Posted on

Third Sunday of Easter, Year C, May 5, 2019

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Acts 9:1-6, [7-20])

On his way to Damascus to arrest followers of Jesus, the young rabbi Saul is stopped in his tracks by the risen Lord. Blinded by the encounter, he is led to a nervous Ananias for healing. The Lord had told Ananias of Saul’s calling to preach the Gospel to all, including the Gentiles.

Psalm (30)

The Psalmist rejoices in the fact that he has been restored to life from the Pit. He urges God’s people to rejoice in such a God, whose favour outlasts his righteous anger and who replaces weeping with joy. In his present need the Psalmist appeals to God to turn things around again.

Second Reading (Revelation 5:11-14)

John describes a heavenly scene of myriads of creatures, earthly and heavenly, strange and familiar, surrounding the throne of God and the Lamb. The Lamb, although slaughtered, is now worthy to receive every imaginable glory, honour, and blessing, and all present say Amen!

Gospel (John 21:1-19)

John describes a third appearance of the recently risen Christ to his disciples. He directs them unerringly to a huge catch of fish and then invites them to breakfast with him. He then asks Peter three times if he loves him and then commissions him to feed his sheep.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • There is no situation that the God of resurrection cannot turn around for good
  • Weeping, loss, and even death, are not the final answers for God’s people
  • No matter what we do, we are not beyond the grace of God
  • In God’s plan, exaltation follows humiliation
Posted on

Good Friday, April 19, 2019, Year C

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Isaiah 52:13-53:12)

Isaiah tells of the coming Servant of the Lord who will undergo humiliation, rejection and great injustice. Like a sacrificial lamb he will silently bear the sins of many and make them whole. Assigned to the grave, in the end he will be vindicated and exalted in triumph.

Psalm (22)

Encircled by enemies like raging beasts, the Psalmist despairs in God’s seeming absence. Melting with fear as lots are cast for his clothes, he still trusts that he will be delivered so mightily that the nations, the dead, and posterity itself will come to serve the Lord.

Second Reading (Hebrews 10:16-25)

The writer of Hebrews describes Jesus as both priest and sacrificial victim who made a way for us to come to God with clean hearts. As a result, we should continue to meet together in mutual encouragement towards love and good deeds.

Gospel (John 18:1-19:42)

Quoting both Jesus himself and Scripture, John stresses how God is in control of Jesus’ trials and crucifixion. Pilate, knowing Jesus innocent, gives in to the raging crowd and he is crucified. Soldiers cast lots for his tunic while Jesus gives up his life and is buried.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Suffering and troubles do not signify the absence of God
  • As high priest Jesus offers himself, both priest and victim.
  • The profound and mysterious love of God for us sinners
  • The cost of our salvation to God and his Son
  • Conforming to God’s will comes with a cost
  • All we like sheep have gone astray

 

 

 

 

Based on the Alternate Second Reading

 

First Reading (Isaiah 52:13-53:12)

Isaiah tells of the coming Servant of the Lord who will undergo humiliation, rejection and great injustice. Like a sacrificial lamb he will silently bear the sins of many and make them whole. Assigned to the grave, in the end he will be vindicated and exalted in triumph.

Psalm (22)

Encircled by enemies like raging beasts, the Psalmist despairs in God’s seeming absence. Melting with fear as lots are cast for his clothes, he still trusts that he will be delivered so mightily that the nations, the dead, and posterity itself will come to serve the Lord.

Second Reading (Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9)

The writer of Hebrews exults in our having such an approachable and sympathetic high priest as Jesus, tested in every way but without sin. Facing death, he begged God to save him but in the end submitted to his will and became the source of eternal salvation.

Gospel (John 18:1-19:42)

Quoting both Jesus himself and Scripture, John stresses how God is in control of Jesus’ trials and crucifixion. Pilate, knowing Jesus innocent, gives in to the raging crowd and he is crucified. Soldiers cast lots for his tunic while Jesus gives up his life and is buried.

 

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

 

  • Suffering and troubles do not signify the absence of God
  • The profound and mysterious love of God for us sinners
  • The cost of our salvation to God and his Son
  • Conforming to God’s will comes with a cost
  • All we like sheep have gone astray
  • The humanity of Christ is our salvation

 

Posted on

Maundy Thursday, April 18, 2019, Year C

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Exodus 12:1-4, [5-10], 11-14)

The Lord announces the last of the plagues against Egypt. He will go through the land destroying all first-born males. The Israelites are to eat a pure lamb, putting its blood on their door to ensure that they are passed over. The event is to be celebrated annually.

Psalm (116: 1-2, 12-19)

Knowing his prayers have been heard, the grateful Psalmist realizes that the best response is to orient his entire life toward the Lord, especially in giving thanks, fulfilling his vows and lifting up the cup of salvation.

Second Reading (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

St. Paul reminds the Corinthians that it was Jesus himself who instituted the Lord’s Supper. It is to be repeated in remembrance of his death on their behalf until he comes again.

Gospel (John 13:1-17, 31b-35)

As Passover approaches Jesus realizes that his hour to die has now come. Although returning to his Father, he will be leaving behind his beloved disciples. He washes their feet, impressing upon them that loving one another will mark them as his disciples.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Passover, Jesus’s crucifixion, and the Lord’s Supper share profound connections
  • The wages of sin is death
  • Jesus fulfills not only the prophetic traditions of Israel but also its very institutions and history
  • God provides a substitute
  • Remembrance is critical to the exercise of faith

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on

Sixth Sunday in Lent (Passion Sunday), April 14, 2019, Year C

Please see How to Use Lection Connection.

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Isaiah 50:4-9a)

Isaiah envisions YAHWEH’s obedient Servant under assault: enduring insults, spitting and striking. He is determined not to flinch or waver from his conviction that YAHWEH is his help and vindication. In such light his adversaries fade into insignificance.

Psalm (31:9-16)

Under serious affliction from all those around him, the Psalmist is driven to tears, misery and extreme physical weakness. In spite of these attacks in which even his life is in danger, he remains confident that YAHWEH will deliver him.

Second Reading (Philippians 2:5-11)

St. Paul encourages the Philippians to be like Jesus who, although divine, humbled himself and endured a demeaning death. In the end, he was exalted by God to be Lord over all, with every knee in heaven and earth bowing before him.

Gospel (Luke 22:14-23:56)

Sharing Passover with his disciples, Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper and tells them to serve one another. He is arrested and then abused by the temple authorities, the Jewish council, Pilate and Herod. Cravenly, Pilate hands him over for crucifixion and burial.

OR

Alternative Gospel (Luke 23:1-49)

The Jewish authorities bring the captive Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor. Finding him innocent, Pilate sends him to Herod but neither finds reason for crucifixion. Finally, Pilate gives in to the crowd and Jesus’ followers have to watch as he gives up his spirit.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Divine vindication of the innocent may take an unexpected form
  • The servant of God is to be obedient, confident in divine vindication
  • Our task is to remain humble, leaving any exaltation to the Lord
  • Obedience to God can lead to insults and persecutions by those in opposition

 

Posted on

Fourth Sunday in Lent, March 31, 2019, Year C

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Joshua 5:9-12)

After the Israelites cross over into the Promised Land, the Lord tells Joshua that they had finally gotten over the disgrace of Egypt. In Canaan at last, they celebrated the Passover and began to live off the produce of the land instead of the manna that God had provided in the wilderness.

Psalm (32)

Beginning by noting the happiness of forgiven sin, the Psalmist recalls his burden of sin and how it was forgiven when he confessed it to the Lord. While he is our saviour in times of trouble, we are responsible to listen to and obey divine instruction, confident of his steadfast love as we do.

Second Reading (2 Corinthians 5:16-21)

Paul writes that those who are reconciled to God through Christ are actually new creatures entering into a new reality. The sinless Christ was made sin so that we sinners could be made righteous. Paul considers himself, as a preacher of this message, to be Christ’s ambassador.

Gospel (Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32)

Jesus explains his socializing with sinners by telling the parable of a man with two sons. The older is obedient while the younger runs away from home and squanders his inheritance. When he finally returns home, his father is delighted to have him back, but his brother can only sulk.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • God’s salvation involves a new kind of existence for the redeemed
  • Confession/repentance is good for the soul
  • God has provided a way for our sin to be dealt with in order for us to be reconciled to him
  • God has taken the initiative in saving sinners and delights in their return to him
  • Sin is a burden not worth carrying