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Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, August 16, 2020

Please see How to Use Lection Connection.

Full lections can be read here.

 

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Genesis 45:1-15)

Joseph’s brothers, who had sold him years ago, do not recognize him as a high Egyptian official. But when he reveals himself they are filled with fear. He says that God was behind it all, sending him on ahead to save the family. Overcome, they are reconciled.

Psalm (133)

The Psalmist describes family unity as drenched in blessing, like the oil that overflowed Aaron when he was anointed high priest, or like the heavy dew on the mountains. In all these we catch a glimpse of the Lord’s blessing of eternal life.

Second Reading (Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32)

Paul emphasizes that the Jewish rejection of the Gospel in no way implies that they have lost their part in God’s plan. Indeed, by showing that they too, along with Gentiles, are disobedient, they are included with his Gentile readers in the offer of God’s mercy.

Gospel (Matthew 15:[10-20], 21-28)

[Jesus emphasizes that true defilement originates in the sinful heart rather than from food taken into the mouth.] Although sent only to the Jews, Jesus responds to the amazing faith of a Gentile woman and delivers her daughter from a demon.

 

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • The blessing of family unity (including the human family)
  • God’s providential care for his people
  • The equality of Jew and Gentile in the kingdom of God
  • Mercy and grace trump disobedience and sin
  • The heart of the matter is a matter of the heart
  • All have sinned and come short of the glory of God

Scripture Sentence (BAS, Canada)

Jesus preached the gospel of the kingdom and healed every infirmity among the people. See Matthew 4.23

Collect of the Day (BAS, Canada)

Almighty God,
you have broken the tyranny of sin
and sent into our hearts the Spirit of your Son.
Give us grace to dedicate our freedom to your service, that all people may know the glorious liberty
of the children of God;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. AMEN

 

Based on the Alternate Readings

First Reading (Isaiah 56:1, 6-8)

Isaiah envisions the Gentiles sharing in the coming salvation of the Lord. Foreigners will come to worship on Mount Zion and the Temple will be known as a house of prayer for all nations. The Lord will gather all who have been cast out, both Jews and Gentiles.

Psalm (67)

The Palmist urges God to so abundantly bless Israel that he will be known throughout the nations, with praise erupting from every direction. May all the peoples honour his name when they see the amazing harvests in Israel.

Second Reading (Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32)

Paul emphasizes that the Jewish rejection of the Gospel in no way implies that they have lost their part in God’s plan. Indeed, by showing that they too, along with Gentiles, are disobedient, they are included with the Romans themselves in God’s mercy.

Gospel (Matthew 15:[10-20], 21-28)

[Jesus emphasizes that true defilement originates in the sinful heart rather than from food taken into the mouth.] Although sent only to the Jews, Jesus responds to the amazing faith of a Gentile woman and delivers her daughter from a demon.

 

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • The blessing of family unity (including the human family)
  • God’s providential care for his people
  • The equality of Jew and Gentile in the kingdom of God
  • Mercy and grace trump disobedience and sin
  • The heart of the matter is a matter of the heart
  • All have sinned and come short of the glory of God

Scripture Sentence (BAS, Canada)

Jesus preached the gospel of the kingdom and healed every infirmity among the people. See Matthew 4.23

Collect of the Day (BAS, Canada)

Almighty God,
you have broken the tyranny of sin
and sent into our hearts the Spirit of your Son.
Give us grace to dedicate our freedom to your service, that all people may know the glorious liberty
of the children of God;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives 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

Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, February 3, 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 1:4-10)

The Lord assures the reluctant Jeremiah that he has known him from before birth, having appointed him prophet to the nations. Assuring the young man that he is now to consider himself with authority over them, he is to speak the Word, knowing that the Lord is with him.

Psalm (71:1-6)

The Psalmist asserts that he takes refuge in the safety of the Lord, his rock and fortress. He pleads for rescue from the wicked, unjust and cruel. He has always trusted in the Lord, the one who has been with him from birth. He vows to praise the Lord without ceasing.

Second Reading (1 Corinthians 13:1-13)

In addressing those who desire the more dramatic spiritual gifts, Paul says that without love they are worthless. Love sets aside personal interests in order to serve others. Those other gifts belong only to this age, but love, the greatest gift, will, with faith and hope, endure forever.

Gospel (Luke 4:21-30)

The citizens of Nazareth express doubt about Jesus because he grew up among them. Jesus points out two examples of prophets who had better response from Gentiles than from their own people. Enraged, his listeners try to kill him, but he passes safely through their midst.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • The Word of God is often upsetting to speaker and to hearer
  • The Lord will provide a way of escape
  • God’s providence “provides” for those given difficult Kingdom tasks
  • We must learn and conform to what God’s priorities are
  • The mission of God is to the entire world, not just “our” people