Lessons for October 28, 2007 – Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost

The first lesson

Jeremiah 14:7-10, 19-22
 
    The people say, "Lord, our wickedness has caught up with us. We have sinned against you. So please, help us for the sake of your own reputation. [8] O Hope of Israel, our Savior in times of trouble! Why are you like a stranger to us? Why are you like someone passing through the land, stopping only for the night? [9] Are you also confused? Are you helpless to save us? You are right here among us, Lord. We are known as your people. Please don't abandon us now!"  [10] So the Lord replies to his people, "You love to wander far from me and do not follow in my paths. Now I will no longer accept you as my people. I will remember all your wickedness and will punish you for your sins."  
[19] Lord, have you completely rejected Judah? Do you really hate Jerusalem? Why have you wounded us past all hope of healing? We hoped for peace, but no peace came. We hoped for a time of healing but found only terror. [20] Lord, we confess our wickedness and that of our ancestors, too. We all have sinned against you. [21] For the sake of your own name, Lord, do not abandon us. Do not disgrace yourself and the throne of your glory. Do not break your covenant with us. Please don't forget us! [22] Can any of the foreign gods send us rain? Does it fall from the sky by itself? No, it comes from you, the Lord our God! Only you can do such things. So we will wait for you to help us. (NLT)

Psalm 84:1-7 
.
L.  How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty. 
C.  I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the Lord.
L.  With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God. 
C.  Even the sparrow finds a home there, and the swallow builds her nest
L.  and raises her young—at a place near your altar,
C.  O Lord Almighty, my King and my God! 
L.  How happy are those who can live in your house, always singing your praises.
C.  Happy are those who are strong in the Lord, who set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. 
L.  When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs,
C.  where pools of blessing collect after the rains! 
L.  They will continue to grow stronger,
C.  and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem.  (NLT)
 
The second lesson

2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18
 
    As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. [7] I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. [8] And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness that the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that great day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his glorious return. [16] The first time I was brought before the judge, no one was with me. Everyone had abandoned me. I hope it will not be counted against them. [17] But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength, that I might preach the Good News in all its fullness for all the Gentiles to hear. And he saved me from certain death. [18] Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly Kingdom. To God be the glory forever and ever. Amen.  (NLT)

The Gospel Lesson

Luke 18:9-14
 
    Then Jesus told this story to some who had great self-confidence and scorned everyone else: [10] "Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a dishonest tax collector. [11] The proud Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: 'I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else, especially like that tax collector over there! For I never cheat, I don't sin, I don't commit adultery, [12] I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.'  [13] "But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, 'O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.' [14] I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For the proud will be humbled, but the humble will be honored."  (NLT)