Year A – Proper 6
Full-text of the Appointed Lessons (RSV and NRSV), with instructions for lectors
June 14 – 3 Pentecost – RCL
ILLUMINATION for the First Lesson
3 Pentecost (Proper 6), Year A, June 14, 2026
Genesis 18:1-15 (21:1-7 optional)
God visits Abraham in the curious form of three men who prophesy that the old, barren couple will produce a child; Sarah laughs at the message and then becomes pregnant.
A reading (lesson) from the Book of Genesis:
(Lead in with) RSV and NRSV: The Lord appeared…
Conclude with The word of the Lord or Here endeth, etc.
Revised Standard Version
The LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men stood in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the earth and said, “My lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, while I fetch a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on–since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes.” And Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it. Then he took curds, and milk, and the calf which he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree while they ate. They said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “She is in the tent.” The LORD said, “I will surely return to you in the spring, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I have pleasure?” The LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, in the spring, and Sarah shall have a son.” But Sarah denied, saying, “I did not laugh”; for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.”
[The LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did to Sarah as he had promised. And Sarah conceived, and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him. Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore him, Isaac. And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. And Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; every one who hears will laugh over me.” And she said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would suckle children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”
New Revised Standard Version
The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them, and bowed down to the ground. He said, “My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Make ready quickly three measures of choice flour, knead it, and make cakes.” Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it. Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree while they ate. They said to him, “Where is your wife Sarah?” And he said, “There, in the tent.” Then one said, “I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent entrance behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I have pleasure?” The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, and say, “Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old? Is anything too wonderful for the Lord? At the set time I will return to you, in due season, and Sarah shall have a son.” But Sarah denied, saying, “I did not laugh”; for she was afraid. He said, “Oh yes, you did laugh.”
[The Lord dealt with Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as he had promised. Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the time of which God had spoken to him. Abraham gave the name Isaac to his son whom Sarah bore him. And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. Now Sarah said, “God has brought laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me.” And she said, “Who would ever have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”
ILLUMINATION for the Alternate First Lesson
3 Pentecost (Proper 6), Year A, June 14, 2026
Exodus 19:2-8a
God saves the Hebrew people from bondage in Egypt, leads them into the wilderness to the holy mountain, Sinai, and makes a covenant with them through Moses.
A reading (lesson) from the Book of Exodus:
(Lead in with) RSV: When the people of Israel…; NRSV: The people of Israel…
Conclude with The word of the Lord or Here endeth, etc.
Revised Standard Version
When the people of Israel set out from Reph’idim and came into the wilderness of Sinai, they encamped in the wilderness; and there Israel encamped before the mountain. And Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him out of the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel: You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you will obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my own possession among all peoples; for all the earth is mine, and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.” So Moses came and called the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which the LORD had commanded him. And all the people answered together and said, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do.”
New Revised Standard Version
The people of Israel had journeyed from Rephidim, entered the wilderness of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness; Israel camped there in front of the mountain. Then Moses went up to God; the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the Israelites: You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is mine, but you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the Israelites.” So Moses came, summoned the elders of the people, and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. The people all answered as one: “Everything that the Lord has spoken we will do.”
ILLUMINATION for the Second Lesson
3 Pentecost (Proper 6), Year A, June 14, 2026
Romans 5:1-8
Jesus died for everyone, before we turned from our ways to his call; as brothers and sisters of Christ, we endure knowing that whatever our lives bring, God can use it to his glory.
A reading (lesson) from the Letter of Paul to the Romans:
(Lead in with) RSV: Since we are justified…
Conclude with The word of the Lord or Here endeth, etc.
Revised Standard Version
Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in our hope of sharing the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us. While we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Why, one will hardly die for a righteous man–though perhaps for a good man one will dare even to die. But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.
New Revised Standard Version
Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person– though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.
ILLUMINATION for the Gospel Lesson
3 Pentecost (Proper 6), Year A, June 14, 2026
Matthew 9:35-10:8 (9-23 optional)
As the disciples are sent out on their first missionary journeys, Jesus urges them to behave with integrity, humility, and faith.
A reading (lesson) from the Gospel according to Matthew:
(Lead in with) RSV and NRSV: Jesus went about…
Conclude with The word of the Lord or Here endeth, etc. If read by an ordained person as the eucharistic gospel, conclude with The gospel of the Lord.
Revised Standard Version
Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every infirmity. The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zeb’edee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out, charging them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And preach as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying, give without pay.
[Take no gold, nor silver, nor copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff; for the laborer deserves his food. And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it, and stay with him until you depart. As you enter the house, salute it. And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And if any one will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. Truly, I say to you, it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomor’rah than for that town. “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men; for they will deliver you up to councils, and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear testimony before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you up, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel, before the Son of man comes.]
New Revised Standard Version
Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.
[Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for laborers deserve their food. Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. As you enter the house, greet it. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. “See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.”]
Scripture quotations labeled NRSV are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, and used by permission.
The Living Word | Lectionary Preaching Aids
Exploring the Texts
“‘The grace in which we stand’ is, in essence, the new condition of the new humanity redeemed in Christ. Christ and the whole Trinity, by implication, work to accomplish human redemption and impute that redemption moment by moment through the promise of a real presence.”
“Rest for a moment in the absolute goodness and mercy of God. God has given you faith. God has poured love into your heart. God has given the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. Is there anything to do? Initially, the ‘theological passive’ must be allowed. God has done this.”
Preaching Today
Jane Patterson Lancaster: When God Comes to Visit
“How long do you think it took for someone to discern that God was at work through the encounter between Abraham, Sarah, their whole household, and three travelers on a hot day in Mamre? … How do we learn to recognize a divine visitation as it is occurring?’
Tom Briedenthal: Difficult Freedom
“We do not make our own freedom. We receive it from others to use it for others. However bravely we develop and employ it, it always has been given to us from someone else, and ultimately, I believe, from God through them.”
Victor Lee Austin: Family Name Unknown
“Even today, sitting at the right hand of the Father in heaven, the eternal Word of God has our human nature. It is a deep mystery. It often is unknown. But he has indeed passed through every city and village, so that it is his name that is our name, is everyone’s name.”
Classic Texts
Ambrose: Priest and Victim Are One
“Priest and victim, then, are one; the priesthood and sacrifice are, however, exercised under the conditions of humanity, for he was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and he is a priest after the order of Melchizedek.”
Bede: The Image of Eternal Rest
“All those who, touched by the breath of the Holy Spirit, have taken upon themselves the excellent yoke of God’s love, and who, following Christ’s example, have learned to be gentle and lowly in heart — these do already rejoice in a peace which even now is the image of eternal rest.”
Heinrich Bullinger: A Minister of the Word
“The Lord diligently prescribes what they ought to do and what their office is. And he shows them also what they shall suffer, yes how perilous a thing it is to be a minister of the word in a corrupt and unthankful age.”
Articles on Abraham and Sarah
Graham Kings: Sarah
“Mother of Promise
Of people and nations,
Forever empty,”
Ephraim Radner: Abraham and Sarah — Slaveholders
“Augustine, who offered the earliest and greatest attempt at parsing history and its moral contours, was, on this matter, far more complex than his followers. He understood at least how Christians are unable to escape the disconcerting reality of their own Christ, and of his cross, which is not drawn from the easy lines of history’s moral blueprint.”
Leonard Freeman: Survival Skills
“The main characters in American Hustle are not saints, but they could be first cousins of Abraham and Sarah, or Rahab, who practiced their own deceptions to survive in a troubled and troubling world.”
Articles on Discipleship
Bryan Owen: Five Holy Habits of Discipleship
“Strikingly, his response to the opposition, hatred, and murderous intentions was not to run and hide or to fight back. He courageously stayed the course, responding with love and compassion to the city that would take his life.”
Charlie Clauss: A Crisis in Discipleship
“Rest your call to action on what the loving God has already done for us in Jesus. It is not just the case that Jesus has provided an example of how we should live. His life, death, and resurrection have provided much more.”
Kate Moorhead: Proclaiming Good News
“John does not seem to be concerned with what anyone thinks of him. He has let that all go. For John, it is not important to please anyone but God. He always tells the truth about what he sees. When people come to him to be baptized, he can tell that they come only for security and not for discipleship.”
Articles on Proclaiming the Good News
David Munson: The Holy Spirit and Giving
“Giving is a consequence of salvation and essential to the New Testament revival of God’s people because it is part and parcel of spreading the good news about Jesus Christ by example. Salvation is a gift of grace, but it comes with a cost. We must give up self-sufficiency so that we can be free in the Spirit, to receive more and more fully the blessed likeness of Christ.”
Christin Ditchfield Lazo: You’re My Witnesses
“What keeps you from sharing your faith with your friends and neighbors? Before he ascended into heaven, Jesus said to spread the good news of the gospel everywhere. And this ‘Great Commission’ is for all who believe, not just those with the ‘gift of evangelism.’”
Jonathan Mitchican: Grace, Grace, and Grace: How to Battle Osteenism in Our Time
“What we are preaching and teaching in many of our parishes is not the Good News of Jesus Christ crucified and risen for us. Instead of preaching the power of the great I Am, we point to some inner, mystical power that exists only in our imaginations.”
