Sunday Readings

Scripture Readings - August 23, 2026 - 13th Sunday after Pentecost - Proper 16

Isaiah 51:1-6

Psalm 138

Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32

Matthew 15:21-28

A Reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.

Listen to me, you that pursue righteousness,
  you that seek the Lord.
Look to the rock from which you were hewn,
  and to the quarry from which you were dug.
Look to Abraham your father
  and to Sarah who bore you;
for he was but one when I called him,
  but I blessed him and made him many.
For the Lord will comfort Zion;
  he will comfort all her waste places,
and will make her wilderness like Eden,
  her desert like the garden of the Lord;
joy and gladness will be found in her,
  thanksgiving and the voice of song.

Listen to me, my people,
  and give heed to me, my nation;
for a teaching will go out from me,
  and my justice for a light to the peoples.
I will bring near my deliverance swiftly,
  my salvation has gone out
  and my arms will rule the peoples;
the coastlands wait for me,
  and for my arm they hope.
Lift up your eyes to the heavens,
  and look at the earth beneath;
for the heavens will vanish like smoke,
  the earth will wear out like a garment,
  and those who live on it will die like gnats;
but my salvation will be for ever,
  and my deliverance will never be ended

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

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Please join in praying Psalm 138 responsively by half verse.

1 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with my whole heart; *

before the gods I will sing your praise.

2 I will bow down toward your holy temple and praise your Name, *

because of your love and faithfulness;

3 For you have glorified your Name *

and your word above all things.

4 When I called, you answered me; *

you increased my strength within me.

5 All the kings of the earth will praise you, O Lord, *

when they have heard the words of your mouth.

6 They will sing of the ways of the Lord, *

that great is the glory of the Lord.

7 Though the Lord be high, he cares for the lowly; *

he perceives the haughty from afar.

8 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you keep me safe; *

you stretch forth your hand against the fury of my enemies;

your right hand shall save me.

9 The Lord will make good his purpose for me; *

O Lord, your love endures for ever;

do not abandon the works of your hands.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be forever. Amen.

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A Reading from Paul's letter to the Romans.

I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Just as you were once disobedient to God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, so they have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy. For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all.

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

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The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew

Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, ‘Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.’ But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, ‘Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.’ He answered, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’ But she came and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, help me.’ He answered, ‘It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.’ She said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.’ Then Jesus answered her, ‘Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.’ And her daughter was healed instantly.