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Wednesday, January 26, 2022

Collect

Eternal God, you create us by your power and redeem us by your love.  Guide and strengthen us by your Spirit, that we may give ourselves today in love and service to one another and to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  AMEN.Come, let us worship.

The Proclamation of the Word

1st Reading:  Isaiah 49:1-12 (NRSV)

The Servant’s Mission

Listen to me, O coastlands, pay attention, you peoples from far away!  The Lord called me before I was born, while I was in my mother’s womb he named me.  He made my mouth like a sharp sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me away.  And he said to me, ‘You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.’  But I said, ‘I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my cause is with the Lord, and my reward with my God.’And now the Lord says, who formed me in the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, and that Israel might be gathered to him, for I am honoured in the sight of the Lord, and my God has become my strength— he says, ‘It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.’Thus says the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One, to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nations, the slave of rulers, ‘Kings shall see and stand up, princes, and they shall prostrate themselves, because of the Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.’

Zion’s Children to Be Brought Home

Thus says the Lord:  In a time of favour I have answered you, on a day of salvation I have helped you; I have kept you and given you as a covenant to the people, to establish the land, to apportion the desolate heritages; saying to the prisoners, ‘Come out’, to those who are in darkness, ‘Show yourselves.’  They shall feed along the ways, on all the bare heights shall be their pasture; they shall not hunger or thirst, neither scorching wind nor sun shall strike them down, for he who has pity on them will lead them, and by springs of water will guide them.  And I will turn all my mountains into a road, and my highways shall be raised up.  Lo, these shall come from far away, and lo, these from the north and from the west, and these from the land of Syene. 

Psalm 119:49-72 (Book of Alternative Services page 871):

 Zayin  48  Remember your word to your servant, * because you have given me hope.  49  This is my comfort in my trouble, * that your promise gives me life.   50  The proud have derided me cruelly, * but I have not turned from your law.   51   When I remember your judgements of old, * O Lord, I take great comfort.   52  I am filled with a burning rage, * because of the wicked who forsake your law. 53   Your statutes have been like songs to me wherever I have lived as a stranger.  54  I remember your name in the night, O Lord, * and dwell upon your law.  55  This is how it has been with me, * because I have kept your commandments.  Heth   56  You only are my portion, O Lord; * I have promised to keep your words.  57   I entreat you with all my heart, * be merciful to me according to your promise.   59  I have considered my ways * and turned my feet toward your decrees.   60  I hasten and do not tarry * to keep your commandments.   61   Though the cords of the wicked entangle me, * I do not forget your law.   62  At midnight I will rise to give you thanks, * because of your righteous judgements.  63  I am a companion of all who fear you * and of those who keep your commandments.   64  The earth, O Lord, is full of your love; * instruct me in your statutes.   Teth   65  O Lord, you have dealt graciously with your servant, * according to your word.   66  Teach me discernment and knowledge, * for I have believed in your commandments.    67  Before I was afflicted I went astray, * but now I keep your word.  68    You are good and you bring forth good; * instruct me in your statutes.    69  The proud have smeared me with lies, * but I will keep your commandments with my whole heart.   70  Their heart is gross and fat, * but my delight is in your law.   71  It is good for me that I have been afflicted, * that I might learn your statutes.  72  The law of your mouth is dearer to me * than thousands in gold and silver. 

Jesus Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords, born as a man, exalted now on high, priest of the new covenant, judge who will come at the end of time, glory to you for ever and ever. Amen.

2nd Reading:  Galatians 2:11-21

Paul Rebukes Peter at Antioch

But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood self-condemned; for until certain people came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But after they came, he drew back and kept himself separate for fear of the circumcision faction. And the other Jews joined him in this hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not acting consistently with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, ‘If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?’

Jews and Gentiles Are Saved by Faith

We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; yet we know that a person is justified not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by doing the works of the law, because no one will be justified by the works of the law. But if, in our effort to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have been found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again the very things that I once tore down, then I demonstrate that I am a transgressor.  For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing. 

Gospel Reading:  Mark 6:13-29 (NRSV)

They cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

The Death of John the Baptist

King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some were saying, ‘John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.’  But others said, ‘It is Elijah.’ And others said, ‘It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.’ But when Herod heard of it, he said, ‘John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.’For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her.  For John had been telling Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.’  And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, ‘Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.’ And he solemnly swore to her, ‘Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.’  She went out and said to her mother, ‘What should I ask for?’ She replied, ‘The head of John the baptizer.’ Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, ‘I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.’  The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother.  When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

The Lord’s PrayerOur Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.  And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.  For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

Closing Prayer  Gracious God, your love unites heaven and earth in a new festival of gladness.  Lift our spirits to learn the way of joy that leads us to your banquet hall, where all is golden with praise.  We ask this through Jesus Christ the Lord. May the grace of God uphold you, the peace of God surround you, the love of God flow from you and the strength of God protect and bring you safely through this day.  Amen.