Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, August 4, 2019, Proper 13, Year C

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

 

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Hosea 11:1-11)

Depicting Israel as a wayward son, the Lord recalls how he has tenderly cared for the nation and still cares for it. Although judgment is rightly coming upon Israel he cannot abandon them to absolute destruction. Someday they will return to the land and to the Lord.

Psalm (107:1-9, 43)

The Psalmist celebrates the steadfast love of the Lord for his people. He has redeemed them from exile and restored them to the land in spite of their wandering astray. Having had their needs supplied, he calls the nation to remember and give thanks.

Second Reading (Colossians 3:1-11)

Paul writes that Christians have been raised with Christ and spells out the implications of this fact. We are to live a life rooted in heavenly values, not in earthly ones. Having new selves, no worldly religious, social or national divisions apply to those who are one in Christ.

Gospel (Luke 12:13-21)

When a man wants Jesus to take his side in an inheritance dispute, Jesus uses the opportunity to warn against greed. He tells of a man who gloried in his rich harvest and assumed he was set for life but died instead. We are to be rich toward God rather than store up earthly treasure.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • You can’t out-love God
  • Our eyes are to be focussed on things above, where our priorities should lie
  • In the midst of death, we are in life
  • God’s care for his people is expressed in judgment and redemption
  • The Lord expects us to live different lives from those who do not serve him, and he holds us to account

 

Based on the Alternative Readings

First Reading (Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23)

Contemplating the fact that we all must die, the Teacher is struck by the futility of a life that is spent pursuing things that we cannot take with us when we go. Instead, others will enjoy the fruit of our labour, knowledge and wisdom. Even worrying about these things is futile.

Psalm (49:1-12)

In light of the fact that we all die, the Psalmist points out that wealth cannot save us from this fate, nor can wisdom. All humankind, rich and poor, wise and foolish, will go to the grave, leaving everything behind. Why then fear those who persecute us? They too will die.

Second Reading (Colossians 3:1-11)

Paul writes that Christians have been raised with Christ and spells out the implications of this fact. We are to live a life rooted in heavenly values, not in earthly ones. Having new selves, no worldly religious, social or national divisions apply to those who are one in Christ.

Gospel (Luke 12:13-21)

When a man wants Jesus to take his side in an inheritance dispute, Jesus uses the opportunity to warn against greed. He tells of a man who gloried in his rich harvest and assumed he was set for life but died instead. We are to be rich toward God rather than store up earthly treasure.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • In the midst of life, we are in death
  • In the midst of death, we are in life
  • A life centred on what this world has to offer is ultimately futile
  • Our eyes are to be focussed on things above, where our priorities should lie.
  • The Lord expects us to live different lives from those who do not serve him, and he holds us to account

 

 

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, July 28, 2019, Proper 12, Year C

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Hosea 1:2-10)

The Lord commands Hosea to marry a prostitute as a way of dramatizing Israel’s waywardness. The names that the Lord gives to their children indicate that severe judgment is coming. Even so, the nation will eventually be blessed and the relationship restored.

Psalm (85)

Based on previous restorations granted to Israel, the Psalmist intercedes for the nation in its current situation of need. He is confident the Lord will turn to them again in his unshakable love and faithfulness. The land will flourish in righteousness and peace once again.

Second Reading (Colossians 2: 6-15, [16-19])

Paul pleads with the Colossians to remain steadfast in Christ who is superior to any other source of spiritual truth and power. Identified with him through baptismal faith, they share in his triumph over sin, death and the law. They should ignore anyone who says anything else.

Gospel (Luke 11:1-13)

Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray by example and instruction. He provides them with a model prayer to follow and encourages persistence. He promises them that such prayer will succeed because God is more prepared to bless than any human fathers.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • The need for constancy in our relationship with God
  • God is the same yesterday, today and forever
  • The predisposition of the Lord to remain faithful and to bless
  • Even in judgment there is hope for mercy
  • There is always room for prayer

 

Based on the Alternative Readings

First Reading (Genesis18:20-32)

During Abraham’s encounter with the three visitors, the Lord indicates that Sodom’s extreme wickedness must be dealt with. Abraham manages to negotiate the number of righteous inhabitants for whom the Lord would be willing to spare the city from fifty down to ten.

Psalm (138)

The Psalmist is thankful for God’s steadfast love and faithfulness. His word is heard by all the kings of the earth, who praise him as well. In spite of his greatness he favours the lowly over the proud. In troubled times, the Psalmist is confident of the Lord’s protection and purpose for him.

Second Reading (Colossians 2: 6-15, [16-19])

Paul pleads with the Colossians to remain steadfast in Christ who is superior to any other source of spiritual truth and power. Identified with him through baptismal faith, they share in his triumph over sin, death and the law. They should ignore anyone who says anything else.

Gospel (Luke 11:1-13)

Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray by example and instruction. He provides them with a model prayer to follow and encourages persistence. He promises them that such prayer will succeed because God is more prepared to bless than any human fathers.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • The Lord enters into genuine relationships with humankind in spite of his infinite superiority
  • The predisposition of the Lord to remain faithful and to bless
  • Even in judgment there is hope for mercy
  • There is always room for prayer
  • Never give up on God

 

 

 

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, July 21, 2019, Proper 11, Year C

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Amos 8:1-12)

Through the image of a basket of ripe fruit, the Lord shows Amos that Israel is about to be consumed. Eager only for profit, they have been cheating in business and abusing the poor. A time of bitter mourning is coming, a time in which the word of the Lord cannot be found.

Psalm (52)

For those who boast of their misdeeds, the Psalmist has a warning: the Lord will take action against them. The upright, trusting in God for their security, will be vindicated at the downfall of the wicked. God’s actions show him to be faithful and good, worthy to be praised.

Second Reading (Colossians 1:15-28)

After proclaiming the exalted place of Jesus over both creation and the church, Paul describes him as the embodiment of the fullness of God. The gospel reveals the mystery that by his suffering Christ has reconciled all humanity to God, especially Gentiles like the Colossians.

Gospel (Luke 10:38-42)

Martha invites Jesus into the home she shares with her sister Mary. Focussed soley upon being hospitable, Martha is upset that Mary simply listens to Jesus teach instead of helping her. Jesus notices her frustration and tells her that it is Mary who actually has her priorities right.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • The priority of paying attention to God above all else (the superiority of Christ)
  • Bad deeds have serious consequences
  • Good deeds have serious consequences
  • Better to trust in God than simply be content with doing good

Based on the Alternative Readings

First Reading (Genesis 18:1-10a)

The Lord comes to Abraham in the form of three men whom he invites to share in his hospitality. He waits on them while his wife Sarah prepares a meal in the tent. Waiting for them to finish, he is told by one that by the time he returned the barren Sarah would have a son.

Psalm (15)

The Psalmist insists that, in order to remain in relationship with the Lord, a person must lead an upright life. Their actions should support others, their word is to be their bond and their money is to be held lightly. This is the path to a settled and secure life.

Second Reading (Colossians 1:15-28)

After proclaiming the exalted place of Jesus over both creation and the church, Paul describes him as the embodiment of the fullness of God. The gospel reveals the mystery that by his suffering Christ has reconciled all humanity to God, especially Gentiles like the Colossians.

Gospel (Luke 10:38-42)

Martha invites Jesus into the home she shares with her sister Mary. Focussed soley upon being hospitable, Martha is upset that Mary simply listens to Jesus instead of helping her. Jesus notices her frustration and tells her that it is Mary who actually has her priorities right.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • The priority of paying attention to God above all else (the superiority of Christ)
  • Bad deeds have serious consequences
  • Good deeds have serious consequences
  • Practicing hospitality is good; listening to God is better

 

 

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, July 14, 2019, Proper 10, Year C

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Amos 7:7-17)

Jeroboam, the king of northern Israel receives a message from the Lord through the prophet Amos. The king and the nation have strayed far from the commandments of God and will soon lose their land and go into exile in a foreign country. The indictment is not well received.

Psalm (82)

God is pictured presiding in his divine council and indicting those in earth who abuse the poor and lowly who should be granted justice and deliverance instead. The oppressors are walking in darkness, thinking highly of themselves in spite of the fact that they are mere mortals.

Second Reading (Colossians 1:1-14)

Paul thanks God for the faith and mutual love of the Colossian Christians. Rooted in the hope of the Gospel, they share in a worldwide move of the Spirit who is producing in them the fruit of knowledge and good works. Paul prays they will endure by God’s power over sin and darkness.

Gospel (Luke 10:25-37)

Jesus agrees with a religious lawyer that in order to inherit eternal life one must fervently love God and one’s neighbour. He tells of a man who was beaten, robbed, and then ignored by Jewish religious leaders. But a despised Samaritan took mercy and became his true neighbour.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • God’s point of view is often shocking to us humans
  • Disobedience to God has serious consequences
  • The kingdom of God is to extend throughout the earth, across all human borders
  • Self-deception is a dangerous thing

Based on the Alternative Readings

First Reading (Deuteronomy 30:9-14)

Just before he dies, Moses charges the Israelites to keep God’s commandments and flourish as a result. These are not beyond their reach, being already in their mouths and hearts. But they must be observed.

Psalm (25:1-10)

The Psalmist turns to the Lord for protection, asking for knowledge of his ways and to be led in his truth. He acknowledges his sin and makes his appeal based only on God’s mercy and love. He is the one who leads humble sinners in his blessed ways as they keep faith with him.

Second Reading (Colossians 1:1-14)

Paul thanks God for the faith and mutual love of the Colossian Christians. Rooted in the hope of the Gospel, they share in a worldwide move of the Spirit who is producing in them the fruit of knowledge and good works. Paul prays they will endure by God’s power over sin and darkness.

Gospel (Luke 10:25-37)

Jesus agrees with a religious lawyer that in order to inherit eternal life one must fervently love God and one’s neighbour. He tells of a man who was beaten, robbed, and then ignored by Jewish religious leaders. But a detested Samaritan took mercy and became his true neighbour.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • God’s point of view is often shocking to us humans
  • The kingdom of God is to extend throughout the earth, across all human borders
  • Self-deception is a dangerous thing
  • God makes his ways known to us if we are open and humble before him

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, July 7, 2019, Proper 9, Year C

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (2 Kings 5:1-14)

A captive Israeli girl informs her master Naaman, commander of Aram’s army, that there is a prophet back home who can cure his leprosy. He finds Elisha who tells him to wash in the Jordan to be healed. At first he refuses, but his servants convince him to try and he is healed.

Psalm (30)

Because the Lord healed him in the past, the Psalmist invites others to join him in praise and thanksgiving. When he had been confident in his prosperity, adversity had brought him low. But Yahweh heard his cry and turned his mourning into joy.

Second Reading (Galatians 6:[1-6], 7-16)

Paul directs the Galatians to restore sinners among them with humility, keeping in mind their own weaknesses. In this attitude they are to care for one another, doing what is right in the Spirit. They are to boast only in the Cross of Christ, who gathers all peoples into a new creation.

Gospel (Luke 10:1-11, 16-20)

Jesus sends out seventy disciples into all the towns he is going to as his representatives and as agents of the incoming kingdom of God. They rejoice in their power over the demonic forces of Satan, but Jesus tells them that just being accepted in heaven is more important than even this.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • There are varieties of healings but only one God
  • All of us represent the Lord to others
  • Using spiritual power with humility and care
  • A little humility goes a long way

Based on the Alternative Readings

First Reading (Isaiah 66:10-14)

Isaiah looks forward to a time when Jerusalem becomes the nurturing mother of God’s people. The prosperity of the nations shall be hers while her people are comforted. Then Israel will be glad and flourish and it will be known that her great God is surely with them.

Psalm (66:1-9)

The Psalmist calls the whole earth to praise the God of Israel who rescued her through the Red Sea and across the Jordan river. His power is without limit and his shaken adversaries humbly bow low before him in acknowledgement.

Second Reading (Galatians 6:[1-6], 7-16)

Paul directs the Galatians to restore sinners among them with humility, keeping in mind their own weaknesses. In this attitude they are to care for one another, doing what is right in the Spirit. They are to boast only in the Cross of Christ, who gathers all peoples into a new creation.

Gospel (Luke 10:1-11, 16-20)

Jesus sends out seventy disciples into all the towns he is going to as his representatives and as agents of the incoming kingdom of God. They rejoice in their power over the demonic forces of Satan, but Jesus tells them that just being accepted in heaven is more important than even this.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Our weaknesses and defeats offer opportunity for God’s power to be known
  • Using spiritual power with humility and care
  • A little humility goes a long way
  • God is in the business of putting things right