Posted on

Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost, October 1, 2017, Proper 21, Year A

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Exodus 17:1-7)

Having complained earlier about bitter water, now the Israelites test Yahweh by quarrelling with Moses because they find no water at Rephidim. Again Yahweh miraculously provides for them, this time having Moses strike a rock and cause water to come out. A very frustrated Moses gives the place the name “Testing” and “Quarrelling”.

Psalm (78:1-4, 12-16)

The Psalmist calls Israel to treat the “dark” story of Yahweh’s repeated provisions for their fathers during the Exodus experience as a cautionary tale that they will both celebrate and pass on to their own children. Later in the Psalm he will remark that the Israelites did not learn their lesson in the wilderness.

Second Reading (Philippians 2:1-13)

St. Paul pleads with his readers to abandon selfish ambition and conduct themselves in all humility, putting the needs of others first. This is to adopt “the mind of Christ”, who did not exploit his equality with God but took on human form, humbling himself to death on a cross. Refusing to exalt himself, God raised his name above all others as Lord of all and it is this same God who works in believers to accomplish his purposes.

Gospel (Matthew 21:23-32)

To the Jewish leaders who demand to know the source of his authority, Jesus poses the question of John the Baptist. Was his authority human or divine? If they say “divine” they will have to answer for their unbelief. If they say “human” John’s many followers will be upset. He then tells them a parable that emphasizes true obedience as action not words. Even notorious sinners who truly believed John are going into the kingdom before those whose righteousness is only skin deep.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Testing the Lord is not a good policy
  • It is not an easy thing to change a sinful heart (but Christ can)
  • Miracles, even repeated miracles, will not by themselves suffice for faith
  • God is a God of grace and mercy
  • Humility or self-focus? Which opens the door to others and to God?
  • Unbelief is rooted in unwillingness, not in lack of evidence

Based on the Alternative Set of Readings

First Reading (Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32)

Yahweh stakes his claim to every individual life and pronounces each person responsible for his or her own actions. He points out the unfairness of punishing the child for the sins of the parents. No, the person who sins is the one who dies. On the other hand, if they turn from their sins they shall live. Yahweh, having no pleasure in a sinner’s death, calls each one individually to repentance that they might live.

Psalm (25:1-9)

The Psalmist expresses his keen desire to know and follow the ways of Yahweh. He calls out for help because Yahweh is full of mercy and steadfast love, eager to respond to the humble. It is on this basis, on Yahweh’s character alone, that the Psalmist asks for forgiveness of youthful sins.

Second Reading (Philippians 2:1-13)

St. Paul pleads with his readers to abandon selfish ambition and conduct themselves in all humility, putting the needs of others first. This is to adopt “the mind of Christ”, who did not exploit his equality with God but took on human form, humbling himself to death on a cross. Refusing to exalt himself, God raised his name above all others as Lord of all and it is this same God who works in believers to accomplish his purposes.

Gospel (Matthew 21:23-32)

To the Jewish leaders who demand to know the source of his authority, Jesus poses the question of John the Baptist. Was his authority human or divine? If they say “divine” they will have to answer for their unbelief. If they say “human” John’s many followers will be upset. He then tells them a parable that emphasizes true obedience as action not words. Even notorious sinners who truly believed John are going into the kingdom before those whose righteousness is only skin deep.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • The importance of taking personal responsibility for one’s sin
  • Personal and/or corporate repentance?
  • Is God unfair?
  • It is not an easy thing to change a sinful heart (but Christ can)
  • Miracles, even repeated miracles, will not by themselves suffice for faith
  • God is a God of grace and mercy
  • Humility or self-focus? Which opens the door to others and to God?

 

 

Posted on

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost, September 24, 2017, Proper 20, Year A

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Exodus 16:2-15)

Just after being miraculously supplied with water in the wilderness, the Israelites grumble to Moses about their lack of food. They say it would have been better to have died in Egypt where they at least had lots to eat. Yahweh informs them that he is going to rain bread from heaven upon them every morning while each twilight would bring in a flock of quails. Once again he hears their complaints and responds with grace.

Psalm (105:1-6, 37-45)

The Psalmist exhorts Yahweh’s chosen people to seek his presence, remember his wonderful works on their behalf, and make him known among the nations. He is the one who brought them out of Egypt, provided for them in the wilderness, and took them into the promised land with joy and singing.

Second Reading (Philippians 1:21-30)

St. Paul, realizing that he is called to be of further service to the early Christian communities he has founded, reluctantly accepts any delay in being fully in Christ’s presence through death. He encourages the Philippians to live lives worthy of the Gospel and standing firm in the face of opposition and suffering, a struggle he continues to share with them.

Gospel (Matthew 20:1-16)

Jesus tells the parable of the vineyard owner who hires a number of workers early in the morning to work for the normal daily rate. He also hires others during various times of the day but only tells them he will pay them what is right. When he pays them all the same amount those who worked longer were angry. They felt shortchanged instead of being glad for the owner’s generosity to the others. In the Kingdom of God, says Jesus, the last shall be first and the first last.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Being content with the blessings we have
  • Why are we angry with God or others? Do we really have a case?
  • Being faithful in times of suffering means trusting in Christ and resisting the urge to complain
  • God always gives us more than we deserve (grace)
  • Living as God’s people does not mean we will not have to suffer

Based on the Alternative Set of Readings

First Reading (Jonah 3:10-4:11)

As Jonah had anticipated, because he is slow to anger and full of grace, mercy and steadfast love, Yahweh spares the repentant city of Nineveh from the destruction Jonah had announced. This makes him angry and he sits down to see what happens. Yahweh causes a plant to give him extra shade from the sun only to destroy it the next day. Again Jonah is angry and again says he would rather die than live. Yahweh contrasts his own concern for the immense and needy population of Nineveh with Jonah’s rage over an insignificant bush.

Psalm (145:1-8)

The Psalmist begins by affirming his intention to praise Yahweh for his surpassing majesty and his wonderful works, qualities for which he will be extolled by generations to come. They will sing of his goodness and righteousness, his grace and mercy, and his steadfast love and slowness to anger.

Second Reading (Philippians 1:21-30)

St. Paul, realizing that he is called to be of further service to the early Christian communities he has founded, reluctantly accepts any delay in being fully in Christ’s presence through death. He encourages the Philippians to live lives worthy of the Gospel and standing firm in the face of opposition and suffering, a struggle he continues to share with them.

Gospel (Matthew 20:1-16)

Jesus tells the parable of the vineyard owner who hires a number of workers early in the morning to work for the normal daily rate. He also hires others during various times of the day but only tells them he will pay them what is right. When he pays them all the same amount those who worked longer were angry. They felt shortchanged instead of being glad for the owner’s generosity to the others. In the Kingdom of God, says Jesus, the last shall be first and the first last.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Being content with the blessings we have
  • Why are we angry with God or others? Do we really have a case?
  • Being faithful in times of suffering means trusting in Christ and resisting the urge to complain
  • God always gives us more than we deserve (grace)
  • Living as God’s people does not mean we will not have to suffer
  • Like God we should be slow to anger
Posted on

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost, September 17, 2017, Proper 19, Year A

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Exodus 14:19-31)

The angel and the pillar of cloud that had been leading Israel out of Egypt move to the end of the column and place themselves between the people and the pursuing Egyptian army. Confronting the Red Sea, Moses stretches out his hand and Yahweh has a strong wind part the water and make a dry path for their escape. Pharaoh follows but the waters close over his army while Israel learns to trust in Yahweh and his servant Moses.

Psalm (114)

The Psalmist celebrates the Exodus as the time when Yahweh began to dwell with Israel, and both the Red Sea and the Jordan River parted for their crossing. Even the mountains and the rivers resonate to his mighty saving acts. Indeed the whole earth trembles at his awesome presence.

OR

Exodus 15:1b-11, 20-21

The Song of Moses exults in the victory of Yahweh at the Red Sea where both horse and rider were cast into the sea. He gives full credit to Yahweh who proves himself in full control of nature and superior to any other gods. Miriam, sister to Moses and Aaron and a prophet herself, joins in the celebratory refrain.

Second Reading (Romans 14:1-12)

St. Paul, recognizing that those who are weak in faith need to be nourished in the Christian community, points out that they are welcomed and helped by God himself and should not be in any way despised by the “strong”. This applies especially to religious observances involving foods and holy days. We live unto the Lord and each should honour him as best we can. He is the one who will judge.

Gospel (Matthew 18:21-35)

In response to Peter’s question about the limits to forgiving our fellow Christians Jesus tells a parable about a king who decides to settle accounts with the slaves who handled his affairs. One of them owed a huge sum he could not cover and begged for mercy. When the king simply forgave him, he failed to extend any mercy to another slave who owed him a pittance. This greatly angered the King who had the man tortured for his behaviour. We can expect God to have the same attitude to those of us who refuse to forgive.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • God is not subject to nature but in control of it
  • Nature is witness to the greatness of God
  • Judgment is real but it is in the hands of God, not our own
  • The importance of community life in the Kingdom
  • No limit to mercy extended to the penitent
  • Forgiveness and forbearance are to mark the Christian life
  • We are to extend to others what God has so much more extended to us

Based on the Alternative Set of Readings

First Reading (Genesis 50:15-21)

Joseph’s brothers had sold him into slavery in Egypt and now that their father Jacob is dead they are worried that he will take his revenge. So they tell Joseph that before he died their father had asked that he forgive them. Joseph wept when he heard this and they bowed down to him, calling themselves his slaves exactly as his dreams had predicted. He told them that although they had meant it for evil, God intended it for good.

Psalm (103:[1-7], 8-13)

This Psalm calls for the congregation to bless Yahweh for all he does in his loving kindness: forgives our sins; heals our diseases; gets us out of trouble; satisfies us with good. It is a merciful and gracious Yahweh who works justice for the oppressed and removes our sin far from us, not repaying us as we deserve.

Second Reading (Romans 14:1-12)

St. Paul, recognizing that those who are weak in faith need to be nourished in the Christian community, points out that they are welcomed and helped by God himself and should not be in any way despised by the “strong”. This applies especially to religious observances involving foods and holy days. We live unto the Lord and each should honour him as best we can. He is the one who will judge.

Gospel (Matthew 18:21-35)

In response to Peter’s question about the limits to forgiving our fellow Christians Jesus tells a parable about a king who decides to settle accounts with the slaves who handled his affairs. One of them owed a huge sum he could not cover and begged for mercy. When the king simply forgave him, he failed to extend any mercy to another slave who owed him a pittance. This greatly angered the King who had the man tortured for his behaviour. We can expect God to have the same attitude to those of us who refuse to forgive.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • God is in control of the course of history
  • Judgment is real but it is in the hands of God, not our own
  • The importance of community life in the Kingdom
  • No limit to mercy extended to the penitent
  • Forgiveness and forbearance are to mark the Christian life
  • We are to extend to others what God has so much more extended to us

 

 

Posted on

Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost, September 10, 2017, Proper 18, Year A

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Exodus 12:1-14)

Nine plagues having failed to convince Pharaoh to release the Israelites, Yahweh tells Moses to prepare for one more: the death of all the firstborn males. Each Israelite household is to slaughter a lamb and smear the blood on the outside of its doorway to alert the angel of death to pass over it. The occasion will be the beginning of their new year and will be celebrated by reenacting this unique meal.

Psalm (149)

Calling upon the people to render joyful and melodic praise to their Maker and their King, the Psalmist reminds them that Yahweh takes pleasure in them, giving victory to the humble. At the same time they are to be ready to execute judgment on the nations at his bidding and for their glory.

Second Reading (Romans 13:8-14)

Like Jesus, St. Paul asserts the truth that to love one’s neighbour as oneself is to fulfill the law. He then points out that his readers’ ultimate salvation is nearer now than ever and they must wake up and live in its light, not giving themselves over to the debaucheries of the flesh. In other words, they must put on the Lord Jesus Christ and resist any inclinations to live contrary to him.

Gospel (Matthew 18:15-20)

Jesus gives specific directions on what to do if a fellow Christian sins against us. His stress is on winning the person back into the fellowship rather than on asserting our own rights. They need to be confronted with their sin within a widening circle of witnesses. Decisions made in this way, even to the point of ex-communication, have the awesome weight of heaven behind them.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • The importance of dealing with sin through repentance and change
  • The deadly seriousness of sin
  • The importance of loving one another
  • God’s intentions, even in discipline, are for our good
  • New beginnings with God are possible
  • Bad news can be good news

Based on the Alternative Set of Readings

First Reading (Ezekiel 33:7-11)

Yahweh appoints Ezekiel as a watchman for the Israelites. He is to deliver Yahweh’s dire warnings to abandon their wicked ways or die in their sins. This is a heavy responsibility because unless he delivers the message he will share in the same fate. He is to tell them that while Yahweh does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked, he delights in seeing real repentance that leads to a changed life.

Psalm (119:33-40)

The Psalmist, appreciating that living as Yahweh demands is truly the way of life, expresses his desire to know, understand, and delight in the law. He realizes that to follow it faithfully he needs Yahweh to turn his heart away from wickedness of all kinds and grant him life.

Second Reading (Romans 13:8-14)

Like Jesus, St. Paul asserts the truth that to love one’s neighbour as oneself is to fulfill the law. He then points out that his readers’ ultimate salvation is nearer now than ever and they must wake up and live in its light, not giving themselves over to the debaucheries of the flesh. In other words, they must put on the Lord Jesus Christ and resist any inclinations to live contrary to him.

Gospel (Matthew 18:15-20)

Jesus gives specific directions on what to do if a fellow Christian sins against us. His stress is on winning the person back into the fellowship rather than on asserting our own rights. They need to be confronted with their sin within a widening circle of witnesses. Decisions made in this way, even to the point of ex-communication, have the awesome weight of heaven behind them.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • The ways of God are the ways of life
  • The importance of dealing with sin through repentance and change
  • The deadly seriousness of sin
  • The importance of loving one another
  • God’s intentions, even in discipline, are for our good
  • Bad news can be good news