The Readings For the 2nd Sunday in Lent, February 21st, 2016

First Reading: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18

1After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” 2But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3And Abram said, “You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir.” 4But the word of the Lord came to him, “This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir.” 5He brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” 6And he believed the Lord; and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness.

  7Then he said to him, “I am the Lord who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess.” 8But he said, “O Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess it?” 9He said to him, “Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” 10He brought him all these and cut them in two, laying each half over against the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. 11And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away.

  12As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a deep and terrifying darkness descended upon him.

  17When the sun had gone down and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. 18On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates.”

Psalm: Psalm 27

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation;

whom then shall I fear? *

    the LORD is the strength of my life;

    of whom then shall I be afraid?

2 When evildoers came upon me to eat up my flesh, 

    it was they, my foes and my adversaries, who

                             stumbled and fell.

3 Though an army should encamp against me, 

    yet my heart shall not be afraid;

4 And though war should rise up against me, 

    yet will I put my trust in him.

5 One thing have I asked of the LORD;

one thing I seek; 

    that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days

                             of my life;

6 To behold the fair beauty of the LORD 

    and to seek him in his temple.

7 For in the day of trouble he shall keep me safe

                             in his shelter; 

    he shall hide me in the secrecy of his dwelling

    and set me high upon a rock.

8 Even now he lifts up my head 

    above my enemies round about me.

9 Therefore I will offer in his dwelling an oblation

with sounds of great gladness; 

    I will sing and make music to the LORD.

10 Hearken to my voice, O LORD, when I call; 

    have mercy on me and answer me.

11 You speak in my heart and say, "Seek my face." 

    Your face, LORD, will I seek.

12 Hide not your face from me, 

    nor turn away your servant in displeasure.

13  You have been my helper;

cast me not away; 

    do not forsake me, O God of my salvation.

14 Though my father and my mother forsake me, 

    the LORD will sustain me.

15 Show me your way, O LORD; 

    lead me on a level path, because of my enemies.

16 Deliver me not into the hand of my adversaries, 

    for false witnesses have risen up against me,

    and also those who speak malice.

17 What if I had not believed

that I should see the goodness of the LORD 

    in the land of the living!

18 O tarry and await the LORD'S pleasure;

be strong, and he shall comfort your heart; 

    wait patiently for the LORD.

Second Reading: Philippians 3:17--4:1

17Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. 18For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. 19Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. 20But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself. 4:1Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

Gospel: Luke 13:31-35

31At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to [Jesus,] “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” 32He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. 33Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’ 34Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 35See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’ ”