This is the reading and sermon from today’s worship service for the Gentle Shepherd. Today’s reading is from the Jerusalem Bible version of the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 5, verses 43 to 48: “Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You have learnt how it was said: You must love your neighbour and hate your enemy. But I say…

Here is a responsorial psalm from the Jerusalem Bible version of Psalm 129 (which is Psalm 130 using the Masoretic numbering sequence): If you, O Lord, should mark our guilt, Lord, who would survive? Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord,   Lord, hear my voice! O let your ears be attentive   to…

Here is a responsorial psalm from the Jerusalem Bible version of Psalm 137 (which is Psalm 138 using the Masoretic numbering sequence), verses 1 to 3, and 7 to 8: On the day I called, you answered me, O Lord. I thank you, Lord, with all my heart:   you have heard the words of my…

Here is a responsorial psalm from the Jerusalem Bible version of Psalm 50 (which is Psalm 51 using the Masoretic numbering sequence), verses 3 to 4, 12 to 13, and 18 to 19: A humbled, contrite heart, O God, you will not spurn. Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness.   In your compassion blot…

Here is a responsorial psalm from the Jerusalem Bible version of Psalm 33 (which is Psalm 34 using the Masoretic numbering sequence), verses 4 to 7 and 16 to 19: The Lord rescues the just in all their distress. Glorify the Lord with me.   Together let us praise his name. I sought the Lord and…

Here is a responsorial psalm from the Jerusalem Bible version of Psalm 18 (which is Psalm 19 using the Masoretic numbering sequence), verses 8 to 10 and 15: Your words are spirit, Lord, and they are life. The law of the Lord is perfect,   it revives the soul. The rule of the Lord is to…

1   As a deer longs for flowing streams,           so my soul longs for you, O God. 2   My soul thirsts for God,           for the living God.      When shall I come and behold           the face of God? 3   My tears have been my food           day and night,      while people say to me continually,           “Where is your God?” 4   These things I remember,           as I pour out my soul:      how I went…

20“I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, 21that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22The…

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. 2I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have…

1A prayer of the prophet Habakkuk according to Shigionoth. 2O LORD, I have heard of your renown, and I stand in awe, O LORD, of your work. In our own time revive it; in our own time make it known; in wrath may you remember mercy. 3God came from Teman, the Holy One from Mount…