9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.
10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;
11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;
13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord.
20 Therefore 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.'
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Officiant: The Word of the Lord.
The People: Thanks be to God.
Deacon: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you. Or And with your spirit.
Deacon: May the Lord be on our minds, on our lips, and on our hearts as we hear His Holy Gospel. The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew.
People: Glory to You, Lord Christ.
Deacon: We are reading from Matthew's Gospel chapter 16, beginning at verse 21.
21 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. 22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, 'Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!' 23 But He turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.' 24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.
Prayers of the People
Prayers of the People for: Proper 17
Brothers and sisters, trusting that God will meet our needs, let us bring to Him, in a spirit of humility, our needs and those of the whole world.
For the Church; that She will be faithful in prayer and diligent in evangelism.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
For all God's people; that they will hate evil and cling to what is good.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
For the nations; that they will live at peace with one another, as far as it depends on them.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
For all those who value the things of this world; that they will recognize how much more valuable is their soul.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
For all parents; that they will have the grace to raise their children in the ways of the Lord with wisdom and patience.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
For the stranger, the unwanted child, or the lonely; that they will be welcomed, defended and cared for.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
For us; that we will be devoted to one another in love and so prove to be disciples of Jesus.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Most Merciful God, You are our Savior, Healer, and Redeemer. Hear our prayer and give us the grace to deny ourselves daily and follow You. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN