Posted on

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost, September 1, 2019, Proper 17, Year C

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

 

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Jeremiah 2:4-13)

Through Jeremiah the Lord charges Israel with gross unfaithfulness. In spite of many blessings at God’s hand, they have become as worthless as the idols to which they have turned. The Lord is outraged that they have forsaken him, the true God, for useless figments of their imagination.

Psalm (81:1, 10-16)

The Psalmist, speaking for the Lord, recites Israel’s refusal to obey the Lord. In spite of his bringing them out of Egypt into the Promised Land they prefer their own ways to his. He yearns for his people to repent so that he can deliver them and pour abundant blessings upon them.

Second Reading (Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16)

The author exhorts his readers to continue in mutual love, living it out in hospitality, care for prisoners and marriage. They are to be content with what they have, trusting in the Lord’s help and offering continual sacrifices of word and deed through an unchanging Christ.

Gospel (Luke 14:1, 7-14)

A guest in a Jewish leader’s home, Jesus notices how people try to get the best places at the table. He tells them it is better to take a low position and then be invited higher. Indeed, it is better to invite the needy than those who will repay. Such actions reflect how God works with us.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • An hospitable people reflect their hospitable God
  • Humility and repentance are two sides of the same coin
  • A little humility goes a long way
  • In spite of assured blessings for following the paths of our God, we still forsake them for our own road to disaster
  • Vanity, vanity, all is vanity

 

Based on the Alternative Readings

First Reading (Proverbs 25:6-7)

The writer advises that a person should not presume a position among the great because it is better to be invited to come forward than to be embarrassed by being shown a lesser place.

Psalm (112)

The Psalmist notes that those who fear the Lord will be among the great and prosperous in the Land. They give light to others by their gracious conduct, generosity to those in need, and righteous conduct. Secure in the Lord, they provoke the envy of the wicked in their vain desires.

Second Reading (Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16)

The author exhorts his readers to continue in mutual love, living it out in hospitality, care for prisoners and marriage. They are to be content with what they have, trusting in the Lord’s help and offering continual sacrifices of word and deed through an unchanging Christ.

Gospel (Luke 14:1, 7-14)

A guest in a Jewish leader’s home, Jesus notices how people try to get the best places at the table. He tells them it is better to take a low position and then be invited higher. Indeed, it is better to invite the needy than those who will repay. Such actions reflect how God works with us.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • An hospitable people reflect their hospitable God
  • Humility and repentance are two sides of the same coin
  • A little humility goes a long way
  • In spite of assured blessings for following the paths of our God, we still forsake them for our own road to disaster
  • Vanity, vanity, all is vanity

 

 

 

Posted on

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost, August 12, 2018, Proper 14, 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 18:5-9, 15, 31-33)

David’s son Absalom leads a rebellion against his father and his forces are roundly defeated. Against David’s instructions, Absalom is killed by some soldiers after his hair gets entangled in a tree. David is heartbroken and greatly laments the death of his son.

Psalm (130)

In despair, the Psalmist cries out to the Lord, knowing that while he is unable hide his sin, the Lord is a forgiving God. Waiting upon the Lord, he hopes in his word and encourages Israel to do likewise, confident in the Lord’s love and power to redeem.

Second Reading (Ephesians 4:25-5:2)

Paul exhorts members of the body of Christ to conduct themselves as children of God. Putting their anger behind them, their talk should be grace-filled, building one another up. As they have been forgiven by God in Christ, so also should they forgive others.

Gospel (John 6:35, 41-51)

Some Jews, hearing Jesus claim to be the bread of life, take offence at him because they know his earthly family. Jesus says only those drawn to him by the Father can come to him and receive eternal life. His flesh is the living bread he gives for the life of the world.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • God is the God who gives life in its fullness
  • Family relationships, both earthly and spiritual, are important to God and to us
  • God is in the forgiving business and we should be also
  • Sin brings despair, death, and destruction in its wake

Based on the Alternative Readings

First Reading (1 Kings 19:4-8)

On the run from the wicked queen Jezebel, Elijah escapes into the wilderness. Despairing of his life, he encounters an angel who provides him with food and water. It is enough to last him for forty days and nights as he makes his way to the mount of God.

Psalm (34:1-8)

The Psalmist praises the Lord and exhorts others to do the same because his prayer has been answered and deliverance has come. He knows that the angel of the Lord will be with those who look to him in their trouble. Those who do so will indeed be happy.

Second Reading (Ephesians 4:25-5:2)

Paul exhorts members of the body of Christ to conduct themselves as children of God. Putting their anger behind them, their talk should be grace-filled, building one another up. As they have been forgiven by God in Christ, so also should they forgive others.

Gospel (John 6:35, 41-51)

Some Jews, hearing Jesus claim to be the bread of life, take offence at him because they know his earthly family. Jesus says only those drawn to him by the Father can come to him and receive eternal life. His flesh is the living bread he gives for the life of the world.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • God is the God who gives life in its fullness
  • God is in the forgiving business and we should be also
  • Sin brings despair, death, and destruction in its wake
  • God provides the kind of food we need.

 

 

Posted on

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost, August 27, 2017, Proper 16, Year A

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Exodus 1:8-2:10)

Three hundred years after the death of Joseph the Israelites are still in Egypt and have become a numerous and powerful people. Pharaoh severely oppresses them and tries to limit them by destroying all their male babies. Their midwives frustrate him and when one Levite woman sets her newborn son in a waterproof basket on the Nile, his own daughter finds him and arranges to save the child through the intervention of his quick-witted sister. His name is Moses.

Psalm (124)

The Psalmist encourages Israel to remember that it was Yahweh alone who delivered them from the raging flood of their enemies. They escaped like a bird from a broken snare because Yahweh, the creator of all, is their help.

Second Reading (Romans 12:1-8)

St. Paul affirms that true worship includes presenting our entire beings, body and soul, unto the Lord. We are not to be conformed to this world but transformed by the renewing of our minds. This means acting in humility and sobriety, knowing that we all have been given gifts of grace enabling the whole church to carry out its purpose as an effective unit.

Gospel (Matthew 16:13-20)

While many of his contemporaries think that Jesus must be one of the prophets of old, Peter identifies him as “Messiah, Son of the living God”. Jesus blesses him for this divine insight and affirms that Peter is the rock on which his church will be built. It will be able to attack and destroy even hell itself and its earthly actions will even be reflected in heaven. He then instructs the disciples that they are to keep quiet about his identity.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • God delivers his people from their enemies
  • No foe is superior to God
  • The importance of everyone, from greatest to least, doing their part
  • God’s people need leaders and followers both
  • The people of God carry out the purposes of God
  • The importance of humility

Based on the Alternative Set of Readings

First Reading (Isaiah 51:1-6)

Isaiah calls for those who seek Yahweh and his righteousness to look back to Abraham and Sarah as the example of how Yahweh is faithful. He will bring about a joyful restoration of the land of Israel and its people will sing their thanksgivings. This mighty act of salvation will be so all-encompassing that the nations will be included and even the present cosmos will pass away.

Psalm (138)

The Psalmist thanks Yahweh for his faithfulness in answering his prayer. All the rulers of the earth shall praise Yahweh when they see how the lowly are exalted instead of the mighty. Such things inspire confidence in Yahweh’s continuing care and his ability to accomplish his purposes in the life of the Psalmist.

Second Reading (Romans 12:1-8)

St. Paul affirms that true worship includes presenting our entire beings, body and soul, unto the Lord. We are not to be conformed to this world but transformed by the renewing of our minds. This means acting in humility and sobriety, knowing that we all have been given gifts of grace enabling the whole church to carry out its purpose as an effective unit.

Gospel (Matthew 16:13-20)

While many of his contemporaries think that Jesus must be one of the prophets of old, Peter identifies him as “Messiah, Son of the living God”. Jesus blesses him for this divine insight and affirms that Peter is the rock on which his church will be built. It will be able to attack and destroy even hell itself and its earthly actions will even be reflected in heaven. He then instructs the disciples that they are to keep quiet about his identity.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • The salvation of God’s people will attract the attention of others
  • The importance for faith of looking at examples from the past
  • God delivers his people from their enemies
  • No foe is superior to God
  • The importance of everyone, from greatest to least, doing their part
  • God’s people need leaders and followers both
  • The importance of humility