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Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, August 18, 2019, Proper 15, Year C

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

 

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Isaiah 5:1-7)

The Lord is bewildered by his beloved Israel, his vineyard, which has produced only wild grapes in spite of his faithful attention. As a result, he will give it up to be laid waste and become overgrown with weeds. He expected justice and righteousness from them but got the opposite.

Psalm (80:1-2, 8-19)

The Psalmist implores Israel’s Shepherd to come and save her just like a farmer would save a luxuriant vine over which he has faithfully toiled. Why is he allowing it to be attacked and destroyed? Surely if he rescues them they will be faithful to him in the future.

Second Reading (Hebrews 11:29-12:2)

The writer recounts the story of Israel’s flight from Egypt and entrance into the Promised Land as a story of faith. Her history has been full of faith-filled men and women, including Jesus, who died without seeing what God had promised. Like them, we should press on in the life of faith.

Gospel (Luke 12:49-56)

Jesus, filled with anguish over what is going to happen to him, warns that he is bringing fire and division to the earth. Even families will be divided against one another and he wonders why it is that the crowds hearing him cannot see that these things are about to take place.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Even God wonders at our faithlessness
  • God’s judgment, while deserved, is intended to result in changed behaviour on our part
  • It is difficult to be faithful when faithfulness does not seem to be rewarded
  • God cares deeply for those he disciplines

 

Based on the Alternative Readings

First Reading (Jeremiah 23:23-29)

Because he sees everything, the Lord wonders why false prophets dare to speak lies designed to draw his people away from him. Indeed, let them speak, but also let others speak his true word! Only it has any real power and so is readily distinguished from false dreams and visions.

Psalm (82)

The Psalmist pictures the Lord as the divine judge rendering his verdict upon those responsible for administering justice upon the earth. They have failed in their responsibility to protect the weak and needy and so it is time for God himself to come in judgment.

Second Reading (Hebrews 11:29-12:2)

The writer recounts the story of Israel’s flight from Egypt and entrance into the Promised Land as a story of faith. Her history has been full of faith-filled men and women, including Jesus, who died without seeing what God had promised. Like them, we should press on in the life of faith.

Gospel (Luke 12:49-56)

Jesus, filled with anguish over what is going to happen to him, warns that he is bringing fire and division to the earth. Even families will be divided against one another and he wonders why it is that the crowds hearing him cannot see that these things are about to take place.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Even God wonders at our faithlessness
  • God’s judgment, while deserved, is intended to result in changed behaviour on our part
  • It is difficult to be faithful when faithfulness does not seem to be rewarded
  • From God’s divine perspective all of humanity and all of human history is present: nothing escapes his view

 

 

Posted on

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, July 29, 2018, Proper 12, Year B

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (2 Samuel 11:1-15)

While his army is out to war David relaxes at home and, spying the bathing Bathsheba, wife of one of his loyal soldiers, he brings her to his bed. She becomes pregnant and David, failing to get her husband to sleep with her himself, arranges for his death.

Psalm (14)

The Psalmist laments Israel’s lack of someone to come to her rescue. The world seems full of fools who deny God’s very existence and who ignore his ways. All have gone astray. The Lord, however, is the refuge of the poor, and terror will come on the wicked.

Second Reading (Ephesians 3:14-21)

Paul prays that the Ephesians will be rooted in the love of God through the Holy Spirit as Christ dwells in their hearts through faith. He hopes they realize the full dimensions of this loving presence, commending them to the God who can do more than they can imagine.

Gospel (John 6:1-21)

Jesus and his disciples are followed up a mountain by a large crowd which he feeds by multiplying a boy’s small lunch. Sure that he is the expected prophet, the crowd tries to force him to be their king. Jesus escapes and then walks on a stormy sea to the disciples.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • The “son of David” is a different kind of king, able to resist the temptation to turn from the path his Father had laid out for him
  • Even David, a man after God’s own heart, has moments of going astray (having a heart set on the Lord does not guarantee faithfulness)
  • Nothing can come between Jesus and his followers: he is right there with them in the storm, indeed in their hearts
  • Our God is too small and too far away

Based on the Alternative Readings

First Reading (2 Kings 4:42-44)

A man brings Elisha a small offering of first-fruits from his harvest. The prophet directs him to give it to all 100 prophets assembled there because the Lord has told him that it will be more than enough. And indeed there was some left over when they had eaten.

Psalm (145:10-18)

The Psalmist proclaims that the Lord will be honoured because of his glorious and eternal rule over the entire earth. Upholding all who have fallen and near to all who look to him, he provides food and fulfills the desires of all living things.

Second Reading (Ephesians 3:14-21)

Paul prays that the Ephesians will be rooted in the love of God through the Holy Spirit as Christ dwells in their hearts through faith. He hopes they realize the full dimensions of this loving presence, commending them to the God who can do more than they can imagine.

Gospel (John 6:1-21)

Jesus and his disciples are followed up a mountain by a large crowd which he feeds by multiplying a boy’s small lunch. Sure that he is the expected prophet, the crowd tries to force him to be their king. Jesus escapes and then walks on a stormy sea to the disciples.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • God is the provider, even in difficult circumstances
  • Jesus fulfills prophecy and the expectations of Israel in unexpected ways.
  • Nothing can come between Jesus and his followers: he is right there with them in the storm, indeed in their hearts
  • The Lord can multiply our poor offerings into something greater that we imagine
  • Our God is too small and too far away

 

 

Posted on

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, August 13, 2017, Proper 14, Year A

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28)

Joseph is the favorite son of Jacob/Israel and his brothers seethe with jealous anger when he shares dreams suggesting they will become subservient to him. One day, far from home, Joseph falls into their hands and Reuben, thinking to rescue him later, convinces them to throw him into a pit instead of killing him. They end up selling him to a caravan on its way to Egypt.

Psalm (105:1-6, 16-22, 45b)

The Psalmist calls upon Israel to praise and thank Yahweh with rejoicing. Proclaim his works among the nations, he says, and seek to live in his presence and strength. Yahweh’s great deeds are shown in sending Joseph to Egypt long ahead of his family and putting him in a position to be able help them at just the right time.

Second Reading (Romans 10:5-15)

St. Paul contrasts the impossibility of meeting the demands of the law with the simple act of believing in the risen Jesus and confessing him as Lord. In this way salvation comes to all who simply call upon the name of the Lord, not just the Jews. But in order for this to happen the Gospel must first be both proclaimed and heard.

Gospel (Matthew 14:22-33)

After dismissing the well-fed crowd Jesus gets some time alone by sending the disciples ahead of him by boat. Encountering a terrible storm they are startled to see Jesus walking to them on the water. Peter tries to go to him on the waves but soon begins to sink when he focuses on the storm instead of simply trusting in Jesus. When he calls out in terror Jesus reaches out and saves him. Through this experience Jesus is revealed to the disciples as the very Son of God.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Trusting God in trying circumstances
  • God always prepares the way for his salvation
  • The Lord saves those who look/call out to him
  • The awesome God who directs history and has power over nature
  • The nations are included in the salvation of God
  • simple faith in God/Jesus is required of us

Based on the Alternative Set of Readings

First Reading (1 Kings 19:9-18)

Elijah, fresh from humiliating the prophets of Baal and on the run from an angry Queen Jezebel, hides himself in a cave complaining to Yahweh about being the only faithful person left. Yahweh passes by and reveals himself in the sheer silence that follows wind, earthquake and fire. He then re-commissions Elijah, assuring him that his enemies will perish and that he is not alone.

Psalm (85:8-13)

The Psalmist is confident that Yahweh will hear the call of all those who turn to him and speak peace to them. Indeed, in a poetic turn of phrase, he asserts that the Land will be blessed as “steadfast love and faithfulness” meet and “righteousness and peace” kiss each other.

Second Reading (Romans 10:5-15)

St. Paul contrasts the impossibility of meeting the demands of the law with the simple act of believing in the risen Jesus and confessing him as Lord. In this way salvation comes to all who simply call upon the name of the Lord, not just the Jews. But in order for this to happen the Gospel must first be both proclaimed and heard.

Gospel (Matthew 14: 14:22-33)

After dismissing the well-fed crowd Jesus gets some time alone by sending the disciples ahead of him by boat. Encountering a terrible storm they are startled to see Jesus walking to them on the water. Peter tries to go to him on the waves but soon begins to sink when he focuses on the storm instead of simply trusting in Jesus. When he calls out in terror Jesus reaches out and saves him. Through this experience Jesus is revealed to the disciples as the very Son of God.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Trusting God in trying circumstances
  • The Lord saves those who look/call out to him
  • The awesome God who directs history and has power over nature
  • Simple faith in God/Jesus is required of us
  • Faltering faith is still faith
  • Peace in the storm