Sunday between 7 and 13 August    

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)

First Reading - Genesis 12.1-7

A reading from the book of Genesis. The Lord said to Abram, ‘You are to leave your country, your people, and your father’s house, and go to the land that I will show you. And I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you. I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing to many. I will bless those who bless you. and I will rebuke those who dishonour you. And in you, all the nations of the earth will be blessed.’ So Abram set out, as the Lord had directed. And Abram departed from Haran, with his wife Sara, and his nephew Lot, and all their household, and all their possessions, as the Lord had directed. They came to the land of Canaan; and they passed through the land, and its people, to a great oak, in the centre of the land. There, the Lord appeared to Abram, saying, ‘To your offspring, I will give this land.’ And Abram built an altar there, to the Lord. This is the word of the Lord.

Second Reading - Hebrews 11.1, 8-10

A reading from the letter to the Hebrews. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for; and confidence, in things not yet seen. It was by faith that Abraham trusted, and obeyed, when he was called to set out to a place that would become his inheritance. It was by faith that he set out before he even knew the destination. It was by faith that he lived there, like a stranger in a foreign land, without any settled home; as did Isaac, and Jacob, after him. For by faith, they could look forward, in confident expectation, to the city with a sure foundation, designed and built by God. This is the word of the Lord.

Gospel - Luke 12.22-34

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Do not worry about what you will eat, or what you will wear, for life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. Look at the birds: they do not plant or harvest; they have no storehouse, or barn, and yet God feeds them. And you are more valuable than the birds. Look at the wild flowers, how they grow: they do not weave or sew, and yet not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed as finely as these. If this is how God clothes the grass, which is alive today, and dried up tomorrow, then how much more will God clothe you! So have faith! Do not worry, as others do, about what you will eat, or what you will drink. Worrying will not add a single hour to your span of life. And your heavenly Father knows that you need these things. So work instead for the kingdom of God, and all these other things will be given to you as well. Do not be afraid, for your Father longs to give you the kingdom. So sell what you have, and give to those in need. Store up your treasure in heaven, where nothing decays, and no thief can come near. And where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. This is the Gospel of the Lord.