Then Amos answered Amaziah, ‘I am no prophet, nor a prophet’s son; but I am a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore trees, and the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, “Go, prophesy to my people Israel.”‘Now therefore hear the word of the Lord. From Amos 7:10-17, NRSV It is not surprising…
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About that time King Herod laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church. He had James, the brother of John, killed with the sword. After he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. From Acts 12:1-11, NRSV Today we honour the lives of the apostles Peter and Paul…
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I overthrew some of you, as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and you were like a brand snatched from the fire;yet you did not return to me, says the Lord. Therefore, thus I will do to you, O Israel; because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel! From Amos 3:1-8,4:11-12,…
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Flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not retain their strength, nor shall the mighty save their lives;those who handle the bow shall not stand, and those who are swift of foot shall not save themselves, nor shall those who ride horses save their lives;and those who are stout of heart among the mighty…
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And King Melchizedek of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was priest of God Most High. He blessed him and said,‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, maker of heaven and earth;and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!’And Abram gave him one-tenth of everything. From Genesis 14:18-20, NRSV …
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Then the spirit of God took possession of Zechariah son of the priest Jehoiada; he stood above the people and said to them, ‘Thus says God: Why do you transgress the commandments of the Lord, so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the Lord, he has also forsaken you.’ But they conspired against him, and by command…
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Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord and the king and people, that they should be the Lord’s people; also between the king and the people. Then all the people of the land went to the house of Baal, and tore it down; his altars and his images they broke in pieces, and they killed Mattan, the priest of…
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Then Elijah arose, a prophet like fire, and his word burned like a torch… When Elijah was enveloped in the whirlwind, Elisha was filled with his spirit. From Ecclesiasticus 48:1-15, NRSV In yesterday’s first reading we heard about how Elisha succeeded Elijah. Today we hear a eulogy to these two notable prophets who helped to…
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When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you.’ Elisha said, ‘Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.’ From 2 Kings 2:1,6-14, NRSV In today’s reading we hear about Elisha succeeding Elijah as prophet to the people of Israel.…
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Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying: Go down to meet King Ahab of Israel, who rules in Samaria; he is now in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone to take possession. You shall say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord: Have you killed, and also taken possession?’ You shall say to him, ‘Thus…
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