Sunday Lectionary Reflection

A reflective devotional for Sunday 9 November, based on the Revised Common Lectionary (Year C) readings:

• Old Testament (continuous): Haggai 1:15b-2:9  
• Psalm: Psalms 145:1-5,17-21 (or Psalm 98:1-9)  
• New Testament: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5,13-17  
• Gospel: Luke 20:27-38  

Reflection

In Haggai, God speaks through the prophet to the people rebuilding the temple: “Take courage … for I am with you” (Haggai 1:4).  The house may look insignificant in their sight (v 3), but God promises that its “latter splendour” will be greater than the former (v 9). Here is a word of hope: even when our work seems small, and our world seems diminished, God is present and promises transformation.

Psalm 145 invites us to praise God daily, to mediate on God’s wondrous works, and to rejoice in God’s nearness and faithfulness (vv 1-5,17-21).  The gospel reading from Luke confronts questions of life and death, resurrection and what it means to belong to God: Jesus declares that God is “not the God of the dead but of the living” (Luke 20:38).  Meanwhile, in 2 Thessalonians Paul urges the church to stand firm, to hold fast, and gives thanks because God has chosen them for salvation (2 Thes 2:13-14). 

What ties these readings together?

• The promise of God’s presence in what seems small or unpromising (Haggai).
• The call to praise and trust in God’s steadfastness (Psalm).
• The assurance of life in God beyond death (Luke).
• The exhortation to hold firm in faith and hope (2 Thessalonians).

For us today: perhaps we may feel our efforts are small, our faith fragile, our world uncertain. Yet the Scriptures invite us to take courage: God is with us; new life is promised; our praise matters; and our hope is to be anchored in Christ. We live as people of resurrection and promise — in the present, and in the life to come.

Today’s Hymn Verse Singing the Faith 660: “Called by Christ to be disciples” by Martin Leckebusch.

“So in government or commerce,

college, hospice, farm or home,

whether volunteers or earning,

may we see your kingdom come.”

This verse resonates: our daily “ordinary” places—work, home, rest—become fields of discipleship; our “small” spheres are blessed with God’s promise of renewal (echoing Haggai) and our calling to live out our faith.

Prayer

Gracious God,

you call us into life—into the work of hope, 

into the praise of your name, 

into the family of the living.

In our ministries and in our rest, 

in our struggles and in our joys, 

help us to know that you are with us.

When our efforts seem small, 

remind us of your promise: 

the latter splendour shall be greater than the former.

When doubts assail us, 

stir our hearts to trust that you are the God of the living, 

and that nothing in life or death 

can separate us from your love.

Empower us by your Spirit, 

that we may hold fast, stand firm, 

and serve you in our workplaces, 

our homes, our communities.

May our praise rise to you each day, 

and may our lives reflect the hope 

you give through Christ our Lord.

Amen.