*Some readers may desire to use a portion of Lection Connection as a brief introduction to each passage as it is read in church. To make this easier please see “As Introductions” after each outline.
[See below for Year C Proper 23 (28)]
Thanksgiving Sunday
First Reading and Psalm
- Deuteronomy 26:1-11
- Psalm 100
Second Reading
Gospel
Full lections can be read here.
Connection Based on the Readings as Set
Moses commands the Israelites, once they have arrived in the Promised Land, to bring its first fruits as an offering to YAHWEH while reciting the story of their deliverance from Egypt. In this way the harvest is to be celebrated as part of God’s abundant provision for his people. The Psalm could well be taken as providing a liturgical text for such a celebration, calling as it does for exuberant praise and thanksgiving for all of YAHWEH’s love and faithfulness. Paul begins the Philippians reading with another call to “Rejoice” while encouraging his readers to turn to God in prayer and thanksgiving instead of worrying about anything. This leads to a profound peace that can be maintained by focusing our thoughts and actions on all things good. In the Gospel Jesus is questioned by people who are focused on the wrong thing: food that perishes. In spite of their newly-filled bellies, they demand of Jesus a sign like the bread from heaven Moses gave their ancestors. In response Jesus claims to be the Father’s gift of “true bread from heaven”, the “bread of life”. “Whoever comes to me will never be hungry and whoever believes in me will never thirst”. Clearly, he is the focus we should seek and the gift for which we should give thanks.
As Introductions
Old Testament
Moses commands the Israelites, once they have arrived in the Promised Land, to bring its first fruits as an offering to YAHWEH while reciting the story of their deliverance from Egypt. In this way the harvest is to be celebrated as part of God’s abundant provision for his people.
Psalm
The Psalm could well be taken as providing a liturgical text for such a celebration, calling as it does for exuberant praise and thanksgiving for all of YAHWEH’s love and faithfulness.
New Testament
Paul begins the Philippians reading with another call to “Rejoice” while encouraging his readers to turn to God in prayer and thanksgiving instead of worrying about anything. This leads to a profound peace that can be maintained by focusing our thoughts and actions on all things good.
Gospel
In the Gospel Jesus is questioned by people who are focused on the wrong thing: food that perishes. In spite of their newly-filled bellies, they demand of Jesus a sign like the bread from heaven Moses gave their ancestors. In response Jesus claims to be the Father’s gift of “true bread from heaven”, the “bread of life”. “Whoever comes to me will never be hungry and whoever believes in me will never thirst”. Clearly, he is the focus we should seek and the gift for which we should give thanks.
Year C Proper 23 (28)
First reading and Psalm
- Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7
- Psalm 66:1-12
Alternate First reading and Psalm
- 2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c
- Psalm 111
Second reading
Gospel
Full lections can be read here.
Connection Based on the Readings as Set
Jeremiah’s letter to the exiles in Babylon encourages them to treat this time not as a mournful interlude to be endured but as a time to settle down and prosper. They are to build houses, take wives and have families as normal. Even more, they are actually to seek the welfare of the city of their captivity because if it is blessed, they will be blessed as well. The Psalmist calls the whole earth to acknowledge and worship God because of his greatness seen in all his works, especially his deliverance of the Israelite nation from Egypt as well as its continued existence. Paul, himself suffering in captivity, carries on his ministry as normal, encouraging Timothy based on the Christian’s identification with Jesus who himself died but rose again, guaranteeing our own eventual resurrection. Timothy is charged with imparting this message to his congregation simply and in a straightforward manner that avoids wrangling over words. The Gospel tells how Jesus healed ten lepers but only the “foreigner”, blessed along with the Jews, returned to give praise to God the God of Israel.
As Introductions
Old Testament
Jeremiah’s letter to the exiles in Babylon encourages them to treat this time not as a mournful interlude to be endured but as a time to settle down and prosper. They are to build houses, take wives and have families as normal. Even more, they are actually to seek the welfare of the city of their captivity because if it is blessed, they will be blessed as well.
Psalm
The Psalmist calls the whole earth to acknowledge and worship God because of his greatness seen in all his works, especially his deliverance of the Israelite nation from Egypt as well as its continued existence.
New Testament
Paul, himself suffering in captivity, carries on his ministry as normal, encouraging Timothy based on the Christian’s identification with Jesus who himself died but rose again, guaranteeing our own eventual resurrection. Timothy is charged with imparting this message to his congregation simply and in a straightforward manner that avoids wrangling over words.
Gospel
The Gospel tells how Jesus healed ten lepers but only the “foreigner”, blessed along with the Jews, returned to give praise to God the God of Israel.
Connection Based on the Alternative Readings
A young daughter of Israel, seeking the welfare of her captor Naaman, commander of the Aramean army, tells him about the prophet Elisha back in Samaria who could cure his leprosy. Naaman is not only cured once he follows the straightforward word of the prophet, but he also comes to faith in the God of Israel. A foreigner truly blessed! The Psalmist calls for thanks to be given to YAHWEH for his wonderful works. Those works, especially redeeming Israel and giving the Law, have gained him great renown. To have faith in YAHWEH is to be on the path of wisdom. Paul, himself suffering in captivity, carries on his ministry as normal, encouraging Timothy based on the Christian’s identification with Christ Jesus who himself died but rose again, guaranteeing our own eventual resurrection. Timothy is charged with imparting this message to his congregation simply and in a straightforward manner that avoids wrangling over words. The Gospel tells how Jesus healed ten lepers but only the “foreigner”, blessed along with the Jews, returned to give praise to God the God of Israel.
As Introductions
Old Testament
A young daughter of Israel, seeking the welfare of her captor Naaman, commander of the Aramean army, tells him about the prophet Elisha back in Samaria who could cure his leprosy. Naaman is not only cured once he follows the straightforward word of the prophet, but he also comes to faith in the God of Israel. A foreigner truly blessed!
Psalm
The Psalmist calls for thanks to be given to YAHWEH for his wonderful works. Those works, especially redeeming Israel and giving the Law, have gained him great renown. To have faith in YAHWEH is to be on the path of wisdom.
New Testament
Paul, himself suffering in captivity, carries on his ministry as normal, encouraging Timothy based on the Christian’s identification with Jesus who himself died but rose again, guaranteeing our own eventual resurrection. Timothy is charged with imparting this message to his congregation simply and in a straightforward manner that avoids wrangling over words.
Gospel
The Gospel tells how Jesus healed ten lepers but only the “foreigner”, blessed along with the Jews, returned to give praise to God the God of Israel.
