Saturday 4 November 2023

1I ask then, did God reject his people?May it never be!For I also am an Israelite,a descendant of Abraham,of the tribe of Benjamin.2God didn’t reject his people, whom he foreknew.Or don’t you know what the Scripture says about Elijah?How he pleads with God against Israel:

· · · verses 3–10 are not read11I ask then, did they stumble that they might fall?May it never be!But by their fall salvation has come to the Gentiles,to provoke them to jealousy.12Now if their fall is the riches of the world,and their loss the riches of the Gentiles,how much more their fullness!

· · · verses 13–24 are not read25For I don’t desire you to be ignorant,brothers, of this mystery,so that you won’t be wise in your own conceits,that a partial hardening has happened to Israel,until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in,26and so all Israel will be saved.Even as it is written,

“There will come out of Zion the Deliverer,and he will turn away ungodliness from Jacob.27This is my covenant with them,when I will take away their sins.”

28Concerning the Good News, they are enemies for your sake.But concerning the election,they are beloved for the fathers’ sake.29For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

12Blessed is the man whom you discipline, Lord,and teach out of your law,13that you may give him rest from the days of adversity,until the pit is dug for the wicked.

14For the Lord won’t reject his people,neither will he forsake his inheritance.15For judgment will return to righteousness.All the upright in heart shall follow it.

17Unless the Lord had been my help,my soul would have soon lived in silence.18When I said, “My foot is slipping!”Your loving kindness, Lord, held me up.

1When he went into the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees on a Sabbath to eat bread,they were watching him.

· · · verses 2–6 are not read7He spoke a parable to those who were invited,when he noticed how they chose the best seats, and said to them,8“When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast,don’t sit in the best seat,since perhaps someone more honorable than you might be invited by him,9and he who invited both of you would come and tell you,‘Make room for this person.’Then you would begin,with shame, to take the lowest place.10But when you are invited,go and sit in the lowest place,so that when he who invited you comes,he may tell you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’Then you will be honored in the presence of allwho sit at the table with you.11For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”