Lectionary Readings Book of Common Prayer - 1979 Sunday, August-19-2012 Proper 15

The Collect
Proper 15
Almighty God, who hast given thy only Son to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin and also an example of godly life: Give us grace that we may always most thankfully receive that his inestimable benefit, and also daily endeavor ourselves to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

Old Testament Reading

Proverbs 9:1-6
¹ Wisdom has built her house, she has set up her seven pillars. ² She has slaughtered her beasts, she has mixed her wine, she has also set her table. ³ She has sent out her maids to call from the highest places in the town, ⁴ "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" To him who is without sense she says, ⁵ "Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. ⁶ Leave simpleness, and live, and walk in the way of insight."

Psalm

Psalm 147

Laudate Domi
1Hallelujah!
     How good it is to sing praises to our God! *
     how pleasant it is to honor him with praise!
2The LORD rebuilds Jerusalem; *
     he gathers the exiles of Israel.
3He heals the brokenhearted *
     and binds up their wounds.
4He counts the number of the stars *
     and calls them all by their names.
5Great is our LORD and mighty in power; *
     there is no limit to his wisdom.
6The LORD lifts up the lowly, *
     but casts the wicked to the ground.
7Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; *
     make music to our God upon the harp.
8He covers the heavens with clouds *
     and prepares rain for the earth;
9He makes grass to grow upon the mountains *
     and green plants to serve mankind.
10He provides food for flocks and herds *
     and for the young ravens when they cry.
11He is not impressed by the might of a horse; *
     he has no pleasure in the strength of a man;
12But the LORD has pleasure in those who fear him, *
     in those who await his gracious favour.
13Worship the LORD, O Jerusalem; *
     praise your God, O Zion;
14For he has strengthened the bars of your gates; *
     he has blessed your children within you.
15He has established peace on your borders; *
     he satisfies you with the finest wheat.
16He sends out his command to the earth, *
     and his word runs very swiftly.
17He gives snow like wool; *
     he scatters hoarfrost like ashes.
18He scatters his hail like bread crumbs; *
     who can stand against his cold?
19He sends forth his word and melts them; *
     he blows with his wind, and the waters flow.
20He declares his word to Jacob, *
     his statutes and his judgments to Israel.
21He has not done so to any other nation; *
     to them he has not revealed his judgments.
     Hallelujah!

- OR -

Psalm 34:9-14

9Fear the LORD, you that are his saints, *
     for those who fear him lack nothing.
10The young lions lack and suffer hunger, *
     but those who seek the LORD lack nothing that is good.
11Come, children, and listen to me; *
     I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12Who among you loves life *
     and desires long life to enjoy prosperity?
13Keep your tongue from evil-speaking *
     and your lips from lying words.
14Turn from evil and do good; *
     seek peace and pursue it.

New Testament Reading

Ephesians 5:15-20
¹⁵ Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of the time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸ And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, ²⁰ always and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.

Gospel Reading

John 6:53-59
⁵³ So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you; ⁵⁴ he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. ⁵⁵ For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. ⁵⁶ He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. ⁵⁷ As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats me will live because of me. ⁵⁸ This is the bread which came down from heaven, not such as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live for ever." ⁵⁹ This he said in the synagogue, as he taught at Caper'na-um.