Monday 10 May 2010<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><!--StartFragment-->
<p class="MsoNormal">DAILY LECTIONARY</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Email Evangelism, forward to a friend: http://www.dailylectionary.org</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Leviticus 25:35-55<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">If any of your kin fall into difficulty and become dependent on you,* you shall support them; they shall live with you as though resident aliens. Do not take interest in advance or otherwise make a profit from them, but fear your God; let them live with you. You shall not lend them your money at interest taken in advance, or provide them food at a profit. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to give you the land of Canaan, to be your God.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If any who are dependent on you become so impoverished that they sell themselves to you, you shall not make them serve as slaves. They shall remain with you as hired or bound labourers. They shall serve with you until the year of the jubilee. Then they and their children with them shall be free from your authority; they shall go back to their own family and return to their ancestral property. For they are my servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt; they shall not be sold as slaves are sold. You shall not rule over them with harshness, but shall fear your God. As for the male and female slaves whom you may have, it is from the nations around you that you may acquire male and female slaves. You may also acquire them from among the aliens residing with you, and from their families that are with you, who have been born in your land; and they may be your property. You may keep them as a possession for your children after you, for them to inherit as property. These you may treat as slaves, but as for your fellow Israelites, no one shall rule over the other with harshness.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If resident aliens among you prosper, and if any of your kin fall into difficulty with one of them and sell themselves to an alien, or to a branch of the alien’s family, after they have sold themselves they shall have the right of redemption; one of their brothers may redeem them, or their uncle or their uncle’s son may redeem them, or anyone of their family who is of their own flesh may redeem them; or if they prosper they may redeem themselves. They shall compute with the purchaser the total from the year when they sold themselves to the alien until the jubilee year; the price of the sale shall be applied to the number of years: the time they were with the owner shall be rated as the time of a hired labourer. If many years remain, they shall pay for their redemption in proportion to the purchase price; and if few years remain until the jubilee year, they shall compute thus: according to the years involved they shall make payment for their redemption. As a labourer hired by the year they shall be under the alien’s authority, who shall not, however, rule with harshness over them in your sight. And if they have not been redeemed in any of these ways, they and their children with them shall go free in the jubilee year. For to me the people of Israel are servants; they are my servants whom I brought out from the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Colossians 1:9-14</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s* will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God. May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled* you* to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Matthew 13:1-16</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the lake. Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: ‘Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Let anyone with ears* listen!’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Then the disciples came and asked him, ‘Why do you speak to them in parables?’ He answered, ‘To you it has been given to know the secrets* of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. The reason I speak to them in parables is that “seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand.” With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that says:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“You will indeed listen, but never understand,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and you will indeed look, but never perceive.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For this people’s heart has grown dull,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and their ears are hard of hearing,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and they have shut their eyes;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>so that they might not look with their eyes,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and listen with their ears,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and understand with their heart and turn—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and I would heal them.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms: Psalm 80</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 80</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you who lead Joseph like a flock!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Stir up your might,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and come to save us!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Restore us, O God;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let your face shine, that we may be saved.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">O Lord God of hosts,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have fed them with the bread of tears,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and given them tears to drink in full measure.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You make us the scorn* of our neighbours;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>our enemies laugh among themselves.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Restore us, O God of hosts;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let your face shine, that we may be saved.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">You brought a vine out of Egypt;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you drove out the nations and planted it.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You cleared the ground for it;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>it took deep root and filled the land.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The mountains were covered with its shade,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the mighty cedars with its branches;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">it sent out its branches to the sea,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and its shoots to the River.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Why then have you broken down its walls,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The boar from the forest ravages it,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and all that move in the field feed on it.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Turn again, O God of hosts;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>look down from heaven, and see;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">have regard for this vine,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the stock that your right hand planted.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They have burned it with fire, they have cut it down;*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>may they perish at the rebuke of your countenance.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But let your hand be upon the one at your right hand,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the one whom you made strong for yourself.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then we will never turn back from you;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>give us life, and we will call on your name.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Restore us, O Lord God of hosts;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let your face shine, that we may be saved.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms: Psalm 77</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 77</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">I cry aloud to God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>aloud to God, that he may hear me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my soul refuses to be comforted.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I think of God, and I moan;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I meditate, and my spirit faints.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You keep my eyelids from closing;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I am so troubled that I cannot speak.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I consider the days of old,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and remember the years of long ago.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I commune* with my heart in the night;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I meditate and search my spirit:*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘Will the Lord spurn for ever,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and never again be favourable?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Has his steadfast love ceased for ever?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Are his promises at an end for all time?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Has God forgotten to be gracious?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Has he in anger shut up his compassion?’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And I say, ‘It is my grief</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>that the right hand of the Most High has changed.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will call to mind the deeds of the Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will remember your wonders of old.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will meditate on all your work,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and muse on your mighty deeds.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Your way, O God, is holy.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What god is so great as our God?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You are the God who works wonders;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you have displayed your might among the peoples.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With your strong arm you redeemed your people,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When the waters saw you, O God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>when the waters saw you, they were afraid;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the very deep trembled.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The clouds poured out water;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the skies thundered;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your arrows flashed on every side.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your lightnings lit up the world;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the earth trembled and shook.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Your way was through the sea,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your path, through the mighty waters;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>yet your footprints were unseen.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You led your people like a flock</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>by the hand of Moses and Aaron.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
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