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Readings for January 1, 2017 Year A First Sunday after Christmas Day

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

 

First Reading and Psalm

  • Isaiah 63:7-9
  • Psalm 148

Second Reading

  • Hebrews 2:10-18

Gospel

  • Matthew 2:13-23

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

In Isaiah’s day God’s people were under serious threat and things were not looking good. The prophet reminds them of YAHWEH’s many past kindnesses to their ancestors in words that call to mind their escape from the grasp of Pharaoh in the days of the Exodus. In so doing he emphasizes that salvation was gained, not through a mere messenger, but through God’s very Presence carrying them each step of the way. The Psalmist exhorts the inhabitants of the heavens and then the creatures of the earth, animate and inanimate alike, to praise YAHWEH as their creator. A mighty one such as this has been provided for his people! The writer of Hebrews emphasizes that Jesus, as the pioneer of our salvation, has become one of us, sharing our flesh and blood and our experience as human beings. This makes him fit to be both the sacrifice for sin and a faithful high priest to offer it on our behalf. Matthew recounts how, under the direct guidance of God’s angel each step of the way, the holy family escaped the threat of Herod’s grasp by going down to Egypt and then returning in safety to the Holy Land. He draws attention to how all this resonates with the experience of ancient Israel.

As Introductions

Old Testament

In Isaiah’s day God’s people were under serious threat and things were not looking good. The prophet reminds them of YAHWEH’s many past kindnesses to their ancestors in words that call to mind their escape from the grasp of Pharaoh in the days of the Exodus. In so doing he emphasizes that salvation was gained, not through a mere messenger, but through God’s very Presence carrying them each step of the way.

Psalm

The Psalmist exhorts the inhabitants of the heavens and then the creatures of the earth, animate and inanimate alike, to praise YAHWEH as their creator. A mighty one such as this has been provided for his people!

New Testament

The writer of Hebrews emphasizes that Jesus, as the pioneer of our salvation, has become one of us, sharing our flesh and blood and our experience as human beings. This makes him fit to be both the sacrifice for sin and a faithful high priest to offer it on our behalf.

Gospel

Matthew recounts how, under the direct guidance of God’s angel each step of the way, the holy family escaped the threat of Herod’s grasp by going down to Egypt and then returning in safety to the Holy Land. He draws attention to how all this resonates with the experience of ancient Israel.

 

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Readings for December 25, 2016 Year A Christmas Proper 1

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

 

First Reading and Psalm

  • Isaiah 9:2-7
  • Psalm 96

Second Reading

  • Titus 2:11-14

Gospel

  • Luke 2:1-20

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

Isaiah, writing at the lowest point in Israel’s history, sets forth a remarkable vision of a time in which the nation’s fortunes will be wonderfully and miraculously reversed. A son will be given to the line of David and he will exercise his power and authority wisely, ruling forever over a kingdom of peace, justice and righteousness. This will come about because YAHWEH is behind him all the way. The Psalmist calls all the nations to abandon their idols and come to worship YAHWEH in a song they have never sung before. He is coming to judge the peoples fairly and bringing salvation with him. As a result even nature will join in a universal outpouring of praise. St. Paul declares that through the death of Jesus Christ God’s grace has come into a world set against him, bringing salvation to all. This same grace is preparing us to live godly lives as we await his final appearing at the end of the age. St. Luke tells of how Jesus came into this world in the line of David, in the city of David, and with the praise of angels. But it was to a band of humble shepherds they appeared and it was to a simple manger the men were sent. There they caught a glimpse of the tiny Saviour whose coming had shattered their nighttime sky into glorious light. It was Messiah at last!

As Introductions

Old Testament

Isaiah, writing at the lowest point in Israel’s history, sets forth a remarkable vision of a time in which the nation’s fortunes will be wonderfully and miraculously reversed. A son will be given to the line of David and he will exercise his power and authority wisely, ruling forever over a kingdom of peace, justice and righteousness. This will come about because YAHWEH is behind him all the way.

Psalm

The Psalmist calls all the nations to abandon their idols and come to worship YAHWEH in a song they have never sung before. He is coming to judge the peoples fairly and bringing salvation with him. As a result even nature will join in a universal outpouring of praise.

New Testament

St. Paul declares that through the death of Jesus Christ God’s grace has come into a world set against him, bringing salvation to all. This same grace is preparing us to live godly lives as we await his final appearing at the end of the age.

Gospel

St. Luke tells of how Jesus came into this world in the line of David, in the city of David, and with the praise of angels. But it was to a band of humble shepherds they appeared and it was to a simple manger the men were sent. There they caught a glimpse of the tiny Saviour whose coming had shattered their nighttime sky into glorious light. It was Messiah at last!

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Readings for December 18, 2016 Year A Fourth Sunday of Advent

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

 

First Reading and Psalm

  • Isaiah 7:10-16
  • Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19

Second Reading

  • Romans 1:1-7

Gospel

  • Matthew 1:18-25

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

Challenged by two attacking armies, King Ahaz of Judah, apparently not quite believing Isaiah’s prophecy of victory for his troops, hesitates to ask for a confirming sign. In response, a rather exasperated YAHWEH provides a sign himself: a young woman, perhaps even a virgin, shall bear an extraordinary son named “God is with us” or Emmanuel, and before he even knows right from wrong the fortunes of the enemy will be reversed. The Psalm is a plea to the Shepherd of Israel to put aside his anger with his sheep and shine his face upon them again. Then his right hand man can go into action; then they will be saved and restored; then they will never again turn away from their God; then they will have life. St. Paul begins his letter to the Romans by reminding them that they, as non-Jews, have especially benefited from his calling as apostle to the Gentiles. The Gospel they have received was promised in the Jewish Old Testament prophecies about a Jewish Messiah, the Son of David. Jesus not only fits this description, he was actually declared Son of God by his resurrection from the dead. By grace they too have been welcomed into his now universal fold. Matthew relates how Joseph is directed by an angel to follow through on his engagement to Mary because she is with child through an extraordinary act of the Holy Spirit. In fact, the son she is carrying will save his people from their sins! This birth by a virgin, Matthew tells us, is actually the ultimate fulfillment of the promise of Emmanuel given through the prophet.

As Introductions

Old Testament

Challenged by two attacking armies, King Ahaz of Judah, apparently not quite believing Isaiah’s prophecy of victory for his troops, hesitates to ask for a confirming sign. In response, a rather exasperated YAHWEH provides a sign himself: a young woman, perhaps even a virgin, shall bear an extraordinary son named “God is with us” or Emmanuel, and before he even knows right from wrong the fortunes of the enemy will be reversed.

Psalm

The Psalm is a plea to the Shepherd of Israel to put aside his anger with his sheep and shine his face upon them again. Then his right hand man can go into action; then they will be saved and restored; then they will never again turn away from their God; then they will have life.

New Testament

St. Paul begins his letter to the Romans by reminding them that they, as non-Jews, have especially benefited from his calling as apostle to the Gentiles. The Gospel they have received was promised in the Jewish Old Testament prophecies about a Jewish Messiah, the Son of David. Jesus not only fits this description, he was actually declared Son of God by his resurrection from the dead. By grace they too have been welcomed into his now universal fold.

Gospel

Matthew relates how Joseph is directed by an angel to follow through on his engagement to Mary because she is with child through an extraordinary act of the Holy Spirit. In fact, the son she is carrying will save his people from their sins! This birth by a virgin, Matthew tells us, is actually the ultimate fulfillment of the promise of Emmanuel given through the prophet.

 

 

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Readings for December 11, 2016 Year A Third Sunday of Advent

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

 

First Reading and Psalm

  • Isaiah 35:1-10
  • Psalm 146:5-10

Alternative “Psalm”

  • Luke 1:46b-55

Second Reading

  • James 5:7-10

Gospel

  • Matthew 11:2-11

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

The prophet Isaiah foresees YAHWEH gloriously bursting into creation and the life of his people, bringing about dramatic reverses of fortune. The parched land will blossom and flourish while the blind will see, the lame will walk and the deaf will hear. All the ransomed will return along a new highway to Zion in a transformed state of everlasting joy. The Psalmist declares happy all those whose hope is in YAHWEH because he will keep faith forever. He is the creator, after all, and the one who lifts up all who are oppressed and brings down all who are wicked. He will reign forever in Zion. James encourages his readers to be as patient as a farmer waiting for his crops while they look toward the coming of the Lord. He assures them that since it will not be long before the judge arrives they should remain in unity with one another and endure their sufferings as did the prophets before them. The Gospel today relates how John the Baptist, having been imprisoned by Herod, sends representatives to Jesus in order to confirm that he is the one to come after all. Jesus tells them simply to report what they see: the blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear, the dead are raised and the poor receive good news. He then teaches the crowds that although John is in fact the herald of Messiah, the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

As Introductions

Old Testament

The prophet Isaiah foresees YAHWEH gloriously bursting into creation and the life of his people, bringing about dramatic reverses of fortune. The parched land will blossom and flourish while the blind will see, the lame will walk and the deaf will hear. All the ransomed will return along a new highway to Zion in a transformed state of everlasting joy.

Psalm

The Psalmist declares happy all those whose hope is in YAHWEH because he will keep faith forever. He is the creator, after all, and the one who lifts up all who are oppressed and brings down all who are wicked. He will reign forever in Zion.

New Testament

James encourages his readers to be as patient as a farmer waiting for his crops while they look toward the coming of the Lord. He assures them that since it will not be long before the judge arrives to set things right, they should remain in unity with one another and endure their sufferings as did the prophets before them.

Gospel

The Gospel today relates how John the Baptist, having been imprisoned by Herod, sends representatives to Jesus in order to confirm that he is the one to come after all. Jesus tells them simply to report what they see: the blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear, the dead are raised and the poor receive good news. He then teaches the crowds that although John is in fact the herald of Messiah, the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Based on the Alternative Readings

The prophet Isaiah foresees YAHWEH gloriously bursting into creation and the life of his people, bringing about dramatic reverses of fortune. The parched land will blossom and flourish while the blind will see, the lame will walk and the deaf will hear. All the ransomed will return along a new highway to Zion in a transformed state of everlasting joy. In Mary’s Song, the Virgin praises God for raising her from obscurity to become the mother of the Lord. She proclaims this as part of the divine pattern of lifting up the lowly and needy and putting down the proud and rich, a pattern that is rooted in the covenant promise made to Abraham and his descendants. James encourages his readers to be as patient as a farmer waiting for his crops while they look toward the coming of the Lord. He assures them that since it will not be long before the judge arrives to set things right, they should remain in unity with one another and endure their sufferings as did the prophets before them. The Gospel today relates how John the Baptist, having been imprisoned by Herod, sends representatives to Jesus in order to confirm that he is the one to come after all. Jesus tells them simply to report what they see: the blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear, the dead are raised and the poor receive good news. He then teaches the crowds that although John is in fact the herald of Messiah, the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

As Introductions

Old Testament

The prophet Isaiah foresees YAHWEH gloriously bursting into creation and the life of his people, bringing about dramatic reverses of fortune. The parched land will blossom and flourish while the blind will see, the lame will walk and the deaf will hear. All the ransomed will return along a new highway to Zion in a transformed state of everlasting joy.

Psalm

In Mary’s Song, the Virgin praises God for raising her from obscurity to become the mother of the Lord. She proclaims this as part of the divine pattern of lifting up the lowly and needy and putting down the proud and rich, a pattern that is rooted in the covenant promise made to Abraham and his descendants.

New Testament

James encourages his readers to be as patient as a farmer waiting for his crops while they look toward the coming of the Lord. He assures them that since it will not be long before the judge arrives to set things right, they should remain in unity with one another and endure their sufferings as did the prophets before them.

Gospel

The Gospel today relates how John the Baptist, having been imprisoned by Herod, sends representatives to Jesus in order to confirm that he is the one to come after all. Jesus tells them simply to report what they see: the blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear, the dead are raised and the poor receive good news. He then teaches the crowds that although John is in fact the herald of Messiah, the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.