Celtic Odyssey

Luke 13.1-9 (CEB; adapted): [1] Some who were present told Jesus about the Galileans whom Pilate had killed while they were offering sacrifices. 2 He replied, “Do you think the suffering of these Galileans proves that they were more sinful than all the other Galileans? 3 No, I tell you, but unless you change your hearts and lives, you’ll die just as they did. 4 What about those eighteen people who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them? Do you think that they were more guilty of wrongdoing than everyone else who lives in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you, but unless you change your hearts and lives, you’ll die just as they did.” 6 Jesus told this parable: “A man owned a fig tree planted in his vineyard. He came looking for fruit on it and found none. 7 He said to the gardener, ‘Look, I’ve come looking for fruit on this fig tree for the past three years, and I’ve never found any. Cut it down! Why should it continue depleting the soil’s nutrients?’ 8 The gardener responded, ‘...

Philippians 3.17-4.1 (CEB; adapted): [1] Patrick and the Children 17 Brothers and sisters, become imitators of me and watch those who live this way — you can use us as models. 18 As I’ve told you many times and now say with deep sadness, many people live as enemies of the cross. 19 Their lives end with destruction. Their god is their stomach, and they take pride in their disgrace because their thoughts focus on earthly things. 20 Our citizenship is in heaven. We look forward to a savior that comes from there — the Lord Jesus Christ. 21 He’ll transform our humble bodies so that they’re like his glorious body, by the power that also makes him able to subject all things to himself. 4.1 Therefore, my brothers and sisters whom I love and miss, who are my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord, loved ones. Other readings: Genesis 15.1-12, 17-18; Psalm 27; Luke 13.31-35 Collect: O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways...

Luke 4.1-13 (MSG; adapted): [1] 1-2 Now Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wild. For forty days and nights he was tested by the devil. Jesus ate nothing during those days, and when the time was up he was hungry. 3 Playing on his hunger, the devil gave Jesus the first test: “Since you’re God’s Child, command this stone to turn into a loaf of bread.” 4 Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: “It takes more than bread to really live.” 5-7 For the second test the devil led Jesus to a high place and spread out all the kingdoms of the earth on display at once. Then the devil said, “They’re yours in all their splendor to serve your pleasure. I’m in charge of them all and can turn them over to whomever I wish. Worship me and they’re yours.” 8 Jesus refused, again backing his refusal with Deuteronomy: “Worship the Lord your God and only the Lord your God. Serve God with absolute single-heartedness.” 9-11 For the third test the devil took Jesu...