Celtic Odyssey

Luke 21.5-19 (CEB; adapted): [1] 5 Some people were talking about the temple, how it was decorated with beautiful stones and ornaments dedicated to God. Jesus said, 6 “As for the things you’re admiring, the time is coming when not even one stone will be left upon another. All will be demolished.” 7 They asked him, “Teacher, when will these things happen? What sign will show that these things are about to happen?” 8 Jesus said, “Watch out that you aren’t deceived. Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I’m the one!’ and ‘It’s time!’ Don’t follow them. 9 When you hear of wars and rebellions, don’t be alarmed. These things must happen first, but the end won’t happen immediately.” 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Nations and kingdoms will fight against each other. 11 There will be great earthquakes and wide-scale food shortages and epidemics. There will also be terrifying sights and great signs in the sky. 12 But before all this occurs, they’ll take you into custody and harass you beca

Luke 20.27-38 (CEB; adapted): [1] 27 Some Sadducees, who deny that there’s a resurrection, came to Jesus and asked, 28 “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies leaving a widow but no children, the brother must marry the widow and raise up children for his brother. 29 Now there were seven brothers. The first man married a woman and then died childless. 30 The second 31 and then the third brother married her. Eventually all seven married her, and they all died without leaving any children. 32 Finally, the woman died too. 33 In the resurrection, whose wife will she be? All seven were married to her.” 34 Jesus said to them, “People who belong to this age marry and are given in marriage. 35 But those who are considered worthy to participate in that age, that is, in the age of the resurrection from the dead, won’t marry nor will they be given in marriage. 36 They can no longer die, because they’re like angels and are God’s children since they share in the resurrection

The Prayer Omnipotent and merciful God, it’s only by your Grace that people offer you true and laudable service: Grant that we may run without stumbling to obtain your heavenly promises; through Jesus the Christ, our Rescuer, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.                                     The Lessons Habakkuk 1.1-4; 2.1-4 (CEB; adapted): [1] 1 The oracle that Habakkuk the prophet saw. 2 YHWH, how long will I call for help and you not listen? I cry out to you, “Violence!” but you don’t deliver us. 3 Why do you show me injustice and look at anguish so that devastation and violence are before me? There is strife, and conflict abounds. 4 The Instruction is ineffective. Justice doesn’t endure because the wicked surround the righteous. Justice becomes warped. 2.1 I’ll take my post; I’ll position myself on the fortress. I’ll keep watch to see what the Lord says to me and