First Sunday of Advent, Year B, November 29, 2020

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Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Isaiah 64:1-9)

The Lord having hidden his face, Isaiah pleads for him to act mightily for those who wait for him. Many Israelites have taken the Lord’s silence as occasion to sin: indeed, all have done so. The prophet asks for mercy because they are God’s people, he is their father.

Psalm (80:1-7, 17-19)

The Psalmist, aware of the Lord’s displeasure with his people, asks him three times to shine his face upon them that they might be saved. They have suffered greatly but the Lord remains in their midst and will surely respond to their calls.

Second Reading (1 Corinthians 1:3-9)

Paul is thankful for the grace of God given to the Corinthians, as seen in their speech and knowledge. Indeed, they lack no spiritual gift as they await the coming of the Lord Jesus and assured of being strengthened to the end, made blameless by a faithful God.

Gospel (Mark 13:24-37)

Jesus variously encourages his disciples to be ready for his sudden return in great power and glory after a period of earth-shaking events. Occurring within a generation these should keep everyone alert, given that his words are more fixed than the cosmos itself.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

• The people of God are called to wait expectantly for him in troubled times
• Faithfulness in a time of waiting
• Faithfulness in the silence of God
• Waiting is difficult and dangerous for faith
• When God finally acts it will be decisive and unmistakable
• God has provided what we need to remain faithful to the end

 

Reign of Christ, November 22, 2020

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Please see Using Lection Connection.

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24)

The Lord God proclaims that he will gather the people of Israel from their places of exile like a shepherd who gathers his sheep with lavish care. Abusers of the weak will be destroyed and the nation’s relationship with God restored under David, its shepherd-king.

Psalm (100)

The Psalmist exhorts the whole earth to joyful praise of the Lord, creator of all, and to come into his presence as his people, sheep of his pasture. Yahweh is good, loving and faithful across the generations.

OR

Psalm (95:1-7a)

The Psalmist invites the people of God into the joyful presence of the Lord with thanks and praise. As creator of all things, he is king over all other powers and we are his sheep, fed in his pasture.

Second Reading (Ephesians 1:15-23

Paul exults in the knowledge of God’s great power made known in the resurrection and ascension of Jesus above all other rule. He prays the Ephesians will experience it increasingly as they come to know Christ in whom their redemption is secure.

Gospel (Matthew 25:31-46)

Jesus teaches that he himself, like a shepherd separating the sheep from the goats, will judge the nations when he returns in glory. They will be held to account for how they have treated the least of those he regards as his family.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

• God/Christ as shepherd-king: savior, provider, protector, judge
• The people of God as “sheep” and God/Christ as “shepherd”
• The relationship/identification of God/Christ with his people
• Trusting in the awesome power of God, creator, re-creator, king
• God/Christ as the shepherd who sets all things right
• In the presence of God/Christ

 

 

Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, November 15, 2020

Please see Using Lection Connection.

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Judges 4:1-7)

Israel falls into sin and the Lord hands them over to a local Canaanite king. When the people call out to him, he uses the prophetess Deborah to tell the commander of Israel’s army to attack the king’s army with the assurance of victory.

Psalm (123)

In a time when Israel is suffering the scorn and contempt of the proud, the Psalmist directs his plea for relief to the one he knows has power to help. He looks to the Lord as a maid would naturally look to her mistress.

Second Reading (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11)

St. Paul knows the Thessalonians are well aware that the dreadful Day of the Lord will come unexpectedly and when least expected. He encourages them to be prepared and on constant alert in confident anticipation of Christ’s salvation.

Gospel (Matthew 25:14-30)

To illustrate how his followers are to conduct themselves in his absence, Jesus tells of a man who goes on a long journey and entrusts his money to three of his servants. Two of them put the money to good use, bringing praise. But one does nothing and is condemned.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

• Salvation and judgment are both part of God’s action
• The importance of knowing who is in charge
• Living in a time when God seems silent and inactive in the face of widespread sin
• Living as a Christian in the light of Jesus’ return
• The need for constant attention to our spiritual condition

Based on the Alternative Set of Readings

First Reading (Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18)

To those who contentedly believe he will never act in judgment, the Lord spells out the coming wrath of the Day of the Lord. Widespread disobedience to divine commands will bring about worldwide distress, darkness, and destruction.

Psalm (90:1-12)

The Psalmist acknowledges the great gulf between the Lord’s mighty eternal being and us short-lived mortals. To him time is of no consideration, while humanity struggles to survive but a few passing years. His anger at our sin should inspire us to use our time wisely.

Second Reading (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11)

St. Paul knows the Thessalonians are well aware that the dreadful Day of the Lord will come unexpectedly and when least expected. He encourages them to be prepared and on constant alert in confident anticipation of Christ’s salvation.

Gospel (Matthew 25:14-30)

To illustrate how his followers are to conduct themselves in his absence, Jesus tells of a man who goes on a long journey and entrusts his money to three servants. Two of them put the money to good use, bringing praise. But one does nothing and is condemned.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

• The reality and magnitude of judgment and salvation
• Salvation and judgment are both part of God’s action
• Living in a time when God seems silent and inactive in the face of widespread sin
• Living as a Christian in the light of Jesus’ return
• The need for constant attention to our spiritual condition

 

Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost, November 8, 2020

Please see Using Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25)

Having led Israel in the conquest of Canaan, Joshua charges the nation always to follow Yahweh and not the gods of their ancestors or the gods of the Land. Joshua commits himself and his family to Yahweh and the people do so as well, Joshua sealing their commitment with a covenant.

Psalm (78:1-7)

The Psalmist calls upon Israel to pay attention to things in their past in danger of becoming obscure. The nation is challenged to remember and pass on to future generations the great things Yahweh has done for them, encouraging hope and obedience.

Second Reading (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

Some early Christians are concerned that believers who had already died would miss out on the return of the Lord. St. Paul points out that the resurrection of Jesus means that the dead would assuredly partake in this great event. Indeed, they will rise first to meet him in the air, followed by the living. This hope should give comfort to all.

Gospel (Matthew 25:1-13)

Jesus tells the parable of the ten bridesmaids waiting to meet the bridegroom: five foolish who took no oil for their lamps and five wise who did. When he finally arrived, the foolish bridesmaids, away to get oil, missed out on the wedding feast. Jesus concludes that we should alwaysbe looking and prepared for his return.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

• Our hope for the future is rooted in the past faithfulness of God
• Our commitment to God needs constant renewal
• Forewarned is forearmed
• The importance of sustaining urgency in the light of Christ’s delayed return

Based on the Alternative Set of Readings

First Reading (Amos 5:18-24)

Amos warns his listeners not to expect that the Day of the Lord will bring them vindication and victory. Instead it will bring judgment because, in spite of their meticulous religious observances, they have neglected justice and righteousness.

Psalm (70)

The Psalmist cries out to Yahweh at his delay in coming to deliver and save. He wants his adversaries to suffer dishonor and the faithful to be vindicated. In the meantime he remains confident that Yahweh will act, but pleads for immediate relief.

Second Reading (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

Some early Christians are concerned that believers who had already died would miss out on the return of the Lord. St. Paul points out that the resurrection of Jesus means that the dead would assuredly partake in this great event. Indeed, they will rise first to meet him in the air, followed by the living. This hope should give comfort to all.

Gospel (Matthew 25:1-13)

Jesus tells the parable of the ten bridesmaids waiting to meet the bridegroom: five foolish who took no oil for their lamps and five wise who did. When he finally arrived, the foolish bridesmaids, away to get oil, missed out on the wedding feast. Jesus concludes that we should always be looking and prepared for his return.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

• Our commitment to God needs constant renewal
• Forewarned is forearmed
• The importance of sustaining urgency in the light of Christ’s delayed return
• We ought at all times to acknowledge our sins before God, but especially so in the light of Christ’s return
• An orientation to God’s future has implications for the present