Luke 10

Jesus sends out the seventy

 

(Mt 10:5; Mk 6:7)

 

10 • 1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two other disciples and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place, where he himself was to go. 2 And he said to them, “The har­vest is rich, but the workers are few. So you must ask the Lord of the harvest to send workers to his harvest. 3 Courage! I am sending you like lambs among wolves. 4 Set off without purse or bag or sandals; and do not stop at the homes of those you know.

 

5 Whatever house you enter, first bless them saying: ‘Peace to this house.’ 6 If a friend of peace lives there, the peace shall rest upon that person. But if not, the blessing will return to you. 7 Stay in that house eating and drinking at their table, for the worker deserves to be paid. Do not move from house to house.

 

• 8 When they welcome you in any town, eat what they offer you. 9 Heal the sick who are there and say to them: ‘The kingdom of God has drawn near to you.’

 

10 But in any town where you are not welcome, go to the marketplace and proclaim: 11 ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off and leave with you. But know and be sure that the kingdom of God had come to you.’ 12 I tell you that on the Judgment Day it will be better for Sodom than for this town.

 

13Alas for you Chorazin! Alas for you Bethsaida! So many miracles have been worked in you! If the same miracles had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would already be sitting in ashes and wear­ing the sackcloth of repentance. 14 Surely for Tyre and Sidon it will be better than for you on the Judgment Day. 15 And what of you, city of Capernaum? Will you be lifted up to heaven? You will be thrown down to the place of the dead.

 

16 Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me; and he who rejects me, rejects the one who sent me.”

 

Jesus gives thanks to the Father

 

(Mt 11:25)

 

• 17 The seventy-two disciples returned full of joy. They said, “Lord, even the demons obeyed us when we called on your name.” 18 Then Jesus replied, “I saw ­Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 You see, I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the Enemy, so that nothing will harm you. 20 Nevertheless, don’t rejoice because the evil spirits submit to you; rejoice rather that your names are written in heaven.”

 

21 At that time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit and said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and made them known to the little ones. 22 Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. I have been given all things by my Father, so that no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and he to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

 

23 Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said to them privately, “Fortunate are you to see what you see, 24 for I tell you that many prophets and kings would have liked to see what you see but did not, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”

 

The good Samaritan

 

(Mt 22:34; Mk 12:28)

 

• 25 Then a teacher of the Law came and began putting Jesus to the test. And he said, “Master, what shall I do to receive eternal life?” 26 Jesus replied, “What is written in the Scripture? How do you understand it?” 27 The man answered, “It is written: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength and with all your mind. And you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 28 Jesus replied, “What a good answer! Do this and you shall live.” 29 The man wanted to keep up appearances, so he replied, “Who is my neighbor?”

 

30 Jesus then said, “There was a man going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him and went off leaving him half-dead.

 

31 It happened that a priest was going along that road and saw the man, but passed by on the other side. 32 Like­wise a Levite saw the man and passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, too, was going that way, and when he came upon the man, he was moved with compassion. 34 He went over to him and treated his wounds with oil and wine and wrap­ped them with bandages. Then he put him on his own mount and brought him to an inn where he took care of him.

 

35 The next day he had to set off, but he gave two silver coins to the innkeeper and told him: ‘Take care of him and whatever you spend on him, I will repay when I come back.’”

 

36 Jesus then asked, “Which of these three, do you think, made himself neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The teacher of the Law answered, “the one who had mercy on him.” And Jesus said, “Go then and do the same.”

 

Martha and Mary

 

• 38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he entered a village and a woman called Martha welcomed him to her house. 39 She had a sister named Mary who sat down at the Lord’s feet to listen to his words. 40 Martha, meanwhile, was busy with all the serving and finally she said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the serving?”

 

41 But the Lord answered, “Mar­tha, Martha, you worry and are troubled about many things, 42 whereas only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the better part, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 9

Jesus sends the Twelve on a mission

 

(Mt 10:5; Mk 6:7)

 

1 Then Jesus called his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to drive out all evil spirits and to heal diseases. 2 And he sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3 He instructed them, “Don’t take anything for the journey, neither walking stick, nor bag, nor bread, nor silver coins; and don’t even take a spare tunic. 4 Whatever house you enter, remain there until you leave that place. 5 And wherever they don’t welcome you, leave the town and shake the dust from your feet: it will be as a testimony against them.”

 

6 So they set out and went through the villages, proclaiming the good news and healing peo­ple everywhere.

 

7 King Herod heard of all this and did not know what to think, for people said, “This is John, raised from the dead.” 8 Others believed that Elijah or one of the ancient prophets had come back to life. 9 As for Herod, he said, “I had John beheaded; who is this man about whom I hear such wonders?” And he was anxious to see him.

 

10 On their return the apostles told Jesus everything they had done. Then he took them aside to a lonely place, and they went away to a town called Bethsaida to be by themselves. 11 But the crowd heard of this and caught up with him. So he welcomed them and began speaking about the kingdom of God, curing those who needed healing.

 

Miracle of the loaves

 

(Mk 6:30; Mt 14:13; Jn 6:1)

 

• 12 The day was drawing to a close and the Twelve drew near to tell him, “Send the crowd away and let them go into the villages and farms around, to find lodging and food, for we are here in a lonely place.” 13 But Jesus replied, “You yourselves give them something to eat.” They answered, “We have only five loaves and two fish; do you want us to go and buy food enough for all this crowd?” 14 For there were about five thousand men. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Make people sit down in groups of fifties.”

 

15 So they made all of them settle down. 16 Jesus then took the five loaves and two fish, and raising his eyes to heaven, pronounced a blessing over them; he broke them and gave them to the disciples to distribute to the crowd. 17 They ate and everyone had enough; and when they gathered up what was left, twelve baskets were filled with broken pieces.

 

Peter’s profession of faith

 

(Mk 8:27; Mt 16:18)

 

• 18 One day when Jesus was pray­ing alone, not far from his disciples, he asked them, “What do peo­ple say about me?” 19 And they answered, “Some say that you are John the Baptist; others say that you are Elijah, and still others that you are one of the former prophets risen from the dead.” Again Jesus asked them, 20 “Who then do you say I am?” Peter answered, “The Messiah of God.” 21 Then Jesus spoke to them, giving them strict orders not to tell this to anyone.

 

• 22 And he added, “The Son of Man must suffer many things. He will be rejected by the elders and chief priests and teachers of the Law, and put to death. Then after three days he will be raised to life.”

 

23 Jesus also said to all the people, “If you wish to be a follower of mine, deny yourself and take up your cross each day, and follow me. 24 For if you choose to save your life, you will lose it, and if you lose your life for my sake, you will save it. 25 What does it profit you to gain the whole world while you destroy or damage yourself? 26 If someone feels ashamed of me and of my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Glory and in the Glory of his Father with his holy angels. 27 Truly, I say to you, there are some here who will not experience death before they see the kingdom of God.”

 

The transfiguration

 

(Mk 9:2; Mt 17:1; Jn 12:28)

 

• 28 About eight days after Jesus had said all this, he took Peter, John and James and went up the mountain to pray. 29 And while he was praying, the aspect of his face was changed and his clothing became dazzling white. 30 Two men were talking with Jesus: Moses and Elijah. 31 They had just appeared in heavenly glory and were telling him about his departure that had to take place in Jerusalem.

 

32 Peter and his companions had fallen asleep, but they awoke suddenly and saw Jesus’ Glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As Moses and Elijah were about to leave, Peter said to him, “Master, how good it is for us to be here for we can make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” For Peter didn’t know what to say. 34 And no sooner had he spoken than a cloud appeared and covered them; and the disciples were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 Then these words came from the cloud, “This is my Son, my Chosen one, listen to him.” 36 And after the voice had spoken, Jesus was there alone.

 

The disciples kept this to themselves at the time, telling no one of any­thing they had seen.

 

The epileptic demoniac

 

(Mk 9:14; Mt 17:14)

 

37 The next day, when they came down from the mountain, quite a group met Jesus. 38 A man among them called out, “Master, I beg you to look at my son, my only child. When the evil spirit seizes him, he suddenly screams. 39 The spirit throws him into a fit and he foams at the mouth; it scarcely ever leaves him after wearing him out. 40 I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not.”

 

41 Jesus answered, “You faithless people! How wrong you are! How long must I be with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.” 42 And while the boy was being brought, the demon knocked him to the ground and threw him into a fit. But Jesus spoke sharply to the evil spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father. 43 And all who saw it were astonished at God’s wonderful work.

 

(Mk 9:30)

 

While all were amazed at everything Jesus did, he said to his disciples, 44 “Listen and remember what I tell you now: The Son of Man will be delivered into human hands.” 45 But the disciples didn’t understand this saying; something prevented them from grasp­ing what he meant, and they were afraid to ask him about it.

 

Who is the greatest?

 

• 46 One day the disciples were arguing about which of them was the most impor­tant. 47 But Jesus knew their thoughts, so he took a little child and stood him by his side. 48 Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me, welcomes the one who sent me. And listen: the one who is found to be the least among you all, is the one who is the greatest.”

 

49 Then John spoke up, “Master, we saw someone who drove out demons by calling upon your name, and we tried to forbid him because he doesn’t follow you with us.” 50 But Jesus said, “Don’t forbid him. He who is not against you is for you.”

 

Jesus unwelcome in a Samaritan village

 

• 51 As the time drew near when Jesus would be taken up to heaven, he made up his mind to go to Jerusalem. 52 He had sent ahead of him some messengers who entered a Samaritan village to prepare a lodging for him. 53 But the people would not receive him because he was on his way to Jerusalem. 54 Seeing this, James and John, his disciples said, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to reduce them to ashes?” 55 Jesus turned and rebuked them, 56 and they went on to another village.

 

The cost of following Jesus

 

(Mt 8:19)

 

• 57 As they went on their way, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”

 

59 To another Jesus said, “Follow me.” But he answered, “Let me go back now, for first I want to bury my father.” 60 And Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their dead; as for you, leave them and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

 

61 Another said to him, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say goodbye to my family.” 62 And Jesus said to him, “Whoever has put his hand to the plow and looks back is not fit for the kingdom of God.”

Luke 8

The women who followed Jesus

 

• 1 Jesus walked through towns and countryside, preaching and giving the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve followed him, 2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and diseases: Mary called Magdalene, who had been freed of seven demons; 3 Joanna, wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward; Suzanna and others who provided for them out of their own funds.

 

The parable of the sower

 

(Mk 4:1; Mt 13:1)

 

4 As a great crowd gathered and people came to him from every town, Jesus began teaching them through stories, or para­bles, 5 “The sower went out to sow the seed. And as he sowed, some of the grain fell along the way, was trodden on and the birds of the sky ate it up. 6 Some fell on rocky ground, and no sooner had it come up than it withered, because it had no water. 7 Some fell among thorns; the thorns grew up with the seed and choked it. 8 But some fell on good soil and grew, producing fruit – a hundred times as much.” And Jesus cried out, “Listen then, if you have ears to hear!”

 

• 9 The disciples asked him, “What does this story mean?” 10 And Jesus answered, “You have been granted to know the mystery of the kingdom of God. But to others it is given in the form of stories, or parables, so that seeing they may not perceive and hearing they may not understand.”

 

11 Now, this is the point of the parable:

 

The seed is the word of God. 12 Those along the wayside are people who hear it, but immediately the devil comes and takes the word from their minds, for he doesn’t want them to believe and be saved. 13 Those on the rocky ground are people who receive the word with joy, but they have no root; they believe for a while and give way in time of trial. 14 Among the thorns are people who hear the word but as they go their way, are choked by worries, riches, and the pleasures of life; they bring no fruit to maturity. 15 The good soil, instead, are people who receive the word and keep it in a gentle and generous mind, and persevering patiently, they bear fruit.

 

16 No one, after lighting a lamp covers it with a bowl or puts it under the bed; rather he puts it on a lamp­stand so that people coming in may see the light. 17 In the same way, there is nothing hidden that shall not be uncovered; nothing kept secret that shall not be known clearly. 18 Now, take care how well you listen, for whoever produces will be given more, but from those who do not produce, even what they seem to have will be taken away from them.”

 

Jesus’ mother and brothers

 

(Mk 3:31; Mt 12:46)

 

• 19 Then his mother and his relatives came to him, but they could not get to him because of the crowd. 20 Someone told him, “Your mother and your brothers are standing out­­side and wish to meet you.” 21 Then Jesus answered, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”

 

Jesus calms the storm

 

(Mk 4:35; Mt 8:23)

 

• 22 One day Jesus got into a boat with his disciples and said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” 23 So they set out, and as they sailed he fell asleep. Suddenly a storm came down on the lake and the boat began to fill with water, and they were in danger. 24 The disciples then went to Jesus to wake him, saying, “Master! Master! We are sinking!” Jesus woke up. He rebuked the wind and the rolling waves; the storm subsided, and all was quiet.

 

25 Then Jesus said to them, “Where is your faith?” They had been afraid; now they were astonished and said to one another, “Who can this be? See, he commands even the wind and the sea and they obey him!”

 

The possessed man and the pigs

 

(Mk 5:1; Mt 8:28)

 

26 The crossing ended at the country of the Gerasenes, on the shore facing Galilee. 27 As Jesus stepped ashore, a man from the town approached him. This man was possessed by demons and for a long time was without clothes. He would not live in a house but stayed among the tombstones. 28 When he came nearer to Jesus, he yelled and threw himself on the ground before him, and then shouted, “What do you want with me, Jesus, son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me”; 29 for Jesus had ordered the evil spirit to leave the man.

 

This spirit had seized him many times, when he had been bound with ropes and chains and kept under control. He would then suddenly break the chains and be driven by the evil spirit into wild places.

 

When Jesus asked him, 30 “What is your name?” the man said, “I am Legion,” because many demons had entered into him. 31 And they begged Jesus not to command them to go into the bottomless pit. 32 Nearby a great herd of pigs was feeding, so the demons asked to be allowed to enter the pigs, and Jesus let them go. 33 The demons then left the man and entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down into the lake and was drowned.

 

34 When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they fled and reported it in the town and countryside. 35 Then people went out to see what had happened and came to Jesus. There they saw the man from whom the demons had been driven out. He was clothed and in his right mind, and was sitting at the feet of Jesus. They were afraid. 36 Then people who had seen it told them how the man had been healed, 37 and all this crowd from the Gerasene country asked Jesus to depart from them, for a great fear took hold of them. So Jesus got into the boat to return.

 

38 It was then that the man freed of the demons asked Jesus if he could stay with him. 39 But Jesus sent him on his way, “Go back to your family and tell them how much God has done for you.” So the man went away, proclaiming through the whole town how much Jesus had done for him.

 

A woman is healed and a child raised to life

 

(Mk 5:21; Mt 9:18)

 

• 40 When Jesus returned, the people welcomed him, for all had been waiting for him. 41 At that time a man named Jairus, an official of the synagogue, threw himself at Jesus’ feet and begged him to come to his house 42 because his only daughter, about twelve years old, was dying.

 

As Jesus was on his way, the crowd pressed from every side. 43 There was a woman who had suffered from a bleeding for twelve years. This woman had spent everything she had on doctors, but none of them had been able to cure her. 44 Now she came up behind Jesus and touched the fringe of his cloak, and her bleeding stopped at once. 45 Then Jesus asked, “Who touched me?” Everyone denied it and Peter said, “Master, the crowd is pushing all around you.” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I felt power go out from me.”

 

47 The woman knew she had been discovered. She came trembling and knelt before Jesus. Then she openly confessed why she had touched him and how she had been instantly cured. 48 And Jesus said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

 

49 While Jesus was still speaking, a messenger arrived from the official’s home to tell him, “Your daughter has just died; don’t trouble the master any further.” 50 But Jesus heard the news and said to the official, “Do not fear, only believe.”

 

51 When he entered the house, Jesus allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James and John, with the father and mother of the child. 52 As all the people were weeping and wailing loud­ly, Jesus said to them, “Do not weep, she is not dead but asleep.” 53 And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 As for Jesus, he took the child by the hand and said to her, “Child, wake up!” 55 And her spirit returned and she got up at once; then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. 56 The parents were amazed, but Jesus ordered them not to let anyone know what had happened.

Luke 7

The faith of a pagan

 

(Mt 8:5; Jn 4:46)

 

• 1 When Jesus had finished teaching in this way to the people, he went to Capernaum.

 

2 There was a captain whose servant was very sick and near to death, a man very dear to him. 3 So when he heard about Jesus, he sent some elders of the Jews to persuade him to come and save his servant’s life. 4 The elders came to Jesus and begged him earnestly, saying, 5 “He deserves this of you, for he loves our people and even built a synagogue for us.”

 

6 Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the captain sent friends to give this message, “Sir, do not trouble yourself for I am not worthy to welcome you under my roof. 7 You see I didn’t approach you myself. Just give the order and my servant will be healed. 8 For I myself, a junior officer, give orders to my soldiers and I say to this one: ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to the other: ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant: ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”  

 

9 On hearing these words, Jesus was filled with admiration. He turned and said to the people with him, “I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith.” 10 The people sent by the captain went back to his house; there they found that the servant was well.

 

The son of a widow restored to life

 

• 11 A little later Jesus went to a town called Naim and many of his disciples went with him – a great number of people. 12 As he reached the gate of the town, a dead man was being carried out. He was the only son of his mother and she was a widow; there followed a large crowd of townspeople.

 

13 On seeing her, the Lord had pity on her and said, “Don’t cry.” 14 Then he came up and touched the stretcher and the men who carried it stopped. Jesus then said, “Young man, awake, I tell you.” 15 And the dead man got up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. 16 A holy fear came over them all and they praised God saying, “A great prophet has appeared among us; God has visited his people.” 17 This news spread out in the Jewish country and the surrounding places.

 

Jesus answers the messengers of John

 

(Mt 11:2)

 

• 18 The disciples of John gave him all this news. So he called two of them and 19 sent them to the Lord with this message, “Are you the one we are expecting, or should we wait for another?” 20 These men came to Jesus and said, “John the Baptist sent us to ask you: Are you the one we are to expect, or should we wait for another?”

 

21 At that time Jesus healed many people of their sicknesses or diseases; he freed them from evil spirits and he gave sight to the blind. 22 Then he answered the messengers, “Go back and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind see again, the lame walk, lepers are made clean, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the poor are given good news. Now, listen: 23 Fortunate are those who encounter me, but not for their downfall.”

 

• 24 When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus began speaking to the people about John. And he said, “What did you want to see when you went to the desert? A tall reed blowing in the wind? 25 What was there to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? But people who wear fine clothes and enjoy delicate food are found in palaces. 26 What did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27 For John is the one foretold in Scripture in these words: I am sending my messenger ahead of you to prepare your ways. 28 No one may be found greater than John among those born of women but, I tell you, the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

 

29 All the people listening to him, even the tax collectors, had acknowledged the will of God in receiving the baptism of John, 30 whereas the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law, in not letting them­selves be baptized by him, ignored the will of God.

 

31 What comparison can I use for this people? What are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace, about whom their companions complain: ‘We piped you a tune and you wouldn’t dance; we sang funeral songs and you wouldn’t cry.’

 

33 Remember John: he didn’t eat bread or drink wine, and you said: ‘He has an evil spirit.’ 34 Next came the Son of Man, eating and drinking, and you say: ‘Look, a glutton for food and wine, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ 35 But the children of Wisdom always recognize her work.”

 

Jesus, the woman and the Pharisee

 

• 36 One of the Pharisees ask­ed Jesus to share his meal, so he went to the Pharisee’s home and as usual reclined on the sofa to eat. 37 And it happened that a woman of this town, who was known as a sinner, heard that he was in the Pharisee’s house. She brought a precious jar of perfume 38 and stood behind him at his feet, weeping. She wet his feet with tears, she dried them with her hair and kissed his feet and poured the perfume on them.

 

39 The Pharisee who had invited Jesus was watching and thought, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what sort of person is touching him; isn’t this woman a sinner?”

 

40 Then Jesus spoke to the Phari­see and said, “Simon, I have something to ask you.” He answered, “Speak, master.” And Jesus said, 41 “Two people were in debt to the same creditor. One owed him five hundred silver coins, and the other fifty. 42 As they were unable to pay him back, he graciously canceled the debts of both. Now, which of them will love him more?”

 

43 Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, who was forgiven more.” And ­Jesus said, “You are right.” 44 And turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this wo­man? 45 You gave me no water for my feet when I entered your house, but she has washed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. You didn’t welcome me with a kiss, but she has not stopped kissing my feet since she came in. 46 You provided no oil for my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 This is why, I tell you, her sins, her many sins, are forgiven, because of her great love. But the one who is forgiven little, has little love.”

 

48 Then Jesus said to the wo­man, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 The others sitting with him at the table began to wonder, “Now this man claims to forgive sins!” 50 But Jesus again spoke to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Luke 6

Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath

 

(Mk 2:23; Mt 12:1; Mk 3:1)

 

 • 1 One Sabbath Jesus was going through the corn fields and his disciples began to pick heads of grain crushing them in their hands for food. 2 Some of the Pharisees asked them, “Why do you do what is forbidden on the Sabbath?” 3 Then Jesus spoke, “Have you never read what David did when he and his men were hungry?” 4 He entered the house of God, took and ate the bread of the offering and even gave some to his men, though only priests are allowed to eat that bread.” 5 And Jesus added, “The Son of Man is Lord and rules over the sabbath.”

 

6 On another Sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and began teaching. There was a man with a paralyzed right hand 7 and the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees watched him: Would ­Jesus heal the man on the Sabbath? If he did, they could accuse him.

 

8 But Jesus knew their thoughts and said to the man, “Get up and stand in the middle.” 9 Then he spoke to them, “I want to ask you: what is allowed by the Law on the Sabbath, to do good or to do harm, to save life or destroy it?” 10 And Jesus looked around at them all.

 

Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out and his hand was restored, becoming as whole as the other. 11 But they were furious and began to discuss with one another how they could deal with Jesus.

 

The Twelve

 

(Mk 3:13; Mt 10:1)

 

• 12 At this time Jesus went out into the hills to pray, spending the whole night in prayer with God. 13 When day came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them whom he called apostles: 14 Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, James and John; Philip and Bartho­lo­mew; 15 Matthew and Thomas; James son of Alpheus and Simon called the Zealot; 16 Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who would be the traitor.

 

Blessings and woes

 

(Mt 5-6-7)

 

• 17 Coming down the hill with them, Jesus stood on a level place. Many of his disciples were there and a large crowd of people who had come from all parts of Judea and Jerusalem and from the coastal cities of Tyre and Si­don. 18 They gathered to hear him and be healed of their diseases; likewise people troubled by evil spirits were healed. 19 The entire crowd tried to touch him because of the power that went out from him and healed them all.

 

20 Then looking at his disciples, Jesus said,

 

“Fortunate are you who are poor, the kingdom of God is yours.”

 

21 Fortunate are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled.

 

Fortunate are you who weep now, for you will laugh.

 

22 Fortunate are you when peo­ple hate you, when they reject you and insult you and number you among criminals, because of the Son of Man. 23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for a great reward is kept for you in heaven. Re­member that is how the ancestors of this people treated the prophets.

 

24 But alas for you who have wealth, for you have been comforted now.

 

25 Alas for you who are full, for you will go hungry.

 

Alas for you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.

 

26 Alas for you when peo­ple speak well of you, for that is how the ancestors of these people treated the false prophets.

 

Love of enemies

 

(Mt 5:38)

 

• 27 But I say to you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you. 28 Bless those who curse you and pray for those who treat you badly. 29 To the one who strikes you on the cheek, turn the other cheek; from the one who takes your coat, do not keep back your shirt. 30 Give to the one who asks and if anyone has taken something from you, do not demand it back.

 

• 31 Do to others as you would have others do to you. 32 If you love only those who love you, what kind of graciousness is yours? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do favors to those who are good to you, what kind of graciousness is yours? Even sinners do the same. 34 If you lend only when you expect to receive, what kind of graciousness is yours? For sinners also lend to sinners, expecting to receive something in return.

 

• 35 But love your enemies and do good to them, and lend when there is nothing to expect in return. Then will your reward be great and you will be sons and daughters of the Most High. For he is kind towards the ungrateful and the wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

 

37 Don’t be a judge of others and you will not be judged; do not condemn and you will not be condemned; forgive and you will be forgiven; 38 give and it will be given to you, and you will receive in your sack good measure, pressed down, full and running over. For the measure you give will be the measure you receive back.”

 

39 And Jesus offered this example, “Can a blind person lead another blind person? Surely both will fall into a ditch. 40 A disciple is not above the master; but when fully trained, he will be like the master. 41 So why do you pay attention to the speck in your brother’s eye while you have a log in your eye and are not conscious of it? 42 How can you say to your neighbor: ‘Friend, let me take this speck out of your eye,’ when you can’t remove the log in your own? You hypocrite! First remove the log from your own eye and then you will see clearly enough to remove the speck from your neighbor’s eye.

 

• 43 No healthy tree bears bad fruit, no poor tree bears good fruit. 44 And each tree is known by the fruit it bears: you don’t gather figs from thorns, or grapes from brambles. 45 Similarly the good person draws good things from the good stored in the heart, and an evil person draws evil things from the evil stored in the heart. For the mouth speaks from the fullness of the heart.

 

46 Why do you call me: ‘Lord! Lord!’ and not do what I say? 47 I will show you what the one who comes to me and listens to my words and acts according­ly, is like. 48 That one is like the builder who dug deep and laid the foundations of his house on rock. The river overflowed and the stream dashed against the house, but could not carry it off because the house had been well built.

 

49 But the one who listens and does not act, is like a man who built his house on the ground without a foundation. The flood burst against it, and the house fell at once: and what a terrible disaster that was!”

Luke 5

You will catch people

 

(Mt 4:18; Mk 1:16)

 

• 1 One day, as Jesus stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, with a crowd gathered around him listening to the word of God, 2 he caught sight of two boats left at the water’s edge by the fishermen now washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to pull out a little from the shore. There he sat and continued to teach the crowd.

 

4 When he had finished speaking he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” 5 Simon replied, “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing. But if you say so, I will lower the nets.” 6 This they did and caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 They signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. They came and filled both boats almost to the point of sinking.

 

8 Upon seeing this, Simon Peter fell at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Leave me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and his companions were amazed at the catch they had made 10 and so were Simon’s partners, James and John, Zebe­dee’s sons.

 

Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. You will catch people from now on.” 11 So they brought their boats to land and followed him, leaving everything.

 

Cure of a leper

 

(Mk 1:40; Mt 8:2)

 

• 12 One day in another town, a man came to Jesus covered with leprosy. On seeing him he bowed down to the ground, and said, “Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean.”

 

13 Stretching out his hand, Jesus touched the man and said, “Yes, I want it. Be clean.” In an instant the leprosy left him. 14 Then Jesus instructed him, “Tell this to no one. But go and show yourself to the priest. Make an offering for your healing, as Moses prescribed; that should be a proof to the people.”

 

• 15 But the news about Je­sus spread all the more, and large crowds came to him to listen and be healed of their sickness. 16 As for Jesus, he would often withdraw to solitary places and pray.

 

The paralytic saved

 

(Mk 2:1; Mt 9:1)

 

• 17 One day Jesus was teach­ing and many Pharisees and teachers of the Law had come from every part of Galilee and Judea and even from Jerusalem. They were sitting there while the power of the Lord was at work to heal the sick. 18 Then some men brought a paralyzed man who lay on his mat. They tried to enter the house to place him before Jesus, 19 but they couldn’t find a way through the crowd. So they went up on the roof and, removing the tiles, they lowered him on his mat into the middle of the crowd, in front of Jesus.

 

20 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “My friend, your sins are forgiven.” 21 At once the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees began to wonder, “This man insults God! Who can forgive sins but only God?”

 

22 But Jesus knew their thoughts and asked them, “Why are you reacting like this? 23 Which is easier to say: ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or: ‘Get up and walk’? 24 Now you shall know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” And Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” 25 At once the man stood before them. He took up the mat he had been lying on and went home praising God.

 

26 Amazement seized the peo­ple and they praised God. They were filled with a holy fear and said, “What wonderful things we have seen today!”

 

Call of Levi

 

(Mk 2:13; Mt 9:9)

 

• 27 After this Jesus went out, and as he noticed a tax collector named Levi sitting in the tax-office, he said to him, “Follow me.” 28 So Levi, leaving everything, got up and followed Jesus.

 

29 Levi gave a great feast for Jesus, and many tax collectors came to his house and took their place at table with the other people. 30 Then the Pharisees and their fellow teachers complained to Jesus’ disciples, “How is it that you eat and drink with tax collectors and other sinners?” 31 But Jesus spoke up, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor, but sick people do. 32 I have come to call to repentance; I call sinners, not the righteous.”

 

33 Some people asked him, “The disciples of John fast often and say long prayers, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees. Why is it that your disciples eat and drink?” Then Jesus said to them, 34 “You can’t make wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them. 35 But later the bridegroom will be taken from them and they will fast in those days.”

 

36 Jesus also told them this parable, “No one tears a piece from a new coat to put it on an old one; otherwise the new will be torn and the piece taken from the new will not match the old. 37 No one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the new wine will burst the skins and be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed as well. 38 But new wine must be put into fresh skins. 39 Yet no one who has tasted old wine is eager to get new wine, but says: The old is good.”

Luke 4

Jesus tempted in the wilderness

 

(Mt 4:1; Mk 1:12)

 

• 1 Jesus was now full of Holy Spirit. As he returned from the Jordan, the Spirit led him into the desert 2 where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. He did not eat anything during that time, and in the end he was hungry. 3 The devil then said to him, “If you are son of God, tell this stone to turn into bread.” 4 But Jesus answered, “Scripture says: People cannot live on bread alone.”

 

5 Then the devil took him up to a high place and showed him in a flash all the nations of the world. 6 And he said to Jesus, “I can give you power over all the nations and their wealth will be yours, for power and wealth have been delivered to me and I give them to whom I wish. 7 All this will be yours provided you worship me.” 8 But Jesus replied, “Scripture says: You shall worship the Lord your God and serve him alone.”

 

9 Then the devil took him up to Jerusalem and set him on the highest wall of the Temple; and he said, “If you are son of God, throw yourself down from here, 10 for it is written: God will order his angels to take care of you 11 and again: They will hold you in their hands, lest you hurt your foot on the stones.” 12 But Jesus replied, “It is written: You shall not challenge the Lord your God.”

 

13 When the devil had exhausted every way of tempting Jesus he left him, to return another time.

 

Jesus proclaims his mission at Naza­reth

 

(Mt 13:53)

 

• 14 Jesus acted with the power of the Spirit, and on his return to Galilee the news about him spread throughout all that territory. 15 He began teaching in the synagogues of the Jews and everyone praised him.

 

• 16 When Jesus came to Nazareth where he had been brought up, he entered the synagogue on the Sabbath as he usually did. 17 He stood up to read and they handed him the book of the prophet Isaiah.

 

Jesus then unrolled the scroll and found the place where it is written: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. He has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives and new sight to the blind; to free the oppressed 19 and announce the Lord’s year of mercy.”

 

20 Jesus then rolled up the scroll, gave it to the attendant and sat down, while the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 Then he said to them, “Today these prophetic words come true even as you listen.”

 

22 All agreed with him and were lost in wonder, while he kept on speaking of the grace of God. Nevertheless they asked, “Who is this but Joseph’s son?” 23 So he said, “Doubtless you will quote me the saying: Doctor, heal yourself! Do here in your town what they say you did in Capernaum.”

 

24 Jesus added, “No prophet is honored in his own country. 25 Truly, I say to you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens with­held rain for three years and six months and a great famine came over the whole land. 26 Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow of Zarephath, in the country of Sidon. 27 There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha, the prophet, and no one was healed except Naaman, the Syrian.”

 

28 On hearing these words, the whole assembly became indignant. 29 They rose up and brought him out of the town, 30 to the edge of the hill on which Nazareth is built, in­tending to throw him down the cliff. But he passed through their midst and went his way.

 

With the power of the spirit

 

(Mk 1:23; Mt 4:24; 8:14)

 

• 31 Jesus went down to Capernaum, a town of Galilee, and began teaching the people at the sabbath meetings. 32 They were astonished at the way he taught them, for his word was spoken with authority.

 

33 In the synagogue there was a man possessed by an evil spirit who shouted in a loud voice, 34 “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I recognize you: you are the Holy One of God.” 35 Then Jesus said to him sharply, “Be silent and leave this man!” The evil spirit then threw the man down in front of them and came out of him without doing him harm.

 

36 Amazement seized all these people and they said to one another, “What does this mean? He commands the evil spirits with authority and power. He orders, and you see how they come out!” 37 And news about Je­sus spread through­out the surrounding area.

 

38 Leaving the synagogue, Jesus went to the house of Simon. His mother-in-law was suffering from high fever and they asked him to do something for her. 39 Bending over her, he rebuked the fever, and it left her. Immediately she got up and waited on them.

 

40 At sunset, people suffering from many kinds of sickness were brought to Jesus. Laying his hands on each one, he healed them. 41 Demons were driven out, howling as they departed from their victims, “You are the Son of God!” He rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, for they knew he was the Messiah.

 

• 42 Jesus left at daybreak and looked for a solitary place. People went out in search of him and, finding him, they tried to dissuade him from leaving. 43 But he said, “I have to go to other towns to announce the good news of the kingdom of God. That is what I was sent to do.” 44 So Jesus continued to preach in the synagogues of the Jewish country.

Luke 3

John the Baptist prepares the way

 

(Mk 1:1; Mt 3:1; Jn 1:19)

 

3 • 1 It was the fifteenth year of the rule of the Emperor Ti­berius; Pontius Pilatus was governor of Judea; Herod ruled over Galilee, his brother Philip ruled over the country of Iturea and Trachonitis, and Lysa­nias over Abi­lene. 2 Annas and Caiaphas were the High Priests at that time when the word of God came to John, the son of Ze­chariah in the desert.

 

• 3 John proclaimed a baptism for repentant people to obtain forgiveness of sins and he went through the whole country bordering the Jordan River. 4 It was just as is written in the book of the proph­et Isaiah: listen to this voice crying out in the desert: prepare the way of the Lord, make his path straight. 5 The valleys will be filled and the mountains and hills made low. Everything crooked will be made straight and the rough paths smooth; 6 and every mortal will see the salvation of God.

 

7John said to the crowds who came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! How will you escape when divine punishment comes? 8 Produce now the fruits of a true change of heart, and do not deceive yourselves by saying: ‘Abraham is our ancestor!’ For I tell you, God can make children of Abra­ham from these stones. 9 The axe is already laid to the root of the tree and every tree that fails to produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

 

10 The people asked him, “What are we to do?” 11 And John answered, “If you have two coats, give one to the person who has none; and if you have food, do the same.”

 

 12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized and asked him, “Master, what must we do?” 13 John said to them, “Collect no more than your fixed rate.” 14 People serving as soldiers ask­ed John, “What about us? What are we to do?” And he answered, “Don’t take anything by force or threaten the peo­ple by denouncing them falsely. Be content with your pay.”

 

• 15 The people were wondering about John’s identity, “Could he be the Messiah?” 16 Then John answered them, “I baptize you with water, but the one who is coming will do much more: he will baptize you with Holy Spirit and fire. As for me, I am not worthy to untie his san­dal. 17 He comes with a winnowing fan to clear his threshing floor and gather the grain into his barn. But the chaff he will burn with fire that never goes out.”

 

18 With these and many other words John announced the Good News to the people 19 until Herod had him put in prison. For John reproached Herod for living with Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for his evil deeds. 20 Then Herod added another crime to all the rest he had committed: he put John in prison.

 

Jesus is baptized by John

 

(Mt 3:13; Mk 1:9; Jn 1:29)

 

• 21 Now, with all the people who came to be baptized, Jesus too was bap­tized. Then, while he was praying, the heav­ens open­ed: 22 the Holy Spirit came down upon him in the bodily form of a dove and a voice from heaven was heard, “You are my Son, this day I have begotten you.”

 

• 23 When Jesus made his appearance, he had reached the age of thirty years. He was known as the son of Joseph, whose father and forefathers were:

 

Heli, 24 Matthat, Levi, Melchi, Jan­nai, Joseph, 25 Matthathias, Amos, Nahum, Esli, Naggai, 26 Maath, Mattathias, Semein, Josech, Joda, 27 Joanan, Rhesa, Zerubbabel, Shealtiel, Neri, 28 Melchi, Addi, Cosam, El­ma­dam, Er, 29 Joshua, Eliezer, Jorim, Matthat, Levi, 30 Si­­meon, Judah, Joseph, Jonam, Elia­kim, 31 Melea, Menna, Mattatha, Na­than, David, 32 Jesse, Obed, Boaz, Sal­mon, Nah­son, 33 Am­minadab, Adnim, Arni, Hez­ron, Pe­rez, Judah, 34 Jacob, Isaac, Abraham, Terah, Nahor, 35 Se­rug, Reu, Pe­leg, Eber, Shelah, 36 Cai­nan, Arpha­xad, Shem, Noah, Lamech, 37 Methu­selah, Enoch, Jared, Malaleel, Cai­nan, 38 Enos, Seth, and Adam – who was from God.

Luke 2

The birth of Jesus

 

2 • 1 At that time the emperor issued a decree for a census of the whole empire to be taken. 2 This first census was taken while Quirinus was governor of Syria. 3 Everyone had to be registered in his own town.

 

So everyone set out for his own city; 4 Joseph too set out from Na­zareth of Galilee. As he belonged to the family of David, being a descendant of his, he went to Judea to David’s town of Bethlehem 5 to be registered with Mary, his wife, who was with child.

 

6 They were in Bethlehem when the time came for her to have her child, 7 and she gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in the manger, because there was no place for them in the living room.

 

The shepherds and the angels

 

• 8 There were shepherds camping in the countryside, taking turns to watch over their flocks by night. 9 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared to them, with the Glory of the Lord shining around them.

 

As they were terrified, 10 the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid; I am here to give you good news, great joy for all the peo­ple. 11Today a Savior has been born to you in David’s town; he is the Messiah and the Lord. 12 Let this be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”

 

13 Suddenly the angel was surrounded by many more heavenly spirits, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest; peace on earth for God is blessing humankind.”

 

15 When the angels had left them and gone back to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go as far as Bethlehem and see what the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they came hurriedly and found Mary and Joseph with the baby lying in the manger. 17 On seeing this they related what they had been told about the child, 18 and all were astonished on hearing the shepherds.

 

•19 As for Mary, she treasured all these messages and continually pondered over them.

 

20 The shepherds then returned giving glory and praise to God for all they had heard and seen, just as the angels had told them.

 

21 On the eighth day the circumcision of the baby had to be performed; he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

 

Jesus is presented in the Temple

 

• 22 When the day came for the purification according to the law of Moses, they brought the baby up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, 23 as it is written in the law of the Lord: Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to God. 24 And they offered a sacrifice as ordered in the law of the Lord: a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.

 

25 There lived in Jerusalem at this time a very upright and devout man named Simeon; the Holy Spirit was in him. He looked forward to the time when the Lord would comfort Israel, 26 and he had been assured by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before seeing the Messiah of the Lord. 27 So he was led into the Temple by the Holy Spirit at the time the parents brought the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law.

 

28 Simeon took the child in his arms and blessed God, saying,

 

29 “Now, O Lord, you can dismiss

 

your servant in peace,

 

for you have fulfilled your word

 

30 and my eyes have seen your salvation,

 

31 which you display for all the people to see.

 

32 Here is the light you will reveal to the nations

 

and the glory of your people Israel.”

 

33 His father and mother wondered at what was said about the child. 34 Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother, “See him; he will be for the rise or fall of the multitudes of Israel. He shall stand as a sign of con­tra­diction, 35 while a sword will pierce your own soul. Then the secret thoughts of many may be brought to light.”

 

36 There was also a prophetess named Anna, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. After leaving her father’s home, she had been seven years with her husband, and since then she had been continually about the Temple, serving God as a widow night and day in fasting and prayer. 37 She was now eighty-four. 38 Co­ming up at that time, she gave praise to God and spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem.

 

39 When the parents had fulfilled all that was required by the law of the Lord, they returned to their town, Nazareth in Galilee. 40 There the child grew in stature and strength and was filled with wisdom: the grace of God was upon him.

 

I must be in my Father’s house

 

• 41 Every year the parents of Jesus went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover, as was customary. 42 And when Jesus was twelve years old, he went up with them according to the custom for this feast. 43 After the festival was over, they re­turned, but the boy Jesus remained in Je­rusalem and his parents did not know it.

 

44 They thought he was in the company and after walking the whole day they looked for him among their relatives and friends. 45 As they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem searching for him, 46 and on the third day they found him in the Temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking questions. 47 And all the people were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

 

48 His parents were very surprised when they saw him and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I were very worried while searching for you.” 49 Then he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Do you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand this answer.

 

51 Jesus went down with them, returning to Nazareth, and he continued to be subject to them. As for his mother, she kept all these things in her heart.

 

• 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and age, and in divine and human favor.

Luke 1

• 1 Several people have set themselves to relate the events that have taken place among us, 2 as they were told by the first witnesses who later became ministers of the Word. 3 After I myself had carefully gone over the whole story from the beginning, it seemed right for me to give you, Theophilus, an orderly account, 4 so that your Excellency may know the truth of all you have been taught.

 

The birth of John the Baptist foretold

 

• 5 In the days of Herod, king of Ju­dea, there lived a priest named Zecha­riah, belonging to the priestly clan of Abiah. Elizabeth, Zechariah’s wife, also belonged to a priestly family. 6 Both of them were upright in the eyes of God and lived blamelessly in accordance with all the laws and commands of the Lord, 7 but they had no child. Elizabeth could not have any and now they were both very old.

 

8 Now, while Zechariah and those with him were fulfilling their office, 9 it fell to him by lot, according to the custom of the priests, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. 10 At the time of offering incense all the people were praying outside; 11 it was then that an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 On seeing the angel, Zechariah was deeply troubled and fear took hold of him.

 

13 But the angel said to him, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah, be assured that your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son and you shall name him John. 14 He will bring joy and gladness to you and many will rejoice at his birth.

 

 15 This son of yours will be great in the eyes of the Lord. Listen: he shall never drink wine or strong drink, but he will be filled with holy spirit even from his mother’s womb. 16 Through him many of the people of Israel will turn to the Lord their God. 17 He himself will open the way to the Lord with the spirit and power of the prophet Elijah; he will reconcile fathers and children, and lead the disobedient to wisdom and righteousness, in order to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”

 

18 Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I believe this? I am an old man and my wife is elderly, too.” 19 The angel replied, “I am Gabriel, who stands before God, and I am the one sent to speak to you and bring you this good news! My words will come true in their time. 20 But you would not believe and now you will be silent and unable to speak until this has happened.”

 

21 Meanwhile the people waited for Zechariah, and they were surprised that he delayed so long in the sanctuary. 22 When he finally appeared, he could not speak to them and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He remained dumb and made signs to them.

 

23 When his time of service was completed, Zechariah returned home 24 and some time later Elizabeth became pregnant. For five months she kept to herself, remaining at home, and thinking, 25 “What is the Lord doing for me! This is his time for mercy and for taking away my public disgrace.”

 

The annunciation

 

(Mt 1:18)

 

• 26 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth. He was sent 27 to a young virgin who was betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the family of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

 

28 The angel came to her and said, “Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was troubled at these words, wondering what this greeting could mean.

 

30 But the angel said, “Do not fear, Mary, for God has looked kindly on you. 31 You shall conceive and bear a son and you shall call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and shall rightly be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the kingdom of David, his ancestor; he will rule over the people of Jacob for­­ever 33 and his reign shall have no end.”

 

34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be if I am a virgin?” 35 And the angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the holy child to be born shall be called Son of God. 36 Even your relative Elizabeth is expecting a son in her old age, although she was unable to have a child, and she is now in her sixth month. 37 With God nothing is impossible.”

 

 

 

38 Then Mary said, “I am the hand­maid of the Lord, let it be done to me as you have said.” And the angel left her.

 

Mary visits Elizabeth

 

• 39 Mary then set out for a town in the Hills of Judah. 40 She entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leapt in her womb. Elizabeth was filled with holy spirit, and 42 giving a loud cry, said, “You are most blessed among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 How is it that the mother of my Lord comes to me? 44 The moment your greeting sounded in my ears, the baby within me suddenly leapt for joy. 45 Blessed are you who be­lieved that the Lord’s word would come true!”

 

46 And Mary said:

 

      “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

 

             47 my spirit exults in God my savior!

 

             48 He has looked upon his servant in her lowliness,

 

      and people forever will call me blessed.

 

             49 The Mighty One has done great things for me,

 

      Holy is his Name!

 

             50 From age to age his mercy extends

 

      to those who live in his presence.

 

             51 He has acted with power and done wonders,

 

      and scattered the proud with their plans.

 

             52 He has put down the mighty from their thrones

 

      and lifted up those who are downtrodden.

 

             53 He has filled the hungry with good things

 

      but has sent the rich away empty.

 

             54 He held out his hand to Israel, his servant,

 

      for he remembered his mercy,

 

             55 even as he promised our fathers,

 

      Abraham and his descendants forever.”

 

56 Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months and then returned home.

 

Birth of John the Baptist

 

• 57 When the time came for Elizabeth, she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the merciful Lord had done a wonderful thing for her and they rejoiced with her.

 

59 When on the eighth day they came to attend the circumcision of the child, they wanted to name him Zechariah after his father. 60 But his mother said, “Not so; he shall be called John.” 61 They said to her, “No one in your family has that name”; 62 and they asked the father by means of signs for the name he wanted to give. 63 Zecha­riah asked for a writing tablet and wrote on it, “His name is John,” and they were very surprised. 64 Immediately Zecha­riah could speak again and his first words were in praise of God.

 

65 A holy fear came on all in the neighborhood, and throughout the Hills of Judea the people talked about these events. 66 All who heard of it pondered in their minds and wondered, “What will this child be?” For they understood that the hand of the Lord was with him.

 

67 Zechariah, filled with holy spirit, sang this canticle,

 

68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,

 

for he has come and redeemed his people.

 

69 He has raised up for us a victorious Savior

 

in the house of David his servant,

 

70 as he promised through his prophets of old,

 

71 salvation from our enemies

 

and from the hand of our foes.

 

72 He has shown mercy to our fathers

 

and remembered his holy covenant,

 

73 the oath he swore to Abraham, our father,

 

74 to deliver us from the enemy,

 

75 that we might serve him fearlessly

 

as a holy and righteous people

 

all the days of our lives.

 

76 And you, my child,

 

shall be called prophet of the Most High,

 

for you shall go before the Lord

 

to prepare the way for him

 

77 and enable his people to know of their salvation

 

when he comes to forgive their sins.

 

78 This is the work of the mercy of our God,

 

who comes from on high as a rising sun

 

79 shining on those who live in darkness

 

and in the shadow of death,

 

and guiding our feet into the way of peace.”

 

80 As the child grew up, he was seen to be strong in the Spirit; he lived in the desert till the day when he appeared openly in Israel.