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All Saints Day, November 1, 2018, Year B

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Isaiah 25:6-9)

Isaiah looks forward to a time of great celebration when the Lord provides a rich feast honouring Israel before the nations. Death will be banished for ever and Israel will finally enjoy the salvation for which she has waited and joyfully credit the Lord her God.

 Psalm (24)

The Psalmist celebrates the Lord as creator and states that only the righteous can ascend into the presence of such an almighty God for blessing and vindication. The city gates are exhorted to lift themselves up in welcome to the Lord, the King of glory.

Second Reading (Revelation 21:1-6a)

In his great vision, John sees a new heaven and earth appear while the new Jerusalem descends out of heaven as the dwelling of God among his people. Tears and death are banished for ever as all things are made new by him who is the beginning and the end.

Gospel (John 11:32-44)

Jesus, arriving three days too late to heal Lazarus, is criticized by his grieving sister Mary. Moved, Jesus weeps on the way to his tomb. Praying that his Father will be glorified and belief generated, he calls the dead man out. He emerges still bound in his graveclothes.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • God is bringing about a future in which death is no more
  • Jesus is bringing his Father’s future into our present
  • All sorrow and grief will be transcended in the kingdom of God when it fully arrives, but in the meantime…
  • The recipients of God’s salvation will be fully vindicated and blessed
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Nativity of the Lord – Proper 1, December 25, 2017, Year B

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Isaiah 9:2-7)

Isaiah, writing at the darkest point in Israel’s history, sets forth a bright vision in which the nation’s fortunes are miraculously reversed. A son is born to the throne of David who will exercise his power wisely, ruling forever over a kingdom of peace, justice and righteousness. This is the great desire of YAHWEH.

Psalm (96)

The Psalmist calls the nations to abandon their idols and come to worship YAHWEH in a song. He is coming to judge the peoples fairly and bringing salvation with him. As a result even nature will join in a universal outpouring of praise.

Second Reading (Titus 2:11-14)

St. Paul declares that through the death of Jesus Christ God’s grace bringing salvation to all has come into a world opposed to him. This same grace is preparing us to live godly lives as we await his final appearing at the end of the age.

Gospel (Luke 2:1-20)

St. Luke tells how Jesus was born in the line and city of David to the praise of angels. They appear to a band of humble shepherds, directing them to a simple manger. There they encounter the tiny Messiah whose coming had stirred the angels to light up the nighttime sky.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • The arrival of God’s salvation
  • Hoping in God’s salvation
  • The universal and enduring significance of the birth of Jesus
  • Nothing can frustrate the plan of God
  • The Light shines in darkness

 

 

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All Saints Day, November 1, 2017, Year A

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Revelation 7:9-17)

John the Divine’s vision of heaven depicts countless white-robed people from every nation worshipping before the throne of God and the Lamb. They are joined by the heavenly creatures in a vast song of praise and are identified as those who have come through great trouble, having washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb. He is now their shepherd: protecting , providing and wiping away every tear.

Psalm (34:1-10, 22)

The Psalmist, having been delivered from great trouble and fear, calls for great praise to be offered to Yahweh who delivered him. All who take refuge in Yahweh will find protection, deliverance, and provision.

Second Reading (1 John 3:1-3)

St. John emphasizes that Christians should know themselves as God’s children, sharing his rejection by the present world as well as becoming like him in the world to come. This is the hope by which they sustain their efforts toward purity in this life.

Gospel (Matthew 5:1-12)

In the Beatitudes Jesus enumerates how godly living in this life leads in due course to the possession of the kingdom of heaven in all its blessedness. Although persecution and trouble may result, these should be considered as blessings because they bring great rewards in heaven and were also suffered by the godly prophets of old.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Persecution and its rewards
  • The alien but rewarding quality of godliness in this world
  • God’s ultimate protection and provision for the faithful
  • God the deliverer from evil and trouble
  • We are not alone in our troubles
  • God’s future, his kingdom come, puts all of life into perspective

 

 

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Readings for November 1, 2016 Year C All Saints Day

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Lection Connection for Proper 26(31) can be found here.

First Reading and Psalm

  • Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18
  • Psalm 149

Second Reading

  • Ephesians 1:11-23

Gospel

  • Luke 6:20-31

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

Daniel is given a vision of four great kings or kingdoms that shall arise out of the earth. Each is visualized as a horrific “beast”, striking terror in the heart of the prophet. In spite of this threatening scenario, Daniel is assured that the kingdom will ultimately belong forever to the holy ones of God. The Psalm calls for praise to YAHWEH because he gives glorious victory to lowly Israel, setting it over the kings and nobles of the nations. Paul writes of the glorious inheritance we now have in Christ, rooted in the power exhibited in his resurrection and demonstrated in his being designated head over all things for us. While he is our head, we are his body and share in his fullness. In Luke’s version of the Beatitudes it is clear that things in the kingdom of God will be upside down from our normal experience. The lowly will be made great and vice versa. In the meantime we are called to embody a kind of upside down kingdom way of life, loving our enemies and treating them as we ourselves desire to be treated.

As Introductions

Old Testament

Daniel is given a vision of four great kings or kingdoms that shall arise out of the earth. Each is visualized as a horrific “beast”, striking terror in the heart of the prophet. In spite of this threatening scenario, Daniel is assured that the kingdom will ultimately belong forever to the holy ones of God.

Psalm

The Psalm calls for praise to YAHWEH because he gives glorious victory to lowly Israel, setting it over the kings and nobles of the nations.

New Testament

Paul writes of the glorious inheritance we now have in Christ, rooted in the power exhibited in his resurrection and demonstrated in his being designated head over all things for us. While he is our head, we are his body and share in his fullness.

Gospel

In Luke’s version of the Beatitudes it is clear that things in the kingdom of God will be upside down from our normal experience. The lowly will be made great and vice versa. In the meantime we are called to embody a kind of upside down kingdom way of life, loving our enemies and treating them as we ourselves desire to be treated.

 

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Readings for October 30, 2016 Year C All Saints Day (Transferred)/Proper 26 (31)

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

All Saints Day (Transferred)

[See below for Year C Proper 26 (31)]

First Reading and Psalm

  • Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18
  • Psalm 149

Second Reading

  • Ephesians 1:11-23

Gospel

  • Luke 6:20-31

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

Daniel is given a vision of four great kings or kingdoms that shall arise out of the earth. Each is visualized as a horrific “beast”, striking terror in the heart of the prophet. In spite of this threatening scenario, Daniel is assured that the kingdom will ultimately belong forever to the holy ones of God. The Psalm calls for praise to YAHWEH because he gives glorious victory to lowly Israel, setting it over the kings and nobles of the nations. Paul writes of the glorious inheritance we now have in Christ, rooted in the power exhibited in his resurrection and demonstrated in his being designated head over all things for us. While he is our head, we are his body and share in his fullness. In Luke’s version of the Beatitudes it is clear that things in the kingdom of God will be upside down from our normal experience. The lowly will be made great and vice versa. In the meantime we are called to embody a kind of upside down kingdom way of life, loving our enemies and treating them as we ourselves desire to be treated.

As Introductions

Old Testament

Daniel is given a vision of four great kings or kingdoms that shall arise out of the earth. Each is visualized as a horrific “beast”, striking terror in the heart of the prophet. In spite of this threatening scenario, Daniel is assured that the kingdom will ultimately belong forever to the holy ones of God.

Psalm

The Psalm calls for praise to YAHWEH because he gives glorious victory to lowly Israel, setting it over the kings and nobles of the nations.

New Testament

Paul writes of the glorious inheritance we now have in Christ, rooted in the power exhibited in his resurrection and demonstrated in his being designated head over all things for us. While he is our head, we are his body and share in his fullness.

Gospel

In Luke’s version of the Beatitudes it is clear that things in the kingdom of God will be upside down from our normal experience. The lowly will be made great and vice versa. In the meantime we are called to embody a kind of upside down kingdom way of life, loving our enemies and treating them as we ourselves desire to be treated.

Year C Proper 26 (31)

First Reading and Psalm

  • Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4
  • Psalm 119:137-144

Alternative First Reading and Psalm

  • Isaiah 1:10-18
  • Psalm 32:1-7

Second Reading

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12

Gospel

  • Luke 19:1-10

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

Crying out for YAHWEH to end his silence in the midst of Judah’s destruction, the prophet Habakkuk decides simply to listen for the divine word. He is assured both of a coming “end” for which he is to wait and also that it is through such faithfulness that the righteous will live. The Psalmist, although he is in the midst of serious trouble, exults in the life-giving quality of God’s word at every level of existence and pleads for fuller understanding. Paul praises the Thessalonians who are steadfast in the midst of suffering and persecution. Indeed, they are growing in faith and love through the power of God, bringing glory to the Lord Jesus. St. Luke tells the story of Zacchaeus who, in the midst of his sin, had a passion to see Jesus in spite of the obscuring throng. Up in the tree above the crowd he hears Jesus’ word and his life is transformed as he experiences the new life of God’s salvation.

As Introductions

Old Testament

Crying out for YAHWEH to end his silence in the midst of Judah’s destruction, the prophet Habakkuk decides simply to listen for the divine word. He is assured both of a coming “end” for which he is to wait and also that it is through such faithfulness that the righteous will live.

Psalm

The Psalmist, although he is in the midst of serious trouble, exults in the life-giving quality of God’s word at every level of existence and pleads for fuller understanding.

New Testament

Paul praises the Thessalonians who are steadfast in the midst of suffering and persecution. Indeed, they are growing in faith and love through the power of God, bringing glory to the Lord Jesus.

Gospel

St. Luke tells the story of Zacchaeus who, in the midst of his sin, had a passion to see Jesus in spite of the obscuring throng. Up in the tree above the crowd he hears Jesus’ word and his life is transformed as he experiences the new life of God’s salvation.

Based on the Alternative Readings

The prophet Isaiah compares the sin of Judah to that of Sodom and Gomorrah and calls the nation to right living as well as right religion. He offers the promise that, if the nation repents, its sins will be forgiven. The Psalmist rejoices in sins forgiven and even in the difficult times that inspired true repentance. YAHWEH is a hiding place in times of trouble for those who will look to him. Paul praises the Thessalonians who are steadfast in the midst of suffering and persecution. Indeed, they are growing in faith and love through the power of God, bringing glory to the Lord Jesus. St. Luke tells the story of Zacchaeus who, in the midst of his sin, had a passion to see Jesus in spite of the obscuring throng. Up in the tree above the crowd he hears Jesus’ word and his life is transformed as he experiences the new life of God’s salvation.

As Introductions

Old Testament

The prophet Isaiah compares the sin of Judah to that of Sodom and Gomorrah and calls the nation to right living as well as right religion. He offers the promise that, if the nation repents, its sins will be forgiven.

Psalm

The Psalmist rejoices in sins forgiven and even in the difficult times that inspired true repentance. YAHWEH is a hiding place in times of trouble for those who will look to him.

New Testament

Paul praises the Thessalonians who are steadfast in the midst of suffering and persecution. Indeed, they are growing in faith and love through the power of God, bringing glory to the Lord Jesus.

Gospel

St. Luke tells the story of Zacchaeus who, in the midst of his sin, had a passion to see Jesus in spite of the obscuring throng. Up in the tree above the crowd he hears Jesus’ word and his life is transformed as he experiences the new life of God’s salvation.