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Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, July 26, 2020

Please see How to Use Lection Connection.

Full lections can be read here.

 

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Genesis 29:15-28)

Jacob agrees to work seven years for his uncle Laban in order to marry his beautiful daughter Rachel. He loves Rachel, but Laban tricks him into marrying his older daughter Leah, and then agrees to let him have Rachel after seven more years of servitude.

Psalm (105:1-11, 45b)

The Psalmist exhorts Israel to live continuously in the presence of the Lord, giving thanks and praise among the nations, while seeking his strength. Remembering what he has done in the past they are to be ever mindful of his eternal covenant with the Patriarchs.

OR

Alternative Psalm for these Readings (128)

The Psalmist promises a productive life, especially in terms of a flourishing family, for those who walk with the Lord. This is expressed as the provision of many children and a life long enough to see them have children of their own.

Second Reading (Romans 8:26-39)

Paul teaches that the Holy Spirit is active even in weak, inarticulate prayer. He points out that with God on the side of those he calls, things will work out for good in spite of current afflictions. Not even death can separate us from his great love in Christ Jesus.

Gospel (Matthew 13:31-33; 44-52)

Jesus outlines aspects of the Kingdom of God in simple parables: like a seed, it will begin tiny and end up huge; like yeast, it will permeate everything; like found treasure, it is worth our all; like a net, it will ensnare many, but the evil will be cast out at the end.

 

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • The infinitely valuable blessings of living with and for the Lord are beyond cost
  • The value of family, including the family of God (Alternative Psalm)
  • The importance of prayer and praise (Psalm as Set)
  • The unfailing purposes of God
  • The difference between the end and the beginning of God’s work

Scripture Sentence (BAS, Canada)

Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. John 6.68

Collect of the Day (BAS, Canada)

O God,
the protector of all who trust in you,
without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy, increase and multiply upon us your mercy,
that with you as our ruler and guide,
we may so pass through things temporal,
that we lose not the things eternal;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN

 

Based on the Alternate Readings

First Reading (I Kings 3:5-12)

When the Lord appears to Solomon, son of David, he wisely asks for understanding in order to govern Israel. Pleased, the Lord grants him his request and also blesses him with long life, victory over his enemies and a ranking over all other rulers in history.

Psalm (119:129-136)

The Psalmist extols the wonders of God’s laws that give understanding to the simple. Expressions of his grace, they keep us on the path towards the Lord and away from evil. The Psalmist begs to know and follow them, and he mourns when they are broken.

Second Reading (Romans 8:26-39)

Paul teaches that the Holy Spirit is active even in weak, inarticulate prayer. He points out that with God on the side of those he calls, things will work out for good in spite of current afflictions. Not even death can separate us from his great love in Christ Jesus.

Gospel (Matthew 13:31-33; 44-52)

Jesus outlines aspects of the Kingdom of God in simple parables: like a seed, it will begin tiny and end up huge; like yeast, it will permeate everything; like found treasure, it is worth our all; like a net, it will ensnare many, but the evil will be cast out at the end.

 

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • The infinitely valuable blessings of living with and for the Lord are beyond cost
  • The unfailing purposes of God
  • The difference between the end and the beginning of God’s work
  • The importance of being led by the Lord/the Spirit/the Word
  • God’s wisdom guides the simple and the inexperienced

Scripture Sentence (BAS, Canada)

Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. John 6.68

Collect of the Day (BAS, Canada)

O God,
the protector of all who trust in you,
without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy, increase and multiply upon us your mercy,
that with you as our ruler and guide,
we may so pass through things temporal,
that we lose not the things eternal;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN

 

Posted on

Transfiguration Sunday, Year A, February 23, 2020

Please see How to Use Lection Connection.

Full lections can be read here.

 

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Exodus 24:12-18)

The Lord calls Moses and Joshua up Mt. Sinai to receive the Commandments in the form of stone tablets. For six days all the people can see the glory-cloud covering the mountain. Then Moses alone is summoned into the divine presence at its fiery centre.

Psalm (2)

The Psalmist mocks the nations who imagine they can threaten the king of Israel whom the Lord has set upon his holy hill as his newly begotten son. As such, he will surely conquer and rule over the nations, who are exhorted to serve such an awesome God.

Alternative Psalm (99)

The Lord is the holy and exalted king over all the earth. Resident in Mount Zion, he has executed righteousness and justice for everyone to see. His laws were given through his servants who met with him in the pillar of cloud. All are to worship him on his mountain.

Second Reading (2 Peter 1:16-21)

Peter stresses that the power and glory of Jesus is no myth because he himself was one of the eyewitnesses to the Transfiguration. He exults in this event as a fulfillment of scriptural prophecy, which always is to be regarded as God’s own word.

 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

  • Jesus reveals the power and glory of God in his own being
  • Divine revelation is given by God to his chosen recipients
  • Jesus shares the characteristics of divinity
  • Jesus, as the Son of God, completes and supersedes all who came before
  • Mountain-top experiences with the Lord are important
Posted on

Presentation of the Lord, Year A, February 2, 2020

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

 

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Malachi 3:1-4)

Malachi predicts a time when the Lord sends his messenger and appears in the temple as a refining fire to purify the people. Then the temple offerings, offered in righteousness, will be again be pleasing to the Lord.

Psalm (84)

The Psalmist exults in the many delights of living in the very presence of God. Those who derive their strength from God alone are the happiest of all. Their hearts embrace the ways into his divine presence. To be a humble doorkeeper in his house would be happiness itself.

OR

Alternative Psalm (24:7-10)

The Psalmist calls for the gates of the Holy City to be lifted up so that the King of Glory may enter and take his place. Who is this king? It is the great and mighty Lord of Hosts.

Second Reading (Hebrews 2:14-18)

The writer explains the reasons why Jesus had to share our humanity in order to be both a proper high priest and a perfect sacrifice for our sins. In so doing he has destroyed both the devil and his power of death. Faithful through suffering, he can help those similarly tested.

Gospel (Luke 2:22-40)

Two faithful elders, Simeon and the prophet Anna, recognize the infant Jesus as the expected Messiah when he is presented in the temple. Both praise God for fulfilling his promise of deliverance for Israel but Simeon hints darkly that things will not go smoothly for the child.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • The faithful exult in the presence of the Lord
  • The place where the awesome God meets with his people is to be revered
  • The salvation brought by Jesus fits into, but goes beyond the expectations of the Old Covenant
  • Our sin is the barrier to a right relationship with God: Jesus is our intermediary and sin-bearer