Lectionary 30, Year C
Proper 25 The Sunday between October 23 and October 29 Revised Common Lectionary, Year C, the year of Luke Green
Next read on . Most ELCA congregations keep Reformation Sunday that day instead.
The Gospel: Luke 18:9–14
Jesus tells a parable of a Pharisee who boasts in his prayer and a tax collector who asks for mercy, and says the tax collector goes home justified.
Luke 18:9-14
Most churches stand for the Gospel, and sing or say a short response before and after it.
The passage
9 He spoke also this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others. 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of men, extortionists, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn’t even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →
This parable, The Pharisee and the Tax Collector, explained on Free Scripture
The other readings
In the order they are read on Sunday, before the Gospel.
Sirach 35:12-17 or Jeremiah 14:7-10, 19-22
Through Jeremiah, the people confess their sins and beg the LORD not to abandon them, while the LORD declares he will punish their wandering.
Read it here
The text appointed for this first reading isn’t in our library in this translation. Shown here is the Revised Common Lectionary’s own alternate: Jeremiah.
7 Though our iniquities testify against us, work for your name’s sake, the LORD; for our rebellions are many. We have sinned against you. 8 You hope of Israel, its Savior in the time of trouble, why should you be as a foreigner in the land, and as a wayfaring man who turns aside to stay for a night? 9 Why should you be like a scared man, as a mighty man who can’t save? Yet you, O LORD, are in the middle of us, and we are called by your name. Don’t leave us. 10 The LORD says to this people, “Even so they have loved to wander. They have not restrained their feet. Therefore the LORD does not accept them. Now he will remember their iniquity, and punish them for their sins.”
19 Have you utterly rejected Judah? Has your soul loathed Zion? Why have you struck us, and there is no healing for us? We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of healing, and behold, dismay! 20 We acknowledge, O LORD, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers; for we have sinned against you. 21 Do not abhor us, for your name’s sake. Do not disgrace the throne of your glory. Remember, and don’t break your covenant with us. 22 Are there any among the vanities of the nations that can cause rain? Or can the sky give showers? Aren’t you he, the LORD our God? Therefore we will wait for you; for you have made all these things.
World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →
Psalm 84:1-7
A song of longing for God’s house, where even the sparrow finds a home, and blessing for those who journey there.
Read it here
1 How lovely are your dwellings, the LORD of Armies! 2 My soul longs, and even faints for the courts of the LORD. My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. 3 Yes, the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young, near your altars, the LORD of Armies, my King, and my God. 4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house. They are always praising you. 5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on a pilgrimage. 6 Passing through the valley of Weeping, they make it a place of springs. Yes, the autumn rain covers it with blessings. 7 They go from strength to strength. Every one of them appears before God in Zion.
World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →
2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18
Near the end of his life, Paul says he has fought the good fight and kept the faith, and the Lord stood by him when all left.
Read it here
6 For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith. 8 From now on, the crown of righteousness is stored up for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.
16 At my first defense, no one came to help me, but all left me. May it not be held against them. 17 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear. So I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me for his heavenly Kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →
Some congregations follow the RCL’s other track this Sunday, which reads an Old Testament book straight through over several weeks: Joel 2:23–32 and Psalm 65 in place of the first reading and psalm above.
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.
Lectionary 30 (Proper 25) · Revised Common Lectionary, Year C · the same Sunday at the Vanderbilt Divinity Library. Scripture text: World English Bible, public domain.
Revised Common Lectionary copyright © 1992 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org Used by permission.