Thursday June 27 Pentecost 5
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Psalm 105 Part 2
The first half of this psalm sang about how God cared for the people up to the time of their becoming slaves in Egypt. This second half sings about how God forced the Egyptians to release the Israelites so God could bring them to their own land. God is being praised for consistently enacting justice in history.
Numbers 17: 1-11 What’s Numbers about?
There has been more discontent, and God instructs Moses to collect a staff from each ancestral leader of the twelve tribes. Only Aaron’s staff, now associated with the priestly clan the Levites, sprouts leaves, flowers, and ripe almonds the next day. The Levites, descendants of Aaron, are thus permanently confirmed in their powerful role as priests.
Matthew 20: 17-28 What’s Matthew about?
Jesus speaks again about his approaching execution. Two disciples respond by trying to reserve the most senior seats at the heavenly banquet!
This week’s collect:
O God our defender,
storms rage about us and cause us to be afraid.
Rescue your people from despair,
deliver your sons and daughters from fear,
and preserve us all from unbelief;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and ever. Amen.