Please see How to Use Lection Connection.
Full lections can be read here.
Based on the Readings as Set
First Reading (Isaiah 50:4-9a)
Isaiah envisions YAHWEH’s obedient Servant under assault: enduring insults, spitting and striking. He is determined not to flinch or waver from his conviction that YAHWEH is his help and vindication. In such light his adversaries fade into insignificance.
Psalm (31:9-16)
Under serious affliction from all those around him, the Psalmist is driven to tears, misery and extreme physical weakness. In spite of these attacks in which even his life is in danger, he remains confident that YAHWEH will deliver him.
Second Reading (Philippians 2:5-11)
St. Paul encourages the Philippians to be like Jesus who, although divine, humbled himself and endured a demeaning death. In the end, he was exalted by God to be Lord over all, with every knee in heaven and earth bowing before him.
Gospel (Luke 22:14-23:56)
Sharing Passover with his disciples, Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper and tells them to serve one another. He is arrested and then abused by the temple authorities, the Jewish council, Pilate and Herod. Cravenly, Pilate hands him over for crucifixion and burial.
OR
Alternative Gospel (Luke 23:1-49)
The Jewish authorities bring the captive Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor. Finding him innocent, Pilate sends him to Herod but neither finds reason for crucifixion. Finally, Pilate gives in to the crowd and Jesus’ followers have to watch as he gives up his spirit.
CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS
- Divine vindication of the innocent may take an unexpected form
- The servant of God is to be obedient, confident in divine vindication
- Our task is to remain humble, leaving any exaltation to the Lord
- Obedience to God can lead to insults and persecutions by those in opposition