Posted on

Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 17, 2020

Lection Connection for Ascension Day 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 (Acts 17:22-31)

Paul invites Athenians to turn to the “unknown God” whose altar he found in their city. This God, he proclaims, is Creator and sustainer of all, not a mere human-made idol. He has chosen a man to judge the whole world and raised him from the dead to prove it.

Psalm (66:8-20)

The Psalmist calls upon the nations to bless the God who has tested, sustained and delivered Israel. Consider as well, he says, what the has done for me in his steadfast love! He has heard my cry because I have not walked in iniquity.

Second Reading (1 Peter 3:13-22)

In dealing with the question of suffering for doing good, St. Peter points to Jesus, the perfectly good one who suffered and died for our sins. His resurrection assures his place at God’s right hand and serves as the basis of the salvation we enter through baptism.

Gospel (John 14:15-21)

Jesus makes it clear that those who truly love him will keep his commandments. Even though he will soon be departing this life, he will give all who obey him the Spirit of truth. The Spirit will enable them to have an ongoing intimacy with him and the Father.

 

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Those who claim to love God will seek to live by his laws
  • The evidence for God and his truth is there for those willing to see and believe
  • The resurrection of Jesus serves to authenticate his roles in the salvation of the world
  • Suffering and death find their ultimate answer in the resurrection of Jesus

SENTENCE (BAS, Canada)

If you love me, you will keep my word, and my Father will love you, and we will come to you. See John 14.23

COLLECT OF THE DAY (BAS, Canada)

Merciful God,
you have prepared for those who love you
riches beyond imagination.
Pour into our hearts such love toward you,
that we, loving you above all things,
may obtain your promises,
which exceed all that we can desire;
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

Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year C, May 26, 2019

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Acts 16:9-15)

In response to a vision, Paul and the missionary party, now including Luke, make their way to Philippi, a city in Macedonia. Lydia, a God-fearing Gentile businesswoman, believes Paul’s message concerning Jesus and is converted. She then invites the group to stay at her home.

Psalm (67)

The Psalmist suggests that the abundant blessings of God upon his people Israel will lead to him being known throughout the nations and praise erupting from every corner. All the peoples will honour his name when they see the amazing harvests in the land of Israel.

Second Reading (Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5)

John sees the New Jerusalem in its perfect purity, inhabited by the redeemed of all the nations. Constantly lighted solely by the very Presence of God and the Lamb, through its streets flows the river of life. It waters the tree of life with its leaves for the healing of the nations.

Gospel (John 14:23-29)

The night before he died Jesus tells his disciples that those who truly love him will keep his word, a word that is also the Father’s. He promises them the Holy Spirit to help them in this and gives them his own unique peace to comfort them in his absence as they trust in his return.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • The nations will be an essential part of what God has in store for Israel and Jerusalem
  • The word of God is powerful, able to bring new life
  • God/Jesus will direct the mission of his church
  • What happens in Jerusalem does not stay in Jerusalem

Based on the Alternative Gospel

First Reading (Acts 16:9-15)

In response to a vision, Paul and the missionary party, now including Luke, make their way to Philippi, a city in Macedonia. Lydia, a God-fearing Gentile businesswoman, believes Paul’s message concerning Jesus and is converted. She then invites the group to stay at her home.

Psalm (67)

The Psalmist suggests that the abundant blessings of God upon his people Israel will lead to him being known throughout the nations and praise erupting from every corner. All the peoples will honour his name when they see the amazing harvests in the land of Israel.

Second Reading (Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5)

John sees the New Jerusalem in its perfect purity, inhabited by the redeemed of all the nations. Constantly lighted soley by the very Presence of God and the Lamb, through its streets flows the river of life. It waters the tree of life with its leaves for the healing of the nations.

Gospel (John 5:1-9)

Once, while Jesus is in Jerusalem on a sabbath for a Jewish feast, he encounters a long-term invalid. Because of his infirmity and a lack of assistance, he had been unable to benefit from some local healing waters. With a word Jesus heals him and he immediately begins to walk.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • The nations will be an essential part of what God has in store for Israel and Jerusalem
  • The true waters of healing are provided by our Saviour
  • The word of God is powerful, able to bring new life
  • What happens in Jerusalem does not stay in Jerusalem

 

 

Posted on

Readings for May 21, 2017 Year A Sixth Sunday of Easter

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

First Reading and Psalm

  • Acts 17:22-31
  • Psalm 66:8-20

Second Reading

  • 1 Peter 3:13-22

Gospel

  • John 14:15-21

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

St. Paul invites the good citizens of Athens, a city full of idols, to consider the “unknown God” to whom one of the altars is dedicated. This God, he proclaims, is not made by human hands but is the Creator and sustainer of all. Having set a day of judgment, he now calls all peoples to turn to him because he has appointed a Judge whose universal authority he has established by raising him from the dead. The Psalmist calls upon the peoples to bless the God who has tested, sustained and delivered Israel. Consider, he says, what he has done for me in his steadfast love! He has heard my cry because I have not clung to iniquity. In dealing with the question of suffering for doing good, St. Peter points to Jesus, the perfectly good one who suffered and died for our sins. His resurrection assures his place at God’s right hand and serves as the basis of our salvation, entered through the waters of baptism. Jesus makes it clear that those who truly love him will keep his commandments. Even though he will soon be departing this life, he will send his Spirit into his disciples in order to continue their intimate fellowship and enable both love and obedience.

As Introductions and/or Bulletin Use

First Reading

St. Paul invites the good citizens of Athens, a city full of idols, to consider the “unknown God” to whom one of the altars is dedicated. This God, he proclaims, is not made by human hands but is the Creator and sustainer of all. Having set a day of judgment, he now calls all peoples to turn to him because he has appointed a Judge whose universal authority he has established by raising him from the dead.

Psalm

The Psalmist calls upon the peoples to bless the God who has tested, sustained and delivered Israel. Consider, he says, what he has done for me in his steadfast love! He has heard my cry because I have not clung to iniquity.

Second Reading

In dealing with the question of suffering for doing good, St. Peter points to Jesus, the perfectly good one who suffered and died for our sins. His resurrection assures his place at God’s right hand and serves as the basis of our salvation, entered through the waters of baptism.

Gospel

Jesus makes it clear that those who truly love him will keep his commandments. Even though he will soon be departing this life, he will send his Spirit into his disciples in order to continue their intimate fellowship and enable both love and obedience.