Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost, October 25, 2020

Please see Using Lection Connection.

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Deuteronomy 34:1-12)

At the end of the wilderness journey the Lord shows Moses the entire sweep of the Promised Land. He is not allowed to enter it and dies there on the mountain, the greatest of all prophets in both word and deed. His successor Joshua takes over.

Psalm (90:1-6, 13-17)

The Lord is Israel’s refuge, the creator in charge of all life and whose plans are not swept away with the passage of time. Basing his plea on the Lord’s steadfast love for his people, the Psalmist asks for divine help to reverse Israel’s present adversity.

Second Reading (1 Thessalonians 2:1-8)

Paul, in spite of opposition, is confident that he has been entrusted with the Gospel by God and reminds the Thessalonians how he had brought it to them with gentle integrity. He gave them his very self along with the Gospel.

Gospel (Matthew 22:34-46)

Some Sadducees test Jesus, asking him to name the greatest of God’s laws. He responds by reciting those, he says, that summarize them all: first to love God, and second to love one’s neighbor. Then he silences them by asking how David can call his own son “Lord”.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

• The nature of godly leadership
• The cost of godly leadership
• The role of opposition and testing in following the Lord
• Our love of others is rooted in God’s steadfast love for us

Scripture Sentence (BAS, Canada)

If you love me, you will keep my word, and my Father will love you, and we will come to you. John 14.23

Collect of the Day (BAS, Canada)

Lord God our redeemer,
who heard the cry of your people
and sent your servant Moses
to lead them out of slavery,
free us from the tyranny of sin and death,
and by the leading of your Spirit
bring us to our promised land;
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 Alternative Set of Readings

First Reading (Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18)

The Lord has Moses set before the Israelites their basic obligation as the “people of God” to be holy, just as he is holy. He goes on to spell out the fuller implications of what this means for their relationships with their neighbors, loving them as themselves.

Psalm (1)

The Psalmist spells out the two paths available for human beings: the way of the Lord or the way of sinners. Obeying the Law results in a blessed and stable life in companionship with God. Disobedience results in judgment, instability and isolation from God.

Second Reading (1 Thessalonians 2:1-8)

Paul, in spite of opposition, is confident that he has been entrusted with the Gospel by God and reminds the Thessalonians how he had brought it to them with gentle integrity. He gave them his very self along with the Gospel.

Gospel (Matthew 22:34-46)

Sadducees test Jesus by asking him to name the greatest of God’s laws. He responds by reciting those he says underlie them all: first to love God, and second to love one’s neighbor. Then he silences them by asking how David can call his own son “Lord”.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

• The relationship of holy living to loving others
• Two opposed ways to live, the way of life and the way of death. Choose one
• The nature of godly leadership
• Our relationship with God comes before and enables our relationships with others

Scripture Sentence (BAS, Canada)

If you love me, you will keep my word, and my Father will love you, and we will come to you. John 14.23

Collect of the Day (BAS, Canada)

Lord God our redeemer,
who heard the cry of your people
and sent your servant Moses
to lead them out of slavery,
free us from the tyranny of sin and death,
and by the leading of your Spirit
bring us to our promised land;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. AMEN