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Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost, September 29, 2019, Proper 21, Year C

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

 

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15)

Because of his refusal to be a “good news” prophet Jeremiah is under house arrest as Jerusalem is fatally besieged by Babylon. The Lord tells him to buy a soon-to-be worthless piece of land and is assured that the land will be restored and the property will resume its normal value.

Psalm (91:1-6, 14-16)

The Psalmist assures his audience that those who love the Lord and call upon his name will escape any and everything that threatens their life and, taking refuge in him, come to experience the wonderful richness of his salvation.

Second Reading (1 Timothy 6:6-19)

St. Paul warns Timothy that pursuing money above all else leads to spiritual ruin, while the pursuit of righteousness will ultimately result in the “life that really is life” when Jesus Christ finally appears. Those Christians who are wealthy are urged to be rich in good works as well.

Gospel (Luke 16:19-31)

Jesus tells the parable of the rich man who lived in luxury and the poor man Lazarus who lived in misery. After death the rich man was in torment while Lazarus was with the saints in heaven. Even a warning from beyond the grave would be ineffective to overcome our love of money.

Connection Suggestions

  • Reversals of fortune at the hand of God
  • The true riches of God’s salvation in Christ
  • The love of money is the root of all evil, blinding us to the good
  • The promises of God’s blessing are often not fully realized in this present life
  • The Lord’s eye is especially upon the poor and needy

 

Based on the Alternative Readings

First Reading (Amos 6:1a, 4-7)

Amos decries the rich who are “at ease in Zion” even as the nation disintegrates around them. Instead of grieving over the coming disaster they are blinded by their enjoyment of material wealth.

Psalm (146)

The Psalmist declares that the way of the wicked will come to ruin. But he adds that the Lord will bless the faithful, especially those in desperate need, first with the hope of his reign and then with its realization. All this causes him to exhort his audience to praise such a God.

Second Reading (1 Timothy 6:6-19)

St. Paul warns Timothy that pursuing money above all else leads to spiritual ruin, while the pursuit of righteousness will ultimately result in the “life that really is life” when Jesus Christ finally appears. Those Christians who are wealthy are urged to be rich in good works as well.

Gospel (Luke 16:19-31)

Jesus tells the parable of the rich man who lived in luxury and the poor man Lazarus who lived in misery. After death the rich man was in torment while Lazarus was with the saints in heaven. Even a warning from beyond the grave would be ineffective to overcome our love of money.

Connection Suggestions

  • Reversals of fortune at the hand of God
  • The true riches of God’s salvation in Christ
  • The love of money is the root of all evil, blinding us to the good
  • The promises of God’s blessing are often not fully realized in this present life
  • The Lord’s eye is especially upon the poor and needy

 

 

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Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost, September 9, 2018, Proper 18, Year B

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23)

The writer sets out reasons for the rich to treat the poor with respect and dignity. In the end, both rich and poor are God’s creatures and a good name is far better than merely being rich. The Lord is on the side of the poor, defending them against injustice.

Psalm (125)

The Psalmist declares that the Lord surrounds his people like the unmoveable mountains that surround Jerusalem. Wickedness is to be banished from the Land and goodness rewarded. Evildoers will ultimately be expelled and Israel will be at peace.

Second Reading (James 2:1-10, [11-13], 14-17)

James challenges his readers to realize that loving their neighbour is inconsistent with favouritism toward the rich. The rich are the oppressors of the faithful while it is the poor who are rich in faith and deserve honour. Real faith produces good works, not just words.

Gospel (Mark 7:24-37)

Jesus hesitates to help a Gentile woman but then responds to her persistence and humility by healing her demon-possessed daughter. In another Gentile area he opens a man’s ears and loosens his tongue, to the astonishment and admiration of all.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Being rich is not a clear sign of God’s blessing
  • True riches are found in one’s faith in the God of both rich and poor
  • The poor have a special place in God’s heart
  • The love of God crosses barriers: rich and poor; Jew and Gentile
  • Actions speak louder than words

Based on the Alternative Readings

First Reading (Isaiah 35:4-7a)

Describing a future time of redemption, Isaiah speaks of a terrible recompense for evildoers. But at that time the blind will see, the deaf hear, the lame walk, the speech-impaired speak, as the wilderness is transformed by freshly abundant water.

Psalm (146)

The Psalmist encourages a life of praise to the Lord who keeps faith forever, unlike mortals whose help comes to an end. Creator of all, he provides food to the hungry, justice for the oppressed and recompense for the wicked. His reign is without end.

Second Reading (James 2:1-10, [11-13], 14-17)

James challenges his readers to realize that loving their neighbour is inconsistent with favouritism toward the rich. The rich are oppressors of the faithful while the poor are rich in faith and deserve honour. Real faith produces good works, not just words.

Gospel (Mark 7:24-37)

Jesus hesitates to help a Gentile woman but then responds to her persistence and humility by healing her demon-possessed daughter. In another Gentile area he opens a man’s ears and loosens his tongue to the astonishment and admiration of all.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • The Kingdom of God involves remarkable transformations back to the way things ought to be
  • The poor have a special place in God’s heart
  • The love of God crosses barriers: rich and poor; Jew and Gentile
  • Actions speak louder than words

 

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Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost, September 24, 2017, Proper 20, Year A

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Exodus 16:2-15)

Just after being miraculously supplied with water in the wilderness, the Israelites grumble to Moses about their lack of food. They say it would have been better to have died in Egypt where they at least had lots to eat. Yahweh informs them that he is going to rain bread from heaven upon them every morning while each twilight would bring in a flock of quails. Once again he hears their complaints and responds with grace.

Psalm (105:1-6, 37-45)

The Psalmist exhorts Yahweh’s chosen people to seek his presence, remember his wonderful works on their behalf, and make him known among the nations. He is the one who brought them out of Egypt, provided for them in the wilderness, and took them into the promised land with joy and singing.

Second Reading (Philippians 1:21-30)

St. Paul, realizing that he is called to be of further service to the early Christian communities he has founded, reluctantly accepts any delay in being fully in Christ’s presence through death. He encourages the Philippians to live lives worthy of the Gospel and standing firm in the face of opposition and suffering, a struggle he continues to share with them.

Gospel (Matthew 20:1-16)

Jesus tells the parable of the vineyard owner who hires a number of workers early in the morning to work for the normal daily rate. He also hires others during various times of the day but only tells them he will pay them what is right. When he pays them all the same amount those who worked longer were angry. They felt shortchanged instead of being glad for the owner’s generosity to the others. In the Kingdom of God, says Jesus, the last shall be first and the first last.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Being content with the blessings we have
  • Why are we angry with God or others? Do we really have a case?
  • Being faithful in times of suffering means trusting in Christ and resisting the urge to complain
  • God always gives us more than we deserve (grace)
  • Living as God’s people does not mean we will not have to suffer

Based on the Alternative Set of Readings

First Reading (Jonah 3:10-4:11)

As Jonah had anticipated, because he is slow to anger and full of grace, mercy and steadfast love, Yahweh spares the repentant city of Nineveh from the destruction Jonah had announced. This makes him angry and he sits down to see what happens. Yahweh causes a plant to give him extra shade from the sun only to destroy it the next day. Again Jonah is angry and again says he would rather die than live. Yahweh contrasts his own concern for the immense and needy population of Nineveh with Jonah’s rage over an insignificant bush.

Psalm (145:1-8)

The Psalmist begins by affirming his intention to praise Yahweh for his surpassing majesty and his wonderful works, qualities for which he will be extolled by generations to come. They will sing of his goodness and righteousness, his grace and mercy, and his steadfast love and slowness to anger.

Second Reading (Philippians 1:21-30)

St. Paul, realizing that he is called to be of further service to the early Christian communities he has founded, reluctantly accepts any delay in being fully in Christ’s presence through death. He encourages the Philippians to live lives worthy of the Gospel and standing firm in the face of opposition and suffering, a struggle he continues to share with them.

Gospel (Matthew 20:1-16)

Jesus tells the parable of the vineyard owner who hires a number of workers early in the morning to work for the normal daily rate. He also hires others during various times of the day but only tells them he will pay them what is right. When he pays them all the same amount those who worked longer were angry. They felt shortchanged instead of being glad for the owner’s generosity to the others. In the Kingdom of God, says Jesus, the last shall be first and the first last.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Being content with the blessings we have
  • Why are we angry with God or others? Do we really have a case?
  • Being faithful in times of suffering means trusting in Christ and resisting the urge to complain
  • God always gives us more than we deserve (grace)
  • Living as God’s people does not mean we will not have to suffer
  • Like God we should be slow to anger