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Second Sunday in Lent, Year A, March 8, 2020

Please see How to Use Lection Connection.

Full lections can be read here.

 

Based on the Readings as Set, and with Alternative Gospel

First Reading (Genesis 12:1-4a)

After the Lord had frustrated the building of the Tower of Babel, he speaks to Abram in Haran. He tells him to leave his country and go to another where he would become a great nation that will be a blessing to all the peoples of the earth.

Psalm (121)

The Psalmist draws our attention to the fact that it is only the Lord who is our genuine help. As both creator and ever-present one, he protects and keeps us from all evil and danger.

Second Reading (Romans 4:1-5; 13-17)

Paul sees grace at work in the great promises that God made to Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation. Righteousness and justification come by faith alone, not by works of the law. As such, they are guaranteed on the basis of God’s grace, not our performance.

Gospel (John 3:1-17)

Jesus tells Nicodemus that we need to be born again in order to enter God’s kingdom. This is a mysterious work of the Spirit in those who simply put their trust in the word and work of Jesus, the one sent from heaven for the salvation of the whole world.

OR

Alternative Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9

After teaching his disciples about his impending death, Jesus goes up onto a mountain where his appearance is transformed in brilliant light. When he is joined by Moses and Elijah, a heavenly voice clarifies that Jesus, as God’s son, deserves our full attention.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • The critical role of faith in our relationship with God
  • The wonderful nature of grace in contrast to the futility of relying upon our own efforts to reach up to God
  • The centrality of Christ to the gospel
  • The continuity of the story of grace
  • The message of the gospel is intended for the whole of humanity

 

COLLECT OF THE DAY (BAS, Canada)

Almighty God,
whose Son was revealed in majesty
before he suffered death upon the cross,
give us faith to perceive his glory,
that being strengthened by his grace
we may be changed into his likeness, from glory to glory; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. AMEN.

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Second Sunday in Lent, March 17, 2019, Year C

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18)

The Lord comes to the childless Abram in a vision and reveals that the many offspring he had been promised would come from his own body. Abram believes him and is counted righteous. Through a solemn ritual he is assured that the promised Land will be his as well.

Psalm (Psalm 27)

The Psalmist expresses utmost confidence in the Lord to protect him from his enemies and evildoers. On this basis he pleads with the Lord not to forsake him in a time of serious trouble and is content to wait for him to intervene at the last.

Second Reading (Philippians 3:17-4:1)

Paul exhorts his readers to follow him and others like him in their living fully for Christ. The enemies of the Cross have their focus on earthly things, but our citizenship is in heaven, from which we expect our Saviour. He will make us to be like him in glory.

Gospel (Luke 13:31-35)

On his way to Jerusalem, some Pharisees warn Jesus about Herod. Calling him a fox, Jesus has a message for him. His current ministry is drawing toward a tragic end in that city that has killed the prophets, a city for which he has only a deep desire to save from destruction.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Looking only to God for ultimate protection
  • God is yearning to protect us
  • If our focus is not on the Lord, the way we live will be dangerously off-centre
  • It’s never over ‘til its over

 

Based on the Alternative Gospel

First Reading (Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18)

The Lord comes to the childless Abram in a vision and reveals that the many offspring he had been promised would come from his own body. Abram believes him and is counted righteous. Through a solemn ritual he is assured that the promised Land will be his as well.

Psalm (Psalm 27)

The Psalmist expresses utmost confidence in the Lord to protect him from his enemies and evildoers. On this basis he pleads with the Lord not to forsake him in a time of serious trouble and is content to wait for him to intervene at the last.

Second Reading (Philippians 3:17-4:1)

Paul exhorts his readers to follow him and others like him in their living fully for Christ. The enemies of the Cross have their focus on earthly things, but our citizenship is in heaven, from which we expect our Saviour. He will make us to be like him in glory.

Gospel (Luke 9:28-36, [37-43a])

Jesus is transfigured, appearing in dazzling white between Moses and Elijah. A voice from heaven affirms him as his beloved Son, to whom all should listen. Jesus then delivers a boy from a demon after his disciples could not. All are amazed at the goodness of God.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Looking only to God for ultimate protection
  • If our focus is not on the Lord, the way we live will be dangerously off-centre
  • It’s never over ‘til it’s over
  • The Lord reveals what we need to know just when we need to know it
Posted on

Second Sunday in Lent, Feb. 25, 2018, Year B

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16)

YAHWEH guarantees to the childless and elderly Abram that the covenant will result in him having many descendants, including nations and kings. His name becomes Abraham and Sarai becomes Sarah, the mother of the son from whom all these will come.

Psalm (22:23-31)

The Psalmist calls all Israel to join him in glorifying YAHWEH who has delivered him from affliction. The ends of the earth will do so as well, for he has dominion over the nations and even the dead will praise him. One generation shall tell of his deeds to another.

Second Reading (Romans 4:13-25)

The promise of God to Abraham, that he would be the father of many nations, was given because of his faith, not his performance of the law. Resting simply on grace, the sure promise includes all who share his faith in the God who also raised up Jesus.

Gospel (Mark 8:31-38)

After Peter’s recognition of his being Messiah, Jesus teaches that he will suffer and be rejected by Jewish leaders but rise again after three days. Peter objects and rebukes him but Jesus affirms that to follow him means to lose one’s life in order to save it.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • God’s promises depend on him, not upon us
  • The mission of God is directed to all of humanity
  • Suffering and loss provides opportunity for God’s deliverance
  • God brings new life to the dead things in our lives

Based on the Alternate Readings

First Reading (Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16)

YAHWEH guarantees to the childless and elderly Abram that the covenant will result in him having many descendants, including nations and kings. His name becomes Abraham and Sarai becomes Sarah, the mother of the son from whom all these will come.

Psalm (22:23-31)

The Psalmist calls all Israel to join him in glorifying YAHWEH who has delivered him from affliction. The ends of the earth will do so as well, for he has dominion over the nations and even the dead will praise him. One generation shall tell of his deeds to another.

Second Reading (Romans 4:13-25)

The promise of God to Abraham, that he would be the father of many nations, was given because of his faith, not his performance of the law. Resting simply on grace, the sure promise includes all who share his faith in the God who also raised up Jesus.

Gospel (Mark 9:2-9)

After identifying himself as the suffering Messiah and puzzling his disciples, Jesus is transfigured, appearing in dazzling white between Moses and Elijah. A voice from heaven affirms him as his beloved Son, to whom all should listen.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • God’s promises depend on him, not upon us
  • The mission of God is directed to all of humanity
  • Both the Father and the Son are at the centre of faith
  • Praise of God/Jesus arises even from the dead
  • The blessing arising from God’s confirmation of his promises

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on

Readings for Sunday, March 12, 2017 Second Sunday in Lent

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

First Reading and Psalm

  • Genesis 12:1-4a
  • Psalm 121

Second Reading

  • Romans 4:1-5; 13-17

Gospel

  • John 3:1-17

Alternative Gospel

  • Matthew 17:1-9

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

After YAHWEH had frustrated the building of the Tower of Babel and had scattered people throughout the earth, he spoke a startling word to Abram in Haran. He told him to leave his country and allow himself to be directed to another. There he would become a great and blessed nation that would in turn be a blessing to all the nations of the earth. The Psalmist draws our attention to the fact that it is only YAHWEH who is our genuine help. As creator and ever-present one, he protects and keeps us from all evil and danger. St. Paul sees that grace is at work in the great promises that God made to Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation. These cannot depend on his or their keeping of the law because in this they (and we) have failed. Rather it depends on God and his word alone and, as Abraham discovered, it is simply by trusting in him that we are made right with him. It is a gift. In response to Nicodemus, Jesus makes the startling claim that we need to be born again from above in order to enter God’s kingdom. This is a mysterious working of the Spirit and it happens to those who simply put their trust in the word and work of Jesus, the one who has come from heaven for the salvation of the whole world.

As Introductions

Old Testament

After YAHWEH had frustrated the building of the Tower of Babel and had scattered people throughout the earth, he spoke a startling word to Abram in Haran. He told him to leave his country and allow himself to be directed to another. There he would become a great and blessed nation that would in turn be a blessing to all the nations of the earth.

Psalm

The Psalmist draws our attention to the fact that it is only YAHWEH who is our genuine help. As creator and ever-present one, he protects and keeps us from all evil and danger.

New Testament

St. Paul sees that grace is at work in the great promises that God made to Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation. These cannot depend on his or their keeping of the law because in this they (and we) have failed. Rather it depends on God and his word alone and, as Abraham discovered, it is simply by trusting in him that we are made right with him. It is a gift.

Gospel

In response to Nicodemus, Jesus makes the startling claim that we need to be born again from above in order to enter God’s kingdom. This is a mysterious working of the Spirit and it happens to those who simply put their trust in the word and work of Jesus, the one who has come from heaven for the salvation of the whole world.

Based on the Alternative Readings

After YAHWEH had frustrated the building of the Tower of Babel and had scattered people throughout the earth, he spoke a startling word to Abram in Haran. He told him to leave his country and allow himself to be directed to another. There he would become a great and blessed nation that would in turn be a blessing to all the nations of the earth. The Psalmist draws our attention to the fact that it is only YAHWEH who is our genuine help. As creator and ever-present one, he protects and keeps us from all evil and danger. St. Paul sees that grace is at work in the great promises that God made to Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation. These cannot depend on his or their keeping of the law because in this they (and we) have failed. Rather it depends on God and his word alone and, as Abraham discovered, it is simply by trusting in him that we are made right with him. It is a gift. Six days after first teaching his disciples about his impending death, Jesus goes up into a mountain with an inner circle. There, his face blazing like the sun and his clothes becoming a brilliant white, he is transformed. When he is joined by Moses and Elijah, the greatest figures of the Old Testament, Peter wants to erect shelters for all three but a voice from heaven makes it clear that it is Jesus alone who warrants their full attention as the Son of God.

As Introductions

Old Testament

After YAHWEH had frustrated the building of the Tower of Babel and had scattered people throughout the earth, he spoke a startling word to Abram in Haran. He told him to leave his country and allow himself to be directed to another. There he would become a great and blessed nation that would in turn be a blessing to all the nations of the earth.

Psalm

The Psalmist draws our attention to the fact that it is only YAHWEH who is our genuine help. As creator and ever-present one, he protects and keeps us from all evil and danger.

New Testament

St. Paul sees that grace is at work in the great promises that God made to Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation. These cannot depend on his or their keeping of the law because in this they (and we) have failed. Rather it depends on God and his word alone and, as Abraham discovered, it is simply by trusting in him that we are made right with him. It is a gift.

Gospel

Six days after first teaching his disciples about his impending death, Jesus goes up into a mountain with an inner circle. There, his face blazing like the sun and his clothes becoming a brilliant white, he is transformed. When he is joined by Moses and Elijah, the greatest figures of the Old Testament, Peter wants to erect shelters for all three but a voice from heaven makes it clear that it is Jesus alone who warrants their full attention as the Son of God.