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FRIDAY OF THE TWELFTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME Catholic Daily Readings First Reading  Ge 17:1 ,  9–10 ,  15–22 Response  Ps 128:4 Psalm  Ps 128:1–5 Gospel   Mt 8:1–4

FRIDAY BEFORE PROPER 8 Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings Psalm   Ps 89:1–4 ,  15–18  or  Ps 13 First Reading  Je 25:8–14  or  2 Ch 20:5–12 Second Reading  Ga 5:7–12

FRIDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK AFTER TRINITY, MORNING PRAYER Book of Common Prayer (1928) Daily Office Lectionary Psalm  Ps 71 First Reading  Jos 14:6 Second Reading  Lk 6:12–26

June 30: By Your Example Esther 8:1–10:3; 3 John 5–15 ; Psalm 118:17–29 By nature, we are creatures of imitation. Children mimic the traits of their parents, and even in later life we are influenced by the habits of our friends. People naturally imitate, even if they don’t realize it or intend to. This is one reason why “lead by example” is such a powerful principle. It’s also why leaders can change the direction of a whole community—for better or worse ( Jas 3:1 ). Diotrephes, an ambitious member of the early church who misused his power, was unwilling to heed the advice of John and others who reprimanded him. In his letter to Gaius, a church leader known for his faithfulness and love, John gives this advice regarding Diotrephes: “Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God” ( 3 John 11 ). Throughout his letters, John emphasizes that people’s actions reflect their heart. Diotrephes’ act...

Go To Morning Reading                              Evening, June 30 “Ah Lord God, behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee.” — Jeremiah 32:17 At the very time when the Chaldeans surrounded Jerusalem, and when the sword, famine and pestilence had desolated the land, Jeremiah was commanded by God to purchase a field, and have the deed of transfer legally sealed and witnessed. This was a strange purchase for a rational man to make. Prudence could not justify it, for it was buying with scarcely a probability that the person purchasing could ever enjoy the possession. But it was enough for Jeremiah that his God had bidden him, for well he knew that God will be justified of all his children. He reasoned thus: “Ah, Lord God! thou canst make this plot of ground of use to me; thou canst rid this land of these oppressors; ...

June 30th Do it now Agree with thine adversary quickly. Matthew 5:25 . Jesus Christ is laying down this principle—Do what you know you must do, now, and do it quickly; if you do not, the inevitable process will begin to work and you will have to pay to the last farthing in pain and agony and distress. God’s laws are unalterable; there is no escape from them. The teaching of Jesus goes straight to the way we are made up. To see that my adversary gives me my rights is natural; but Jesus says that it is a matter of eternal and imperative importance to me that I pay my adversary what I owe him. From our Lord’s standpoint it does not matter whether I am defrauded or not; what does matter is that I do not defraud. Am I insisting on my rights, or am I paying what I owe from Jesus Christ’s standpoint? Do the thing quickly, bring yourself to judgment now. In moral and spiritual matters, you must do it at once; if you do not, the inexorable process will begin to work. God is determi...

June 30 Let us not sleep, as do others 1 Thess. 5:6 There are many ways of promoting Christian wakefulness. Among the rest, let me strongly advise Christians to converse together concerning the ways of the Lord. Christian and Hopeful, as they journeyed toward the Celestial City, said to themselves: “To prevent drowsiness in this place, let us fall into good discourse.” Christians who isolate themselves and walk alone are very liable to grow drowsy. Hold Christian company, and you will be kept wakeful by it, and refreshed and encouraged to make quicker progress in the road to Heaven. Spurgeon  Hardman, Samuel G., and Dwight Lyman Moody. Thoughts for the Quiet Hour . Willow Grove, PA: Woodlawn Electronic Publishing, 1997. Print.

The Basis for Christian Living Excerpt In many ways, this paragraph, which stands virtually at the center of the letter, is its theological center. Sandwiched into the section on how people are to behave in their different relationships, it may give the impression of being a digression, a mere back-up for the teaching given to slaves in the preceding verses. But in fact, what it says goes far beyond the immediate problem and provides the basis for all Christian behavior. Peter starts off by motivating Christian slaves to proper conduct with reference to the example of Jesus, who put up with unjust suffering just as they are called to do. But right from the opening phrase, it is apparent that Peter is presenting far more than an example. He briefly tells the story of the Christ who  suffered for you  and develops a doctrine of Christ’s death that shows how Christians can be transformed to live for righteousness.  More Marshall, I. Howard.  1 Peter . Downe...

St. Augustine on Ephesians 5:16 Ephesians 5:16 Excerpt But as concerning these days which we are passing now, the Apostle says, “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” 3 Are not these days indeed evil which we spend in this corruptible flesh, in or under so heavy a load of the corruptible body, amid so great temptations, amid so great difficulties, where there is but false pleasure, no security of joy, a tormenting fear, a greedy covetousness, a withering sadness? Lo, what evil days! yet no one is willing to end these same evil days, and hence men earnestly pray God that they may live long. Yet what is it to live long, but to be long tormented? What is it to live long, but to add evil days to evil l days? When boys are growing up, it is as if days are being added to them; whereas they do not know that they are being diminished; and their very reckoning is false. For as we grow in up, the number of our days rather diminishes than increases. Appoint for any man at his b...

Walking in Darkness Excerpt John points out that it  is possible for people to say they are in the light, yet actually live in darkness.  Note the four “liars” here: (1) lying about fellowship,  1:6–7 ; (2) lying about our  nature, saying that we have no sin,  1:8 ; (3) lying about our deeds, saying that we  have not sinned,  1:10 ; and (4) lying about our obedience, saying that we have  kept His commandments when we have not,  2:4–6 .  More Wiersbe, Warren W.  Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament . Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1992. Print.

Oil and Wine Excerpt In the ancient world, oil and wine were commonly used to soften wounds and as an antiseptic.  More Schreiner, Thomas R. “ Luke. ”   Evangelical Commentary on the Bible . Vol. 3. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1995. 820. Print. Baker Reference Library.

SAINTS PETER AND PAUL, DURING THE DAY Catholic Daily Readings First Reading  Ac 12:1–11 Response  Ps 34:5 Psalm  Ps 34:2–9 Second Reading  2 Ti 4:6–8 ,  17–18 Gospel Acclamation  Mt 16:18 Gospel   Mt 16:13–19

ST. PETER AND ST. PAUL, APOSTLES Lutheran Service Book Three Year Lectionary First Reading  Ac 15:1–12 ,  13–21 Psalm   Ps 46 Epistle   Ga 2:1–10 Gospel  Mt 16:13–19

THURSDAY BEFORE PROPER 8 Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings Psalm  Ps 89:1–4 ,  15–18  or  Ps 13 First Reading  Je 25:1–7  or  Mic 7:18–20 Second Reading  Ga 5:2–6

ST. PETER, MORNING PRAYER Book of Common Prayer (1928) Daily Office Lectionary Psalm   Ps 22:23 First Reading  Eze 2:1–7 Second Reading  Ac 11:1–18  or  Ac 3

ST. PETER AND ST. PAUL Episcopal Church (USA) Revised Common Lectionary First Reading  Eze 34:11–16 Psalm  Ps 87 Second Reading  2 Ti 4:1–8 Gospel  Jn 21:15–19

June 29: Behind the Scenes Esther 3:1–7:10 ; 3 John 1:1–4; Psalm 117:1–118:16 Sometimes life can look so bleak that it seems as if all hope is gone. This was the situation for Esther and Mordecai: “Letters were sent by couriers to all the provinces of the king to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all the Jews, both young and old, women and children” ( Esth 3:13 ). Genocide was upon Esther, Mordecai, and their people, and it seemed that little could be done. Yet God unexpectedly used Esther to do His work and made Mordecai a hero for thwarting the enemies’ plan to destroy God’s people ( Esth 5–7 ). As a result, the people who wanted to kill Mordecai ended up dead ( Esth 7:7–10 ). But these events depicted more than poetic justice; they provide an example of hope in the midst of adversity. This story shows that God is at work even when we don’t realize He is there—when even prayer feels like a waste of energy. While God is not a “character” in the book of Esther, His presen...

Morning, June 29 Go To Evening Reading “Them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:14 Let us not imagine that the soul sleeps in insensibility. “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise,” is the whisper of Christ to every dying saint. They “sleep in Jesus,” but their souls are before the throne of God, praising him day and night in his temple, singing hallelujahs to him who washed them from their sins in his blood. The body sleeps in its lonely bed of earth, beneath the coverlet of grass. But what is this sleep? The idea connected with sleep is “ rest ,” and that is the thought which the Spirit of God would convey to us. Sleep makes each night a Sabbath for the day. Sleep shuts fast the door of the soul, and bids all intruders tarry for a while, that the life within may enter its summer garden of ease. The toil-worn believer quietly sleeps, as does the weary child when it slumbers on its mother’s breast. Oh! happy they who die in the L...

June 29th Direction of discipline And if thy right hand offend thee cut it off and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. Matthew 5:30 . Jesus did not say that everyone must cut off the right hand, but—‘If your right hand offends you in your walk with Me, cut it off.’ There are many things that are perfectly legitimate, but if you are going to concentrate on God you cannot do them. Your right hand is one of the best things you have, but Jesus says if it hinders you in following His precepts, cut it off. This line of discipline is the sternest one that ever struck mankind. When God alters a man by regeneration, the characteristic of the life to begin with is that it is maimed. There are a hundred and one things you dare not do, things that to you and in the eyes of the world that knows you are as your right hand and your eye, and the unspiritual person says— ‘Whatever is wro...

June 29 Sleep on now, and take your rest Mark 14:41 Never did that sacred opportunity to watch with Christ return to His disciples. Lost then, it was lost forever. And now when Jesus is still beholding the travail of His soul in the redemption of the world, if you fail to be with Him watching for souls as they that must give account, remember that the opportunity will never return. “Watch, therefore,” says your Lord, “lest coming suddenly, he may find you sleeping.” A. J. Gordon  Hardman, Samuel G., and Dwight Lyman Moody. Thoughts for the Quiet Hour . Willow Grove, PA: Woodlawn Electronic Publishing, 1997. Print.

Outline of Proverbs 3:5-6 Proverbs 3:5–6 Excerpt How to Know the Guidance of God (vv.  5 ,  6 ) A. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart” B. “Lean not to own understanding” C. “In all thy ways acknowledge Him” D. “He shall direct thy paths”   More Wood, Charles R.  Sermon Outlines on the Book of Proverbs . Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1984. Print.

Simeon Luke 2:25 ,  34 Excerpt A man in Jerusalem who was righteous and devout and who was looking for ‘the consolation of Israel’ ( Lk. 2:25–35 ). He is not to be identified with Rabbi Simon ben Hillel. He was one of the remnants who was longing for the coming of the Messiah and had received a direct revelation that he would not die before seeing the Messiah with his own eyes. When the presentation of Jesus was about to take place he was guided by the Spirit to come into the Temple. On seeing Jesus he uttered the hymn of praise now known as the  *Nunc Dimittis . He saw that the Messiah would vindicate Israel in the eyes of the Gentiles. Simeon went on to speak to the astonished Mary of the role of Christ within Israel. He was to be like a stone causing some to fall and some to rise. He was to be a sign which would not be needed but spoken against ( 34 ). Her own suffering as she watched his life and death was to be acute and he was to reveal the  inmost thoughts...

A Diligent Son and a Lazy Son Excerpt Verses  1b–5  form a collection marked off by the inclusion of “wise son/foolish son” (v.  1 ) and “wise son/disgraceful son” (v.  5 ).195 The theme of the collection is that a family will thrive if the children are diligent in their work but collapse if they are lazy or resort to crime.  More Garrett, Duane A.  Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs . Vol. 14. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1993. Print. The New American Commentary.

Gathering the Animals Excerpt God not only wanted humans to be preserved from destruction but also every kind of creature that would be drowned by the waters of the Flood. But how was Noah to gather such a large number of animals, birds, and creeping things? God would cause these creatures to come to Noah (v.  20 ;  7:8 ,  15 ) and Noah would take them into the ark ( 6:19 ). This included not only pairs of unclean animals who would be able to reproduce after the Flood, but also seven pairs of clean animals, some of whom would be used for sacrifices ( 8:20 ;  9:3 ). Noah and his family not only learned about the faithfulness of God, but they also saw the sovereignty of God in action.  More Wiersbe, Warren W.  Be Basic . Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor Pub., 1998. Print. “Be” Commentary Series.

SAINT IRENAEUS, BISHOP AND MARTYR Catholic Daily Readings First Reading  Ge 15:1–12 ,  17–18  or  2 Ti 2:22b–26 Response  Ps 105:8a  or  Ps 37:30a Psalm   Ps 105:1–4 ,  6–9  or  Ps 37:3–6 ,  30–31 Gospel Acclamation  Jn 15:4a ,  5b  or  Jn 10:14 Gospel  Mt 7:15–20  or  Jn 15:5b ,  9b