Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost, October 27, 2019, Proper 25, Year C

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

 

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Joel 2:23-32)

The prophet Joel tells of a time in which the Lord will exalt his humiliated people, blessing them extremely abundantly both materially and spiritually. Indeed, his Spirit will be poured upon each one of them and those who look to him will be saved.

Psalm (65)

The Psalmist calls us to rejoice in the God who answers prayer and saves us, forgiving us and delivering us from evil. The God of all creation shows his power especially in providing water in abundance, enabling the fruits of the earth to flourish.

Second Reading (2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18)

Paul anticipates that day when, having expended himself fully, he, along with all who have looked for Jesus to appear, will receive the crown of righteousness. Experience has proven that he will be rescued from all adversity and so attain to the kingdom at last.

Gospel (Luke 18:9-14)

Jesus’ story of the Pharisee and the tax collector vividly illustrates the fact that God will exalt the truly humble and humiliate the falsely proud. It is the sinner who calls out to God for mercy who is saved, not the one who is confident in his own righteousness.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Being open and honest before God in our needs
  • It is only God who can save us, he alone is our saviour
  • The salvation of God is both spiritual and material in nature
  • Humility is the place to start in our relationship with God
  • Evil is more powerful than our own resources to overcome it

 

Based on the Alternative Readings

First Reading (Jeremiah 14:7-10, 19-22)

Jeremiah voices the urgent appeal of a distressed nation to their God who seems to be acting like a stranger. Taking responsibility for their sins, they pointedly argue that if the Lord fails to save his covenant people, it is his own name that will be disgraced.

Psalm (84:1-7)

The Psalmist exults in the many delights of living in the very presence of God. He affirms that those who derive their strength from God alone are the happiest of all. Indeed, the ways to his divine presence are very evident in their hearts.

Second Reading (2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18)

Paul anticipates that day when, having expended himself fully, he, along with all who have looked for Jesus to appear, will receive the crown of righteousness. Experience has proven that he will be rescued from all adversity and so attain to the kingdom at last.

Gospel (Luke 18:9-14)

Jesus’ story of the Pharisee and the tax collector vividly illustrates the fact that God will exalt the truly humble and humiliate the falsely proud. It is the sinner who calls out to God for mercy who is saved, not the one who is confident in his own righteousness.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Being open and honest before God in our needs
  • It is only God who can save us, he alone is our saviour
  • Humility is the place to start in our relationship with God
  • Evil is more powerful than our own resources to overcome it
  • Taking responsibility for our own sin

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost, October 7, 2018, Proper 22, Year B

Lections for Canadian Thanksgiving 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 (Job 1:1, 2:1-10)

Job, although not an Israelite or living in Israel, is a righteous man whom Satan afflicts with awful sores in order to turn him against the Lord. His wife wants him to curse God and die but he remains steadfast that we must accept both good and bad from the Lord.

Psalm (26)

The Psalmist asserts his integrity before the Lord and is willing to undergo testing in order to prove it. He proclaims his innocence and refuses to associate with evil people. He pleads not to be swept away in judgment with the sinners and hypocrites.

Second Reading (Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12)

The writer states that God’s final word is to us is Jesus, his Son and heir. Superior even to angels, he has accomplished salvation for all people and, as man, fulfilling their status over all creation. Through his suffering he sanctified them to be his brothers and sisters.

Gospel (Mark 10:2-16)

Jesus bases his teaching about divorce on the creation account, showing that marriage joins a man and a woman in one flesh. Divorce separates what God has joined and violates his intent. He also says that God’s kingdom can only be entered like a child.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • We do not always fulfill our purpose in marriage
  • We can rarely perceive God’s purpose in innocent suffering
  • Human beings are valued by God over all other earthly creatures
  • With the coming of Jesus we have entered the new and final phase of revelation in God’s plan to restore creation

Based on the Alternative Readings

First Reading (Genesis 2:18-24)

Realizing that the newly created man needed a partner and helper, the Lord God created a woman out of the man’s rib. Accordingly, the man named her Woman and we are told that this is why a man leaves his parents to become one flesh with his wife.

Psalm (8)

The Lord is altogether majestic using even children to thwart those who oppose him. He made humankind lower than the angels, crowned them with glory and honour and gave them dominion over the creation. This, too, demonstrates his majesty.

Second Reading (Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12)

The writer states that God’s final word is to us is Jesus, his Son and heir. Superior even to angels, he has accomplished salvation for all people and, as man, fulfilling their status over all creation. Through his suffering he sanctified them to be his brothers and sisters.

Gospel (Mark 10:2-16)

Jesus bases his teaching about divorce on the creation account, showing that marriage joins a man and a woman in one flesh. Divorce separates what God has joined and violates his intent. He also says that God’s kingdom can only be entered like a child.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Marriage is a profound union of man and woman for their mutual benefit
  • Children have a special place in God’s salvation
  • With the coming of Jesus we have entered the new and final phase of revelation in God’s plan to restore the creation
  • God’s design is for our benefit

 

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost, October 22, 2017, Proper 24, Year A

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Exodus 33:12-23)

Moses feels the heavy responsibility of leading unruly Israel and appeals to Yahweh for help. Yahweh promises that his Presence will go with them and so demonstrate their uniqueness among the nations. He then grants Moses’ request to see his divine glory by protecting him in a cleft of a rock and covering him with his own hand. For his own safety Moses was only able to glimpse the divine form from behind and not face to face.

Psalm (99)

The Psalmist begins with the affirmation of Yahweh as King of all peoples, a King whose love of justice and righteousness has been implemented first of all in Israel. Three times Yahweh is declared holy and three times the people are called to worship in his awesome Presence.

Second Reading (1 Thessalonians 1:1-10)

St. Paul knows the Thessalonians are among God’s chosen because his preaching of the Gospel was in the Holy Spirit and power. Responding with faith, they became willing imitators of Paul and his team, joyful examples to others well beyond their own region. In spite of persecution they turned from idols to the living God and now wait for his resurrected Son to return and rescue them from the wrath to come.

Gospel (Matthew 22:15-22)

A group of Pharisees try to trick Jesus up by asking him if he considers it lawful to pay an unpopular tax to the Roman emperor. Jesus, knowing their intent, asks them whose head and title are inscribed on the coin used for the tax. Of course it is Caesar’s and Jesus tell them to give to Caesar what is his and to God what is his. Amazed at his answer, they leave him alone.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Everything in all creation belongs to God
  • Questioning God?
  • The importance of the right attitude when confronted with the truth of God
  • To whom do we owe ultimate allegiance?
  • The holiness of God
  • Being in the presence of God
  • What to do in the face of opposition

Based on the Alternative Set of Readings

First Reading (Isaiah 45:1-7)

Yahweh proclaims Cyrus the Persian emperor as his anointed servant through whom he is working on behalf of Israel, his chosen people. Even though the mighty king does not know him, Yahweh affirms his divine sovereignty, not only over him but also all of history. He alone is God and his actions are intended to make this fact known far and wide.

Psalm (96:1-9, [10-13])

In a breathtaking affirmation of Yahweh’s absolute sovereignty over the entire earth, the Psalmist calls for all the nations to come into his sanctuary to worship him as the only king. He is the all-powerful creator while other gods are mere idols. He alone is the judge and even the trees of the field join in the joyful acknowledgement of his majesty.

Second Reading (1 Thessalonians 1:1-10)

St. Paul knows the Thessalonians are among God’s chosen because his preaching of the Gospel was in the Holy Spirit, both in word and power. Responding with faith, they became willing imitators of Paul and his team, joyful examples to others well beyond their own region. In spite of persecution they turned from idols to the living God and now wait for his resurrected Son to return and rescue them from the wrath to come.

Gospel (Matthew 22:15-22)

A group of Pharisees try to trick Jesus up by asking him if he considers it lawful to pay an unpopular tax to the Roman emperor. Jesus, knowing their intent, asks them whose head and title are inscribed on the coin used for the tax. Of course it is Caesar’s and Jesus tell them to give to Caesar what is his and to God what is his. Amazed at his answer, they leave him alone.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Everything in all creation belongs to God
  • To whom do we owe ultimate allegiance?
  • God is sovereign over earthly kings
  • God is accomplishing his purposes in history
  • Turning from idols to the living God
  • The joy of following Jesus