Posted on

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, August 16, 2020

Please see How to Use Lection Connection.

Full lections can be read here.

 

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Genesis 45:1-15)

Joseph’s brothers, who had sold him years ago, do not recognize him as a high Egyptian official. But when he reveals himself they are filled with fear. He says that God was behind it all, sending him on ahead to save the family. Overcome, they are reconciled.

Psalm (133)

The Psalmist describes family unity as drenched in blessing, like the oil that overflowed Aaron when he was anointed high priest, or like the heavy dew on the mountains. In all these we catch a glimpse of the Lord’s blessing of eternal life.

Second Reading (Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32)

Paul emphasizes that the Jewish rejection of the Gospel in no way implies that they have lost their part in God’s plan. Indeed, by showing that they too, along with Gentiles, are disobedient, they are included with his Gentile readers in the offer of God’s mercy.

Gospel (Matthew 15:[10-20], 21-28)

[Jesus emphasizes that true defilement originates in the sinful heart rather than from food taken into the mouth.] Although sent only to the Jews, Jesus responds to the amazing faith of a Gentile woman and delivers her daughter from a demon.

 

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • The blessing of family unity (including the human family)
  • God’s providential care for his people
  • The equality of Jew and Gentile in the kingdom of God
  • Mercy and grace trump disobedience and sin
  • The heart of the matter is a matter of the heart
  • All have sinned and come short of the glory of God

Scripture Sentence (BAS, Canada)

Jesus preached the gospel of the kingdom and healed every infirmity among the people. See Matthew 4.23

Collect of the Day (BAS, Canada)

Almighty God,
you have broken the tyranny of sin
and sent into our hearts the Spirit of your Son.
Give us grace to dedicate our freedom to your service, that all people may know the glorious liberty
of the children of God;
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 (Isaiah 56:1, 6-8)

Isaiah envisions the Gentiles sharing in the coming salvation of the Lord. Foreigners will come to worship on Mount Zion and the Temple will be known as a house of prayer for all nations. The Lord will gather all who have been cast out, both Jews and Gentiles.

Psalm (67)

The Palmist urges God to so abundantly bless Israel that he will be known throughout the nations, with praise erupting from every direction. May all the peoples honour his name when they see the amazing harvests in Israel.

Second Reading (Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32)

Paul emphasizes that the Jewish rejection of the Gospel in no way implies that they have lost their part in God’s plan. Indeed, by showing that they too, along with Gentiles, are disobedient, they are included with the Romans themselves in God’s mercy.

Gospel (Matthew 15:[10-20], 21-28)

[Jesus emphasizes that true defilement originates in the sinful heart rather than from food taken into the mouth.] Although sent only to the Jews, Jesus responds to the amazing faith of a Gentile woman and delivers her daughter from a demon.

 

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • The blessing of family unity (including the human family)
  • God’s providential care for his people
  • The equality of Jew and Gentile in the kingdom of God
  • Mercy and grace trump disobedience and sin
  • The heart of the matter is a matter of the heart
  • All have sinned and come short of the glory of God

Scripture Sentence (BAS, Canada)

Jesus preached the gospel of the kingdom and healed every infirmity among the people. See Matthew 4.23

Collect of the Day (BAS, Canada)

Almighty God,
you have broken the tyranny of sin
and sent into our hearts the Spirit of your Son.
Give us grace to dedicate our freedom to your service, that all people may know the glorious liberty
of the children of God;
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 9, 2020

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’s brothers are jealous of him because he is their father’s favourite, and when he joins them far from home, they conspire to kill him. But Reuben prevents the bloodshed, and Judah convinces them to sell the boy to a caravan on its way to Egypt.

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

The Psalmist calls upon Israel to praise and thank the Lord for his wonderful works. They are to exalt him among the nations, especially recalling how he sent Joseph to Egypt long ahead of his family and put him in a position to help them at just the right time.

Second Reading (Romans 10:5-15)

Paul contrasts righteousness through obeying the law with the simple act of believing in the risen Jesus and confessing him as Lord. Salvation comes to all who so believe and not just Jews. Proclaimers of Christ must be sent out so that all have a chance to hear.

Gospel (Matthew 14:22-33)

Jesus sends the disciples ahead by boat but walks out to them on the waves during a storm. Jesus commands Peter to come to him but has to save him after he starts to sink in fear and unbelief. Calm descends, and the disciples worship Jesus as the Son of God.

 

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • 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 God’s offer of salvation
  • simple faith in God/Jesus is required of us
  • the Lord shows up at just the right time

Scripture Sentence (BAS, Canada)

I wait for the Lord; in his word is my hope. Psalm 130.4

Collect of the Day (BAS, Canada)

Almighty God,
you sent your Holy Spirit
to be the life and light of your Church.
Open our hearts to the riches of your grace,
that we may bring forth the fruit of the Spirit
in love, joy, and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. AMEN

 

Based on the Alternate Readings

First Reading (1 Kings 19:9-18)

Elijah, on the run from Queen Jezebel who is angry at his defeat of her prophets, hides in a cave and, feeling abandoned, complains to the Lord. The latter reveals himself, instructing the prophet and assuring him of victory and the presence of many faithful.

Psalm (85:8-13)

The Psalmist is confident that the Lord will hear and speak peace to all those who truly turn to him. Indeed, in his coming salvation the Land will be richly blessed as “steadfast love and faithfulness” meet, and “righteousness and peace” kiss each other.

Second Reading (Romans 10:5-15)

Paul contrasts righteousness through obeying the law with the simple act of believing in the risen Jesus and confessing him as Lord. Salvation comes to all who so believe and not just Jews. Proclaimers of Christ must be sent out so that all have a chance to hear.

Gospel (Matthew 14:22-33)

Jesus sends the disciples ahead by boat but walks out to them on the waves during a storm. Jesus commands Peter to come to him but has to save him after he starts to sink in fear and unbelief. Calm descends, and the disciples worship Jesus as the Son of God.

 

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • The Lord saves those who look/call out to him
  • The nations are included in God’s offer of salvation
  • simple faith in God/Jesus is required of us
  • the Lord shows up at just the right time
  • Faith has its ups and downs but God is faithful throughout

Scripture Sentence (BAS, Canada)

I wait for the Lord; in his word is my hope. Psalm 130.4

Collect of the Day (BAS, Canada)

Almighty God,
you sent your Holy Spirit
to be the life and light of your Church.
Open our hearts to the riches of your grace,
that we may bring forth the fruit of the Spirit
in love, joy, and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. AMEN

 

Posted on

Thanksgiving Day, Canada, Year C, October 13, 2019

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

 

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Deuteronomy 26:1-11)

Moses commands the Israelites, once they have arrived in the Promised Land, to bring its first fruits as an offering to the Lord while reciting the story of their deliverance from Egypt. The harvest is to be celebrated as part of God’s gracious provision for his people.

Psalm (100)

The Psalmist calls upon the whole world to worship the Lord because he is the creator of all. His courts are to be filled with praise and thanksgiving for his goodness, steadfast love and eternal faithfulness through the years.

Second Reading (Philippians 4:4-9)

Paul calls the Philippians to “Rejoice” while encouraging his readers to turn to God in prayer and thanksgiving instead of worrying about things. This leads to a profound peace that can be maintained by focusing our thoughts and actions on all things good.

Gospel (John 6:25-35)

The people who had just been miraculously fed by Jesus now demand a sign like the bread from heaven that Moses gave their ancestors. In response, Jesus claims to be the Father’s gift of “true bread from heaven”, the “bread of life”. This food satisfies forever.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Giving thanks for God’s provision for the necessities of life
  • God provides for both our material and spiritual needs
  • Thanksgiving is a way of life
  • Praise and thanksgiving orient us to the One who is behind all blessings
Posted on

Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year C, May 19, 2019

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Acts 11:1-18)

After Cornelius and his household were converted by Peter’s preaching, the Jerusalem church is concerned that he had associated with Gentiles. But they rejoice when he relates how clearly the Lord had directed him, and how the Gentiles had been given the Holy Spirit just like them.

Psalm (148)

The Psalmist enthusiastically calls on all the elements of both heaven and earth to praise the Lord who has created them all, animate and inanimate together. Now he has raised up a horn for his faithful people, a mighty deliverer to save them at last.

Second Reading (Revelation 21:1-6)

As part of the final scene of John’s vision, he depicts a transformed creation in which God will dwell among all humanity as his people, in a new Jerusalem. Suffering, tears, and death will be no more. They will drink of the water of life as God brings his plan of redemption to conclusion.

Gospel (John 13:31-35)

On the night before he died, Jesus speaks to his disciples of his being glorified, and of God being glorified in him. He tells them he is going where they cannot go, but they are to love one another as he has loved them: this will show others that they do, in fact, follow him.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • The plan of God will be carried out
  • God is the Lord of creation and even of history itself
  • The course of redemption does not follow in an obvious or straight direction
  • Salvation has a universal scope and all aspects of life will be redeemed
  • The transcendent love of God

 

 

 

Posted on

Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, February 3, 2019, Year C

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Jeremiah 1:4-10)

The Lord assures the reluctant Jeremiah that he has known him from before birth, having appointed him prophet to the nations. Assuring the young man that he is now to consider himself with authority over them, he is to speak the Word, knowing that the Lord is with him.

Psalm (71:1-6)

The Psalmist asserts that he takes refuge in the safety of the Lord, his rock and fortress. He pleads for rescue from the wicked, unjust and cruel. He has always trusted in the Lord, the one who has been with him from birth. He vows to praise the Lord without ceasing.

Second Reading (1 Corinthians 13:1-13)

In addressing those who desire the more dramatic spiritual gifts, Paul says that without love they are worthless. Love sets aside personal interests in order to serve others. Those other gifts belong only to this age, but love, the greatest gift, will, with faith and hope, endure forever.

Gospel (Luke 4:21-30)

The citizens of Nazareth express doubt about Jesus because he grew up among them. Jesus points out two examples of prophets who had better response from Gentiles than from their own people. Enraged, his listeners try to kill him, but he passes safely through their midst.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • The Word of God is often upsetting to speaker and to hearer
  • The Lord will provide a way of escape
  • God’s providence “provides” for those given difficult Kingdom tasks
  • We must learn and conform to what God’s priorities are
  • The mission of God is to the entire world, not just “our” people