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Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost, September 13, 2020

Please see how to use Lection Connection.                                                                          

Full lections can be read here. 

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Exodus 14:19-31)

The angel and the pillar of cloud place themselves between Israel and the pursuing Egyptian army. Moses stretches out his hand and a wind from the Lord parts the Red Sea. Pharaoh drowns with all his soldiers and Israel learns to trust in God.

Psalm (114)

The Psalmist celebrates the Exodus as the time when the Lord came to dwell with Israel. Both the Red Sea and the Jordan River parted for them as well. The natural elements respond to his commands. Indeed, the whole earth trembles at his awesome presence.

OR

Exodus 15:1b-11, 20-21

The Song of Moses exults in the victory of the Lord when the Egyptian army drowned in the Red Sea. The Lord proved himself in full control of nature and superior to any other gods. Miriam, sister to Moses and a prophet herself, joins in the joyous refrain.

Second Reading (Romans 14:1-12)

Paul states that both those who put emphasis on the observance of holy days or dietary laws and those who do not should honour each other. Both groups are trying to live as unto the Lord and we should leave it up to him to be the judge.

Gospel (Matthew 18:21-35)

To answer a question from Peter, Jesus tells a parable about a slave who is forgiven a great debt by a king but refuses himself to forgive a tiny sum owed to him. This angers the king and we can expect the same of God when we do not forgive our fellow believer. 

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • God is not subject to nature but in control of it
  • Nature is witness to the greatness of God
  • Judgment is real, but it is in the hands of God, not our own
  • The importance of community life in the Kingdom
  • Forgiveness and forbearance are to mark the Christian life

Scripture Sentence (BAS, Canada)

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another as I have loved you. John 13.34

Collect of the Day (BAS, Canada)

Almighty God,
you call your Church to witness
that in Christ we are reconciled to you.
Help us so to proclaim the good news of your love, that all who hear it may turn to you;
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 (Genesis 50:15-21)

Trembling before him in Egypt, Joseph’s brothers tell him that their father Jacob had asked that he forgive them for selling him into slavery. They are worried about payback, but Joseph weeps and tells them that God had intended their evil for good all along.

Psalm (103:[1-7], 8-13)

The Psalmist calls us to bless the Lord for all he does and all he is: he forgives, heals, delivers and satisfies us with good things. A merciful and gracious Yahweh works justice for the oppressed and removes our sin far from us, not repaying us what we deserve. 

Second Reading (Romans 14:1-12)

Paul states that both those who put emphasis on the observance of holy days or dietary laws and those who do not should honour each other. Both groups are trying to live as unto the Lord and we should leave it up to him to be the judge.

Gospel (Matthew 18:21-35)

To answer a question from Peter, Jesus tells a parable about a slave who is forgiven a great debt by a king but refuses himself to forgive a tiny sum owed to him. This angers the king and we can expect the same of God when we do not forgive our fellow believer.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • God is in control of the course of history
  • Judgment is real, but it is in the hands of God, not our own
  • The importance of community life in the Kingdom
  • Forgiveness and forbearance are to mark the Christian life
  • We are to extend to others what God has so much more extended to us

Scripture Sentence (BAS, Canada)

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another as I have loved you. John 13.34

Collect of the Day (BAS, Canada)

Almighty God,
you call your Church to witness
that in Christ we are reconciled to you.
Help us so to proclaim the good news of your love, that all who hear it may turn to you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. AMEN

Posted on

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, August 18, 2019, Proper 15, Year C

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

 

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Isaiah 5:1-7)

The Lord is bewildered by his beloved Israel, his vineyard, which has produced only wild grapes in spite of his faithful attention. As a result, he will give it up to be laid waste and become overgrown with weeds. He expected justice and righteousness from them but got the opposite.

Psalm (80:1-2, 8-19)

The Psalmist implores Israel’s Shepherd to come and save her just like a farmer would save a luxuriant vine over which he has faithfully toiled. Why is he allowing it to be attacked and destroyed? Surely if he rescues them they will be faithful to him in the future.

Second Reading (Hebrews 11:29-12:2)

The writer recounts the story of Israel’s flight from Egypt and entrance into the Promised Land as a story of faith. Her history has been full of faith-filled men and women, including Jesus, who died without seeing what God had promised. Like them, we should press on in the life of faith.

Gospel (Luke 12:49-56)

Jesus, filled with anguish over what is going to happen to him, warns that he is bringing fire and division to the earth. Even families will be divided against one another and he wonders why it is that the crowds hearing him cannot see that these things are about to take place.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Even God wonders at our faithlessness
  • God’s judgment, while deserved, is intended to result in changed behaviour on our part
  • It is difficult to be faithful when faithfulness does not seem to be rewarded
  • God cares deeply for those he disciplines

 

Based on the Alternative Readings

First Reading (Jeremiah 23:23-29)

Because he sees everything, the Lord wonders why false prophets dare to speak lies designed to draw his people away from him. Indeed, let them speak, but also let others speak his true word! Only it has any real power and so is readily distinguished from false dreams and visions.

Psalm (82)

The Psalmist pictures the Lord as the divine judge rendering his verdict upon those responsible for administering justice upon the earth. They have failed in their responsibility to protect the weak and needy and so it is time for God himself to come in judgment.

Second Reading (Hebrews 11:29-12:2)

The writer recounts the story of Israel’s flight from Egypt and entrance into the Promised Land as a story of faith. Her history has been full of faith-filled men and women, including Jesus, who died without seeing what God had promised. Like them, we should press on in the life of faith.

Gospel (Luke 12:49-56)

Jesus, filled with anguish over what is going to happen to him, warns that he is bringing fire and division to the earth. Even families will be divided against one another and he wonders why it is that the crowds hearing him cannot see that these things are about to take place.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Even God wonders at our faithlessness
  • God’s judgment, while deserved, is intended to result in changed behaviour on our part
  • It is difficult to be faithful when faithfulness does not seem to be rewarded
  • From God’s divine perspective all of humanity and all of human history is present: nothing escapes his view

 

 

Posted on

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, July 14, 2019, Proper 10, Year C

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Amos 7:7-17)

Jeroboam, the king of northern Israel receives a message from the Lord through the prophet Amos. The king and the nation have strayed far from the commandments of God and will soon lose their land and go into exile in a foreign country. The indictment is not well received.

Psalm (82)

God is pictured presiding in his divine council and indicting those in earth who abuse the poor and lowly who should be granted justice and deliverance instead. The oppressors are walking in darkness, thinking highly of themselves in spite of the fact that they are mere mortals.

Second Reading (Colossians 1:1-14)

Paul thanks God for the faith and mutual love of the Colossian Christians. Rooted in the hope of the Gospel, they share in a worldwide move of the Spirit who is producing in them the fruit of knowledge and good works. Paul prays they will endure by God’s power over sin and darkness.

Gospel (Luke 10:25-37)

Jesus agrees with a religious lawyer that in order to inherit eternal life one must fervently love God and one’s neighbour. He tells of a man who was beaten, robbed, and then ignored by Jewish religious leaders. But a despised Samaritan took mercy and became his true neighbour.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • God’s point of view is often shocking to us humans
  • Disobedience to God has serious consequences
  • The kingdom of God is to extend throughout the earth, across all human borders
  • Self-deception is a dangerous thing

Based on the Alternative Readings

First Reading (Deuteronomy 30:9-14)

Just before he dies, Moses charges the Israelites to keep God’s commandments and flourish as a result. These are not beyond their reach, being already in their mouths and hearts. But they must be observed.

Psalm (25:1-10)

The Psalmist turns to the Lord for protection, asking for knowledge of his ways and to be led in his truth. He acknowledges his sin and makes his appeal based only on God’s mercy and love. He is the one who leads humble sinners in his blessed ways as they keep faith with him.

Second Reading (Colossians 1:1-14)

Paul thanks God for the faith and mutual love of the Colossian Christians. Rooted in the hope of the Gospel, they share in a worldwide move of the Spirit who is producing in them the fruit of knowledge and good works. Paul prays they will endure by God’s power over sin and darkness.

Gospel (Luke 10:25-37)

Jesus agrees with a religious lawyer that in order to inherit eternal life one must fervently love God and one’s neighbour. He tells of a man who was beaten, robbed, and then ignored by Jewish religious leaders. But a detested Samaritan took mercy and became his true neighbour.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • God’s point of view is often shocking to us humans
  • The kingdom of God is to extend throughout the earth, across all human borders
  • Self-deception is a dangerous thing
  • God makes his ways known to us if we are open and humble before him