Calling of Sts. Peter and Andrew, 1607, Cigoli, oil on canvas at the Galleria Palatina (Palazzo Pitti), Florence

Prime Timers

The Prime Timers were a Bible study group at St. Martin's for eight years. One of the goals of our founder, Jackie Rose, was to have a weekly web page for the group and all the pages are still online here. The group disbanded but the readings below follow the Revised Common Lectionary as adapted for use in Episcopal worship.

Lectionary readings

The Readings for Sunday, January 21 -- Third Sunday after the Epiphany: Jonah 3:1-5, 10; Psalm 62:6-14; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 and Mark 1:14-20. The text is from the Bible Study Tools - New Revised Standard Version.

Jonah 3:1-5, 10

¹ The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying, ² "Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you." ³ So Jonah set out and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly large city, a three days' walk across. ⁴ Jonah began to go into the city, going a day's walk. And he cried out, "Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!" ⁵ And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth.

¹⁰ When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.

Psalm 62:6-14

⁵ For God alone my soul waits in silence,
     for my hope is from him.

⁶ He alone is my rock and my salvation,
     my fortress; I shall not be shaken.

⁷ On God rests my deliverance and my honor;
     my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.

⁸ Trust in him at all times, O people;
     pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. (Selah)

⁹ Those of low estate are but a breath,
     those of high estate are a delusion;

in the balances they go up;
     they are together lighter than a breath.

¹⁰ Put no confidence in extortion,
     and set no vain hopes on robbery;
     if riches increase, do not set your heart on them.

¹¹ Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this:
     that power belongs to God,

¹² and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord.
     For you repay to all according to their work.

1 Corinthians 7:29-31

²⁹ I mean, brothers and sisters, the appointed time has grown short; from now on, let even those who have wives be as though they had none, ³⁰ and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no possessions, ³¹ and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.

Mark 1:14-20

¹⁴ Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, ¹⁵ and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news."

¹⁶ As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. ¹⁷ And Jesus said to them, "Follow me and I will make you fish for people." ¹⁸ And immediately they left their nets and followed him. ¹⁹ As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. ²⁰ Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.

Thanks to Bible Study Tools for today's text.