Posted on

Second Sunday after Christmas Day, January 3, 2021

Please see Using Lection Connection.

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Jeremiah 31:7-14)

Jeremiah calls the remnant of Israel to celebrate the fact that the Lord will ransom and redeem them from their disastrous exile. The nations will see him gather his sheep and restore them to the Land, numerous, healthy and prosperous, under his fatherly care.

Psalm (147:12-20)

The Psalmist exhorts Israel to praise the Lord who gives them both protection and peace. Through his commanding word all of nature provides for their needs. The divine word is also expressed in his beneficial laws given uniquely to them, of all the nations.

Second Reading (Ephesians 1:3-14)

Paul joyfully recites the many blessings we have as people who have been made partakers in what Christ has done. We share in God’s glorious future: blameless, chosen, adopted, redeemed and forgiven. The Spirit within is our guarantee that of all of this is true.

 Gospel (John 1:1-18)

John tells us that with the Word of creation taking on flesh, God himself has come among us as light and life, as grace and truth. John the Baptist serves as witness but not all to whom the Word is sent receive him. Believers, conversely, are born of God and made his children.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

• Celebrate: God has done so much for us
• God is with us in so many ways
• We owe everything to the Word of God
• Jesus is the final and ultimate Word of God
• God’s word accomplishes God’s purposes

 

 

Posted on

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, July 26, 2020

Please see How to Use Lection Connection.

Full lections can be read here.

 

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Genesis 29:15-28)

Jacob agrees to work seven years for his uncle Laban in order to marry his beautiful daughter Rachel. He loves Rachel, but Laban tricks him into marrying his older daughter Leah, and then agrees to let him have Rachel after seven more years of servitude.

Psalm (105:1-11, 45b)

The Psalmist exhorts Israel to live continuously in the presence of the Lord, giving thanks and praise among the nations, while seeking his strength. Remembering what he has done in the past they are to be ever mindful of his eternal covenant with the Patriarchs.

OR

Alternative Psalm for these Readings (128)

The Psalmist promises a productive life, especially in terms of a flourishing family, for those who walk with the Lord. This is expressed as the provision of many children and a life long enough to see them have children of their own.

Second Reading (Romans 8:26-39)

Paul teaches that the Holy Spirit is active even in weak, inarticulate prayer. He points out that with God on the side of those he calls, things will work out for good in spite of current afflictions. Not even death can separate us from his great love in Christ Jesus.

Gospel (Matthew 13:31-33; 44-52)

Jesus outlines aspects of the Kingdom of God in simple parables: like a seed, it will begin tiny and end up huge; like yeast, it will permeate everything; like found treasure, it is worth our all; like a net, it will ensnare many, but the evil will be cast out at the end.

 

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • The infinitely valuable blessings of living with and for the Lord are beyond cost
  • The value of family, including the family of God (Alternative Psalm)
  • The importance of prayer and praise (Psalm as Set)
  • The unfailing purposes of God
  • The difference between the end and the beginning of God’s work

Scripture Sentence (BAS, Canada)

Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. John 6.68

Collect of the Day (BAS, Canada)

O God,
the protector of all who trust in you,
without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy, increase and multiply upon us your mercy,
that with you as our ruler and guide,
we may so pass through things temporal,
that we lose not the things eternal;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN

 

Based on the Alternate Readings

First Reading (I Kings 3:5-12)

When the Lord appears to Solomon, son of David, he wisely asks for understanding in order to govern Israel. Pleased, the Lord grants him his request and also blesses him with long life, victory over his enemies and a ranking over all other rulers in history.

Psalm (119:129-136)

The Psalmist extols the wonders of God’s laws that give understanding to the simple. Expressions of his grace, they keep us on the path towards the Lord and away from evil. The Psalmist begs to know and follow them, and he mourns when they are broken.

Second Reading (Romans 8:26-39)

Paul teaches that the Holy Spirit is active even in weak, inarticulate prayer. He points out that with God on the side of those he calls, things will work out for good in spite of current afflictions. Not even death can separate us from his great love in Christ Jesus.

Gospel (Matthew 13:31-33; 44-52)

Jesus outlines aspects of the Kingdom of God in simple parables: like a seed, it will begin tiny and end up huge; like yeast, it will permeate everything; like found treasure, it is worth our all; like a net, it will ensnare many, but the evil will be cast out at the end.

 

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • The infinitely valuable blessings of living with and for the Lord are beyond cost
  • The unfailing purposes of God
  • The difference between the end and the beginning of God’s work
  • The importance of being led by the Lord/the Spirit/the Word
  • God’s wisdom guides the simple and the inexperienced

Scripture Sentence (BAS, Canada)

Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. John 6.68

Collect of the Day (BAS, Canada)

O God,
the protector of all who trust in you,
without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy, increase and multiply upon us your mercy,
that with you as our ruler and guide,
we may so pass through things temporal,
that we lose not the things eternal;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN

 

Posted on

Second Sunday after Christmas, Year A, January 5, 2020

Lection Connection for Epiphany of Our Lord 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 (Jeremiah 31:7-14)

Jeremiah calls the remnant of Israel to celebrate the fact that the Lord will ransom and redeem them from their disastrous exile. The nations will see him gather his sheep and restore them to the Land, numerous, healthy and prosperous under his fatherly care.

Psalm (147:12-20)

The Psalmist exhorts Israel to praise the Lord because he gives them both protection and peace. Through his commanding word all of nature provides for their needs. The divine word is also expressed in his beneficial laws given uniquely to them, of all the nations.

Second Reading (Ephesians 1:3-14)

Paul joyfully recites the many blessings we have as people who have been made partakers in what Christ has done. We are participants in God’s glorious future: blameless, chosen, adopted, redeemed and forgiven. The Spirit within is our guarantee that of all of this is true.

 Gospel (John 1:1-14)

John tells us that as the Word who created the world took on our flesh, God made himself known. John the Baptist is only a witness to this light, one greater than Moses just as grace is superior to law. Only those who receive the Word are born of God and made his children.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • Celebrate: God has done so much for us
  • God is with us in so many ways
  • We owe everything to the Word of God
  • Jesus is the final and ultimate Word of God

 

Posted on

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost, October 20, 2019, Proper 24, Year C

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

 

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Jeremiah 31:27-34)

The Lord promises a new covenant with Israel that will fundamentally change their relationship. While he caused their sufferings for having sinned, he will also oversee their renewal. He will fix his law in their hearts, forgiving and forgetting their sins forever.

Psalm (119:97-104)

The Psalmist exults in the law of God, the practice of which makes him wiser than any of his enemies and even his teachers and elders. Such divine words are sweeter than honey itself.

Second Reading (2 Timothy 3:14-4:5)

Paul reminds Timothy of the divinely inspired nature of the Scriptures and their ability to form spiritually those willing to heed. Not listening guarantees wandering away from the truth. In light of the coming kingdom, Timothy is to persist in his ministry of the Word.

Gospel (Luke 18:1-8)

Jesus tells a parable in which a judge is forced to grant justice to an audacious widow because she is so persistent. Similarly, God will surely not resist the cry of the faithful who suffer. Justice delayed is not justice denied, but how many will persist in faith?

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • God’s Word brings light and life
  • Fixing God’s Word in our hearts
  • Faith that is persistent in spite of circumstances is true faith
  • Given its soul-renewing power, what place does the Word of God have in our life?

 

Based on the Alternative Readings

First Reading (Genesis 32:22-31)

Jacob’s audacity and persistence in his wrestling bout with a mysterious “man” pays off with a profound blessing. His new name, Israel, reveals that he has been wrestling with God himself and hints at his descendants’ struggle with both God and humanity.

Psalm (121)

The Psalmist knows that his only help is in the Lord who actively watches over us. It is he who faithfully “keeps” us: unlike others, he will not sleep through our time of crisis. We are assured of his ultimate protection and care.

Second Reading (2 Timothy 3:14-4:5)

Paul reminds Timothy of the divinely inspired nature of the Scriptures and their ability to form spiritually those willing to heed. Not listening guarantees wandering away from the truth. In light of the coming kingdom, Timothy is to persist in his ministry of the Word.

Gospel (Luke 18:1-8)

Jesus tells a parable in which a judge is forced to grant justice to an audacious widow because she is so persistent. Similarly, God will surely not resist the cry of the faithful who suffer. Justice delayed is not justice denied, but how many will persist in faith?

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • God’s Word brings light and life
  • Faith that is persistent in spite of circumstances is true faith
  • Given its soul-renewing power, what place does the Word of God have in our life?
  • The life of faith is a struggle with both God and others