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Baptism of the Lord, Year A, January 12, 2020

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

 

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Isaiah 42:1-9)

The Lord will send his chosen servant to bring about universal justice. Unnoticed, a new era will dawn as he opens blind eyes and sets captives free. A covenant will be made in him, the light of the nations. All glory to the Lord who has declared it so.

Psalm (29)

The Psalmist calls all heavenly beings to worship the Lord for his glory and strength, as seen in his voice shaking the very earth itself. All in his temple cry “Glory!” to the eternal king who sits above the flood. May he bless his people with strength and peace.

Second Reading (Acts 10:34-43)

Peter, his own eyes now opened, tells Gentiles associated with Cornelius that Jesus is Lord of all. While he began his mission among the Jews after John’s baptism, his resurrection shows he is Judge of all humanity and forgives anyone who believes in him.

Gospel (Matthew 3:13-17)

John the Baptist defers to Jesus as his superior, but Jesus insists on undergoing baptism to fulfill all righteousness. Jesus’ baptism culminates with his being anointed with the divine Spirit and the voice of God proclaiming him as his beloved Son.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Jesus assumes God’s role as Judge and Redeemer
  • All that came before Jesus witnesses to him
  • Jesus’ appearance marks the beginning of the time of God’s final Salvation
  • Jesus’ baptism moves the divine plan from the old covenant to the new
  • The person of John the Baptist is important but not as great as Jesus, to whom he bore witness
  • Jesus’ messianic ministry begins after his baptism by John
  • The combination of the humble and the majestic in the life of Jesus
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Third Sunday of Advent, December 15, 2019, Year A

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

 

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Isaiah 35:1-10)

The prophet Isaiah foresees a new era when the Lord gloriously bursts into creation and rescues Israel. The parched land will blossom while the blind will see, the lame will walk and the deaf will hear. The Lord will provide a highway to Zion’s everlasting joy for those he ransomed.

Psalm (146:5-10)

The Psalmist declares happy all those whose hope is in the Lord because he will keep faith forever. He is the almighty creator and the one who lifts up all who are oppressed and brings down all who are wicked. He will reign in Zion forever.

Second Reading (James 5:7-10)

James encourages those looking for the Lord to be as patient as a farmer waiting for his crops. He assures them that since it will not be long before the judge arrives to set things right, they should remain in unity with one another and endure their sufferings like the prophets of old.

Gospel (Matthew 11:2-11)

The imprisoned John the Baptist sends his disciples to Jesus in order to confirm that he is the one to come. Jesus simply refers to the remarkable things they see, including the healing of the blind, the lame, and the deaf. The least in the kingdom, he says, is greater than even John.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • One day God will set things right at last with the return of Christ
  • The way to exaltation is through humility
  • Our present perspective on things is extremely limited
  • Taking God at his word requires patience and humility in the face of our present experience
  • Eyes have not seen and ears have not heard what God has prepared for those who love him, but they will

 

Based on the Alternative “Psalm”

First Reading (Isaiah 35:1-10)

The prophet Isaiah foresees a new era when the Lord gloriously bursts into creation and rescues Israel. The parched land will blossom while the blind will see, the lame will walk and the deaf will hear. The Lord will provide a highway to Zion’s everlasting joy for those he ransomed.

Alternative “Psalm” (Luke 1:46b-55)

In Mary’s Song, the Virgin praises God for raising her to become the mother of the Lord. She proclaims this to be part of the divine pattern of lifting up the humble and humbling the proud, as was promised in the covenant God made with Abraham and his descendants.

Second Reading (James 5:7-10)

James encourages those looking for the Lord to be as patient as a farmer waiting for his crops. He assures them that since it will not be long before the judge arrives to set things right, they should remain in unity with one another and endure their sufferings like the prophets of old.

Gospel (Matthew 11:2-11)

The imprisoned John the Baptist sends his disciples to Jesus in order to confirm that he is the one to come. Jesus simply refers to the remarkable things they see, including the healing of the blind, the lame, and the deaf. The least in the kingdom, he says, is greater than even John.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • One day God will set things right at last with the return of Christ
  • The way to exaltation is through humility
  • Our present perspective on things is extremely limited
  • Taking God at his word requires patience and humility in the face of our present experience
  • Eyes have not seen and ears have not heard what God has prepared for those who love him, but they will
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Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost, October 20, 2019, Proper 24, Year C

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

 

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Jeremiah 31:27-34)

The Lord promises a new covenant with Israel that will fundamentally change their relationship. While he caused their sufferings for having sinned, he will also oversee their renewal. He will fix his law in their hearts, forgiving and forgetting their sins forever.

Psalm (119:97-104)

The Psalmist exults in the law of God, the practice of which makes him wiser than any of his enemies and even his teachers and elders. Such divine words are sweeter than honey itself.

Second Reading (2 Timothy 3:14-4:5)

Paul reminds Timothy of the divinely inspired nature of the Scriptures and their ability to form spiritually those willing to heed. Not listening guarantees wandering away from the truth. In light of the coming kingdom, Timothy is to persist in his ministry of the Word.

Gospel (Luke 18:1-8)

Jesus tells a parable in which a judge is forced to grant justice to an audacious widow because she is so persistent. Similarly, God will surely not resist the cry of the faithful who suffer. Justice delayed is not justice denied, but how many will persist in faith?

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • God’s Word brings light and life
  • Fixing God’s Word in our hearts
  • Faith that is persistent in spite of circumstances is true faith
  • Given its soul-renewing power, what place does the Word of God have in our life?

 

Based on the Alternative Readings

First Reading (Genesis 32:22-31)

Jacob’s audacity and persistence in his wrestling bout with a mysterious “man” pays off with a profound blessing. His new name, Israel, reveals that he has been wrestling with God himself and hints at his descendants’ struggle with both God and humanity.

Psalm (121)

The Psalmist knows that his only help is in the Lord who actively watches over us. It is he who faithfully “keeps” us: unlike others, he will not sleep through our time of crisis. We are assured of his ultimate protection and care.

Second Reading (2 Timothy 3:14-4:5)

Paul reminds Timothy of the divinely inspired nature of the Scriptures and their ability to form spiritually those willing to heed. Not listening guarantees wandering away from the truth. In light of the coming kingdom, Timothy is to persist in his ministry of the Word.

Gospel (Luke 18:1-8)

Jesus tells a parable in which a judge is forced to grant justice to an audacious widow because she is so persistent. Similarly, God will surely not resist the cry of the faithful who suffer. Justice delayed is not justice denied, but how many will persist in faith?

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • God’s Word brings light and life
  • Faith that is persistent in spite of circumstances is true faith
  • Given its soul-renewing power, what place does the Word of God have in our life?
  • The life of faith is a struggle with both God and others