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Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost, August 12, 2018, Proper 14, 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 18:5-9, 15, 31-33)

David’s son Absalom leads a rebellion against his father and his forces are roundly defeated. Against David’s instructions, Absalom is killed by some soldiers after his hair gets entangled in a tree. David is heartbroken and greatly laments the death of his son.

Psalm (130)

In despair, the Psalmist cries out to the Lord, knowing that while he is unable hide his sin, the Lord is a forgiving God. Waiting upon the Lord, he hopes in his word and encourages Israel to do likewise, confident in the Lord’s love and power to redeem.

Second Reading (Ephesians 4:25-5:2)

Paul exhorts members of the body of Christ to conduct themselves as children of God. Putting their anger behind them, their talk should be grace-filled, building one another up. As they have been forgiven by God in Christ, so also should they forgive others.

Gospel (John 6:35, 41-51)

Some Jews, hearing Jesus claim to be the bread of life, take offence at him because they know his earthly family. Jesus says only those drawn to him by the Father can come to him and receive eternal life. His flesh is the living bread he gives for the life of the world.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • God is the God who gives life in its fullness
  • Family relationships, both earthly and spiritual, are important to God and to us
  • God is in the forgiving business and we should be also
  • Sin brings despair, death, and destruction in its wake

Based on the Alternative Readings

First Reading (1 Kings 19:4-8)

On the run from the wicked queen Jezebel, Elijah escapes into the wilderness. Despairing of his life, he encounters an angel who provides him with food and water. It is enough to last him for forty days and nights as he makes his way to the mount of God.

Psalm (34:1-8)

The Psalmist praises the Lord and exhorts others to do the same because his prayer has been answered and deliverance has come. He knows that the angel of the Lord will be with those who look to him in their trouble. Those who do so will indeed be happy.

Second Reading (Ephesians 4:25-5:2)

Paul exhorts members of the body of Christ to conduct themselves as children of God. Putting their anger behind them, their talk should be grace-filled, building one another up. As they have been forgiven by God in Christ, so also should they forgive others.

Gospel (John 6:35, 41-51)

Some Jews, hearing Jesus claim to be the bread of life, take offence at him because they know his earthly family. Jesus says only those drawn to him by the Father can come to him and receive eternal life. His flesh is the living bread he gives for the life of the world.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • God is the God who gives life in its fullness
  • God is in the forgiving business and we should be also
  • Sin brings despair, death, and destruction in its wake
  • God provides the kind of food we need.

 

 

Posted on

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, August 13, 2017, Proper 14, Year A

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28)

Joseph is the favorite son of Jacob/Israel and his brothers seethe with jealous anger when he shares dreams suggesting they will become subservient to him. One day, far from home, Joseph falls into their hands and Reuben, thinking to rescue him later, convinces them to throw him into a pit instead of killing him. They end up selling him to a caravan on its way to Egypt.

Psalm (105:1-6, 16-22, 45b)

The Psalmist calls upon Israel to praise and thank Yahweh with rejoicing. Proclaim his works among the nations, he says, and seek to live in his presence and strength. Yahweh’s great deeds are shown in sending Joseph to Egypt long ahead of his family and putting him in a position to be able help them at just the right time.

Second Reading (Romans 10:5-15)

St. Paul contrasts the impossibility of meeting the demands of the law with the simple act of believing in the risen Jesus and confessing him as Lord. In this way salvation comes to all who simply call upon the name of the Lord, not just the Jews. But in order for this to happen the Gospel must first be both proclaimed and heard.

Gospel (Matthew 14:22-33)

After dismissing the well-fed crowd Jesus gets some time alone by sending the disciples ahead of him by boat. Encountering a terrible storm they are startled to see Jesus walking to them on the water. Peter tries to go to him on the waves but soon begins to sink when he focuses on the storm instead of simply trusting in Jesus. When he calls out in terror Jesus reaches out and saves him. Through this experience Jesus is revealed to the disciples as the very Son of God.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Trusting God in trying circumstances
  • God always prepares the way for his salvation
  • The Lord saves those who look/call out to him
  • The awesome God who directs history and has power over nature
  • The nations are included in the salvation of God
  • simple faith in God/Jesus is required of us

Based on the Alternative Set of Readings

First Reading (1 Kings 19:9-18)

Elijah, fresh from humiliating the prophets of Baal and on the run from an angry Queen Jezebel, hides himself in a cave complaining to Yahweh about being the only faithful person left. Yahweh passes by and reveals himself in the sheer silence that follows wind, earthquake and fire. He then re-commissions Elijah, assuring him that his enemies will perish and that he is not alone.

Psalm (85:8-13)

The Psalmist is confident that Yahweh will hear the call of all those who turn to him and speak peace to them. Indeed, in a poetic turn of phrase, he asserts that the Land will be blessed as “steadfast love and faithfulness” meet and “righteousness and peace” kiss each other.

Second Reading (Romans 10:5-15)

St. Paul contrasts the impossibility of meeting the demands of the law with the simple act of believing in the risen Jesus and confessing him as Lord. In this way salvation comes to all who simply call upon the name of the Lord, not just the Jews. But in order for this to happen the Gospel must first be both proclaimed and heard.

Gospel (Matthew 14: 14:22-33)

After dismissing the well-fed crowd Jesus gets some time alone by sending the disciples ahead of him by boat. Encountering a terrible storm they are startled to see Jesus walking to them on the water. Peter tries to go to him on the waves but soon begins to sink when he focuses on the storm instead of simply trusting in Jesus. When he calls out in terror Jesus reaches out and saves him. Through this experience Jesus is revealed to the disciples as the very Son of God.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Trusting God in trying circumstances
  • The Lord saves those who look/call out to him
  • The awesome God who directs history and has power over nature
  • Simple faith in God/Jesus is required of us
  • Faltering faith is still faith
  • Peace in the storm