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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

 

 

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

 

Please see Using Lection Connection.

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Exodus 16:2-15)

The Israelites grumble to Moses, saying it would have been better to have died in Egypt where they at least had lots to eat. The Lord says that he is going to provide them bread from heaven each morning as well as quails each evening.

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

The Psalmist exhorts the Lord’s chosen people to seek his presence, remember his wonderful works on their behalf, and make him known among the nations. He brought them out of Egypt, provided food in the wilderness, and gave them the promised land.

Second Reading (Philippians 1:21-30)

Paul, called to be of further service to the early Christian communities, reluctantly accepts any delay in being fully in Christ’s presence. He calls the Philippians to live worthy of the Gospel and stand firm with him in the face of opposition and suffering.

Gospel (Matthew 20:1-16)

Jesus tells of a vineyard owner who hires men early to work for the normal daily rate. He hires others later but pays them all the same. His generosity angers the first group but serves to show how the last shall be first and the first last in the Kingdom of God.

 

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, which reveals a lack of such trust
• God always gives us more than we deserve (grace)
• Living as God’s people does not mean we will not have to suffer

Scripture Sentence (BAS, Canada)

Open our hearts, O Lord, to give heed to what is said by your Son.

Collect of the Day (BAS, Canada)

Almighty God,
you have created the heavens and the earth,
and ourselves in your image.
Teach us to discern your hand in all your works
and to serve you with reverence and thanksgiving; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. AMEN

 

Based on the Alternate Readings

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

The Lord spares the repentant city of Nineveh from the destruction Jonah had warned it about. Angry, Jonah is confronted by the Lord because he is more concerned about a dead plant that provided him shade than the fate of the many inhabitants of Nineveh.

Psalm (145:1-8)

The Psalmist says that he will praise the Lord for his surpassing majesty and his wonderful works, for which future generations will extoll him. They will sing of his goodness and righteousness, his grace and mercy, and his love and slowness to anger.

Second Reading (Philippians 1:21-30)

Paul, called to be of further service to the early Christian communities, reluctantly accepts any delay in being fully in Christ’s presence. He calls the Philippians to live worthy of the Gospel and stand firm with him in the face of opposition and suffering.

Gospel (Matthew 20:1-16)

Jesus tells of a vineyard owner who hires men early to work for the normal daily rate. He hires others later but pays them all the same. His generosity angers the first group but serves to show how the last shall be first and the first last in the Kingdom of God.

 

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, which reveals a lack of such trust
• 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

Scripture Sentence (BAS, Canada)

Open our hearts, O Lord, to give heed to what is said by your Son.

 Collect of the Day (BAS, Canada)

Almighty God,
you have created the heavens and the earth,
and ourselves in your image.
Teach us to discern your hand in all your works
and to serve you with reverence and thanksgiving; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. AMEN

 

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