Resurrection of the Lord (Easter), April 1, 2018, Year B

Please see How to Use Lection Connection. If used as an introduction during worship, a suggested format can be found here.

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set and Alternates

First Reading (Acts 10: 34-43)

Peter tells the Roman Cornelius that God accepts all who fear him, regardless of nationality, and then informs him about Jesus. His death and resurrection reveal him as the universal Lord and judge of all, and everyone who believes in him receives salvation.

Alternate First Reading (Isaiah 25:6-9)

YAHWEH promises that he will provide a sumptuous feast for all peoples on Mt. Zion, destroying the shroud of death that threatens them now. He will wipe away all tears and remove the disgrace of Israel. Their long wait for his salvation will be over.

Psalm (118:1-2, 14-24)

The Psalmist has experienced YAHWEH’S punishment and then, in answer to prayer, a last minute rescue from death. The gates of righteousness are now thrown open and the rejected stone has now become the cornerstone. It is the day of YAHWEH’S salvation.

Second Reading (1 Corinthians 15:1-11)

St. Paul reminds his readers of the cornerstone of his preaching and their faith. Christ died for our sins, was buried and then raised, as Scripture predicts. He appeared to all the apostles, including Paul, the last and the least, as an example of pure grace.

Alternate Second Reading (Acts 10:34-43)

Peter tells the Roman Cornelius that God accepts all who fear him, regardless of nationality, and then informs him about Jesus. His death and resurrection reveal him as the universal Lord and judge of all, and everyone who believes in him receives salvation.

Gospel (John 20:1-18)

Mary Magdalene discovers the empty tomb and runs to tell Peter and another disciple. Both race to find only the burial garments inside. Mary alone encounters the risen Lord who wants her to tell the others that he will soon be ascending. She hurries to obey.

Alternate Gospel (Mark 16:1-8)

Mary Magdalene and two other women take burial spices to anoint Jesus but find his tomb unexpectedly open. Inside, they are alarmed by a man in white who assures them that Jesus is gone to Galilee and they are to tell the disciples. Thunderstruck, they fail to do so.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • The unexpected grace of God crosses all kinds of barriers
  • The resurrection of Jesus has implications for all humanity as Lord of all
  • The resurrection of Jesus is a turning point in history itself
  • The resurrection of Jesus turns everything upside down.
  • The resurrection of Jesus opens the gate of life to all who would believe
  • The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of Christian faith

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good Friday, March 30, 2018, Year B

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Isaiah 52:13-53:12)

YAHWEH tells of his coming Servant who will undergo humiliation, rejection and great injustice. Like a sacrificial lamb he will silently bear the sins of many and make them whole. Assigned to the grave, in the end he will be vindicated and exalted in triumph.

Psalm (22)

Encircled by enemies like raging beasts, the Psalmist despairs in God’s seeming absence. Melting with fear as lots are cast for his clothes, he still trusts that he will be delivered so mightily that the nations, the dead, and posterity itself will come to serve YAHWEH.

Second Reading (Hebrews 10:16-25)

The writer of Hebrews describes Jesus as both priest and sacrificial victim who made a way for us to come to God with clean hearts. As a result, we should continue to meet together in mutual encouragement towards love and good deeds.

Alternate Second Reading (Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9)

The writer of Hebrews exults in our having such an approachable and sympathetic high priest as Jesus, tested in every way but without sin. Facing death, he begged God to save him but in the end submitted to his will and became the source of eternal salvation.

Gospel (John 18:1-19:42)

Quoting both Jesus himself and Scripture, John stresses how God is in control of Jesus’ trials and crucifixion. Pilate, knowing Jesus innocent, gives in to the raging crowd and he is crucified. Soldiers cast lots for his tunic while Jesus gives up his life and is buried.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Suffering and troubles do not signify the absence of God
  • As high priest Jesus offers himself, both priest and victim.
  • The profound and mysterious love of God for us sinners
  • The cost of our salvation to God and his Son
  • Conforming to God’s will comes with a cost
  • All we like sheep have gone astray

Based on the Alternate Second Reading

First Reading (Isaiah 52:13-53:12)

YAHWEH tells of his coming Servant who will undergo humiliation, rejection and great injustice. Like a sacrificial lamb he will silently bear the sins of many and make them whole. Assigned to the grave, in the end he will be vindicated and exalted in triumph.

Psalm (22)

Encircled by enemies like raging beasts, the Psalmist despairs in God’s seeming absence. Melting with fear as lots are cast for his clothes, he still trusts that he will be delivered so mightily that the nations, the dead, and posterity itself will come to serve YAHWEH.

Second Reading (Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9)

The writer of Hebrews exults in our having such an approachable and sympathetic high priest as Jesus, tested in every way but without sin. Facing death, he begged God to save him but in the end submitted to his will and became the source of eternal salvation.

Gospel (John 18:1-19:42)

Quoting both Jesus himself and Scripture, John stresses how God is in control of Jesus’ trials and crucifixion. Pilate, knowing Jesus innocent, gives in to the raging crowd and he is crucified. Soldiers cast lots for his tunic while Jesus gives up his life and is buried.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Suffering and troubles do not signify the absence of God
  • The profound and mysterious love of God for us sinners
  • The cost of our salvation to God and his Son
  • Conforming to God’s will comes with a cost
  • All we like sheep have gone astray
  • The humanity of Christ is our salvation

Maundy Thursday, March 29, 2018, Year B

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Exodus 12:1-4, [5-10], 11-14)

YAHWEH announces the last of the plagues against Egypt. He will go through the land destroying all first-born males. The Israelites are to eat a pure lamb, putting its blood on their door to ensure that they are passed over. The event is to be celebrated annually.

Psalm (116: 1-2, 12-19)

Knowing his prayers have been heard, the grateful Psalmist realizes that the best response is to orient his entire life toward YAHWEH, especially in giving thanks, fulfilling his vows and lifting up the cup of salvation.

Second Reading (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

St. Paul reminds the Corinthians that it was Jesus himself who instituted the Lord’s Supper. It is to be repeated in remembrance of his death on their behalf until he comes again.

Gospel (John 13:1-17, 31b-35)

As Passover approaches Jesus realizes that his hour to die has now come. Although returning to his Father, he will be leaving behind his beloved disciples. He washes their feet, impressing upon them that loving one another will serve to mark them as his disciples.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Passover, Jesus’s crucifixion, and the Lord’s Supper share profound connections
  • The wages of sin is death
  • Jesus fulfills not only the prophetic traditions of Israel but also its very institutions and history
  • God always provides a substitute
  • Remembrance is critical to the exercise of faith

 

 

 

 

Sixth Sunday in Lent (Passion Sunday), March 25, 2018, Year B

Please see How to Use Lection Connection. If used as an introduction during worship, a suggested format can be found here.

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Isaiah 50:4-9a)

Isaiah envisions YAHWEH’s obedient Servant under assault: enduring insults, spitting and striking. He is determined not to flinch or waver from his conviction that YAHWEH is his help and vindication. In such light his adversaries fade into insignificance.

Psalm (31:9-16)

Under serious affliction from all those around him, the Psalmist is driven to tears, misery and extreme physical weakness. In spite of these attacks in which even his life is in danger, he remains confident that YAHWEH will deliver him.

Second Reading (Philippians 2:5-11)

St. Paul encourages the Philippians to be like Jesus who, although divine, humbled himself and endured a demeaning death. In the end, he was exalted by God to be Lord over all, with every knee in heaven and earth bowing before him.

Gospel (Mark 14:1-15:47)

After showing how Jesus is deserted by his followers, Mark relates how he is tried for blasphemy before the Jewish authorities and for treason before the Romans. On the cross, feeling forsaken even by his Father, Jesus dies and is buried. It is Passover eve.

Alternative Gospel (Mark 15:1-39, [40-47])

After showing how Jesus is deserted by his followers, Mark relates how he is tried for blasphemy before the Jewish authorities and for treason before the Romans. On the cross, feeling forsaken even by his Father, he dies and is buried. It is Passover eve.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Does God abandon his faithful servant?
  • The servant of God is to be obedient, confident in divine vindication
  • Our task is to remain humble, leaving any exaltation to the Lord
  • Obedience to God often leads to insults and persecutions

 

Fifth Sunday in Lent, March 18, 2018, Year B

Please see How to Use Lection Connection. If used as an introduction during worship, a suggested format can be found here.

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Jeremiah 31:31-34)

YAHWEH tells the people he will establish a new covenant with them, different from that established at Sinai but which they did not keep. This time all will be forgiven them and everyone will know YAHWEH personally, the law being written on their hearts.

Psalm (51:1-12)

The Psalmist acknowledges his sinfulness, begging forgiveness on the basis of God’s steadfast love and mercy, even though there is just cause for punishment. He desires an inner transformation so that he may keep God’s laws by means of his Spirit within.

Alternate Psalm (119:9-16)

The Psalmist, apparently a young person, delights in the ways of YAHWEH and states his desire to follow the divine laws. To do this he must continue to treasure them in his heart and meditate on them day and night so that they cannot be forgotten or ignored.

 Second Reading (Hebrews 5:5-10)

The writer tells us that Melchizedek, a mysterious priest-king who encountered Abraham long ago, represents the eternal high priesthood to which Jesus belongs. Learning obedience through suffering, Jesus became the source of eternal salvation.

Gospel (John 12:20-33)

Jesus characterizes his death as his glorification. He will die as a seed must in order to bear fruit, and so must his followers. A voice from heaven tells him that the Father will be glorified in his death. When he is lifted up, Jesus says, all people will be drawn to him.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Following Jesus involves a death to our previous way of life
  • Human beings always fall short of obeying God in their own strength
  • Jesus brings a new and personal way to relate to God, not based on the law but on grace
  • We need a transformed heart in order to truly follow God’s commandments

 

Fourth Sunday in Lent, March 11, 2018, Year B

Please see How to Use Lection Connection.  If used as an introduction during worship, a suggested format can be found here.

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Numbers 21:4-9)

The Israelites, impatient in the wilderness, again complain to Moses about lacking food and water. YAHWEH sends deadly snakes among them and many die before they repent. Moses erects a bronze snake and when people look to it they are healed.

Psalm (107:1-3, 17-22)

The Psalmist urges praise to YAHWEH for his enduring love and amazing works. The redeemed were gathered from afar and, although some were afflicted to the point of death due to their sin, they were restored by YAHWEH’s word when they called to him.

Second Reading (Ephesians 2:1-10)

St. Paul tells the Ephesians that, once dead because of their sins, they have been resurrected by God’s mercy and love alone. This rich new life with Christ engenders good works in this life and will continue to unfold throughout eternity.

Gospel (John 3:14-21)

Jesus says that when he is lifted up, those who look to him in faith will move from death to eternal life. This is God’s intention for everyone, but evildoers hate the light. Those who do come to the light reveal that the ability to do what is true is actually God’s work.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Following Jesus is a matter of life and death
  • New life in Christ leads to good works, not the other way around
  • The critical importance of looking to God/Christ for salvation
  • God can transform death into life
  • God can transform symbols of death into agents of life
  • There are only two ways of life