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Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, September 3, 2017, Proper 17, Year A

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Exodus 3:1-15)

Yahweh mysteriously appears to Moses in the burning bush at Mt. Sinai, identifying himself as the God of the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He has heard the cry of his oppressed people back in Egypt and now he is going to send Moses to deliver the captives, leading them out to the Promised Land. The name by which he wishes to be known to them is simply “I AM WHO I AM”.

Psalm (105:1-6, 23-26, 45c)

The Psalmist encourages the people to remember Yahweh’s miracles and judgments and, while taking care to look to him alone, make his deeds known among the nations. He caused Israel to grow mightily even while persecuted in Egypt and sent Moses to deliver them so that they might serve him faithfully.

Second Reading (Romans 12:9-24)

St. Paul exhorts the Christian community to have genuine love for one another and serve the Lord faithfully especially when under persecution. Instead of taking revenge on their enemies themselves they are to put it into God’s hands, knowing that good will ultimately triumph over evil.

Gospel (Matthew 16:21-28)

Right after he had praised Peter for recognizing him as Messiah Jesus rebukes him for not understanding that suffering and death are ahead for both Messiah and his disciples. We are not to seek to save our lives, but to deny ourselves and follow Jesus, remembering that he will repay many times over in the resurrection.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

• It is God who saves us, not we ourselves

• Doing good will triumph over evil

• Suffering is to be expected as part of the Christian life

• Relief from suffering is in God’s hands

• We are to follow in God’s ways in all circumstances, loving God, fellow Christians and our enemies

• The need to remain faithful, especially under pressure to conform to this world

Based on the Alternative Set of Readings

First Reading (Jeremiah 15:15-21)

Jeremiah makes his case to Yahweh, asking that his persecutors suffer retribution. He claims to have been faithful but his suffering is growing worse, making him wonder if Yahweh will fail him. Yahweh, on the other hand, sees a need for Jeremiah to turn back to God in order to be restored to his calling and delivered from his foes.

Psalm (26:1-8)

Because he has been faithful in his walk, the Psalmist expects vindication from Yahweh. He even challenges Yahweh to test him in his innocence. He has not kept company with sinners, but has joined the procession of praise and thanksgiving around the altar instead. He loves the house of God because of the divine presence that is gloriously evident there.

Second Reading (Romans 9:1-5)

St. Paul exhorts the Christian community to have genuine love for one another and serve the Lord faithfully especially when under persecution. Instead of taking revenge on their enemies themselves they are to put it into God’s hands, knowing that good will ultimately triumph over evil.

Gospel (Matthew 14:13-21)

Right after he had praised Peter for recognizing him as Messiah Jesus rebukes him for not understanding that suffering and death are ahead for both Messiah and his disciples. We are not to seek to save our lives, but to deny ourselves and follow Jesus, remembering that he will repay many times over in the resurrection.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

• It is God who saves us, not we ourselves

• Doing good will triumph over evil

• Suffering is to be expected as part of the Christian life

• Relief from suffering is in God’s hands

• We are to follow in God’s ways in all circumstances, loving God, fellow Christians and our enemies

• The need to remain faithful, especially under pressure to conform to this world

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Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost, August 27, 2017, Proper 16, Year A

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Exodus 1:8-2:10)

Three hundred years after the death of Joseph the Israelites are still in Egypt and have become a numerous and powerful people. Pharaoh severely oppresses them and tries to limit them by destroying all their male babies. Their midwives frustrate him and when one Levite woman sets her newborn son in a waterproof basket on the Nile, his own daughter finds him and arranges to save the child through the intervention of his quick-witted sister. His name is Moses.

Psalm (124)

The Psalmist encourages Israel to remember that it was Yahweh alone who delivered them from the raging flood of their enemies. They escaped like a bird from a broken snare because Yahweh, the creator of all, is their help.

Second Reading (Romans 12:1-8)

St. Paul affirms that true worship includes presenting our entire beings, body and soul, unto the Lord. We are not to be conformed to this world but transformed by the renewing of our minds. This means acting in humility and sobriety, knowing that we all have been given gifts of grace enabling the whole church to carry out its purpose as an effective unit.

Gospel (Matthew 16:13-20)

While many of his contemporaries think that Jesus must be one of the prophets of old, Peter identifies him as “Messiah, Son of the living God”. Jesus blesses him for this divine insight and affirms that Peter is the rock on which his church will be built. It will be able to attack and destroy even hell itself and its earthly actions will even be reflected in heaven. He then instructs the disciples that they are to keep quiet about his identity.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • God delivers his people from their enemies
  • No foe is superior to God
  • The importance of everyone, from greatest to least, doing their part
  • God’s people need leaders and followers both
  • The people of God carry out the purposes of God
  • The importance of humility

Based on the Alternative Set of Readings

First Reading (Isaiah 51:1-6)

Isaiah calls for those who seek Yahweh and his righteousness to look back to Abraham and Sarah as the example of how Yahweh is faithful. He will bring about a joyful restoration of the land of Israel and its people will sing their thanksgivings. This mighty act of salvation will be so all-encompassing that the nations will be included and even the present cosmos will pass away.

Psalm (138)

The Psalmist thanks Yahweh for his faithfulness in answering his prayer. All the rulers of the earth shall praise Yahweh when they see how the lowly are exalted instead of the mighty. Such things inspire confidence in Yahweh’s continuing care and his ability to accomplish his purposes in the life of the Psalmist.

Second Reading (Romans 12:1-8)

St. Paul affirms that true worship includes presenting our entire beings, body and soul, unto the Lord. We are not to be conformed to this world but transformed by the renewing of our minds. This means acting in humility and sobriety, knowing that we all have been given gifts of grace enabling the whole church to carry out its purpose as an effective unit.

Gospel (Matthew 16:13-20)

While many of his contemporaries think that Jesus must be one of the prophets of old, Peter identifies him as “Messiah, Son of the living God”. Jesus blesses him for this divine insight and affirms that Peter is the rock on which his church will be built. It will be able to attack and destroy even hell itself and its earthly actions will even be reflected in heaven. He then instructs the disciples that they are to keep quiet about his identity.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • The salvation of God’s people will attract the attention of others
  • The importance for faith of looking at examples from the past
  • God delivers his people from their enemies
  • No foe is superior to God
  • The importance of everyone, from greatest to least, doing their part
  • God’s people need leaders and followers both
  • The importance of humility

 

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Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, August 20, 2017, Proper 15, Year A

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Genesis 45:1-15)

Years after selling Joseph into slavery in Egypt, his brothers do not recognize him as the Egyptian government official in a position to save them in a time of famine. When he reveals himself to them they are filled with fear, but he reassures them, stating that it was God who sent him on ahead in order to preserve their whole family. They wept and talked together in a moving scene of reconciliation.

Psalm (133)

The Psalmist describes the blessing of family unity using two metaphors of excess: the anointing oil that had overflowed Aaron in connection with his consecration as high priest and the drenching dew on the mountains of Israel. In all of this benevolence can be glimpsed a picture of the rich blessing of Yahweh, life forever more.

Second Reading (Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32)

Paul reassures his readers that what he has been saying in no way implies God’s rejection of the Jewish people. It is true that their general negative response to the Gospel has opened the door for Gentiles but it must be remembered that both divisions of the human family have been disobedient but both have also been shown mercy.

Gospel (Matthew 15:[10-20], 21-28)

Concerning the distinctive Jewish food laws, Jesus emphasizes that true defilement originates in the sinful heart rather than from food taken into the mouth. Then he moves into Gentile territory where a local woman calls out to him to have mercy on her demon-possessed daughter. At first Jesus declines because, as he tells the disciples, he has been sent only to the Jewish people. But when he perceives her persistent faith he puts all that aside and heals her daughter.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

• The blessing of family unity (including the human family)
• God’s providential care for his people
• The equality of Jew and Gentile in the kingdom of God
• Mercy (Grace) trumps disobedience
• The heart of the matter is a matter of the heart

Based on the Alternative Set of Readings

First Reading (Isaiah 56:1, 6-8)

The prophet Isaiah envisions Yahweh’s coming salvation as clearly including Gentiles as well as Israelites. Foreigners will come to worship on Mount Zion and the Temple will be known as a house of prayer for all nations. All those now considered outcasts, both Jew and Gentile, will be gathered together by Yahweh.

Psalm (67)

The Psalmist suggests that the abundant blessings of God upon Israel will lead to him being known throughout the nations and praise erupting from every corner. All the peoples will honour his name when they see the amazing harvests in Israel.

Second Reading (Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32)

Paul reassures his readers that what he has been saying in no way implies God’s rejection of the Jewish people. It is true that their general negative response to the Gospel has opened the door for Gentiles but it must be remembered that both divisions of the human family have been disobedient but both have also been shown mercy.

Gospel (Matthew 15:[10-20], 21-28)

Concerning the distinctive Jewish food laws, Jesus emphasizes that true defilement originates in the sinful heart rather than from food taken into the mouth. Then he moves into Gentile territory where a local woman calls out to him to have mercy on her demon-possessed daughter. At first Jesus declines because, as he tells the disciples, he has been sent only to the Jewish people. But when he perceives her persistent faith he puts all that aside and heals her daughter.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

• The inclusion of the Gentiles in the plan of God
• The equality of Jew and Gentile in the kingdom of God
• Mercy (Grace) trumps disobedience
• The heart of the matter is a matter of the heart

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Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, August 13, 2017, Proper 14, Year A

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28)

Joseph is the favorite son of Jacob/Israel and his brothers seethe with jealous anger when he shares dreams suggesting they will become subservient to him. One day, far from home, Joseph falls into their hands and Reuben, thinking to rescue him later, convinces them to throw him into a pit instead of killing him. They end up selling him to a caravan on its way to Egypt.

Psalm (105:1-6, 16-22, 45b)

The Psalmist calls upon Israel to praise and thank Yahweh with rejoicing. Proclaim his works among the nations, he says, and seek to live in his presence and strength. Yahweh’s great deeds are shown in sending Joseph to Egypt long ahead of his family and putting him in a position to be able help them at just the right time.

Second Reading (Romans 10:5-15)

St. Paul contrasts the impossibility of meeting the demands of the law with the simple act of believing in the risen Jesus and confessing him as Lord. In this way salvation comes to all who simply call upon the name of the Lord, not just the Jews. But in order for this to happen the Gospel must first be both proclaimed and heard.

Gospel (Matthew 14:22-33)

After dismissing the well-fed crowd Jesus gets some time alone by sending the disciples ahead of him by boat. Encountering a terrible storm they are startled to see Jesus walking to them on the water. Peter tries to go to him on the waves but soon begins to sink when he focuses on the storm instead of simply trusting in Jesus. When he calls out in terror Jesus reaches out and saves him. Through this experience Jesus is revealed to the disciples as the very Son of God.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Trusting God in trying circumstances
  • God always prepares the way for his salvation
  • The Lord saves those who look/call out to him
  • The awesome God who directs history and has power over nature
  • The nations are included in the salvation of God
  • simple faith in God/Jesus is required of us

Based on the Alternative Set of Readings

First Reading (1 Kings 19:9-18)

Elijah, fresh from humiliating the prophets of Baal and on the run from an angry Queen Jezebel, hides himself in a cave complaining to Yahweh about being the only faithful person left. Yahweh passes by and reveals himself in the sheer silence that follows wind, earthquake and fire. He then re-commissions Elijah, assuring him that his enemies will perish and that he is not alone.

Psalm (85:8-13)

The Psalmist is confident that Yahweh will hear the call of all those who turn to him and speak peace to them. Indeed, in a poetic turn of phrase, he asserts that the Land will be blessed as “steadfast love and faithfulness” meet and “righteousness and peace” kiss each other.

Second Reading (Romans 10:5-15)

St. Paul contrasts the impossibility of meeting the demands of the law with the simple act of believing in the risen Jesus and confessing him as Lord. In this way salvation comes to all who simply call upon the name of the Lord, not just the Jews. But in order for this to happen the Gospel must first be both proclaimed and heard.

Gospel (Matthew 14: 14:22-33)

After dismissing the well-fed crowd Jesus gets some time alone by sending the disciples ahead of him by boat. Encountering a terrible storm they are startled to see Jesus walking to them on the water. Peter tries to go to him on the waves but soon begins to sink when he focuses on the storm instead of simply trusting in Jesus. When he calls out in terror Jesus reaches out and saves him. Through this experience Jesus is revealed to the disciples as the very Son of God.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Trusting God in trying circumstances
  • The Lord saves those who look/call out to him
  • The awesome God who directs history and has power over nature
  • Simple faith in God/Jesus is required of us
  • Faltering faith is still faith
  • Peace in the storm