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Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany, Year A, February 16, 2020

Please see How to Use Lection Connection.

Full lections can be read here.

 

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Deuteronomy 30:15-20)

With Israel about to enter the Promised Land, Moses addresses the nation for the last time. In dramatic fashion he beseeches them to follow the ways of the Lord in order to be successful in the Land. They must choose life with blessings or death with judgment.

Psalm (119:1-8)

The Psalmist affirms that blessings are in store for those who truly follow the Lord’s commandments. Strongly desiring to do so himself, he commits to understanding and keeping the divine laws. Praising God for them, he is confident of not being forsaken.

Second Reading (1 Corinthians 3:1-9)

St. Paul laments that the divisions among the Corinthians reveal their immaturity in Christ. They are more “of the flesh” than “of the spirit” in following various leaders instead seeing them as humble servants of Christ, working to build up the whole church.

Gospel (Matthew 5:21-37)

Jesus calls his disciples to a way of life that understands that even the attitudes that lead to sinful action, not just sinful action itself, are liable to judgement. Sin is to be avoided at all costs. Jesus demands purity of thought and honourable behaviour.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Following the Lord is a serious business
  • The heart of the matter is a matter of the heart
  • Following God’s ways ultimately leads to blessing and life while disobedience ultimately leads to judgment and death
  • The Christian life is a constant struggle against our “natural” inclinations and cannot be successful without dedication and the inner work of the Holy Spirit
  • The Christian life is a matter of constantly choosing to follow the Lord
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Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany, February 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 (Jeremiah 17:5-10)

Jeremiah declares that to trust in humankind is to end up like a plant dying in the desert. But to trust in the Lord is to be blessed, like a thriving tree planted by water, unafraid of any drought. The human heart is unreliable and known only to the Lord, who rewards those who do good.

Psalm (1)

The Psalmist declares happy those who ignore the advice of the wicked and instead delight in the Law of the Lord. They are like perpetually fruitful trees beside a river instead of chaff blown away by the wind. The wicked will suffer judgment while the Lord guides the righteous forever.

Second Reading (1 Corinthians 15:12-20)

If it is true that the dead are not raised, says Paul, then the apostles are liars, Jesus is still dead, sin has not been dealt with, and the Christian dead have died without hope. We are the most pitiful people of all. But, in fact, Christ has been raised, the first of many others sure to follow.

Gospel (Luke 6:17-26)

A large crowd gathers to hear Jesus and to be healed by his evident power. He tells his disciples that the poor, the hungry, the sorrowful and the reviled will have their fortunes reversed, while those who are enjoying life now will lose it all. He warns that God’s heralds are never popular.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • A message cannot be judged by how well it is received
  • The way of faithfulness is not immediately obvious
  • Jesus has power over every difficult circumstance and even death itself
  • The judgment of God will reverse every injustice and set things right
  • Following the ways of God ultimately leads to a full and fruitful life

 

 

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Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany, February 11, 2018, Year B

Lection Connection for Transfiguration Sunday can be found here.

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (2 Kings 5:1-14)

A captive Israeli girl informs her master Naaman, commander of Aram’s army, that there is a prophet back home who can cure his leprosy. He finds Elisha who tells him to wash in the Jordan to be healed. At first he refuses, but his servants convince him to try and it works.

Psalm (30)

Because of Yahweh’s healing him in the past, the Psalmist invites others to join him in praise and thanksgiving. When he had been confident in his prosperity, adversity had brought him low. But Yahweh heard his cry and turned his mourning into joy.

Second Reading (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

St. Paul likens the Christian life to a footrace whose eternal prize is worth our total effort to prepare for and to run. He himself has done everything he could to subdue his own body in order to practice what he preaches and provide a positive example.

Gospel (Mark 1:40-45)

Jesus, against the rules of religion, reaches out and touches a leper who is confident Jesus can heal him. Upon being restored the man disobeys Jesus command to silence. This increases Jesus’ fame and his popularity makes it necessary for him to avoid towns.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Do whatever it takes to be a faithful Christian
  • Gossipping the Gospel is always a good thing
  • A word, even from the lowly, can accomplish great things in the kingdom
  • Jesus continues but intensifies the prophetic ministry of healing

 

 

 

 

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Readings for February 12, 2017 Year A Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

 

First Reading and Psalm

  • Deuteronomy 30:15-20
  • Psalm 119:1-8

Second Reading

  • 1 Corinthians 3:1-9

Gospel

  • Matthew 5:21-37

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

With the people of Israel about to enter the Promised Land, Moses addresses the nation for the last time. In dramatic fashion he beseeches them to follow the ways of YAHWEH in order to be successful in the Land. It is up to them to choose: will it be life or death? It’s that simple. The Psalmist affirms the delight in store for those who truly follow YAHWEH’s commandments. He yearns for the ability to do so himself and realizes that his relationship with God is dependent upon his success. St. Paul laments that the divisions among the Corinthian church reveal their immaturity in Christ. They are more “of the flesh” than “of the spirit” when they align themselves with various leaders instead of realizing that all are merely servants of Christ. Each of us is to use our ability to build up the whole church. In the Gospel Jesus calls his church to a way of life that refuses to tolerate even the attitudes that lead to sinful action, not just sinful action itself. Anger and lustful thoughts are just as much the true enemies of our soul as the actual acts of murder and adultery to which they lead. To follow Jesus truly is a challenge to our usual way of thinking.

As Introductions

Old Testament

With the people of Israel about to enter the Promised Land, Moses addresses the nation for the last time. In dramatic fashion he beseechs them to follow the ways of YAHWEH in order to be successful in the Land. It is up to them to choose: will it be life or death? It’s that simple.

Psalm

The Psalmist affirms the delight in store for those who truly follow YAHWEH’s commandments. He yearns for the ability to do so himself and realizes that his relationship with God is dependent upon his success.

New Testament

St. Paul laments that the divisions among the Corinthian church reveal their immaturity in Christ. They are more “of the flesh” than “of the spirit” when they align themselves with various leaders instead of realizing that all are merely servants of Christ. Each of us is to use our ability to build up the whole church.

Gospel

In the Gospel Jesus calls his church to a way of life that refuses to tolerate even the attitudes that lead to sinful action, not just sinful action itself. Anger and lustful thoughts are just as much the true enemies of our soul as the actual acts of murder and adultery to which they lead. To follow Jesus truly is a challenge to our usual way of thinking.