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Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, August 5, 2018, Proper 13, Year B

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a)

The pregnant Bathsheba becomes David’s wife and gives birth to their son. Nathan tells David a parable of a rich man who stole a poor man’s lamb. Through it David is able to admit his sin in taking both Uriah’s wife and his life. He and his house will pay dearly.

Psalm (51:1-12)

The Psalmist admits both his inborn sinfulness and the sinful acts he has committed. He pleads that the Lord will have mercy upon him and grant him forgiveness and a clean heart. He begs for a new spirit within and a place in the presence of the Lord.

Second Reading (Ephesians 4:1-16)

St. Paul sets out the need for unity in the church, a unity requiring humility, gentleness and patience. To be fully formed in Christ, members of his body need to exercise their gifts of ministry to build the whole body into maturity of faith and knowledge.

Gospel (John 6:24-35)

Jesus sees that the crowd has come to him for earthly food, not for who he is. He uses the opportunity to portray himself as the true bread from heaven providing eternal life. Eager to hear more, he tells them that believers in him will never hunger or thirst.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Seeking to provide for the earthly appetites while ignoring spiritual ones leads to trouble
  • Humility is needed in order to recognize our true condition and need
  • Life in Christ is not a smooth and easy road and requires the help of our fellow travellers
  • The need for inner transformation as followers of Jesus

Based on the Alternative Readings

First Reading (Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15)

Not long out of Egypt, the Israelites complain to Moses and Aaron that they had been led out a land of plenty only to die of hunger in the wilderness. The Lord appears before them and provides manna and quail to meet their need and know that he is God.

Psalm (78:23-29)

The Psalmist celebrates the wilderness experience of Israel, when God miraculously and abundantly provided for the needs of his people. The bread of angels rained down upon them in the form of manna, and flesh in the form of quail.

Second Reading (Ephesians 4:1-16)

St. Paul sets out the need for unity in the church, a unity requiring humility, gentleness and patience. To be fully formed in Christ, members of his body need to exercise their gifts of ministry to build the whole body into maturity of faith and knowledge.

Gospel (John 6:24-35)

Jesus sees that the crowd has come to him for earthly food, not for who he is. He uses the opportunity to portray himself as the true bread from heaven providing eternal life. Eager to hear more, he tells them that believers in him will never hunger or thirst.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Seeking to provide for the earthly appetites while ignoring spiritual ones leads to trouble
  • Life in Christ is not a smooth and easy road and requires the help of our fellow travellers
  • Jesus provides for every need, earthly and heavenly
  • The people of God do not lack provision even though they may not see it because they are looking in the wrong direction

 

 

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Ninth Sunday after Pentecost August 6, 2017 Proper 13, Year A

 

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Genesis 32:22-31)

On his way home after an absence of twenty years Jacob has an odd encounter with a stranger. They wrestle and Jacob prevails, demanding a blessing in order to release his opponent. The latter changes Jacob’s name to Israel, or “he who strives with God and prevails”. Jacob realizes he has been face to face with God and lived to tell about it.

Psalm (17:1-7, 15)

This Psalm is a cry to Yahweh for help. It comes from a faithful Israelite, one who has avoided wickedness and violence and who is therefore assured of Yahweh’s steadfast love. Even in his current circumstances he is confident that he will see the face of God.

Second Reading (Romans 9:1-5)

St. Paul yearns for his own Jewish people to come to faith in Christ and is deeply grief-stricken at their resistance to the Gospel, so much so that he would even become accursed for their sake. After all, they are the chosen people and all the blessings of the promises and covenants rightly belong to them, including the Messiah who is one of their own.

Gospel (Matthew 14:13-21)

After he learns of the death of John the Baptist, Jesus desires to be alone but a crowd of over five thousand follows him into the wilderness. He takes compassion on them, meeting their needs by healing their sick and even feeding them by miraculously multiplying five loaves and two fish. In fact, he provides so much food that twelve baskets of leftovers are collected.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Face to face with God
  • The fragile advantages of the people of God
  • What it means to be an Israelite
  • God’s abundant provision, more than we need for ourselves
  • Receiving blessings from God/Jesus
  • God hears and answers prayer/more than meets our need

Based on the Alternative Set of Readings

First Reading (Isaiah 55:1-5)

Through Isaiah Yahweh is calling his people Israel to a great feast made freely available to all, promising that an everlasting covenant will be made because of his faithful love for David. Yahweh will so bless them that other nations will come in response.

Psalm (145:8-9, 14-21)

The Psalmist extolls Yahweh as the universal God who sustains all of creation out of his love and compassion, upholding the fallen and meeting the needs of all creatures. He hears and answers those who call upon him in truth and brings justice to the wicked. All of humanity will come to acknowledge him as God.

Second Reading (Romans 9:1-5)

St. Paul yearns for his own Jewish people to come to faith in Christ and is deeply grief-stricken at their resistance to the Gospel, so much so that he would even become accursed for their sake. After all, they are the chosen people and all the blessings of the promises and covenants rightly belong to them, including the Messiah who is one of their own.

Gospel (Matthew 14:13-21)

After he learns of the death of John the Baptist, Jesus desires to be alone but a crowd of over five thousand follows him into the wilderness. He takes compassion upon them, meeting their needs by healing their sick and even feeding them by miraculously multiplying five loaves and two fish. In fact, he provides so much food that twelve baskets of leftovers are collected.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • God provides a feast
  • The love and compassion of God
  • God hears and answers prayer/more than meets our need
  • All nations will come to Yahweh
  • The fragile advantages of the people of God
  • What it means to be an Israelite
  • God’s abundant provision, more than we need for ourselves
  • Receiving blessings from God/Jesus