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Full lections can be read here.
Based on the Readings as Set
First Reading (Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28)
Jeremiah foresees God’s judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem as a scorching wind from the desert that sweeps all before it. The land will be desolate, without light, vegetation or inhabitants. Although this fate is inevitable, the Lord promises that it is not final.
Psalm (14)
The Psalmist laments Israel’s lack of someone to come to her rescue. The world seems full of fools who deny God’s very existence and who ignore his ways. All have gone astray. The Lord, however, is the refuge of the poor, and terror will come on the wicked.
Second Reading (1 Timothy 1:12-17)
Paul tells the young Timothy of his gratitude to Christ Jesus for his conversion and calling to serve. He was such a hard-case unbeliever that his coming to faith can only be seen as a miracle of grace, an example for all to see and come to faith themselves. He can only give glory to God.
Gospel (Luke 15:1-10)
Because he is criticized for socializing among sinners, Jesus tells two parables to illustrate that sinners are actually the primary focus of God’s attention and how he rejoices when even one repents. He tells of a shepherd who finds a lost sheep and a woman who finds a lost coin.
CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS
- God’s judgment is meant to bring us back to himself
- Amazing grace
- We can only truly appreciate our redemption if we truly appreciate our lostness without Jesus
- Our sinfulness does not make us repellant to God but attracts his loving and redemptive attention
Based on the Alternative Readings
First Reading (Exodus 32:7-14)
While Moses meets with Yahweh on Mt. Sinai the people demand that Aaron make gods for them. The Lord angrily decides to destroy this people who so quickly abandon him. He plans to make a great nation out of Moses instead, but the latter intercedes and the Lord relents.
Psalm (51:1-10)
The Psalmist admits both his inborn sinfulness and the sinful acts he has committed. He pleads that the Lord will have mercy upon him and grant him forgiveness and a clean heart. He begs for a new spirit to be given to him.
Second Reading (1 Timothy 1:12-17)
Paul tells the young Timothy of his gratitude to Christ Jesus for his conversion and calling to serve. He was such a hard-case unbeliever that his coming to faith can only be seen as a miracle of grace, an example for all to see and come to faith themselves. He can only give glory to God.
Gospel (Luke 15:1-10)
Because he is criticized for socializing among sinners, Jesus tells two parables to illustrate that sinners are actually the primary focus of God’s attention and how he rejoices when even one repents. He tells of a shepherd who finds a lost sheep and a woman who finds a lost coin.
CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS
- Amazing grace
- We can only truly appreciate our redemption if we truly appreciate our lostness without Jesus
- Our sinfulness does not make us repellant to God but attracts his loving and redemptive attention
- The perversity of sin