Posted on

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, June 28, 2020

Please see How to Use Lection Connection.

Full lections can be read here.

 

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Genesis 22:1-14)

After promising Abraham that he would have many descendants through Isaac, God commands the patriarch to sacrifice his son. At the last moment an angel intervenes and a ram is provided as a substitute. Abraham is commended for his difficult obedience.

Psalm (13)

The Psalmist’s world has collapsed around him in pain, sorrow and humiliation. Nevertheless, he trusts in the steadfast love of the Lord and looks forward to rejoicing at his salvation by a gracious God.

Second Reading (Romans 6:12-23)

Paul clarifies that we are not free to sin simply because we are no longer under the law. Having died to sin and to the death it brings, we have received the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. In response, our freedom is guided by an obedience from within.

Gospel (Matthew 10:40-42)

Having warned his disciples that following him would engender fierce opposition, Jesus also assures them of welcome and assistance from others. Such persons would actually be welcoming him and would not go unrewarded even for minor acts of kindness.

 

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • The promises of God are sure
  • Even when things are going badly, God is at work making a way
  • Present circumstances do not dictate the final end of things
  • Following the Lord is not an easy path
  • The gift of a relationship with God in Christ brings with it both struggle and victory

SCRIPTURE SENTENCE (BAS, Canada)

You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.
1 Peter 2.9

COLLECT OF THE DAY (BAS, Canada)

Almighty God,
you have taught us through your Son
that love fulfils the law.
May we love you with all our heart,
all our soul, all our mind, and all our strength, and may we love our neighbour as ourselves; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. AMEN

 

Based on the Alternate Readings

First Reading (Jeremiah 28:5-9)

Jeremiah publicly confronts a false prophet who had proclaimed that peace was coming soon. Genuine prophets are usually called to announce impending disaster when there is widespread disobedience. Predicting peace in such times is not likely inspired by God.

Psalm (Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18)

The Psalmist is confident of the Lord’s steadfast love because of the covenant he made with David establishing his throne forever. The people of Israel are rightly happy in their privileged position, exulting in the name of the Lord, from whom all blessings come.

Second Reading (Romans 6:12-23)

Paul clarifies that we are not free to sin simply because we are no longer under the law. Having died to sin and to the death it brings, we have received the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. In response, our freedom is guided by an obedience from within.

Gospel (Matthew 10:40-42)

Having warned his disciples that following him would engender fierce opposition, Jesus also assures them of welcome and assistance from others. Such persons would actually be welcoming him and would not go unrewarded even for minor acts of kindness.

 

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • The promises of God are sure
  • Even when things are going badly, God is at work making a way
  • Following the Lord is not an easy path
  • The gift of a relationship with God in Christ brings with it both struggle and victory
  • The faithful can exult in having God’s eye upon them in all circumstances

SCRIPTURE SENTENCE (BAS, Canada)

You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.
1 Peter 2.9

COLLECT OF THE DAY (BAS, Canada)

Almighty God,
you have taught us through your Son
that love fulfils the law.
May we love you with all our heart,
all our soul, all our mind, and all our strength, and may we love our neighbour as ourselves; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. AMEN

Posted on

Third Sunday after Pentecost, June 21, 2020

Please see How to Use Lection Connection.

Full lections can be read here.

 

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Genesis 21:8-21)

After Isaac the son of promise is born, Sarah wants Abraham to get rid of Hagar and her son Ishmael, Isaac’s half-brother. He agrees only after God assures him that they would prosper. God then saves them from certain death after hearing their cries in the desert.

Psalm (Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17)

In a time of great need the Psalmist pleads with the Lord for deliverance, confident of the steadfast love of the one true God for all those who cry out to him, even if they are of humble origin.

Second Reading (Romans 6:1b-11)

Paul points out the implications of being united with Christ through baptism into his death and resurrection: our old self dies and we are raised to new life. Now alive to God and dead to sin, we are enabled to walk in newness of life.

Gospel (Matthew 10:24-39)

Jesus warns that his followers will come under persecution for making his message known. They are not to fear, as his Father cares for even the tiniest bird that falls. Obeying Jesus is costly, even cutting across family lines, but brings life beyond death.

 

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • The Lord provides for those participating in his mission
  • The Lord is ever attentive to the cries of his faithful people
  • Walking in obedient witness does bring its difficulties but God is with us
  • Being united with Christ commits us to a life patterned on his
  • Commitment to Jesus takes precedence over all other commitments, even family ones

SCRIPTURE SENTENCE (BAS, Canada)

The Spirit of truth will bear witness to me, says the Lord; and you also are witnesses. John 15.26, 27

COLLECT OF THE DAY (BAS, Canada)

O God our defender,
storms rage about us and cause us to be afraid. Rescue your people from despair,
deliver your sons and daughters from fear,
and preserve us all from unbelief;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever. AMEN

 

Based on the Alternate Readings

First Reading (Jeremiah 20:7-13)

Jeremiah complains to the Lord because he has been persecuted by his fellow Israelites for delivering an unwelcome divine word. As a prophet, Jeremiah realizes he has had no choice and comes to realize that the Lord is with him and will prevail.

Psalm (69:7-10 [11-15], 16-18)

The Psalmist recounts the negative things that have happened to him because of his faithfulness to the Lord, including the estrangement of his family. At the same time, he is prayerfully trusting in the steadfast love of the Lord for deliverance.

Second Reading (Romans 6:1b-11)

Paul points out the implications of being united with Christ through baptism into his death and resurrection: our old self dies and we are raised to new life. Now alive to God and dead to sin, we are enabled to walk in newness of life.

Gospel (Matthew 10:24-39)

Jesus warns that his followers will come under persecution for making his message known. They are not to fear, as his Father cares for even the tiniest bird that falls. Obeying Jesus is costly, even cutting across family lines, but brings life beyond death.

 

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • The Lord provides for those participating in his mission
  • The Lord is ever attentive to the cries of his faithful people
  • Walking in obedient witness does bring its difficulties but God is with us
  • Being united with Christ commits us to a life patterned upon his
  • Commitment to Jesus takes precedence over all other commitments, even family ones

SCRIPTURE SENTENCE (BAS, Canada)

The Spirit of truth will bear witness to me, says the Lord; and you also are witnesses. John 15.26, 27

COLLECT OF THE DAY (BAS, Canada)

O God our defender,
storms rage about us and cause us to be afraid. Rescue your people from despair,
deliver your sons and daughters from fear,
and preserve us all from unbelief;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever. AMEN

Posted on

Second Sunday in Lent, Year A, March 8, 2020

Please see How to Use Lection Connection.

Full lections can be read here.

 

Based on the Readings as Set, and with Alternative Gospel

First Reading (Genesis 12:1-4a)

After the Lord had frustrated the building of the Tower of Babel, he speaks to Abram in Haran. He tells him to leave his country and go to another where he would become a great nation that will be a blessing to all the peoples of the earth.

Psalm (121)

The Psalmist draws our attention to the fact that it is only the Lord who is our genuine help. As both creator and ever-present one, he protects and keeps us from all evil and danger.

Second Reading (Romans 4:1-5; 13-17)

Paul sees grace at work in the great promises that God made to Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation. Righteousness and justification come by faith alone, not by works of the law. As such, they are guaranteed on the basis of God’s grace, not our performance.

Gospel (John 3:1-17)

Jesus tells Nicodemus that we need to be born again in order to enter God’s kingdom. This is a mysterious work of the Spirit in those who simply put their trust in the word and work of Jesus, the one sent from heaven for the salvation of the whole world.

OR

Alternative Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9

After teaching his disciples about his impending death, Jesus goes up onto a mountain where his appearance is transformed in brilliant light. When he is joined by Moses and Elijah, a heavenly voice clarifies that Jesus, as God’s son, deserves our full attention.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • The critical role of faith in our relationship with God
  • The wonderful nature of grace in contrast to the futility of relying upon our own efforts to reach up to God
  • The centrality of Christ to the gospel
  • The continuity of the story of grace
  • The message of the gospel is intended for the whole of humanity

 

COLLECT OF THE DAY (BAS, Canada)

Almighty God,
whose Son was revealed in majesty
before he suffered death upon the cross,
give us faith to perceive his glory,
that being strengthened by his grace
we may be changed into his likeness, from glory to glory; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. AMEN.

Posted on

Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, August 11, 2019, Proper 14, Year C

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Isaiah 1;1, 10-20)

Isaiah depicts wayward Judah to be as bad as Sodom and Gomorrah. The religious observances of the people actually give offence to God because of their evil lifestyles. The Lord is especially upset with the lack of justice in the land, but if they reform, blessings will follow.

Psalm (50:1-8, 22-23)

The awesome God of all the earth comes before his covenant people, calling them to hear his judgment upon them. Although they have offered many ritual sacrifices, they have actually forgotten their God and not followed his commandments. To please him, this needs to change.

Second Reading (Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16)

The writer uses Old Testament examples to show that true faith is the conviction that things promised by God are sure. He relates how Abraham never possessed the land but still trusted God’s word that he would. So also, people of faith look for the city of God as a certainty.

Gospel (Luke 12:32-40)

Jesus tells his disciples to give top priority to matters of the kingdom they are inheriting. They are to be ready for his return at any moment, like slaves preparing for the arrival of an absent master. Such readiness will result in a very pleased master who will actually serve them instead.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Faith, by keeping its eyes upon the sure promises of God, leads us to act accordingly
  • In order to please him, God’s people need to be obedient, not just participants in religious ceremonies
  • The life of faith is a matter of setting proper priorities
  • When things look bleak, even impossible, always trust God to keep his word

 

Based on the Alternative Readings

First Reading (Genesis 15:1-6)

The Lord appears to Abram and affirms his care for him. Abram is concerned that one of his slaves is going to inherit everything he has, but the Lord declares that he will have his own son and countless descendants. Because Abram believes this, he is counted righteous.

Psalm (33:12-22)

Although the Lord is over all the inhabitants of the earth, his eye is especially attentive to his covenant people. He is the one who is able to help them in every kind of need and keep them alive in threatening times. The result is a nation happy and secure in his steadfast love.

Second Reading (Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16)

The writer uses Old Testament examples to show that true faith is the conviction that things promised by God are sure. He relates how Abraham never possessed the land but still trusted God’s word that he would. So also, people of faith look for the city of God as a certainty.

Gospel (Luke 12:32-40)

Jesus tells his disciples to give top priority to matters of the kingdom they are inheriting. They are to be ready for his return at any moment, like slaves preparing for the arrival of an absent master. Such readiness will result in a very pleased master who will actually serve them instead.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • True faith is not primarily a matter of religious ritual, but of trust
  • Faith, by keeping its eyes upon the promises of God, leads us to act accordingly
  • The life of faith is a matter of setting proper priorities
  • When things look bleak, even impossible, always trust God to keep his word