Readings for the 13th Sunday after Trinity - 2026
Collect for the Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity – Almighty God, who called your Church to bear
witness that you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself; help us to proclaim the good
news of your love, that all who hear it may be drawn to you; through him who was lifted up on the
cross, and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
A reading from the prophet Jeremiah, chapter 15, verses 15 to 21
O LORD, you know; remember me and visit me, and bring down retribution for me on my
persecutors. In your forbearance do not take me away; know that on your account I suffer insult.
Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of
my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts. I did not sit in the company of
merrymakers, nor did I rejoice; under the weight of your hand, I sat alone, for you had filled me
with indignation. Why is my pain unceasing, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Truly,
you are to me like a deceitful brook, like waters that fail. Therefore, thus says the LORD: If you
turn back, I will take you back, and you shall stand before me. If you utter what is precious and
not what is worthless, you shall serve as my mouth. It is they who will turn to you, not you who
will turn to them. And I will make you to this people a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight
against you, but they shall not prevail over you, for I am with you to save you and deliver you,
says the LORD. I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked and redeem you from the grasp of
the ruthless.
A reading from Paul’s letter to the Romans, chapter 12, verses 9 to 21
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual
affection; outdo one another in showing honour. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the
Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the
saints; extend hospitality to strangers.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice,
weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty but associate
with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil but take
thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live
peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it
is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed
them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning
coals on their heads.” Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.
A reading from Matthew’s gospel, chapter 16, verses 21 to 28
From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo
great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes and be killed and on the
third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid it,
Lord! This must never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan!
You are a hindrance to me, for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human
things.”
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take
up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose
their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit
their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?
“For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay
everyone for what has been done. Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not
taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
Second Collect - God our creator, you feed your children with the true manna, the living bread
from heaven; let this holy food sustain us through our earthly pilgrimage until we come to that
place where hunger and thirst are no more; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen