2015 Dec 16 Wed: 3rd week of Advent ==============================================A reading from the Book of the prophet IsaiahIs 45: 6c-8. 18. 21c-25==============================================I am the LORD, and there is no other.[7] I form light and create darkness,I make weal and create woe,I am the LORD, who do all these things.[8] "Shower, O heavens, from above,and let the skies rain down righteousness;let the earth open, that salvation may sprout forth,and let it cause righteousness to spring up also;I the LORD have created it.[18] For thus says the LORD,who created the heavens(he is God!),who formed the earth and made it(he established it;he did not create it a chaos,he formed it to be inhabited!):"I am the LORD, and there is no other.Who told this long ago?Who declared it of old?Was it not I, the LORD?And there is no other god besides me,a righteous God and a Savior;there is none besides me.[22] "Turn to me and be saved,all the ends of the earth!For I am God, and there is no other.[23] By myself I have sworn,from my mouth has gone forth in righteousnessa word that shall not return:`To me every knee shall bow,every tongue shall swear.'[24] "Only in the LORD, it shall be said of me,are righteousness and strength;to him shall come and be ashamed,all who were incensed against him.[25] In the LORD all the offspring of Israelshall triumph and glory."The Word of the Lord==============================================From Psalm 85Ps 85: 9ab and 10. 11-12. 13-14==============================================Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior.[9] Let me hear what God the LORD will speak,for he will speak peace to his people.[10] Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him,that glory may dwell in our land.Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior. [11] Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;righteousness and peace will kiss each other.[12] Faithfulness will spring up from the ground,and righteousness will look down from the sky.Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior. [13] Yea, the LORD will give what is good,and our land will yield its increase.[14] Righteousness will go before him,and make his footsteps a way.Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior.==============================================A reading from the holy gospel according to LukeLk 7: 18b-23==============================================[18] The disciples of John told him of all these things. [19] And John, calling to him two of his disciples, sent them to the Lord, saying, "Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?" [20] And when the men had come to him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, `Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?'" [21] In that hour he cured many of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many that were blind he bestowed sight. [22] And he answered them, "Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. [23] And blessed is he who takes no offense at me."The Gospel of the Lord