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Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost, October 6, 2019, Proper 22, Year C

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

 

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Lamentations 1:1-6)

The writer of Lamentations is eloquent in his sad description of a ruined and desolate Judah and Jerusalem, once majestic among the nations, now like a forlorn widow. He notes simply that this has all come about because of unfaithfulness to the Lord.

Psalm Substitute (Lamentations 3:19-26)

The author of Lamentations continues by expressing his deep pain at Judah’s fate but remembers that the Lord is merciful and faithful and his salvation worth waiting for. From this though he derives his hope.

Second Reading (2 Timothy 1:1-14)

Paul, himself suffering for being faithful, trusts in Christ for his ultimate vindication. He urges Timothy to join him in suffering for the gospel, rekindling the gift of faith that was also in his mother and grandmother and holding to the message of grace already given.

Gospel (Luke 17:5-10)

In response to his disciples’ request for more faith, Jesus asserts that true faith is indeed powerful enough to move mountains. But in contrast he affirms that humble obedience through the simple performance of our duties is the best expression of faith.

Connection Suggestions

  • Disobedience or obedience may result in suffering
  • Doing the right thing because it is the right thing is always the right thing
  • Repent or perish!
  • Simple faithful obedience is better than spectacular demonstrations of faith

 

Based on the Alternative Readings A

First Reading (Lamentations 1:1-6)

The writer of Lamentations is eloquent in his sad description of a ruined and desolate Judah and Jerusalem, once majestic among the nations, now like a forlorn widow. He notes simply that this has all come about because of unfaithfulness to the Lord.

Psalm (137)

The Psalmist bitterly resents the conquerors’ demands for entertainment from the captives. Blaming only the enemies of Judah, especially the Babylonians, for the disaster, he calls on the Lord to execute terrible judgment upon them.

Second Reading (2 Timothy 1:1-14)

Paul, himself suffering for being faithful, trusts in Christ for his ultimate vindication. He urges Timothy to join him in suffering for the gospel, rekindling the gift of faith that was also in his mother and grandmother and holding to the message of grace already given.

Gospel (Luke 17:5-10)

In response to his disciples’ request for more faith, Jesus asserts that true faith is indeed powerful enough to move mountains. But in contrast he affirms that humble obedience through the simple performance of our duties is the best expression of faith.

Connection Suggestions

  • Disobedience or obedience may result in suffering
  • Doing the right thing because it is the right thing is always the right thing
  • Simple faithful obedience is better than spectacular demonstrations of faith
  • Faithfulness in suffering is sustained by a focus on grace received

 

Based on Alternative Readings B

First Reading (Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4)

Crying out for the Lord to end his silence concerning Judah’s destruction, the prophet Habakkuk decides simply to await the divine word. He is told of a coming “end” for which he is to wait, trusting in God’s word. It is by such faith that the righteous will live.

Psalm (37:1-9)

“Just wait” is the counsel of the Psalmist to those who agonize over the triumph of the wicked all around him. Look to the Lord and all will be well. Burning anger will lead to evil but faithfulness will result in inheriting the land and the destruction of the wicked.

Second Reading (2 Timothy 1:1-14)

Paul, himself suffering for being faithful, trusts in Christ for his ultimate vindication. He urges Timothy to join him in suffering for the gospel, rekindling the gift of faith that was also in his mother and grandmother and holding to the message of grace already given.

Gospel (Luke 17:5-10)

In response to his disciples’ request for more faith, Jesus asserts that true faith is indeed powerful enough to move mountains. But in contrast he affirms that humble obedience through the simple performance of our duties is the best expression of faith.

Connection Suggestions

  • Doing the right thing because it is the right thing is always the right thing
  • Simple faithful obedience is better than spectacular demonstrations of faith
  • Faithfulness in suffering is sustained by a focus on grace received
  • Trusting in God often means waiting for him

 

 

 

 

 

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Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost, October 7, 2018, Proper 22, Year B

Lections for Canadian Thanksgiving can be found here.

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Job 1:1, 2:1-10)

Job, although not an Israelite or living in Israel, is a righteous man whom Satan afflicts with awful sores in order to turn him against the Lord. His wife wants him to curse God and die but he remains steadfast that we must accept both good and bad from the Lord.

Psalm (26)

The Psalmist asserts his integrity before the Lord and is willing to undergo testing in order to prove it. He proclaims his innocence and refuses to associate with evil people. He pleads not to be swept away in judgment with the sinners and hypocrites.

Second Reading (Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12)

The writer states that God’s final word is to us is Jesus, his Son and heir. Superior even to angels, he has accomplished salvation for all people and, as man, fulfilling their status over all creation. Through his suffering he sanctified them to be his brothers and sisters.

Gospel (Mark 10:2-16)

Jesus bases his teaching about divorce on the creation account, showing that marriage joins a man and a woman in one flesh. Divorce separates what God has joined and violates his intent. He also says that God’s kingdom can only be entered like a child.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • We do not always fulfill our purpose in marriage
  • We can rarely perceive God’s purpose in innocent suffering
  • Human beings are valued by God over all other earthly creatures
  • With the coming of Jesus we have entered the new and final phase of revelation in God’s plan to restore creation

Based on the Alternative Readings

First Reading (Genesis 2:18-24)

Realizing that the newly created man needed a partner and helper, the Lord God created a woman out of the man’s rib. Accordingly, the man named her Woman and we are told that this is why a man leaves his parents to become one flesh with his wife.

Psalm (8)

The Lord is altogether majestic using even children to thwart those who oppose him. He made humankind lower than the angels, crowned them with glory and honour and gave them dominion over the creation. This, too, demonstrates his majesty.

Second Reading (Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12)

The writer states that God’s final word is to us is Jesus, his Son and heir. Superior even to angels, he has accomplished salvation for all people and, as man, fulfilling their status over all creation. Through his suffering he sanctified them to be his brothers and sisters.

Gospel (Mark 10:2-16)

Jesus bases his teaching about divorce on the creation account, showing that marriage joins a man and a woman in one flesh. Divorce separates what God has joined and violates his intent. He also says that God’s kingdom can only be entered like a child.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Marriage is a profound union of man and woman for their mutual benefit
  • Children have a special place in God’s salvation
  • With the coming of Jesus we have entered the new and final phase of revelation in God’s plan to restore the creation
  • God’s design is for our benefit

 

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Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost, October 8, 2017, Proper 22, Year A

Lection Connection for Canadian Thanksgiving can be found here.

 

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20)

The Ten Commandments are given for the first time as Yahweh speaks to Moses and Aaron on Mt. Sinai. These laws spell out the basics of how the people of Israel are to live in their relationships with their God, and with other people, providing divine boundaries for their conduct. The thunder and lightning etc. that issue from the heights, signify Yahweh’s presence and are meant to inspire compliance with his Law.

Psalm (19)

This meditation on the Law likens it to the awesome effect of the sun upon the earth each morning: as it revives the earth the Law revives the soul, allowing humankind to flourish. It brings to light what is right and enlightens us to see what is wrong. It even penetrates the dark recesses of our souls and exposes unknown errors. The Psalmist, desiring to be right with God, embraces and delights in his Law.

Second Reading (Philippians 3:4b-14)

St. Paul has come to the realization that his “fleshly” qualifications under the Law, while to his benefit, are mere rubbish in comparison to knowing Christ and the power of his resurrection. Righteousness is from God and based on faith in Christ, not on our own efforts to satisfy the Law. Out of this reality Paul presses on for the prize of the heavenly call.

Gospel (Matthew 21:33-46)

Jesus tells Jewish leaders a parable about a landowner who gave his vineyard well-defended boundaries and everything needed to flourish and then rented it out while he went away. When he sent servants to collect his share of the harvest they were beaten or killed by the tenants. Finally he sent his son but even he was killed. When Jesus says another people will inherit the kingdom his listeners angrily realize that he is talking about how the nation had treated both himself and all of God’s prophets.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Divine boundaries are for our flourishing
  • Sin is destructive in its effect
  • The history of Israel demonstrates humanity’s inability to achieve righteousness through its own efforts
  • Christ is the key to God’s plan and eclipses all that came before
  • Righteousness is a gift and a blessing

Based on the Alternative Set of Readings

First Reading (Isaiah 5:1-7)

Isaiah relates the parable of how his “beloved” had planted a vineyard on a fertile hill guarded over by a watchtower, taking great care to see that it flourished. However it only yielded wild grapes, causing him to plan for its destruction by removing its defenses and allowing it to be trampled into waste ground. Isaiah says this is really about how Yahweh had established Israel expecting it to yield justice and righteousness but it had failed miserably.

Psalm (80:7-15)

The Psalmist yearns for Yahweh to restore the nation and save it from destruction. He points out that Israel was Yahweh’s own planting and it had flourished exceedingly for a time. So why have its protective walls been destroyed enabling it to be trampled by wild beasts?

Second Reading (Philippians 3:4b-14)

St. Paul has come to the realization that his “fleshly” qualifications under the Law, while to his benefit, are mere rubbish in comparison to knowing Christ and the power of his resurrection. Righteousness is from God and based on faith in Christ, not on our own efforts to satisfy the Law. Out of this reality Paul presses on for the prize of the heavenly call.

Gospel (Matthew 21:33-46)

Jesus tells Jewish leaders a parable about a landowner who gave his vineyard well-defended boundaries and everything needed to flourish and then rented it out while he went away. When he sent servants to collect his share of the harvest they were beaten or killed by the tenants. Finally he sent his son but even he was killed. When Jesus says another people will inherit the kingdom his listeners angrily realize that he is talking about how the nation had treated both himself and all of God’s prophets.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • The history of Israel demonstrates humanity’s inability to achieve righteousness through its own efforts
  • God’s plan is for his people and all of humanity to flourish
  • Jesus Christ is the answer to Israel’s cries for God’s salvation
  • The history of Israel is critical to the understanding of the mission and ministry of Jesus
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Readings for October 2, 2016 Year C Proper 22 (27)

First Reading and Psalm Substitute

  • Lamentations 1:1-6
  • Lamentations 3:19-26

Second Reading

  • 2 Timothy 1:1-14

Gospel

  •  Luke 17:5-10

Alternative A: First Reading and Psalm

  • Lamentations 1:1-6
  • Psalm 137

Alternative B: First Reading and Psalm

  • Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4
  • Psalm 37:1-9

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

The writer of Lamentations is eloquent in his sad description of a ruined and desolate Jerusalem, once majestic among the nations. He notes simply that this has all come about because of unfaithfulness to YAHWEH. In the Psalm Substitute the same author records his deep pain at Judah’s fate but calls to mind that YAHWEH is faithful (unlike Judah?) and his salvation is worth waiting for. Paul, himself suffering for being faithful, trusts in Christ for his ultimate vindication. In this light he urges Timothy to be faithful as well, guarding the treasure of the message of grace. In the Gospel Jesus reminds his disciples that, in contrast to spectacular feats of spiritual power, no less than the humble performance of our calling is what is required of us. This is what true faithfulness looks like.

Based on Alternative A

The writer of Lamentations is eloquent in his sad description of a ruined and desolate Jerusalem, once majestic among the nations. He notes simply that this has all come about because of unfaithfulness to YAHWEH. The Psalmist bitterly resents the conquerors’ demands for entertainment from the captives. Blaming only the Babylonians for the disaster, he can only call on YAHWEH to execute terrible revenge upon them. Paul, himself suffering for being faithful, trusts in Christ for his ultimate vindication. In this light he urges Timothy to be faithful as well, guarding the treasure of the message of grace. In the Gospel Jesus reminds his disciples that, in contrast to spectacular feats of spiritual power, no less than the humble performance of our calling is what is required of us. This is what true faithfulness looks like.

Based on Alternative B

Crying out for YAHWEH to end his silence in the midst of Judah’s destruction, the prophet Habakkuk decides simply to listen for the divine word. He is assured both of a coming “end” for which he is to wait and also that it is through such faithfulness that the righteous will live. “Just wait” is also the counsel of the YAHWEH to the Psalmist who agonizes over the triumph of the wicked all around him. Faithfulness will lead to inheriting the land. Paul, himself suffering for being faithful, trusts in Christ for his ultimate vindication. In this light he urges Timothy to be faithful as well, guarding the treasure of the message of grace. In the Gospel Jesus reminds his disciples that, in contrast to spectacular feats of spiritual power, no less than the humble performance of our calling is what is required of us. This is what true faithfulness looks like.