Proper 25 C

As We Gather

In a parable to people “who trusted in themselves,” Jesus tells of a boastful Pharisee and a tax collector who intently prayed to God for mercy. The tax collector went home justified, not the Pharisee, for “everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Thus the Lord regarded Abel’s offering over Cain’s, and stood by St. Paul as his life was sacrificed. We come to Jesus with our need, and in faith “receive the kingdom of God.”

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Introit (Psalm 56: 10-13; antiphon: Psalm 56:3)

P:
When I | am afraid,* I put my | trust in you.
C:
In God, whose | word I praise,* in the Lord, whose | word I praise,

P:
In God I trust; I shall not | be afraid.* What can man do to me?
C:
I must perform my vows to you, | O God;* I will render thank offerings | to you.

P:
For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from | falling,* that I may walk before God in the | light of life.
C:
Glory be to the Father and | to the Son* and to the Holy | Spirit; as it was in the be- | ginning,* is now and will be forever. | Amen.

Collect of the Day

Almighty and everlasting God, You are always more ready to hear than we to pray and always ready to give more than we either desire or deserve. Pour down on us the abundance of Your mercy; forgive us those things of which our conscience is afraid; and give us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask except by the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Genesis 4:1–15

The Old Testament reading is from Genesis, chapter four.

Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.” And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.” Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother's keeper?” And the Lord said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me from the ground. And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.” Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” Then the Lord said to him, “Not so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him.

This is the word of the Lord.

2 Timothy 4:6–8, 16–18

The Epistle is from Second Timothy, chapter four.

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

This is the word of the Lord.

Luke 18:9–17

The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the eighteenth chapter.

[Jesus] also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Psalm 5

P:
Give ear to my words, | O Lord;* consider my | groaning.
C:
Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King | and my God,* for to you | do I pray.

P:
O Lord, in the morning you | hear my voice;* in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for | you and watch.
C:
For you are not a God who delights in | wickedness;* evil may not | dwell with you.

P:
The boastful shall not stand be- | fore your eyes;* you hate all evil- | doers.
C:
You destroy those | who speak lies;* the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and de- | ceitful man.

P:
But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will en- | ter your house.* I will bow down toward your holy temple in the | fear of you.
C:
Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my | enemies;* make your way straight be- | fore me.

P:
For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is de- | struction;* their throat is an open grave; they flatter | with their tongue.
C:
Make them bear their guilt, O God; let them fall by their own | counsels;* because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out, for they have rebelled a- | gainst you.

P:
But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever | sing for joy,* and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may ex- | ult in you.
C:
For you bless the righteous, | O Lord;* you cover him with favor as | with a shield.

C:
Glory be to the Father and | to the Son* and to the Holy | Spirit; as it was in the be- | ginning,* is now and will be forever. | Amen.