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First Reading and Psalm
- Haggai 1:15b-2:9
- Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21
Second Reading
- 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17
Gospel
Alternative Psalm for above Readings
Alternative First Reading and Psalm
- Job 19:23-27a
- Psalm 17:1-9
Full lections can be read here.
Connection Based on the Readings as Set
Haggai is given the word of YAHWEH for the people of Judah who have returned to the Holy Land from exile. They have found their temple in ruins and are assured that it will rise again. In fact its splendor will be greater than Solomon’s temple, filled with the wealth of the nations as YAHWEH continues to dwell among them. In the Psalm the nation is called to meditate on the unsurpassed splendor of YAHWEH who blesses the faithful and destroys the wicked. All flesh will someday come to worship him. To the church in Thessalonica, concerned about the second coming of Jesus and being gathered to him, St. Paul assures them that this glorious event still lies ahead of them. Present and future circumstances not withstanding, their current experience of the love and grace of God in Christ is the first fruit of this coming salvation. In the Gospel Luke tells of Jesus’ encounter with the Sadducees who tried to make belief in the resurrection seem ridiculous by telling the story of the widow who married seven brothers in succession. “Whose wife will she be in the resurrection?” they demand. In response Jesus affirms the resurrection but teaches that it is a reality that will gloriously transcend our experience of this world. He also argues that the Old Testament witnesses to the resurrection in its characterization of YAHWEH as the present God of the ancient patriarchs.
As Introductions
Old Testament
Haggai is given the word of YAHWEH for the people of Judah who have returned to the Holy Land from exile. They have found their temple in ruins and are assured that it will rise again. In fact its splendor will be greater than Solomon’s temple, filled with the wealth of the nations as YAHWEH continues to dwell among them.
Psalm
In the Psalm the nation is called to meditate on the unsurpassed splendor of YAHWEH who blesses the faithful and destroys the wicked. All flesh will someday come to worship him.
New Testament
To the church in Thessalonica, concerned about the second coming of Jesus and being gathered to him, St. Paul assures them that this glorious event still lies ahead of them. Present and future circumstances not withstanding, their current experience of the love and grace of God in Christ is the first fruit of this coming salvation.
Gospel
In the Gospel Luke tells of Jesus’ encounter with the Sadducees who tried to make belief in the resurrection seem ridiculous by telling the story of the widow who married seven brothers in succession. “Whose wife will she be in the resurrection?” they demand. In response Jesus affirms the resurrection but teaches that it is a reality that will gloriously transcend our experience of this world. He also argues that the Old Testament witnesses to the resurrection in its characterization of YAHWEH as the present God of the ancient patriarchs.
Connection Based on the Readings as Set but with Alternative Psalm
Haggai is given the word of YAHWEH for the people of Judah who have returned to the Holy Land from exile. They have found their temple in ruins and are assured that it will rise again. In fact its splendor will be greater than Solomon’s temple, filled with the wealth of the nations as YAHWEH continues to dwell among them. The Psalmist calls for exuberant celebration of the great power of YAHWEH as demonstrated in his decisive lifting up of Israel. The nations bear witness to this miracle and are urged to join in rejoicing along with nature itself. To the church in Thessalonica, concerned about the second coming of Jesus and being gathered to him, St. Paul assures them that this glorious event still lies ahead of them. Present and future circumstances not withstanding, their current experience of the love and grace of God in Christ is the first fruit of this coming great salvation. In the Gospel Luke tells of Jesus’ encounter with the Sadducees who tried to make belief in the resurrection seem ridiculous by telling the story of the widow who married seven brothers in succession. “Whose wife will she be in the resurrection?” they demand. In response Jesus affirms the resurrection but teaches that it is a reality that will powerfully transcend our experience of this world. He also argues that the Old Testament witnesses to the resurrection in its characterization of YAHWEH as still the God of the ancient patriarchs.
As Introductions
Old Testament
Haggai is given the word of YAHWEH for the people of Judah who have returned to the Holy Land from exile. They have found their temple in ruins and are assured that it will rise again. In fact its splendor will be greater than Solomon’s temple, filled with the wealth of the nations as YAHWEH continues to dwell among them.
Psalm
The Psalmist calls for exuberant celebration of the great power of YAHWEH as demonstrated in his decisive lifting up of Israel. The nations bear witness to this miracle and are urged to join in rejoicing along with nature itself.
New Testament
To the church in Thessalonica, concerned about the second coming of Jesus and being gathered to him, St. Paul assures them that this glorious event still lies ahead of them. Present and future circumstances not withstanding, their current experience of the love and grace of God in Christ is the first fruit of this coming great salvation.
Gospel
In the Gospel Luke tells of Jesus’ encounter with the Sadducees who tried to make belief in the resurrection seem ridiculous by telling the story of the widow who married seven brothers in succession. “Whose wife will she be in the resurrection?” they demand. In response Jesus affirms the resurrection but teaches that it is a reality that will gloriously transcend our experience of this world. He also argues that the Old Testament witnesses to the resurrection in its characterization of YAHWEH as the present God of the ancient patriarchs.
Connection Based on Alternative Readings
In this remarkable passage Job cries out for a pen so that his words can be recorded for posterity. In spite of his great suffering he is confident of his ultimate vindication and that in his own flesh he shall see God even long after he has died and his body destroyed. The Psalmist sees himself as a besieged innocent and cries out to YAHWEH for vindication. He is confident of being heard and ultimately finding refuge under the shadow of God’s wing. To the church in Thessalonica, concerned about the second coming of Jesus and being gathered to him, St. Paul assures them that this glorious event still lies ahead of them. Present and future circumstances not withstanding, their current experience of the love and grace of God in Christ is the first fruit of this coming great salvation. In the Gospel Luke tells of Jesus’ encounter with the Sadducees who tried to make belief in the resurrection seem ridiculous by telling the story of the widow who married seven brothers in succession. “Whose wife will she be in the resurrection?” they demand. In response Jesus affirms the resurrection but teaches that it is a reality that will powerfully transcend our experience of this world. He also argues that the Old Testament witnesses to the resurrection in its characterization of YAHWEH as still the God of the ancient patriarchs.
As Introductions
Old Testament
In this remarkable passage Job cries out for a pen so that his words can be recorded for posterity. In spite of his great suffering he is confident of his ultimate vindication and that in his own flesh he shall see God even long after he has died and his body destroyed.
Psalm
The Psalmist sees himself as a besieged innocent and cries out to YAHWEH for vindication. He is confident of being heard and ultimately finding refuge under the shadow of God’s wing.
New Testament
To the church in Thessalonica, concerned about the second coming of Jesus and being gathered to him, St. Paul assures them that this glorious event still lies ahead of them. Present and future circumstances not withstanding, their current experience of the love and grace of God in Christ is the first fruit of this coming great salvation.
Gospel
In the Gospel Luke tells of Jesus’ encounter with the Sadducees who tried to make belief in the resurrection seem ridiculous by telling the story of the widow who married seven brothers in succession. “Whose wife will she be in the resurrection?” they demand. In response Jesus affirms the resurrection but teaches that it is a reality that will gloriously transcend our experience of this world. He also argues that the Old Testament witnesses to the resurrection in its characterization of YAHWEH as the present God of the ancient patriarchs.