Sunday between 19 and 25 June
(if after Trinity Sunday)
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
First Reading - Isaiah 65.2-5,8
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah. I call out, even to a people that does not call to me, says the Lord. I hold out my hand to them, even though they are a people in rebellion against me. They walk in wicked ways; they provoke me continually, sacrificing in gardens, burning incense on bricks, dwelling amongst the tombs, eating forbidden foods, then claiming to be so holy that others must not come near. They irritate like smoke in my nostrils from a fire that burns all day long! And yet, for the sake of the good that remains in them, I will not destroy them, says the Lord. This is the word of the Lord.Second Reading - Galatians 3.21,23-29
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Galatians. The law can bring neither life, nor righteousness. Yet the law served as our guardian, until the time when Christ came to reconcile us to God not by law, but by faith. And now, we are no longer subject to the law as a guardian, for by faith in Christ Jesus, we are made children of God. And indeed, all those who are baptised into Christ are equally adopted as children of God. There is neither Hebrew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female; for all are one in Christ Jesus. And all become inheritors, together, of the promises made to Abraham. This is the word of the Lord.Gospel - Luke 8.1-3,26-39
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. Jesus travelled on, through towns and villages, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. Amongst those travelling with Jesus and the twelve were some women who had been healed, or freed from tormenting spirits. The women included Mary Magdalene, who had been freed from seven demons, and Joanna, who was the wife of a leading member of Herod’s court. There was also Susanna; and there were many others. These women helped to provide for Jesus, and all the disciples, out of their own resources.Jesus and the disciples
travelled by boat
to the eastern side
of the sea of Galilee.
As Jesus stepped ashore,
he was met
by a man from the city who was
tormented by demons.
The man was kept under guard, and in chains,
but he would break out,
and live wild amongst the tombs.
When Jesus commanded
the unclean spirit
to come out of him,
the man fell down at Jesus’ feet,
and shouted out, ‘Why are you here, Jesus,
Son of God Most High?
I beg you, do not torment me!’
Jesus asked, ‘What is your name?’
And the man replied,
‘Legion’;
for many demons had entered him;
and they begged Jesus
not to order them
into the abyss.
A large herd of pigs
was feeding on the hillside,
and the demons begged Jesus
to let them enter these instead,
and Jesus permitted them.
So the demons
came out of the man,
and entered
into the pigs.
And the entire herd
rushed down
the steep bank
into the lake,
and was drowned.
When those who were responsible for the pigs
saw what had happened,
they fled,
telling everyone,
in the city,
and in the surrounding countryside,
what had happened.
When people came to see,
they found the man,
sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and calm.
Overcome with fear,
they asked Jesus to leave.
Jesus returned to the boat
in which he had arrived.
The man who had been freed from the demons
begged to join those
travelling with Jesus,
but Jesus said, ‘Return to your home,
and tell them there
of all that God has done for you.’
And he went and told, throughout the city,
of all that Jesus had done for him.
This is the Gospel of the Lord.