Readings for Revised Common Lectionary, Cycle A

Readings for Revised Common Lectionary, Cycle A-B-C

Prepared by Lutheran Bible Ministries (www.bibleministries.org)

May 31

Visit of Mary to Elizabeth

FIRST READING: 1 Samuel 2:1-10

Elkanah worshiped the LORD there at Shiloh, and
1Hannah prayed:
You make me strong and happy, LORD.
You rescued me. Now I can be glad
and laugh at my enemies.
2No other god is like you. We're safer with you
than on a high mountain.
3I can tell those proud people, "Stop your boasting!
Nothing is hidden from the LORD,
and he judges what we do."
4Our LORD, you break the bows of warriors,
but you give strength to everyone who stumbles.
5People who once had plenty to eat
must now hire themselves out for only a piece of bread.
But you give the hungry more than enough to eat.
A woman did not have a child, and you gave her seven,
but a woman who had many was left with none.
6You take away life, and you give life.
You send people down to the world of the dead
and bring them back again.
7Our LORD, you are the one who makes us rich or poor.
You put some in high positions
and bring disgrace on others.
8You lift the poor and homeless out of the garbage dump
and give them places of honor in royal palaces.
You set the world on foundations, and they belong to you.
9You protect your loyal people,
but everyone who is evil will die in darkness.
We cannot win a victory by our own strength.
10Our LORD, those who attack you will be broken in pieces
when you fight back with thunder from heaven.
You will judge the whole earth
and give power and strength to your chosen king.

PSALMODY: Psalm 113

1Shout praises to the LORD!
Everyone who serves him, come and praise his name.
2Let the name of the LORD be praised now and forever.
3From dawn until sunset
the name of the LORD deserves to be praised.
4The LORD is far above all of the nations;
he is more glorious than the heavens.
5No one can compare with the LORD our God.
His throne is high above,
6and he looks down to see the heavens and the earth.
7God lifts the poor and needy from dust and ashes,
8and he lets them take part in ruling his people.
9When a wife has no children,
he blesses her with some, and she is happy.
Shout praises to the LORD!

SECOND READING: Romans 12:9-16b

9Be sincere in your love for others. Hate everything that is evil and hold tight to everything that is good. 10Love each other as brothers and sisters and honor others more than you do yourself. 11Never give up. Eagerly follow the Holy Spirit and serve the Lord. 12Let your hope make you glad. Be patient in time of trouble and never stop praying. 13Take care of God's needy people and welcome strangers into your home.
14Ask God to bless everyone who mistreats you. Ask him to bless them and not to curse them. 15When others are happy, be happy with them, and when they are sad, be sad. 16Be friendly with everyone. Don't be proud and feel that you are smarter than others.

GOSPEL: Luke 1:39-57

39A short time later Mary hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea. 40She went into Zechariah's home, where she greeted Elizabeth. 41When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, her baby moved within her.
The Holy Spirit came upon Elizabeth. 42Then in a loud voice she said to Mary:

God has blessed you more than any other woman! He has also blessed the child you will have. 43Why should the mother of my Lord come to me? 44As soon as I heard your greeting, my baby became happy and moved within me. 45The Lord has blessed you because you believed that he will keep his promise.

46Mary said:
With all my heart I praise the Lord,
47and I am glad because of God my Savior.
48He cares for me, his humble servant.
From now on, all people will say
God has blessed me.
49God All-Powerful has done great things for me,
and his name is holy.
50He always shows mercy
to everyone who worships him.
51The Lord has used his powerful arm
to scatter those who are proud.
52He drags strong rulers from their thrones
and puts humble people in places of power.
53God gives the hungry good things to eat,
and sends the rich away
with nothing.
54He helps his servant Israel
and is always merciful to his people.
55The Lord made this promise to our ancestors,
to Abraham and his family forever!
56Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months. Then she went back home.

57[Later] Elizabeth's son was born,