All Saints Day, November 1, 2019, Year C

Lection Connection for the Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost, Sunday October 3, 2019 can be found here.

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

 

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18)

Daniel envisions four great kings or kingdoms arising out of the earth. Each is described as a horrific “beast”, striking terror in the heart of the prophet. In spite of this threatening scenario, Daniel is assured that the kingdom will finally belong to the holy ones of God forever.

Psalm (149)

The Psalm calls for praise to the Lord because he gives glorious victory to lowly Israel, setting it over the kings and nobles of the nations.

Second Reading (Ephesians 1:11-23)

Paul writes of the glorious inheritance we now have in Christ, rooted in the power exhibited in his resurrection and demonstrated in his being designated head over all things. While he is our head, we are his body and therefore share in his fullness.

Gospel (Luke 6:20-31)

The Beatitudes make it clear that the kingdom of God will be upside down from our normal experience. The lowly will be made great and vice versa. We are called to embody this upside- down way of life, loving our enemies and treating them as we ourselves desire to be treated.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • God will grant the kingdom to his humble and holy people
  • Exaltation is not ours to grasp. It will be the gift of God
  • The normal human ways to exalt ourselves over others will ultimately result in our downfall
  • No matter how exalted, no human power will prevail over the kingdom of God
  • As those who belong to Christ, all saints already participate in his exaltation

Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost, November 3, 2019, Proper 26, Year C

Please see How to Use Lection Connection 

Full lections can be read here.

 

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4)

Crying out for the Lord to end his silence concerning Judah’s destruction, the prophet Habakkuk decides simply to listen for the divine word. He is assured of a coming “end” for which he is to wait and that it is through such faithfulness that the righteous will live.

Psalm (119:137-144)

The Psalmist, although he is in the midst of serious trouble, exults in the life-giving quality of God’s word at every level of existence and pleads for fuller understanding.

Second Reading (2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12)

Paul praises the Thessalonians who are steadfast in the midst of suffering and persecution. Indeed, they are growing in faith and love through the power of God, bringing glory to the Lord Jesus.

Gospel (Luke 19:1-10)

St. Luke tells the story of Zacchaeus, a tax-collector and a cheat who nevertheless has a passion to see Jesus. Forced to climb a tree to get above the crowd, Jesus reaches out to him and his life is transformed as he experiences the new life of God’s salvation.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Suffering, even though it is very real and often debilitating, does offer opportunities for genuine faithfulness and witness
  • Suffering can remind us that we are always in the hands of the Lord
  • God does promise salvation and deliverance, but it is not on our timetable. Patience is a mark of the faithful
  • The road to righteousness requires great resolve
  • Is a sense of “lostness” the precondition to being “found”?

 

Based on the Alternative Readings

First Reading (Isaiah 1:10-18)

The prophet Isaiah compares the sin of Judah to that of Sodom and Gomorrah and calls the nation to right living as well as right religion. He offers the promise that, if the nation repents, its sins will be forgiven.

Psalm (32:1-7)

The Psalmist rejoices in sins forgiven and even in the difficult times that inspired true repentance. The Lord is a hiding place in times of trouble for those who will look to him.

Second Reading (2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12)

Paul praises the Thessalonians who are steadfast in the midst of suffering and persecution. Indeed, they are growing in faith and love through the power of God, bringing glory to the Lord Jesus.

Gospel (Luke 19:1-10)

St. Luke tells the story of Zacchaeus, a tax-collector and a cheat who nevertheless has a passion to see Jesus. Forced to climb a tree to get above the crowd, he catches Jesus’ attention and his life is turned around by the one who actually seeks the lost.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • The Lord is looking for us to acknowledge our sin and repent
  • True repentance involves a change in behaviour
  • Suffering, even though it is very real and often debilitating, does offer opportunities for genuine faithfulness and witness
  • The road to righteousness requires great resolve
  • Is a sense of “lostness” the precondition to being “found”?

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost, October 27, 2019, Proper 25, Year C

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

 

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Joel 2:23-32)

The prophet Joel tells of a time in which the Lord will exalt his humiliated people, blessing them extremely abundantly both materially and spiritually. Indeed, his Spirit will be poured upon each one of them and those who look to him will be saved.

Psalm (65)

The Psalmist calls us to rejoice in the God who answers prayer and saves us, forgiving us and delivering us from evil. The God of all creation shows his power especially in providing water in abundance, enabling the fruits of the earth to flourish.

Second Reading (2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18)

Paul anticipates that day when, having expended himself fully, he, along with all who have looked for Jesus to appear, will receive the crown of righteousness. Experience has proven that he will be rescued from all adversity and so attain to the kingdom at last.

Gospel (Luke 18:9-14)

Jesus’ story of the Pharisee and the tax collector vividly illustrates the fact that God will exalt the truly humble and humiliate the falsely proud. It is the sinner who calls out to God for mercy who is saved, not the one who is confident in his own righteousness.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Being open and honest before God in our needs
  • It is only God who can save us, he alone is our saviour
  • The salvation of God is both spiritual and material in nature
  • Humility is the place to start in our relationship with God
  • Evil is more powerful than our own resources to overcome it

 

Based on the Alternative Readings

First Reading (Jeremiah 14:7-10, 19-22)

Jeremiah voices the urgent appeal of a distressed nation to their God who seems to be acting like a stranger. Taking responsibility for their sins, they pointedly argue that if the Lord fails to save his covenant people, it is his own name that will be disgraced.

Psalm (84:1-7)

The Psalmist exults in the many delights of living in the very presence of God. He affirms that those who derive their strength from God alone are the happiest of all. Indeed, the ways to his divine presence are very evident in their hearts.

Second Reading (2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18)

Paul anticipates that day when, having expended himself fully, he, along with all who have looked for Jesus to appear, will receive the crown of righteousness. Experience has proven that he will be rescued from all adversity and so attain to the kingdom at last.

Gospel (Luke 18:9-14)

Jesus’ story of the Pharisee and the tax collector vividly illustrates the fact that God will exalt the truly humble and humiliate the falsely proud. It is the sinner who calls out to God for mercy who is saved, not the one who is confident in his own righteousness.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Being open and honest before God in our needs
  • It is only God who can save us, he alone is our saviour
  • Humility is the place to start in our relationship with God
  • Evil is more powerful than our own resources to overcome it
  • Taking responsibility for our own sin

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost, October 20, 2019, Proper 24, Year C

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

 

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Jeremiah 31:27-34)

The Lord promises a new covenant with Israel that will fundamentally change their relationship. While he caused their sufferings for having sinned, he will also oversee their renewal. He will fix his law in their hearts, forgiving and forgetting their sins forever.

Psalm (119:97-104)

The Psalmist exults in the law of God, the practice of which makes him wiser than any of his enemies and even his teachers and elders. Such divine words are sweeter than honey itself.

Second Reading (2 Timothy 3:14-4:5)

Paul reminds Timothy of the divinely inspired nature of the Scriptures and their ability to form spiritually those willing to heed. Not listening guarantees wandering away from the truth. In light of the coming kingdom, Timothy is to persist in his ministry of the Word.

Gospel (Luke 18:1-8)

Jesus tells a parable in which a judge is forced to grant justice to an audacious widow because she is so persistent. Similarly, God will surely not resist the cry of the faithful who suffer. Justice delayed is not justice denied, but how many will persist in faith?

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • God’s Word brings light and life
  • Fixing God’s Word in our hearts
  • Faith that is persistent in spite of circumstances is true faith
  • Given its soul-renewing power, what place does the Word of God have in our life?

 

Based on the Alternative Readings

First Reading (Genesis 32:22-31)

Jacob’s audacity and persistence in his wrestling bout with a mysterious “man” pays off with a profound blessing. His new name, Israel, reveals that he has been wrestling with God himself and hints at his descendants’ struggle with both God and humanity.

Psalm (121)

The Psalmist knows that his only help is in the Lord who actively watches over us. It is he who faithfully “keeps” us: unlike others, he will not sleep through our time of crisis. We are assured of his ultimate protection and care.

Second Reading (2 Timothy 3:14-4:5)

Paul reminds Timothy of the divinely inspired nature of the Scriptures and their ability to form spiritually those willing to heed. Not listening guarantees wandering away from the truth. In light of the coming kingdom, Timothy is to persist in his ministry of the Word.

Gospel (Luke 18:1-8)

Jesus tells a parable in which a judge is forced to grant justice to an audacious widow because she is so persistent. Similarly, God will surely not resist the cry of the faithful who suffer. Justice delayed is not justice denied, but how many will persist in faith?

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • God’s Word brings light and life
  • Faith that is persistent in spite of circumstances is true faith
  • Given its soul-renewing power, what place does the Word of God have in our life?
  • The life of faith is a struggle with both God and others

Thanksgiving Day, Canada, Year C, October 13, 2019

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

 

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Deuteronomy 26:1-11)

Moses commands the Israelites, once they have arrived in the Promised Land, to bring its first fruits as an offering to the Lord while reciting the story of their deliverance from Egypt. The harvest is to be celebrated as part of God’s gracious provision for his people.

Psalm (100)

The Psalmist calls upon the whole world to worship the Lord because he is the creator of all. His courts are to be filled with praise and thanksgiving for his goodness, steadfast love and eternal faithfulness through the years.

Second Reading (Philippians 4:4-9)

Paul calls the Philippians to “Rejoice” while encouraging his readers to turn to God in prayer and thanksgiving instead of worrying about things. This leads to a profound peace that can be maintained by focusing our thoughts and actions on all things good.

Gospel (John 6:25-35)

The people who had just been miraculously fed by Jesus now demand a sign like the bread from heaven that Moses gave their ancestors. In response, Jesus claims to be the Father’s gift of “true bread from heaven”, the “bread of life”. This food satisfies forever.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Giving thanks for God’s provision for the necessities of life
  • God provides for both our material and spiritual needs
  • Thanksgiving is a way of life
  • Praise and thanksgiving orient us to the One who is behind all blessings

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost, October 13, 2019, Proper 23, Year C

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7)

Jeremiah’s letter to the exiles in Babylon encourages them to settle down and prosper. They are to build houses, take wives and have families as normal. Even more, they are actually to seek the city’s welfare because if it is blessed, they will be blessed as well.

Psalm (66:1-12)

The Psalmist calls the whole earth to acknowledge and worship God because of his greatness as seen in all his works. He calls special attention to his deliverance of the Israelite nation from death in Egypt and his provision of new life in the land of promise.

Second Reading (2 Timothy 2:8-15)

Paul, himself suffering in captivity but carrying on his ministry as normal, urges Timothy to join in his identification with the suffering of Jesus in the firm expectation of sharing in his resurrection. Timothy is to encourage his flock plainly to do the same.

Gospel (Luke 17:11-19)

Continuing on his final journey to Jerusalem, Jesus encounters ten lepers begging him to have mercy on them. He heals them after he simply tells them to have the priests check their condition. Only the single “foreigner” among them bothers to return and praise God.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • God is at work in the routines of life
  • Jesus specializes in bringing life out of death
  • Praise is the proper response to the work of God
  • Brighten the corner where you are

 

Based on the Alternative Readings

First Reading (2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c)

A young Israelite, seeking the welfare of her captor Naaman, tells him about the prophet Elisha back home who could cure his leprosy. Naaman is cured once he obeys the straightforward word of the prophet and comes to believe in Israel’s God.

Psalm (111)

The Psalmist calls for thanks to be given to the Lord for his wonderful works. Those works, especially redeeming Israel and giving the Law, have gained him widespread fame. To have faith in the Lord is to be on the path of wisdom.

Second Reading (2 Timothy 12:8-15)

Paul, himself suffering in captivity but carrying on his ministry as normal, urges Timothy to join in his identification with the suffering of Jesus in the firm expectation of sharing in his resurrection. Timothy is to encourage his flock plainly to do the same.

Gospel (Luke 17:11-19)

Continuing on his final journey to Jerusalem, Jesus encounters ten lepers begging him to have mercy on them. He heals them after he simply tells them to have the priests check their condition. Only the single “foreigner” among them bothers to return and praise God.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • It is not a wise thing to complicate the straightforward word of God
  • Jesus specializes in bringing life out of death
  • Praise is the proper response to the work of God
  • Brighten the corner where you are