369. Proper 21 (Series A)

The LSB 3-year lectionary puts this Sunday between Sept. 25 and Oct. 1. The lessons are of the "picking and choosing" persuasion, with Ezekiel 18:1-4 skipping to 25-32, Philippians 2:1-4 skipping to 14-18 (verses 5-13 optional), and Matthew 21:23-27 (verses 28-32 optional). Ugh. Don't worry about Philippians 2:5-11; it'll comes up in all three years (A, B and C) on the Sunday of the Passion. The tune is SALVE JESU by Harold Lewars (1914), which Common Service Book paired with the hymn "Wide open are Thy hands."

Hold fast the word of life,
Dear children of the Lord:
Do all without complaint or strife,
As beacons to the world.
Be blameless and as one
Despite this crooked age,
That your account of God's dear Son
Disarm the nations' rage.

If anything consoles
Or comforts you by love,
Or peaceful fellowship controls
Through mercy from above,
Keep it with single will
And think each other kind;
Each other's interests fulfill,
In one accord, one mind.

For such mind was in Christ
Though very God is He;
Who as true Man was sacrificed
In deep humility.
But Him God raised on high,
On Him such name bestowed,
That Him all tongues as Lord shall cry
Till every knee has bowed.