospel: Luke 7:1–10
In Capernaum, a centurion sends word asking Jesus to heal his dying servant with only a word; Jesus marvels at his faith, and the servant is healed.
Luke 7:1-10
Most churches stand for the Gospel, and sing or say a short response before and after it.
The passage
1 After he had finished speaking in the hearing of the people, he entered into Capernaum. 2 A certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and at the point of death. 3 When he heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and save his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus, they begged him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy for you to do this for him, 5 for he loves our nation, and he built our synagogue for us.” 6 Jesus went with them. When he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying to him, “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I am not worthy for you to come under my roof. 7 Therefore I didn’t even think myself worthy to come to you; but say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I also am a man placed under authority, having under myself soldiers. I tell this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9 When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turned and said to the multitude who followed him, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith, no, not in Israel.” 10 Those who were sent, returning to the house, found that the servant who had been sick was well.
World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →
The Faith of the Centurion, scene by scene on Free Scripture
The other readings
In the order they are read on Sunday, before the Gospel.
1 Kings 8:22-23, 41-43
At the altar, Solomon praises the LORD as God like no other and asks God to hear the prayers of foreigners who come to the temple.
Read it here
22 Solomon stood before the LORD’s altar in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven; 23 and he said, “The LORD, the God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven above, or on earth beneath; who keeps covenant and loving kindness with your servants, who walk before you with all their heart;
41 “Moreover concerning the foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, when he comes out of a far country for your name’s sake 42 (for they shall hear of your great name, and of your mighty hand, and of your outstretched arm); when he comes and prays toward this house; 43 hear in heaven, your dwelling place, and do according to all that the foreigner calls to you for; that all the peoples of the earth may know your name, to fear you, as do your people Israel, and that they may know that this house which I have built is called by your name.
World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →
Psalm 96:1-9
A call for all the earth to sing a new song to the LORD, proclaim his glory, and worship him.
Read it here
1 Sing to the LORD a new song! Sing to the LORD, all the earth. 2 Sing to the LORD! Bless his name! Proclaim his salvation from day to day! 3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples. 4 For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised! He is to be feared above all gods. 5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. 6 Honor and majesty are before him. Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. 7 Ascribe to the LORD, you families of nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 8 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to his name. Bring an offering, and come into his courts. 9 Worship the LORD in holy array. Tremble before him, all the earth.
World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →
Galatians 1:1-12
Paul writes to the churches in Galatia, astonished they are turning so quickly to a different message, and insists the Good News he preached came from Jesus Christ.
Read it here
1 Paul, an apostle—not from men, nor through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— 2 and all the brothers who are with me, to the assemblies of Galatia: 3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father— 5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 6 I marvel that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ to a different “good news”, 7 but there isn’t another “good news.” Only there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the Good News of Christ. 8 But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you any “good news” other than that which we preached to you, let him be cursed. 9 As we have said before, so I now say again: if any man preaches to you any “good news” other than that which you received, let him be cursed. 10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? For if I were still pleasing men, I wouldn’t be a servant of Christ. 11 But I make known to you, brothers, concerning the Good News which was preached by me, that it is not according to man. 12 For I didn’t receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ.
World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →
A question to carry into the week
What is one thing Jesus says or does in this Gospel that you want to remember this week?
For your newsletter or sermon notes
This reading is told as a story on our sister site, Free Scripture, one scene at a time in plain words. The lines below are ready to paste. The next eight Sundays, and every story.
Ninth Sunday after the Epiphany · Revised Common Lectionary, Year C . Scripture text: World English Bible, public domain.
Revised Common Lectionary copyright © 1992 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org Used by permission.