Common Worship Lectionary Commentary

A commentary on the Common Worship Principal Service Lectionary.

This is a commentary on the lectionary, not a commentary on the passages. The aim is to answer the question: Why was this passage chosen?

Simply navigate or search for the relevant day, e.g., ‘Advent 1’, ‘Proper 21’, ‘Bartholomew’.

Most of the comments below are ‘reverse engineered’ using the lectionary and a fair bit of guesswork, so they should not be taken as authoritative.

Please contact me with any feedback.

Contents

Introduction

Common Worship was introduced in the Church of England in 2000. It includes a Lectionary for Sundays, Principal Feasts and Holy Days, and Festivals, which provides a lectionary for three services on each of those days: Principal Service, Second Service, and Third Service (along with ‘Evening Prayer on the Eve’ for some occasions). This page covers the Principal Service Lectionary, which is drawn (with modifications) from the ecumenical Revised Common Lectionary (RCL).

Note that there is often no ‘theme’ tying the readings together. (Many people persist in looking for one, even decades after the ASB.) Where readings are closely related, they are grouped together below. In many cases, however, a particular reading will not be related to other readings on the same day, but it will turn out to be part of a series on a particular book of the Bible running over several weeks. This principle of continuous (or semicontinuous) reading of Scripture is one of the key principles behind the lectionary.

The Bible and the lectionary

I have put the Principal Service Lectionary into a spreadsheet, including a ‘reverse lectionary’ as the second sheet (listing the passages in biblical order).

For the Gospels, Year A focuses on Matthew, Year B on Mark, and Year C on Luke.

John is read in all three years, mostly during the seasons (especially Easter), but with some appearances in Ordinary Time in Year B (such as a summer series on John 6).

The Gospel readings on Sundays during Ordinary Time work semicontinuously through the central portions of Matthew, Mark and Luke. More precisely, this actually begins just before Ordinary Time, in Epiphany 3, with the start of Jesus’ public ministry (or at least, it does in the RCL: see notes on Epiphany 3), continuing into February until 3 before Lent, and then the series resumes after Trinity, continuing until the Sunday before Advent. (The one exception is Year B, 3 before Advent, Mark 1.14-20.) Material from Matthew 1.1 – 4.11, Mark 1.1-13 and Luke 1.1 – 4.13 is included in Advent, Christmas, Epiphany 1 and Lent (along with extracts from other chapters), and the resurrection accounts are included during Easter. Note that the Passion narratives (Matthew 26-27, Mark 14-15 and Luke 22-23), with one or two small exceptions, are included only on Palm Sunday, within the Liturgy of the Passion. See the Appendix for details.

Acts is read at the Baptism of Christ, between Easter Day and Pentecost (vaguely sequentially), and on some Festivals.

Numerous Psalms are included.

Many other books are read semicontinuously, while also featuring in a non-sequential way during seasons and Festivals and as ‘Related’ Old Testament readings after Trinity.

Old Testament ‘Continuous’ readings after Trinity cover the following books sequentially (but not completely):

  • Year A (Pentateuch): Genesis, Exodus and Deuteronomy 34
  • Year B (History and Wisdom): 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings (up to chapter 8), and selections from Song of Solomon, Proverbs, Esther and Job
  • Year C (Prophets): 1 Kings 17 – 2 Kings 5 (Elijah and Elisha), Amos, Hosea, Isaiah (briefly!), Jeremiah, Lamentations and Joel

New Testament readings after Trinity and before Advent cover the following books sequentially (but not completely):

  • Year A: Romans, Philippians and 1 Thessalonians
  • Year B: 2 Corinthians, Ephesians, James and Hebrews 1-10
  • Year C: Galatians, Colossians, Hebrews 11-13, Philemon, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy and 2 Thessalonians

Other semicontinuous treatments of New Testament books are as follows:

  • 1 Corinthians:
    • Year A: chapters 1-3 for three Sundays in Epiphany and in February (the RCL also includes 4.1-5 for ‘Proper 3’)
    • Year B: chapter 9 for two Sundays in February (the RCL also features chapters 6-8 in Epiphany 2-4)
    • Year C: chapters 12-13 for two Sundays in Epiphany, followed by chapter 15 for three Sundays in February (the RCL also includes 15.51-58 for ‘Proper 3’)
  • 1 Peter: Easter season, Year A
  • 1 John: Easter season, Year B
  • Revelation: Easter season, Year C (also three Sundays in Epiphany, Year B, not sequential)

What about those parts of the Bible that are not read sequentially?

  • Old Testament
    • Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Nehemiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Jonah, Micah, Zephaniah and Malachi: included, but not in a systematic way
    • Judges, Ruth, Ezra, Obadiah, Nahum and Haggai: not included
    • 1 and 2 Chronicles: not included (outside Festivals)
    • Ecclesiastes, Habakkuk and Zechariah: once as a ‘Related’ reading
    • Isaiah: features prominently in Advent, Christmas and Epiphany, and at other times (not sequential)
  • New Testament
    • Titus: included, but not in a systematic way
    • 2 Peter: included, but not in a systematic way
    • 2 John, 3 John, Jude: not included

Choosing between the readings

It is worth noting rule 5 at the top of the lectionary, which gives permission to extend the readings:

In a compact cycle of readings such as these, some passages have necessarily been abbreviated. When opportunity allows, the passages may be read in full. Verses in brackets may be included or omitted, as desired.

Each service has the following readings:

  • Old Testament reading (or sometimes a reading from Acts),
  • psalm or canticle (usually a response to the first reading),
  • New Testament reading (from an epistle or Revelation), and
  • Gospel reading.

The psalm or canticle should normally be used, along with two or three of the other readings. When using just two of the other readings, rule 6 specifies:

When there are only two readings at the principal service and that service is Holy Communion, the second reading is always the Gospel reading. …

When the Principal Service Lectionary is used at a service other than Holy Communion, the Gospel reading need not always be chosen.

In addition, when the first reading is from Acts, it must be included as one of the readings.

Note that in Common Worship Holy Communion (Order One or Two), ‘Either one or two readings from Scripture precede the Gospel reading’, and ‘The psalm or canticle follows the first reading’. As the psalm or canticle is usually related to the Old Testament reading, this makes a lot of sense when that reading is used; it makes less sense when the Old Testament reading is omitted, because the psalm or canticle is often unrelated to the New Testament reading.

On the Sundays after Trinity, the Gospel reading and the New Testament reading follow separate tracks, and there are two alternative tracks for the Old Testament reading and the psalm, as explained in rule 10:

Those under the heading ‘Continuous’ allow the Old Testament reading and its complementary psalm to stand independently of the other readings. Those under the heading ‘Related’ relate the Old Testament reading and the psalm to the Gospel reading.

Those who prefer the readings to cohere can have their wishes partially satisfied by opting for the ‘Related’ Old Testament reading (and psalm), which is related to the Gospel reading. But the cost of this is that it prevents the Old Testament from speaking so clearly with its own voice. Also, there is no ‘Related’ alternative reading from the New Testament. (the RCL provides these two tracks until the Sunday before Advent, whereas Common Worship provides only the ‘Related’ track for the four Sundays before Advent, with some modifications.)

Introductory Notes

Psalm references are to the Common Worship psalter. Where the versification is different in standard English versions of the Bible, this is indicated by ‘EV’. Quotations are drawn from the Common Worship psalter or the NRSV.

Depending on the day of the week for Christmas and the Epiphany, and the date of Easter, lectionary provision for days marked with * might not be used in any given year. Other days might also be displaced for various reasons.

Readings that are the same as (or overlap with) the ‘Epistles and Gospels’ printed in the Book of Common Prayer are marked with ‘(see BCP)’, while those that are the same as (or overlap with) the supplementary readings in ‘A Lectionary and Additional Collects for Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer)’ (linked from the Common Worship Lectionary page) are marked with ‘(see BCP+)’.

Advent

The readings are more strongly related to the themes of Advent than they are to each other within each Sunday.

There is a tradition in some parts of the church of reflecting on the themes of hope, peace, joy and love on the four Sundays of Advent. The theme of hope is present on the first three Sundays, while the theme of peace is discernable on Advent 2, and joy on Advent 3.

Advent 1

The Gospel readings all speak of the ‘coming’ of ‘the Son of Man’.

Year A

  • Isaiah 2.1-5 begins a ‘series’ in Isaiah, which covers all Sundays until Proper 1, except for Christmas 2 and Epiphany 4. God’s people are urged to ‘walk in the light of the Lord’, looking ahead to ‘days to come’ when the nations stream to God’s house in Zion in order to walk in God’s paths and find peace with each other. Psalm 122 has people going up to ‘the house of the Lord’ and speaks of ‘peace’.
  • Romans 13.11-14 (see BCP) is an exhortation to ‘lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armour of light’ because ‘the day is near’.
  • Matthew 24.36-44 urges us to ‘be ready’ for ‘the coming of the Son of Man’.

Year B

  • Isaiah 64.1-9 begins a four-part ‘series’ in Isaiah 40-64 (Advent 1-3 and Christmas 1), and begins, ‘O that you would tear open the heavens and come down’.
  • Psalm 80.1-8, 18-20 (EV: 1-7, 17-19) [or 80.1-8 (EV: 1-7)] calls on God to ‘come to our salvation’ and ‘show the light of your countenance’, and speaks of ‘the man at your right hand, the son of man you made so strong for yourself’.
  • 1 Corinthians 1.3-9 speaks of waiting ‘for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ’ and ‘the day of our Lord Jesus Christ’.
  • Mark 13.24-37 speaks of ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ and about ‘that day or hour’ being unknown: ‘Keep awake.’

Year C

  • Jeremiah 33.14-16 speaks of God fulfilling his promise, and causing ‘a righteous Branch to spring up for David’.
  • Psalm 25.1-9 (EV: 1-10) (see BCP+) calls on God to act: ‘Remember, Lord, your compassion and love’.
  • 1 Thessalonians 3.9-13 has Paul speaking of the Thessalonians being ‘blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints’.
  • Luke 21.25-36 says, ‘Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in a cloud” with power and great glory.’

Advent 2

The Gospel readings all introduce John the Baptist.

Peace is a recurring theme.

Year A

  • Isaiah 11.1-10 continues in Isaiah, and speaks one who will come with the ‘spirit of the Lord’ and bring peace.
  • Psalm 72.1-7, 18-19 [or 72.1-7] speaks of the ‘king’ bringing ‘justice’ and ‘peace’: ‘May he come down…’.
  • Romans 15.4-13 (see BCP) quotes Isaiah 11.10 (‘The root of Jesse shall come, the one who rises to rule the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles shall hope’: see Septuagint), speaks of living in harmony, and says, ‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope’.
  • Matthew 3.1-12 introduces John the Baptist baptizing with water for repentance and pointing towards one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.

Year B

  • Isaiah 40.1-11 continues in Isaiah, speaks words of comfort to God’s people, is quoted in the Gospel reading: ‘prepare the way’, and looks to the coming of the Lord. Psalm 85.1-2, 8-13 [or 85.8-13] says of God: ‘he shall speak peace to his people … that they turn not again to folly’.
  • 2 Peter 3.8-15a says, ‘the day of the Lord will come like a thief’, and calls for repentance and peace: ‘lives of holiness and godliness … strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish’.
  • Mark 1.1-8 quotes Isaiah 40.3 (‘Prepare the way’), and is about John the Baptist ‘proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins’ in order to prepare the way for Jesus.

Year C

  • Philippians 1.3-11 looks ahead to ‘the day of Jesus Christ’.
  • Luke 3.1-6 says, ‘the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness’, and quotes Isaiah: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low’. Baruch 5.1-9 (from the Apocrypha) proclaims good news to Jerusalem, and echoes Isaiah, as quoted in the Gospel reading: ‘For God has ordered that every high mountain and the everlasting hills be made low and the valleys filled up, to make level ground’. Alternatively, Malachi 3.1-4 also echoes Isaiah, as quoted in the Gospel reading: ‘See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me’. The canticle is the Benedictus (Luke 1.68-79), the song of Zechariah, who says to John, ‘you will go before the Lord to prepare his way’ (Common Worship).

Advent 3

The Gospel readings all continue with John the Baptist.

Joy is a recurring theme, echoing this Sunday being celebrated widely in Western Christianity as ‘Gaudete Sunday’, from Gaudete, ‘Rejoice’, in Philippians 4.4.

Year A

Four themes are present in the readings: the coming of the Lord, preparing the way, blind eyes being opened, and rejoicing.

  • Isaiah 35.1-10 (see BCP+) continues in Isaiah, and is a call to ‘rejoice with joy’ in the light of God coming, reversing fortunes, strengthening the weak, opening the eyes of the blind, and a ‘highway’ being there.
  • Psalm 146.4-10 (EV: 5-10) connects hope with joy (‘Happy are those … whose hope is in the Lord their God’), and says, ‘the Lord opens the eyes of the blind’.
  • Alternatively, the canticle is the Magnificat (Luke 1.46-55), which is a song of joy, and is about fortunes being reversed.
  • James 5.7-10 says, ‘Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.’
  • Matthew 11.2-11 (see BCP) has Jesus sending a message to John the Baptist about blind eyes being opened, and speaking about John the Baptist preparing the way.

Year B

Three themes are present in the readings: the coming of the Lord, anointing, and joy.

  • Isaiah 61.1-4, 8-11 continues in Isaiah, and says, ‘The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me’, to give ‘the oil of gladness’, and calling for a response of joy: ‘I will greatly rejoice in the Lord’.
  • Psalm 126 is a psalm of joy: ‘The Lord has indeed done great things for us, and therefore we rejoiced’, and looks ahead to a future restoration of fortunes.
  • Alternatively, the canticle is the Magnificat (Luke 1.46-55), which is a song of joy: ‘my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour’.
  • 1 Thessalonians 5.16-24 could be seen as concluding the series in 1 Thessalonians from the end of Year A, and says ‘Rejoice always’, looking ahead to ‘the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ’.
  • John 1.6-8, 19-28 is about the testimony of John concerning Jesus the Messiah (anointed one).

Year C

Joy is the theme of all the readings except for the Gospel reading.

  • Zephaniah 3.14-20 says, ‘Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem’, because God is ‘in your midst’, and speaks of ‘that day’.
  • The canticle, Isaiah 12.2-6, says, ‘On that day you will say, “… Shout aloud and sing for joy, you that dwell in Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel”’ (Common Worship).
  • Alternatively, Psalm 146.4-10 (EV: 5-10) says, ‘Happy are those who have the God of Jacob for their help’.
  • Philippians 4.4-7 says, ‘Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. … The Lord is near.’
  • Luke 3.7-18 has John calling for repentance, and saying that ‘one who is more powerful than I is coming’.

Advent 4

The Gospel readings all look towards Jesus’ birth to Mary.

Year A

  • Isaiah 7.10-16 continues in Isaiah, and looks ahead to a young woman bearing a son and calling him Immanuel.
  • Psalm 80.1-8, 18-20 (EV: 1-7, 17-19) [or 80.1-8 (EV: 1-7)] calls on God to ‘come to our salvation’ and ‘show the light of your countenance’, and speaks of ‘the man at your right hand, the son of man you made so strong for yourself’.
  • Romans 1.1-7 says that Jesus ‘was descended from David according to the flesh’.
  • Matthew 1.18-25 leads up to the birth of Jesus to Mary, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy about ‘Emmanuel’.

Year B

The readings reflect the theme of God’s promises being fulfilled.

  • 2 Samuel 7.1-11, 16 is God’s promise to David: ‘Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure for ever before me; your throne shall be established for ever.’
  • The canticle is the Magnificat (Luke 1.46-55), the song of Mary: ‘He has come to the aid of his servant Israel, to remember his promise of mercy’.
  • Alternatively, Psalm 89.1-4, 19-26 [or 89.1-8] speaks of God’s promise to David: ‘Your seed will I establish for ever and build up your throne for all generations.’
  • Luke 1.26-38 is the annunciation to Mary, ‘engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David’, and says of Jesus, that ‘the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David’. Mary’s response is, ‘let it be with me according to your word’. Romans 16.25-27 speaks about ‘the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages … to bring about the obedience of faith’, reflecting Mary’s response of obedient faith.

Year C

  • Micah 5.2-5a (see BCP+ Christmas Eve) foretells a ruler coming from Bethlehem, from ‘one of the little clans of Judah’, and speaks of ‘the time when she who is in labour has brought forth’.
  • The canticle is the Magnificat (Luke 1.46-55), the song of Mary: ‘He has … lifted up the lowly’.
  • Alternatively, Psalm 80.1-8 (EV: 1-7) expresses the people’s lowly condition (‘our enemies laugh us to scorn’), and calls on God to ‘come to our salvation’.
  • Hebrews 10.5-10 speaks of the incarnation: ‘when Christ came into the world, he said, “… a body you have prepared for me”’.
  • Luke 1.39-45 [46-55] has Mary visiting Elizabeth after the annunciation. At Mary’s greeting, the child in Elizabeth’s womb (John the Baptist) leaps for joy [and Mary responds with the Magnificat].

Christmas

Christmas Day

‘Set III should be used at some service during the celebration.’

Set I (emphasis on the salvation Jesus brings)

  • Isaiah 9.2-7 (see BCP+) speaks of those in darkness seeing ‘a great light’, and announces that ‘a child has been born’, who will be named ‘Wonderful Counsellor…’, and who will reign ‘with justice and with righteousness’.
  • Psalm 96 calls for rejoicing before the Lord, because ‘he comes, he comes to judge the earth’, ‘with righteousness’.
  • Titus 2.11-14 says that ‘the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all’ through Jesus, who ‘gave himself for us’.
  • Luke 2.1-14 [15-20] (see BCP+ Christmas Eve) is about Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, the angels appearing to the shepherds and announcing the birth of a Saviour, [and the shepherds going to Bethlehem to ‘see’].

Set II (emphasis on God’s glory appearing and being seen)

  • Isaiah 62.6-12 begins by speaking of king and nations who will ‘see … your glory’, and says to Zion, ‘See, your salvation comes’.
  • Psalm 97 says of the Lord that ‘all the peoples have seen his glory’.
  • Titus 3.4-7 (see BCP+ Christmas Eve) speaks of ‘when the goodness and loving-kindness of God our Saviour appeared’.
  • Luke 2.[1-7] 8-20 (see BCP+ Christmas Eve) is about [Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem], the angels appearing to the shepherds and announcing the birth of a Saviour, and the shepherds going to Bethlehem to ‘see’.

Set III (emphasis on Jesus’ divinity)

  • Isaiah 52.7-10 speaks of ‘the return of the Lord to Zion’, and says that he ‘has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations’.
  • Psalm 98 (see BCP+) speaks of the Lord bring victory by his ‘own right hand and his holy arm’, and calls for rejoicing before the Lord, because ‘he comes to judge the earth’.
  • Hebrews 1.1-4 [5-12] (see BCP) speaks of the ‘Son’ through whom God ‘created the worlds’, who is ‘the exact imprint of God’s very being’, and who is ‘superior to angels’. [When God ‘brings the firstborn into the world’, the angels worship him.]
  • John 1.1-14 (see BCP) speaks of the ‘Word’ who ‘was God’, through whom ‘all things came into being’, and who ‘became flesh’.

Christmas 1

These readings are used on the first Sunday after Christmas.

The psalm is the same for Years A, B and C.

  • Psalm 148 [or 148.7-14] calls on the whole earth to praise the Lord, because he has ‘raised up the horn of his people’.

Year A

The focus is on the Holy Innocents, celebrated on 28 December, which may coincide with Christmas 1.

  • Matthew 2.13-23 is part of the infancy narrative in Matthew, and describes Jesus being taken to Egypt to flee from Herod; the Massacre of the Innocents, and the returning of the Holy Family from Egypt. It therefore glimpses the suffering and exaltation of Jesus, which is reflected in the other readings. Isaiah 63.7-9 continues in Isaiah, and reflects the Massacre of the Innocents: ‘Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely … in his love … he lifted them up’. Hebrews 2.10-18 is about God ‘bringing many children to glory’ through the incarnation and suffering of Jesus.

Year B

The focus is on the naming and circumcision of Jesus, celebrated on 1 January, which may coincide with Christmas 1.

  • Luke 2.15-21 begins with the response of the shepherds, and concludes with the naming and circumcision of Jesus. Isaiah 61.10 – 62.3 reflects the theme of naming: ‘you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow’. Galatians 4.4-7 (see BCP) says that Jesus was ‘born under the law’, which explains why he was circumcised.

Year C

  • Luke 2.41-52 is about the child Jesus in the temple, concluding with: ‘And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favour.’ 1 Samuel 2.18-20, 26 is about the child Samuel at ‘the house of the Lord’ (1.24), concluding with: ‘Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favour with the Lord and with the people.’ Psalm 148 [or 148.7-14] says (in addition to the note above), ‘Young men and women, old and young together; let them praise the name of the Lord.’ Colossians 3.12-17 is about growing in virtue and wisdom: ‘Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom’.

Christmas 2*

These readings are used on the second Sunday after Christmas, if there is one before the Epiphany. In other words, these readings apply only when there is a Sunday between 2 and 5 January, and when the Epiphany is not being celebrated on that day.

Years A, B and C

  • Jeremiah 31.7-14 has God showing grace to his people: ‘I will comfort them’.
  • Alternatively, Ecclesiasticus 24.1-12 (from the Apocrypha) speaks of ‘Wisdom’, who ‘came from the mouth of the Most High’ (like the Word), and who was told by the Creator: ‘Make your dwelling in Jacob’ (like the Word becoming flesh).
  • Psalm 147.13-21 (EV: 12-20) praises God because he ‘sends forth his command to the earth’ and ‘sends forth his word’ (like the Word becoming flesh).
  • Alternatively (as a canticle to follow the reading from Ecclesiasticus), Wisdom of Solomon 10.15-21 (from the Apocrypha) is about wisdom.
  • Ephesians 1.3-14 praises God for ‘his glorious grace’ and speaks of God’s plan ‘to gather up all things in [Christ], things in heaven and things on earth’ (as heaven and earth are brought together in the incarnation).
  • John 1.[1-9] 10-18 (see BCP) says that ‘the Word became flesh’, and that ‘From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.’

Epiphany

Although the Sundays are the Sundays of Epiphany, if the Epiphany falls on a Sunday, the readings are moved to the following week. In other words, the readings for Epiphany N are used on the Nth Sunday after the Epiphany (as in the RCL).

Note that the RCL considers the ‘Season of Epiphany’ to be part of ‘Ordinary Time’, and to cover the whole period between the Epiphany and Lent.

The Epiphany

May be celebrated on the Sunday between 2 and 8 January (the second Sunday after Christmas).

Years A, B and C

  • Matthew 2.1-12 (see BCP) recounts the visit of ‘wise men from the East’ to the child Jesus in Bethlehem. Isaiah 60.1-6 (see BCP+) says that ‘Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn’, adding that ‘They shall bring gold and frankincense’. Psalm 72.[1-9] 10-15 speaks of kings bringing gifts (including gold) to ‘the king’. Ephesians 3.1-12 (see BCP) is about the Gentiles becoming ‘fellow-heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel’.

The Baptism of Christ: Epiphany 1

These readings are used on the first Sunday after the Epiphany (the Sunday between 7 and 13 January).

Celebrated on Monday 8 or 9 January if the Epiphany is celebrated on Sunday 7 or 8 January.

The psalm is the same for Years A, B and C.

  • Psalm 29 is about the ‘voice of the Lord’, including: ‘The voice of the Lord is upon the waters’.

Year A

  • Matthew 3.13-17 is Matthew’s account of the baptism of Jesus, with ‘the Spirit of God’ descending on him, and ‘a voice from heaven’ saying, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’ Isaiah 42.1-9 continues in Isaiah, is echoed in the Gospel reading: ‘Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights’. Acts 10.34-43 speaks of ‘how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit’ (as Peter shares the gospel with a Gentile, reflecting the Epiphany season).

Year B

  • Mark 1.4-11 describes John the Baptist’s ministry of baptism (‘I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit’), and has Jesus being baptised by John, with ‘the Spirit’ descending on him, and ‘a voice … from heaven’. Genesis 1.1-5 says, ‘a wind from God [or ‘the spirit of God’] swept over the face of the waters. Then God said …’. Acts 19.1-7 has Paul in Ephesus contrasting the baptism of John with baptism ‘in the name of the Lord Jesus’, which is accompanied by the Holy Spirit.

Year C

  • Luke 3.15-17, 21-22 contrasts John’s baptism (‘with water’) with that of Jesus (‘with the Holy Spirit and fire’), and has Jesus being baptised, with the Holy Spirit descending upon him, and a voice from heaven. Isaiah 43.1-7 says, ‘I have called you by name, you are mine’, and, ‘When you pass through the waters, I will be with you’. Acts 8.14-17 is about the believers in Samaria receiving the Holy Spirit, because they had ‘only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus’.

Epiphany 2

These readings are used on the second Sunday after the Epiphany (the Sunday between 14 and 20 January).

The Gospel readings for this Sunday cover John 1.29 – 2.11. In the RCL, it makes sense to see these readings as John’s announcement of the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry (with echoes of Jesus’ baptism), to go alongside next week’s readings from Matthew, Mark and Luke. This makes slightly less sense under Common Worship: see note on Epiphany 3.

Year A

  • 1 Corinthians 1.1-9 begins a six-part series covering almost all of 1 Corinthians 1-3. Paul gives thanks for the grace of God that has been given to the church in Corinth.
  • John 1.29-42 has John (the Baptist) saying of Jesus, ‘Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world’, reflecting the Epiphany season, adding that ‘he was before me’. Isaiah 49.1-7 continues in Isaiah, and has the ‘servant’ saying, ‘The Lord called me before I was born’, and the Lord saying to his servant, ‘I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth’. Psalm 40.1-12 (EV: 1-11) has the speaker saying, ‘Lo, I come. In the scroll of the book it is written of me that I should do your will, O my God’.

Year B

  • Revelation 5.1-10 begins a three-part non-sequential series about the revelation of Jesus’ glory in Revelation (replacing the RCL readings: 1 Corinthians 6.12-20; 7.29-31; 8.1-13), and is about the ‘Lion’ who is a ‘Lamb’, and who is ‘worthy to take the scroll’.
  • John 1.43-51 has Jesus calling Philip and Nathanael, who asks, ‘Where did you come to know me?’ 1 Samuel 3.1-10 [11-20] is about God calling Samuel (see Proper 4). Psalm 139.1-5, 12-18 (EV: 1-6, 13-18) [or 139.1-9 (EV: 1-10)] says, ‘O Lord, you have searched me out and known me’.

Year C

  • 1 Corinthians 12.1-11 begins a six-part series in 1 Corinthians 12-15 (the RCL also includes 15.51-58 for ‘Proper 3’), and is about spiritual gifts: ‘To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.’
  • John 2.1-11 (see BCP) is the account of Jesus turning water into wine, by which he ‘revealed his glory’ (an Epiphany theme). This account features in Years A, B and C, each time on a different Sunday of Epiphany. Here, the focus is on the wedding. Isaiah 62.1-5 says, ‘as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you’. Psalm 36.5-10 rejoices in God’s love.

Epiphany 3

These readings are used on the third Sunday after the Epiphany (the Sunday between 21 and 27 January).

In the RCL, it makes sense to see this Sunday as marking the beginning of the semicontinuous series in the respective Gospel, with the Gospel reading marking the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. Common Worship has a different approach, which emphasises the Epiphany season, partly by including John 2.1-11 in Year A (Epiphany 4) and Year B (Epiphany 3), in addition to Year C (Epiphany 2), and partly by setting the Gospel reading for the Presentation as the Gospel reading for Epiphany 4 in Year C.

Year A

  • 1 Corinthians 1.10-18 continues the series in 1 Corinthians 1-3 (without a gap), and is about divisions in the church.
  • Matthew 4.12-23 is the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, in ‘Galilee of the Gentiles’. Isaiah 9.1-4 continues in Isaiah, and is quoted in the Gospel reading, including: ‘The people … in darkness have seen a great light’. Psalm 27.1, 4-12 (EV: 1, 4-9) [or 27.1-11 (EV: 1-9a)] says, ‘The Lord is my light and my salvation’.

Year B

The RCL has Mark 1.14-20 as the Gospel reading, with related readings from Jonah 3.1-5, 10 and Psalm 62.5-12, all of which are transferred to 3 before Advent in Common Worship.

  • Revelation 19.6-10 continues the series about the revelation of Jesus’ glory in Revelation (replacing the RCL reading), and is about ‘the marriage supper of the Lamb’ (providing a connection with the Gospel reading).
  • John 2.1-11 is the account of Jesus turning water into wine, by which he ‘revealed his glory’ (an Epiphany theme). This account features in Years A, B and C, each time on a different Sunday of Epiphany. Here, the focus is on the wine. Genesis 14.17-20 is about King Melchizedek who brings wine and is honoured by Abram. Psalm 128 says, ‘Your wife will be like a fruitful vine’.

Year C

  • 1 Corinthians 12.12-31a continues the series in 1 Corinthians 12-15 (without a gap), and is about the body of Christ, its members, and their various gifts.
  • Luke 4.14-21 begins a semicontinuous series in Luke 4-23, which covers this Sunday, three Sundays in February, and all the Sundays after Trinity until the Sunday before Advent. Jesus begins his public ministry by reading from Isaiah in the synagogue. Verses 22-30 could be included (set in the RCL for the following Sunday, see also Bible Sunday). Nehemiah 8.1-3, 5-6, 8-10 has Ezra reading from ‘the book of the law of Moses’, and the Levites teaching the people. (The lists of names are omitted.) Psalm 19 [or 19.1-6] rejoices in God’s law (7-14). (The shorter version is a Common Worship alteration to the RCL, and makes little sense.)

Epiphany 4*

These readings are used on the fourth Sunday after the Epiphany (the Sunday between 28 January and 3 February).

Displaced if the Presentation falls (or is celebrated) on a Sunday.

Year A

The RCL has Matthew 5.1-12 as the Gospel reading, with related readings from Micah 6.1-8 and Psalm 15. (NB: Matthew 5.1-12 is set for All Saints’ Day.) Micah 6.1-8, however, is not included elsewhere.

  • 1 Corinthians 1.18-31 continues the series in 1 Corinthians 1-3 (overlapping by one verse), and is about ‘the message of the cross’ and ‘Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God’. (Also set for Tuesday of Holy Week.)
  • John 2.1-11 is the account of Jesus turning water into wine, by which he ‘revealed his glory’ (an Epiphany theme). This account features in Years A, B and C, each time on a different Sunday of Epiphany. Here, the focus is on God’s provision. 1 Kings 17.8-16 is about Elijah’s provision of meal and oil to a widow who was running out. Psalm 36.5-10 is about God’s provision: ‘They shall be satisfied with the abundance of your house; they shall drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the well of life’.

Year B

  • Revelation 12.1-5a concludes the series about the revelation of Jesus’ glory in Revelation (replacing the RCL reading), and is about the ‘woman’ and her ‘son … who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron’.
  • Mark 1.21-28 begins a semicontinuous series in Mark 1-13, which covers this Sunday, three Sundays in February, and all the Sundays after Trinity until 2 before Advent, apart from five weeks in John 6 in July and August. (The series begins more naturally in the RCL with Mark 1.14-20 in Epiphany 3, but this is transferred to 3 before Advent in Common Worship.) Jesus heals a man with an unclean spirit, provoking amazement: ‘A new teaching—with authority!’ Deuteronomy 18.15-20 is about the new ‘prophet’ like Moses who will speak God’s words. Psalm 111 praises God for his ‘marvellous deeds’.

Year C

The RCL has Luke 4.21-30 as the Gospel reading, which is replaced by Luke 2.22-40 (the Gospel reading for the Presentation), along with related readings from the Old Testament and the Psalms.

  • 1 Corinthians 13.1-13 continues the series in 1 Corinthians 12-15 (skipping half a verse), and is about love.
  • Luke 2.22-40 is the Gospel reading for the Presentation: see below. Ezekiel 43.27 – 44.4 speaks of the Lord entering the sanctuary, and says, ‘the glory of the Lord filled the temple of the Lord’. Psalm 48 speaks of ‘Mount Zion’ as ‘the divine dwelling place’, and says, ‘We have waited on your loving-kindness, O God, in the midst of your temple.’

The Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Candlemas)

May be celebrated on the Sunday between 28 January and 3 February (the fourth Sunday after the Epiphany).

Years A, B and C

  • Luke 2.22-40 (see BCP) is the account of the child Jesus being presented in the temple, and concludes by saying that ‘The child grew and became strong’. Malachi 3.1-5 (see BCP+) says that ‘the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple’, to ‘purify’. Psalm 24.[1-6] 7-10 calls for the ‘gates’ and ‘doors’ to be ‘lifted up’ so that the ‘Lord’, the ‘King of glory’, ‘may come in’ [and also speaks of the need for ‘clean hands and pure hearts’]. Hebrews 2.14-18 speaks of Jesus sharing ‘flesh and blood’, and then doing the work of the (heavenly) temple, as ‘a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people’.

Ordinary Time

Sunday between 4 and 10 February (Proper 1)*

Omitted around half the time (if Ash Wednesday falls between 4 and 20 February).

(RCL ‘Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany’.)

Year A

  • 1 Corinthians 2.1-12 [13-16] continues the series in 1 Corinthians 1-3 (without a gap), and is about Christ crucified and the wisdom of God.
  • Matthew 5.13-20 begins/resumes a semicontinuous series in Matthew 5-25, which covers these three Sundays in February, and all the Sundays between Trinity and Advent. Jesus speaks about being salt and light (‘let your light shine before others’), about not coming to abolish the law or the prophets but to fulfil, and about righteousness. Isaiah 58.1-9a [9b-12] says ‘your light shall break forth like the dawn’ and ‘rise in the darkness’. Psalm 112.1-9 [10] speaks of those whose righteousness is clearly seen.

Year B

  • 1 Corinthians 9.16-23 begins a two-part series in 1 Corinthians (which would have begun on Epiphany 2 in the RCL), and is about doing everything for the sake of the gospel.
  • Mark 1.29-39 continues the series in Mark (without a gap), and is about Jesus healing many and proclaiming the message. Isaiah 40.21-31 says of God, ‘He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless.’ Psalm 147.1-12, 21c (EV: 1-11, 20c) [or 147.1-12 (EV: 1-11)] says of God, ‘He heals the brokenhearted and binds up all their wounds.’

Year C

  • 1 Corinthians 15.1-11 continues the series in 1 Corinthians 12-15 (skipping chapter 14), and is about the preaching of the resurrection. (NB: on Easter Day, verses 1-11 are read in Year B, and verses 19-26 in Year C.)
  • Luke 5.1-11 begins/resumes a semicontinuous series in Luke 5-21 (plus a bit of 23), which covers these three Sundays in February, and all the Sundays between Trinity and Advent. Jesus calls fishermen as his first disciples. Isaiah 6.1-8 [9-13] continues the theme of calling, with the calling of Isaiah, following the same pattern as Luke 5.1-11: epiphany, reaction (‘unclean’, ‘sinful’), reassurance, commission.1 Isaiah saw the Lord, ‘high and lofty’, in his heavenly temple, and Psalm 138 refers to God as ‘high’ and speaks of his ‘holy temple’.

Sunday between 11 and 17 February (Proper 2)*

Omitted most years (if Ash Wednesday falls between 4 and 27 February).

(RCL ‘Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany’, ‘Proper 1’.)

Year A

  • 1 Corinthians 3.1-9 continues the series in 1 Corinthians 1-3 (without a gap), and warns against saying ‘I belong to Paul’ or ‘I belong to Apollos’.
  • Matthew 5.21-37 continues the series in Matthew (without a gap), and is about anger, adultery, divorce and oaths, with warnings of judgment in the case of disobedience. Deuteronomy 30.15-20 is about obedience or disobedience, leading to life or death. Alternatively, Ecclesiasticus 15.15-20 (from the Apocrypha) is on the same topic. Psalm 119.1-8 is the first of two weeks in Psalm 119, and is about keeping God’s commandments.

Year B

  • 1 Corinthians 9.24-27 (see BCP, Septuagesima) concludes the two-part series in 1 Corinthians (without a gap), and is about running in order to receive the prize.
  • Mark 1.40-45 continues the series in Mark (without a gap), and is about Jesus cleansing a man with leprosy. 2 Kings 5.1-14 is about Elisha curing Naaman of his leprosy (see Proper 9, Year C). Psalm 30 gives thanks to God for answered prayer: ‘you have healed me’.

Year C

  • 1 Corinthians 15.12-20 continues the series in 1 Corinthians 12-15 (without a gap), and is about the resurrection of the dead.
  • Luke 6.17-26 continues the series in Luke, with the blessings and woes. (NB: Luke 6.20-31 is set for All Saints’ Day.) Jeremiah 17.5-10 continues the theme (‘Cursed are those …’, ‘Blessed are those …’), as does Psalm 1 (‘Blessed are they …’, ‘As for the wicked …’).

Sunday between 18 and 24 February (Proper 3)*

Included very rarely (when Ash Wednesday falls between 7 and 10 March, or between 6 and 10 March in a leap year). Only falls on the Sunday between 18 and 21 February (22 February in a leap year).

(RCL ‘Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany’, ‘Proper 2’.)

Year A

  • 1 Corinthians 3.10-11, 16-23 concludes the series in 1 Corinthians 1-3 (continuing without a gap), and is about building the church on the foundation of Jesus Christ. (The omitted verses about ‘the Day’ could easily be included: ‘the fire will test what sort of work each has done’.)
  • Matthew 5.38-48 continues the series in Matthew (without a gap), and is about loving one’s enemies. Leviticus 19.1-2, 9-18 says, ‘you shall love your neighbour as yourself’. Psalm 119.33-40 is the second of two weeks in Psalm 119, and is about keeping God’s commandments (reflecting the broader theme of the Gospel reading).

Year B

  • 2 Corinthians 1.18-22 begins a seven-part series in 2 Corinthians (see Proper 4-9, NB: RCL ‘Proper 3’), and says that ‘every one of God’s promises is a “Yes”’.
  • Mark 2.1-12 continues the series in Mark (without a gap), and is about Jesus healing and forgiving a paralysed man, concluding with amazement: ‘We have never seen anything like this!’ Isaiah 43.18-25 says that God is doing ‘a new thing’: ‘I will not remember your sins’. Psalm 41 says, ‘The Lord sustains them on their sickbed; their sickness, Lord, you will remove.’

Year C

  • 1 Corinthians 15.35-38, 42-50 concludes the series in 1 Corinthians 12-15, with extracts from the section on the resurrection body. (15.51-58 is the reading for the following week in the RCL.)
  • Luke 6.27-38 continues the series in Luke (without a gap), and focuses on loving one’s enemies. (6.39-49 is the reading for the following week in the RCL, which is omitted in Common Worship: see discussion below. To fill in the gap, this week’s reading could be extended to 6.42 ‘when opportunity allows’.) (NB: Luke 6.20-31 set for All Saints’ Day.) Genesis 45.3-11, 15 is about Joseph’s love for his brothers, who had behaved like his enemies. Psalm 37.1-11, 40-41 (EV: 1-11, 39-40) [or 37.1-7] calls us not to fret about evildoers.

2 before Lent*

Omitted occasionally (if Ash Wednesday falls between 4 and 13 February). Falls between 4 and 29 February.

Creation theme. As Gordon Giles explains,

the Church of England has replaced the RCL provision for the Second Sunday before Lent with ‘creation’ texts.2

Many of the readings are also found in the ASB for the Ninth Sunday before Christmas (with its theme of ‘The Creation’): these are indicated below.

The addition of this creation-themed week means that ‘Proper 3’ in the RCL is not included (although the Gospel reading for Year A is almost the same). The Gospel readings from that week contain several famous sayings of Jesus: see the Appendix for Mark 2.13-22 and Luke 6.39-49.

Year A

  • Genesis 1.1 – 2.3 (cf. ASB) is about the creation of the heavens and the earth (and could be seen as beginning a series on Genesis that continues in the summer).
  • Psalm 136 [or 136.1-9, 23-26] is about God who ‘made the heavens’ (5-9) and ‘gives food to all creatures’ (25).
  • Romans 8.18-25 says that ‘the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God’.
  • Matthew 6.25-34 continues the series in Matthew, and says, ‘do not worry’, and invites us to consider God’s care for the birds and the ‘grass of the field’. (Matthew 6.25-33 also set for Harvest Thanksgiving, Year B.)

Year B

The focus is on creation through God’s wisdom and through God’s Son (or ‘the Word’).

  • Proverbs 8.1, 22-31 is about wisdom’s role in creation.
  • Psalm 104.26-37 (EV: 24-35) (cf. ASB) praises God for his creation: ‘In wisdom you have made them all’.
  • Colossians 1.15-20 (cf. ASB) says of God’s Son that ‘all things have been created through him and for him’.
  • John 1.1-14 (cf. ASB) says of the ‘Word’ that ‘All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being.’

Year C

The focus is on the place of water in God’s creation.

  • Genesis 2.4b-9, 15-25 (cf. ASB) starts with water (‘a stream would rise from the earth, and water the whole face of the ground’), and then is about the creation of the man, the garden in Eden, the animals, and the woman (omitting the names of the rivers).
  • Psalm 65 says, ‘You visit the earth and water it’.
  • Revelation 4 (cf. ASB) is a vision of heaven (with ‘a sea of glass’), and has the ‘elders’ praising God, ‘for you created all things’.
  • Luke 8.22-25 jumps ahead in the series in Luke (between Proper 6 and 7), and has a ‘gale’ on the lake: Jesus ‘rebuked the wind and the raging waves; they ceased, and there was a calm’.

1 before Lent*

Omitted very occasionally (if Ash Wednesday falls between 4 and 6 February). Falls between 4 February and 7 March.

(RCL ‘Last Sunday after the Epiphany’, or ‘Transfiguration Sunday’.)

The Gospel readings are about Jesus’ Transfiguration (which is also celebrated on 6 August).

Year A

  • Matthew 17.1-9 is Matthew’s account of Jesus’ Transfiguration, on a mountain, with Peter, James and John, with Moses and Elijah appearing, a cloud overshadowing them, and a voice saying, ‘This is my Son’. Exodus 24.12-18 (see BCP+, Transfiguration) is about Moses seeing the glory of the Lord on the mountain. Psalm 2 has God saying, ‘You are my Son’. Alternatively, Psalm 99 (also set for Year C) says that God ‘spoke to them out of the pillar of cloud’, and calls people to ‘worship him upon his holy hill’. 2 Peter 1.16-21 includes Peter’s eyewitness account of the Transfiguration.

Year B

  • Mark 9.2-9 (see BCP+, Transfiguration) is Mark’s account of Jesus’ Transfiguration, on a ‘high mountain’, with Moses and Elijah appearing. 2 Kings 2.1-12 is about Elijah being taken up to heaven. Psalm 50.1-6 says that God ‘has spoken’ and ‘shines forth’. 2 Corinthians 4.3-6 speaks about ‘the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ’.

Year C

  • Luke 9.28-36 [37-43a] is Luke’s account of Jesus’ Transfiguration ‘on the mountain’ [and his coming down from the mountain]: ‘they saw his glory’. Exodus 34.29-35 is about Moses coming down from Mount Sinai: ‘the skin of his face was shining’, and Moses veiled his face. Psalm 99: see Year A. 2 Corinthians 3.12 – 4.2 is about Moses veiling his face, but ‘all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord’.

Lent

In terms of the Gospel readings for Lent 1-5, there is some structure to the readings, with all years building towards a climax in John 11 or 12. In Lent 1, the respective Gospel reading narrates Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. The readings from Lent 2-5 have the following themes:

  • Year A looks at some encounters with Jesus in John’s Gospel, related to baptism. (Lent originated as a period of preparation for baptism.) After John 3 in Lent 2, with its baptismal overtones, the remaining readings cover ‘the three classic passages from John’s Gospel used from the earliest times for the instruction of candidates for baptism: the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4), the healing of the man born blind (John 9), and the raising of Lazarus (John 11)’.3
  • Year B looks towards Jesus’ death and resurrection (one week in Mark, followed by three weeks in John), and
  • Year C, mostly in Luke, is less clearly structured, and is about Jesus setting out for Jerusalem (Lent 2), then about repentance (Lent 3) and Jesus welcoming sinners (Lent 4), before finishing in John with Jesus being anointed at Bethany.

Ash Wednesday

Falls between 4 February and 10 March.

Years A, B and C

  • Joel 2.1-2, 12-17 (see BCP+) says, ‘return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning’.
  • Alternatively, Isaiah 58.1-12 says, ‘Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice …’.
  • Psalm 51.1-18 (EV: 1-17) says, ‘Create in me a clean heart, O God’.
  • 2 Corinthians 5.20b – 6.10 says, ‘we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God’.
  • Matthew 6.1-6, 16-21 (see BCP) is about ‘your Father who sees in secret’, in relation to almsgiving, prayer, fasting, and storing up treasures in heaven.
  • Alternatively, John 8.1-11 is about the woman caught in adultery: ‘Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.’

Lent 1

The Gospel readings are about Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness.

Year A

  • Psalm 32 is about confession and forgiveness of sin.
  • Matthew 4.1-11 (see BCP) is about Jesus being tempted by the devil in the wilderness. Genesis 2.15-17; 3.1-7 (see BCP+) is about Eve and Adam succumbing to the serpent’s temptation in the garden. Romans 5.12-19 compares Adam with Christ.

Year B

  • Psalm 25.1-9 (EV: 1-10) includes confession of sin and a desire to follow God’s ways.
  • Mark 1.9-15 is about Jesus being tempted by Satan in the wilderness (12-13), with surrounding verses about Jesus’ baptism (9-11) and his proclamation of the good news (14-15). 1 Peter 3.18-22 mentions Christ’s proclamation, calling to mind God’s patience in the time of Noah, and connects the flood with baptism. Genesis 9.8-17 is about God’s covenant with Noah, his descendants, and ‘all flesh that is on the earth’: ‘never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth’.

Year C

  • Luke 4.1-13 is about Jesus being tempted by the devil in the wilderness, and quoting words from Deuteronomy in response. Deuteronomy 26.1-11 looks ahead to the end of Israel’s time in the wilderness, when they ‘come into the land’. Psalm 91.1-2, 9-16 [or 91.1-11] (see BCP+) is quoted (by the devil) in the Gospel reading: ‘For he shall give his angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. They shall bear you in their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone’ (11-12). Romans 10.8b-13 begins by quoting from Deuteronomy, and is about the ‘word of faith’ that brings salvation.

Lent 2

The Old Testament reading each year is about God’s promise to Abram. In the light of the fall (see last week), this could be intended as a reminder of God’s gracious response to human sin.

Year A

  • Genesis 12.1-4a is about God’s call and promise to Abram, and the beginning of Abram’s journey. Psalm 121 gives assurance of God’s protection on the journey. Romans 4.1-5, 13-17 is about Abraham’s faith in God’s promise.
  • John 3.1-17 begins a series of baptism-related encounters with Jesus in John’s Gospel, and is about Nicodemus’s encounter with Jesus, with its discussion of being born ‘of water and Spirit’.

Year B

  • Genesis 17.1-7, 15-16 is about God’s covenant with Abraham and Sarah: ‘I will make nations of you’. Psalm 22.23-31 calls for praise from nations and future generations. Romans 4.13-25 is about God’s promise and Abraham’s faith, and quotes Genesis 17: ‘for he is the father of all of us, as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”’.
  • Mark 8.31-38 begins a series looking towards the cross, has Jesus foretelling his death and resurrection, and calling his followers to ‘take up their cross’.

Year C

  • Genesis 15.1-12, 17-18 has God leading Abram from fear (‘Do not be afraid’) to faith in God’s promises for the future (‘To your descendants I give this land’). (Verses 13-16 could be included ‘when opportunity allows’.) Psalm 27 says, ‘whom then shall I fear?’ Philippians 3.17 – 4.1 is about living in the light of God’s promises for the future, awaiting ‘a Saviour’ from heaven.
  • Luke 13.31-35 has Jesus, on the way to Jerusalem (22), saying that ‘it is impossible for a prophet to be killed away from Jerusalem’.

Lent 3

Year A

  • John 4.5-42 continues the baptism-related series in John, and is about the Samaritan woman’s encounter with Jesus, including a discussion about ‘living water’ (i.e., the Spirit, 7.39), and about worshipping the Father ‘in spirit and in truth’. Exodus 17.1-7 is about Moses bringing water from the rock, in response to the people testing God at Massah and Meribah. Psalm 95 recalls the time when the people tested God at Massah and Meribah. Romans 5.1-11 says that ‘God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit’.

Year B

  • Exodus 20.1-17 is the Ten Commandments, reflecting the Lenten theme of self-examination. Psalm 19 [or 19.7-14] is about God’s law, and longs for a blameless life.
  • 1 Corinthians 1.18-25 looks towards the cross: ‘the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God’.
  • John 2.13-22 continues the series looking towards the cross, has Jesus saying (of his body), ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.’

Year C

  • Luke 13.1-9 has Jesus warning the people of God’s displeasure with them and calling them to repent: ‘unless you repent, you will all perish’. Isaiah 55.1-9 says, ‘Seek the Lord … let the wicked forsake their way, … let them return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them’. Psalm 63.1-9 (EV: 1-8) says, ‘eagerly I seek you’. 1 Corinthians 10.1-13 is a warning of God’s displeasure with his people and a call to repentance.

Lent 4

May be ‘displaced’ by Mothering Sunday.

Year A

  • John 9.1-41 continues the baptism-related series in John, and is about the blind man receiving sight by washing in water, after Jesus has said, ‘I am the light of the world’. The Pharisees are ‘blind’ in that they cannot see who Jesus is. 1 Samuel 16.1-13 is about recognising the Lord’s anointed (David). Psalm 23 has a possible connection with the Old Testament reading (‘you have anointed my head with oil’), but seems more likely to reflect the experience of the man born blind, who was led (to water) by Jesus. Note that John 9 leads directly into John 10, apparently inviting the conclusion that the man born blind is one of Jesus’ sheep. Ephesians 5.8-14 is about light and darkness.

Year B

  • John 3.14-21 continues the series looking towards the cross, and says, ‘just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life’. The following verses discuss the different kinds of deeds done by those who do or do not believe: ‘done in God’ or ‘evil’. Numbers 21.4-9 is about Moses making a bronze serpent and putting it on a pole. Psalm 107.1-3, 17-22 [or 107.1-9] is about God delivering and healing those are rebellious and go astray. Ephesians 2.1-10 is about being ‘dead through the trespasses and sins’ and being saved by grace through faith (believing) – ‘not the result of works’, but ‘for good works’.

Year C

  • Luke 15.1-3, 11b-32 has the Pharisees and scribes saying that Jesus ‘welcomes sinners’, and Jesus telling the parable of the two sons, one of whom (the ‘Prodigal Son’) returns from ‘a distant country’, acknowledges his sin, and finds reconciliation. Joshua 5.9-12 has God saying, ‘Today I have rolled away from you the disgrace of Egypt’, and is about the end of the Israelites’ time in the wilderness, as they eat ‘the produce of the land’, and as the manna ceases. Psalm 32 says, ‘I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin.’ 2 Corinthians 5.16-21 is about reconciliation with God.

Mothering Sunday

The readings are related to mothering, but with a tinge of pain and hints of the cross, appropriately for Lent.

Years A, B and C

  • Exodus 2.1-10 is about Moses’ mother placing her baby into the water, only to receive him back again from Pharaoh’s daughter.
  • Alternatively, 1 Samuel 1.20-28 is about Samuel’s mother giving him to the Lord.
  • Psalm 34.11-20 says, ‘Come, my children, and listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.’
  • Alternatively, Psalm 127.1-4 (EV: 1-3) says, ‘Children are a heritage from the Lord and the fruit of the womb is his gift.’
  • 2 Corinthians 1.3-7 is about suffering and consolation (reflecting the experience of motherhood, perhaps).
  • Alternatively, Colossians 3.12-17 is about virtues such as compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience and love (relevant for motherhood, perhaps).
  • Luke 2.33-35 has Simeon saying to Mary, ‘a sword will pierce your own soul too’.
  • Alternatively, John 19.25-27 has Jesus speaking to his mother from the cross.

Lent 5

Year A

  • John 11.1-45 concludes the baptism-related series in John, and is about the dying and rising of Lazarus, which is related to baptism, and also looks ahead to Jesus’ death and resurrection. Ezekiel 37.1-14 is about God’s breath (spirit) bringing dry bones to life. Psalm 130 is about waiting for redemption: ‘Out of the depths have I cried to you, O Lord’. Romans 8.6-11 is about God giving life to mortal bodies through his Spirit.

Year B

  • Jeremiah 31.31-34 is the promise of a new covenant: ‘I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts’. Psalm 51.1-13 (EV: 1-12) says, ‘you … shall make me understand wisdom in the depths of my heart’. Alternatively, Psalm 119.9-16 says, ‘Your words have I hidden within my heart, that I should not sin against you.’
  • John 12.20-33 concludes the series looking towards the cross, and says that Jesus will be glorified through his death, in which he will be ‘lifted up’ (see John 3.14 from last week). Hebrews 5.5-10 says that Jesus ‘did not glorify himself’, but suffered and then was ‘designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek’.

Year C

  • Isaiah 43.16-21 has God saying, ‘I am about to do a new thing … I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.’ Psalm 126 says, ‘Restore again our fortunes, O Lord, as the river beds of the desert.’
  • John 12.1-8 has Jesus in Bethany being anointed with ‘costly perfume’ by Mary. Judas complains that the perfume could have been sold, but Jesus says, ‘She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial.’ (This event is also recorded in Matthew and Mark, but not in Luke, although a similar event is described in Luke 7.36-50. Mark’s account is included on Palm Sunday in Year B, but Matthew’s account is not included in the lectionary.) Philippians 3.4b-14 is about valuing things differently because of Christ: ‘I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord’.

Palm Sunday

The lectionary assumes a ‘Liturgy of the Palms’ and a ‘Liturgy of the Passion’, each with its own reading from the Gospels and the Psalms (as in Times and Seasons). But this is not mandatory, and it is not clear what should be done if there is no ‘Liturgy of the Palms’. Presumably that part could simply be omitted. But the RCL describes an alternative: ‘Those who do not observe the procession with palms and do not wish to use the passion gospel may substitute the gospel and psalm given for the Liturgy of the Passion with the gospel and psalm indicated for the Liturgy of the Palms. Whenever possible, the whole passion narrative should be read.’

Liturgy of the Palms

Year A

  • Matthew 21.1-11 is Matthew’s account of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem (branches are mentioned, but no palms specifically).
  • Psalm 118.1-2, 19-29 [or 118.19-24] is about entering (the city) with joy, and says, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord’, which is echoed in all four Gospel accounts (‘hosanna’ comes from ‘save’ in the previous verse).

Year B

  • Mark 11.1-11 is Mark’s account of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem (branches are mentioned, but no palms specifically).
  • Alternatively, John 12.12-16 is John’s account of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem (and the only account to mention palm branches).
  • Psalm 118.1-2, 19-24 [or 118.19-24] omits the verse about ‘Blessed is he…’ (see Year A), presumably for brevity (or possibly by mistake: see RCL), and therefore focuses on entering (the city) with joy.

Year C

  • Luke 19.28-40 is Luke’s account of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem (no palms or branches are mentioned).
  • Psalm 118.1-2, 19-29 [or 118.19-24]: see Year A.

Liturgy of the Passion

The readings are the same for Years A, B and C, except for the Gospel reading.

  • Isaiah 50.4-9a says, ‘I gave my back to those who struck me … I did not hide my face from insult and spitting’.
  • Psalm 31.9-16 [or 31.9-18] is a cry to God for help from one who has ‘become a reproach to all my enemies’.
  • Philippians 2.5-11 (see BCP) is about Christ, who ‘humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death – even death on a cross’.

Year A

  • Matthew 26.14 – 27.66 (see BCP) recounts Jesus’ last supper, betrayal, trial, death and burial (omitting the anointing in Bethany).
  • Alternatively, Matthew 27.11-54 begins with Jesus’ trial before Pilate and ends with the immediate aftermath of Jesus’ death.

Year B

  • Mark 14.1 – 15.47 recounts Jesus’ anointing, last supper, betrayal, trial, death and burial.
  • Alternatively, Mark 15.1-39 [40-47] begins with Jesus’ trial before Pilate and ends with the immediate aftermath of Jesus’ death [and his burial].

Year C

  • Luke 22.14 – 23.56 recounts Jesus’ last supper, betrayal, trial, death and burial (omitting the preparations for the last supper).
  • Alternatively, Luke 23.1-49 begins with Jesus’ trial before Pilate and ends soon after Jesus’ death.

Monday of Holy Week

Years A, B and C

  • Isaiah 42.1-9 is the first of the four ‘servant songs’, and speaks of ‘justice’ and ‘righteousness’. Psalm 36.5-11 says, ‘Your righteousness stands like the strong mountains, your justice like the great deep’.
  • Hebrews 9.11-15 speaks of the purifying blood of Christ.
  • John 12.1-11 is about Mary anointing Jesus for his burial, and the plot to kill Lazarus.

Tuesday of Holy Week

Years A, B and C

  • Isaiah 49.1-7 is the second of the four ‘servant songs’, and says, ‘The Lord called me before I was born’. Psalm 71.1-14 [or 71.1-8] says, ‘Upon you have I leaned from my birth, when you drew me from my mother’s womb’.
  • 1 Corinthians 1.18-31 is about ‘the message of the cross’.
  • John 12.20-36 is about Jesus being glorified in his death.

Wednesday of Holy Week

Years A, B and C

  • Isaiah 50.4-9a is the third of the four ‘servant songs’, and says, ‘The Lord God helps me’. Psalm 70 says, ‘O Lord, make haste to help me’, and ‘You are my help and my deliverer’.
  • Hebrews 12.1-3 speaks of Jesus, ‘who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame’.
  • John 13.21-32 has Jesus saying, ‘one of you will betray me’, and Judas going out.

Maundy Thursday

Years A, B and C

  • Exodus 12.1-4 [5-10], 11-14 (see BCP+) is the institution of the Passover.
  • Psalm 116.1, 10-17 (EV: 1-2, 12-19) [or 116.9-17 (EV: 10-19)] says, ‘I will lift up the cup of salvation’.
  • 1 Corinthians 11.23-26 (see BCP) is the institution of the Lord’s Supper.
  • John 13.1-17, 31b-35 is the account of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet ‘during supper’, and Jesus’ command: ‘Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.’

Good Friday

Years A, B and C

  • Isaiah 52.13 – 53.12 is the fourth of the four ‘servant songs’.
  • Psalm 22 [or 22.1-11, or 22.1-21] is quoted by Jesus on the cross: ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me’.
  • Hebrews 10.16-25 (see BCP) is an exhoration, ‘since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus’.
  • Alternatively, Hebrews 4.14-16; 5.7-9 says that Jesus has ‘suffered’ and ‘passed through the heavens’, and that we should ‘therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness’.
  • John 18.1 – 19.42 (see BCP) recounts Jesus’ betrayal, trial, death and burial.

Easter Eve

Years A, B and C

  • Job 14.1-14 (see BCP+) asks, ‘If mortals die, will they live again?’
  • Alternatively, Lamentations 3.1-9, 19-24 says of God that ‘he has made me sit in darkness like the dead of long ago’, but expresses hope because ‘The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases’.
  • Psalm 31.1-4, 15-16 [or 31.1-5] calls to the Lord for deliverance.
  • 1 Peter 4.1-8 says, ‘whoever has suffered in the flesh has finished with sin’, and that ‘the gospel was proclaimed even to the dead’.
  • Matthew 27.57-66 (see BCP) narrates the burial of Jesus, and the guard being placed at the tomb.
  • Alternatively, John 19.38-42 narrates the burial of Jesus.

Easter

A reading from Acts is included at every service between Easter Day and Pentecost, and it ‘must be used as either the first or second reading’.

Gospel readings between Easter Day and Pentecost are exclusively from John’s Gospel (continuing to Trinity Sunday in Years B and C), except on Easter 3 in Years A and B, on Ascension Day, and except for the alternative readings for Easter Day (which duplicate those for the Easter Vigil). Furthermore, on Easter 5, 6 and 7 (and on Pentecost in Years B and C, and Trinity in Year C), the readings are from the ‘farewell discourse’ (John 13-17).

Easter Vigil

The readings are the same for Years A, B and C, except for the Gospel reading. ‘A minimum of three Old Testament readings should be chosen. The reading from Exodus 14 should always be used.’

  • Genesis 1.1 – 2.4a picks up on Easter and baptismal themes of (new) creation out of water, new life, and light out of darkness. Psalm 136.1-9, 23-26 praises God as Creator.
  • Genesis 7.1-5, 11-18; 8.6-18; 9.8-13 (also the alternative first reading for Easter 4, spread over three weeks in Year A, Easter 4-6), picks up on the resurrection of Jesus being like passing through the waters of the flood. The dove points towards the gift of the Spirit at Pentecost. Psalm 46 is about God as a refuge, ‘Though the waters rage and swell’.
  • Genesis 22.1-18 (also the alternative alternative first reading for Easter 5, Years B and C) is about Abraham’s beloved son Isaac being taken to the point of death and rescued. Psalm 16 says, ‘Preserve me, O God,’ and ‘you will not abandon my soul to Death’.
  • Exodus 14.10-31; 15.20, 21 (also the alternative first reading for Easter 2) draws on the connection between Israel passing through the Red Sea and Jesus passing through death to new life. The canticle Exodus 15.1b-13, 17-18 continues the theme.
  • Isaiah 55.1-11 (also the alternative first reading for Easter 6, Year B) picks up on baptismal themes: ‘come to the waters’, and ‘as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth …’. The canticle Isaiah 12.2-6 says, ‘With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.’
  • Baruch 3.9-15, 32 – 4.4 (from the Apocrypha, also the alternative first reading for Easter 5, Years B and C) is about wisdom, perhaps picking up on the Easter theme of newness of life. (Alternatively, Proverbs 8.1-8, 19-21; 9.4b-6 is also about wisdom.) Psalm 19 says, ‘the testimony of the Lord … gives wisdom to the simple’.
  • Ezekiel 36.24-28 (also the alternative first reading for Easter 7) says to a people in exile, ‘I will sprinkle clean water upon you,’ and ‘I will put my spirit within you’. Psalms 42, 43 expresses longing for God.
  • Ezekiel 37.1-14 (also the alternative first reading for Easter 6, Year C, and Pentecost, Year B, and the Old Testament reading for Lent 5, Year A) is about God’s breath (spirit) bringing dry bones to life. Psalm 143 speaks about being made to ‘sit in darkness like those long dead’, and says, ‘Revive me, O Lord’.
  • Zephaniah 3.14-20 (also the alternative first reading for Easter 3) rejoices in God’s salvation, and in fortunes being restored. Psalm 98 rejoices in God’s salvation.
  • Romans 6.3-11 connects baptism with the death and resurrection of Jesus. Psalm 114 connects this with Israel coming out of Egypt and crossing the Jordan.

Year A

  • Matthew 28.1-10 (also the alternative Gospel reading for Easter Day) is Matthew’s account of the discovery of the empty tomb, and the appearance of the risen Jesus to the women.

Year B

  • Mark 16.1-8 (also the alternative Gospel reading for Easter Day) is Mark’s account of the discovery of the empty tomb.

Year C

  • Luke 24.1-12 (also the alternative Gospel reading for Easter Day) is Luke’s account of the discovery of the empty tomb.

Easter Day

Falls between 22 March and 25 April.

The readings are the same for Years A, B and C, except for the alternative first reading, the epistle, and the alternative Gospel reading.

  • Acts 10.34-43 begins a (vaguely sequential) series in Acts, and features Peter telling Cornelius about Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.
  • Psalm 118.1-2, 14-24 [or 118.14-24] draws on the same psalm as last week, and reflects the theme of resurrection: ‘I shall not die, but live … The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone’.
  • John 20.1-18 (see BCP) begins a series in John, and is John’s account of the discovery of the empty tomb, and the appearance of the risen Jesus to Mary Magdalene.

Year A

  • As an alternative first reading, Jeremiah 31.1-6 is about the return from exile (a glimpse of resurrection).
  • Colossians 3.1-4 (see BCP) says, ‘if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above’.
  • For the alternative Gospel reading, Matthew 28.1-10, see Easter Vigil.

Year B

  • As an alternative first reading, Isaiah 25.6-9 says that God ‘will swallow up death for ever’.
  • 1 Corinthians 15.1-11 says that Christ ‘was raised’ and ‘appeared’.
  • For the alternative Gospel reading, Mark 16.1-8, see Easter Vigil.

Year C

  • As an alternative first reading, Isaiah 65.17-25 reflects the connection between resurrection and new creation.
  • 1 Corinthians 15.19-26 is one of the portions of the chapter proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus (see also Year B, and the Year C Sundays in February).
  • For the alternative Gospel reading, Luke 24.1-12, see Easter Vigil.

Easter 2

The Gospel reading and alternative first reading are the same for Years A, B and C.

  • For the alternative first reading, Exodus 14.10-31; 15.20, 21, see Easter Vigil.
  • John 20.19-31 (see BCP) continues (directly) the series in John, with Jesus’ appearances on Easter evening and a week later.

Year A

  • Acts 2.14a, 22-32 continues the series in Acts (and begins a three-part series in Acts 2), and has Peter on the Day of Pentecost saying, ‘This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses.’
  • Psalm 16 is quoted in the reading from Acts: ‘you will not abandon my soul to Death/Hades’.
  • 1 Peter 1.3-9 begins a (mostly) semicontinuous series in 1 Peter (which covers all of the ‘Easter N’ Sundays), and has the same Peter speaking of the hope that comes through the resurrection of Jesus.

Year B

  • Acts 4.32-35 continues the series in Acts, and is about the believers sharing their possessions, as ‘the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus’. Psalm 133 says, ‘How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!’
  • 1 John 1.1 – 2.2 begins a semicontinuous series in 1 John (which covers all of the ‘Easter N’ Sundays). Some parts of 1 John are quite negative and challenging, and the series appears to favour the more positive and accessible portions of the letter. (It is difficult to discern anything more subtle guiding the selection of passages.) This first passage is about ‘fellowship … with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ’, and also ‘fellowship with one another’ (as in the reading from Acts). The testimony is about ‘what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands’ (as with Thomas in the reading from John).

Year C

  • Acts 5.27-32 continues the series in Acts, and recounts the apostles before the Sanhedrin, testifying to Jesus’ resurrection (with a mention of the Holy Spirit).
  • Psalm 118.14-29 largely duplicates the psalm from last week (and the week before), and speaks of the ‘stone which the builders rejected’, linking with the rejection of Jesus by the authorities in Acts. An alternative psalm is provided, Psalm 150, which is a joyful expression of praise for God’s mighty acts.
  • Revelation 1.4-8 begins a (sparse but sequential) series in Revelation (which covers all of the ‘Easter N’ Sundays), and speaks of Jesus Christ as ‘the firstborn of the dead’.

Easter 3

Years A and B interrupt the Easter series in John with an excursion into Luke 24.

The alternative first reading is the same for Years A, B and C.

  • For the alternative first reading, Zephaniah 3.14-20, see Easter Vigil.

Year A

  • Acts 2.14a, 36-41 continues the series in Acts (and continues the three-part series in Acts 2), and recounts the response to Peter’s address: repentance and baptism.
  • Psalm 116.1-3, 10-17 (EV: 1-4, 12-19) [or 116.1-7 (EV: 1-8)] is about deliverance from the ‘snares of death’.
  • 1 Peter 1.17-23 continues the series in 1 Peter, and speaks of living in ‘reverent fear’ and love, in the light of the resurrection and the new birth.
  • Luke 24.13-35 is the account of the risen Jesus appearing on the way to Emmaus.

Year B

  • Acts 3.12-19 continues the series in Acts, and explains (as in the following week) that the lame man was enabled to walk through faith in the name of Jesus, ‘whom God raised from the dead’, and calls for repentance. Psalm 4 says, ‘when I call upon the Lord, he will hear me’.
  • 1 John 3.1-7 continues the series in 1 John, and speaks of being ‘children of God’ and being people who ‘purify themselves’ (repentance).
  • Luke 24.36b-48 has the risen Jesus opening the minds of his disciples ‘to understand the scriptures’, and saying, ‘Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name’ (with ‘name’ and repentance providing connections with the reading from Acts).

Year C

  • Acts 9.1-6 [7-20] continues the series in Acts, and describes Jesus’ activity after his resurrection and ascension in relation to Saul, bringing about a kind of death-to-life transformation.
  • Psalm 30 is a life-from-death psalm (perhaps reflecting Saul’s experience).
  • Revelation 5.11-14 continues the series in Revelation, and gives glory to the slain-but-living Lamb.
  • John 21.1-19 concludes the post-resurrection sub-series in John (extending the readings beyond John 20, unlike Years A and B).

Easter 4

The theme of Jesus as the shepherd dominates, with Gospel readings from John 10, and with Psalm 23 included every year. (This Sunday is sometimes known as ‘Good Shepherd Sunday’.)

  • Psalm 23 continues the shepherd theme, and is grounded in the resurrection of Jesus, because of which we need not fear when we ‘walk through the valley of the shadow of death’.

Year A

  • Acts 2.42-47 continues the series in Acts (and concludes the three-part series in Acts 2), and describes the shared life of the believers.
  • The alternative first reading, Genesis 7, begins a series on the flood in Genesis, expanding the alternative reading for Years B and C. The resurrection of Jesus is like passing through the waters of the flood. See also Proper 4.
  • 1 Peter 2.19-25 continues the series in 1 Peter (out of sequence, in order to include the description of Jesus as ‘shepherd’), and is about suffering after Jesus’ example.
  • John 10.1-10 continues the series in John, and introduces the theme of the sheep and the shepherd (although Jesus here is the gate). Jesus has come to give life to the sheep.

Year B

  • Acts 4.5-12 continues the series in Acts, and explains (as in the previous week) that the man was healed ‘by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, … whom God raised from the dead’. The focus is more on the ‘rulers, elders, and scribes’, who might be likened to the ‘hired hand’ in the reading from John.
  • For the alternative first reading, Genesis 7.1-5, 11-18; 8.6-18; 9.8-13, see Easter Vigil.
  • 1 John 3.16-24 continues the series in 1 John, and says that Jesus ‘laid down his life for us’ (as in the reading from John) and that ‘we ought to lay down our lives for one another’.
  • John 10.11-18 continues the series in John, and says that Jesus is the good shepherd who lays down his life (as in the reading from 1 John), and who takes it back up again.

Year C

  • Acts 9.36-43 continues the series in Acts, and shows that Jesus’ power to raise the dead is active through his apostle Peter. The resurrection leads to the growth of the church.
  • For the alternative first reading, Genesis 7.1-5, 11-18; 8.6-18; 9.8-13, see Easter Vigil.
  • John 10.22-30 continues the series in John, and says that Jesus gives life to his sheep. Revelation 7.9-17 continues the series in Revelation, and features the Lamb, whose blood has been shed, but who is alive, and is described as a shepherd.

Easter 5

The Gospel reading begins a series on the ‘farewell discourse’, which continues on Sundays until Easter 7 (Year A), Pentecost (Years B) or Trinity (Year C).

Year A

  • Acts 7.55-60 continues the series in Acts, and describes Stephen’s vision of the risen Jesus, before his martyrdom. Psalm 31.1-5, 15-16 [or 31.1-5] says, ‘Into your hands I commend my spirit’, which is echoed by Stephen: ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’
  • The alternative first reading, Genesis 8.1-19, continues the series on the flood in Genesis. The dove points towards the gift of the Spirit at Pentecost.
  • 1 Peter 2.2-10 continues the series in 1 Peter, and describes Jesus as ‘a living stone’, and believers as ‘living stones’.
  • John 14.1-14 continues the series in John, and begins a series on the ‘farewell discourse’ with a two-part series on John 14. Jesus says that he is going to the Father.

Year B

  • Acts 8.26-40 is about Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch: a worshipper of God who was baptised and went away rejoicing. Psalm 22.25-31 speaks of the nations turning to the Lord.
  • For the alternative first reading, Baruch 3.9-15, 32 – 4.4, or Genesis 22.1-18, see Easter Vigil.
  • 1 John 4.7-21 continues the series in 1 John, and says, ‘God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them’, providing connections with the reading from John.
  • John 15.1-8 continues the series in John, and begins a series on the ‘farewell discourse’ with a two-part series on John 15. Jesus is the true vine, and he calls the ‘branches’ to ‘abide in me’ (as in the reading from 1 John) and hence to ‘bear much fruit’.

Year C

  • Acts 11.1-18 continues the series in Acts, recounting the spread of the gospel to the Gentiles. Psalm 148 [or 148.1-6] invites ‘all peoples’ and all creation to ‘Praise the Lord’.
  • For the alternative first reading, Baruch 3.9-15, 32 – 4.4, or Genesis 22.1-18, see Easter Vigil.
  • Revelation 21.1-6 continues the series in Revelation, featuring the end of death.
  • John 13.31-35 continues the series in John, and begins a series on the ‘farewell discourse’. Jesus begins to prepare his disciples for his departure.

Easter 6

As the Sunday before the Rogation Days (the weekdays before Ascension Day), this is often observed as ‘Rogation Sunday’, with a focus on asking for God’s blessing on the crops. (‘Rogation’ comes from Latin rogare, to ask.)

Year A

  • Acts 17.22-31 continues the series in Acts, and features Paul’s speech to the Areopagus. Paul speaks of God who ‘gives to all mortals life and breath and all things’ (Rogation), and concludes by speaking of the resurrection of Jesus.
  • The alternative first reading, Genesis 8.20 – 9.17, concludes the series on the flood in Genesis.
  • Psalm 66.7-18 (EV: 8-20) (see BCP+) praises God for his deliverance and for answered prayer (Rogation).
  • 1 Peter 3.13-22 continues the series in 1 Peter, and is about suffering after the example of Jesus, who ‘was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit’.
  • John 14.15-21 continues the series in John’s ‘farewell discourse’ (without a gap). Jesus will ‘ask the Father’ (Rogation) for the gift of ‘another Advocate … the Spirit of truth’.

Year B

  • Acts 10.44-48 continues the series in Acts (continuing the reading from Easter Day without a gap), and recounts ‘the gift of the Holy Spirit’ being ‘poured out even on the Gentiles’. Psalm 98 says, ‘all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God’.
  • For the alternative first reading, Isaiah 55.1-11, see Easter Vigil.
  • 1 John 5.1-6 continues the series in 1 John (without a gap), and is about loving God and obeying his commandments (as in the reading from John).
  • John 15.9-17 continues the series in John’s ‘farewell discourse’ (without a gap), and is about keeping Jesus’ commandments (as in the reading from 1 John), especially his commandment to ‘love one another’. The theme of fruit returns, ‘so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name’ (Rogation).

Year C

  • Acts 16.9-15 continues the series in Acts, recounting Lydia’s conversion, as the risen Jesus opens her heart, and as the gospel advances into Europe.
  • For the alternative first reading, Ezekiel 37.1-14, see Easter Vigil.
  • Psalm 67 picks up the Rogation theme, asking for a good harvest, but also calls for the nations to praise God, which links with the reading from Acts.
  • Revelation 21.10, 22 – 22.5 continues the series on Revelation, focusing on the Holy City.
  • John 14.23-29 continues the series in John’s ‘farewell discourse’, looking ahead to the gift of the Spirit.
  • The alternative, John 5.1-9, recounts the healing at the pool in Beth-zatha (Bethesda). Jesus tells the sick man to ‘Stand up’ (‘Arise’), which makes this reading appropriate for the Easter season, but it is difficult to identify a connection with this particular Sunday.

Ascension Day

Years A, B and C

  • Acts 1.1-11 (see BCP) recounts Jesus’ ascension.
  • The alternative first reading, Daniel 7.9-14 (see BCP+), has the Son of Man approaching the Ancient of Days and being given authority.
  • Psalm 47 picks up the ascension theme (‘God has gone up’).
  • The alternative, Psalm 93, celebrates the reign of ‘the Lord on high’.
  • Ephesians 1.15-23 celebrates Christ’s ascension to the heavenly realms.
  • Luke 24.44-53 (see BCP+) recounts Jesus’ ascension.

Easter 7

The Gospel reading every year is taken from John 17.

The alternative first reading is the same for Years A, B and C.

  • For the alternative first reading, Ezekiel 36.24-28, see Easter Vigil.

Year A

  • Acts 1.6-14 continues the series in Acts, recounting Jesus’ ascension, and speaking of Jesus’ followers ‘constantly devoting themselves to prayer’.
  • Psalm 68.1-10, 32-35 [or 68.1-10] (see BCP+) has connections with Jesus’ ascension: ‘Let God arise’, and ‘exalt him who rides on the clouds’.
  • 1 Peter 4.12-14; 5.6-11 concludes the series in 1 Peter, and is about present suffering and future glory, which might resonate with the expectant longing of the period between Ascension Day and Pentecost.
  • John 17.1-11 continues the series in John, and concludes the series in the ‘farewell discourse’, with the first section of Jesus’ prayer (see Years B and C). Jesus’ prayer for his own glorification is answered in his ascension.

Year B

  • Acts 1.15-17, 21-26 continues the series in Acts, and is about Matthias being chosen to take the place of Judas, and to be a witness to the resurrection of Jesus. Psalm 1 contrasts the righteous and the wicked.
  • 1 John 5.9-13 concludes the series in 1 John, and is about ‘believing in the testimony that God has given concerning his Son’.
  • John 17.6-19 continues the series in John’s ‘farewell discourse’, with the central section of Jesus’ prayer (see Years A and C). Jesus prays for his disciples, for their sanctification as they are sent into the world, including a mention of ‘the one destined to be lost’ (see the reading from Acts).

Year C

  • Acts 16.16-34 continues the series on Acts (immediately from last Sunday), recounting the resurrection-like deliverance of Paul and Silas from prison. Psalm 97 echoes the reading from Acts with the earth shaking and people rejoicing.
  • Revelation 22.12-14, 16-17, 20-21 concludes the series on Revelation (in a somewhat redacted fashion). There is a mention of the Spirit, and a longing for Jesus’ return, echoing Ascension themes.
  • John 17.20-26 continues the series in John’s ‘farewell discourse’ with the concluding section of Jesus’ prayer (see Years A and B). Jesus prays for all believers.

Pentecost

Falls between 10 May and 13 June.

The reading from Acts and the psalm are the same every year.

  • Acts 2.1-21 (see BCP) narrates the pouring out of the Spirit at Pentecost, and the first part of Peter’s sermon.
  • Psalm 104.26-36, 37b (EV: 24-34, 35b) [or 104.26-37 (EV: 24-35)] includes ‘When you send forth your spirit, they are created’.

Year A

  • The alternative first reading, Numbers 11.24-30, has Moses saying, ‘Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit on them!’
  • 1 Corinthians 12.3b-13 is about the gifts of the Spirit (including tongues), and says, ‘in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body’.
  • John 20.19-23 concludes the series in John, and says that Jesus ‘breathed on [his disciples] and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”’
  • The alternative Gospel reading, John 7.37-39, is about Jesus’ promise of ‘living water’, which is explained as being ‘about the Spirit’.

Year B

  • For the alternative first reading, Ezekiel 37.1-14, see Easter Vigil.
  • Romans 8.22-27 speaks of ‘the first fruits of the Spirit’, and says ‘the Spirit helps us in our weakness’ and ‘intercedes for the saints’.
  • John 15.26-27; 16.4b-15 continues the series in John, and concludes the series in the ‘farewell discourse’. Jesus will send the ‘Advocate’, the ‘Spirit of truth’, who will ‘testify’.

Year C

  • The alternative first reading, Genesis 11.1-9, recounts Babel, of which Pentecost is something of a reversal.
  • Romans 8.14-17 is about the work of the Spirit.
  • John 14.8-17 [25-27] (see BCP) continues the series John’s ‘farewell discourse’, with Jesus’ promise of the Spirit. (Verses 25-27 might have been included for Easter 6.)

Ordinary Time

Trinity Sunday

Falls between 17 May and 20 June.

Year A

(The RCL has Genesis 1.1 – 2.4a as the first reading, which then serves as the beginning of a series in Genesis. See 2 before Lent, which includes this passage as the Old Testament reading.)

  • Isaiah 40.12-17, 27-31 says, ‘Who has directed the spirit of the Lord …?’ Is the answer, ‘Jesus’? Otherwise, the connection with Trinity Sunday is not immediately obvious.
  • Psalm 8 (Years A and C) (see BCP+) is about God’s glory being revealed in creation and redemption (this finds its climax when God is revealed as Trinity), and is about God’s ‘name’ (cf. Matthew 28.19: ‘in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’).
  • 2 Corinthians 13.11-13 refers to the Trinity: ‘The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.’
  • Matthew 28.16-20 says, ‘Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’.

Year B

  • Isaiah 6.1-8 (see BCP+) is Isaiah’s vision of God who is worshipped as ‘Holy, holy, holy’, hinting at God being Trinity. Psalm 29 says, ‘worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness’, and ‘in his temple all cry, “Glory!”’
  • Romans 8.12-17 refers to all three Persons of the Trinity: those who are ‘led by the Spirit of God’ are ‘children of God’ and ‘joint heirs with Christ’.
  • John 3.1-17 (see BCP) concludes the series in John, and speaks of the three Persons of the Trinity: being ‘born of the Spirit’ and believing in God’s Son.

Year C

  • Proverbs 8.1-4, 22-31 presents wisdom, personified, through whom God made the world, hinting towards the Trinity.
  • Psalm 8: see Year A.
  • Romans 5.1-5 is appropriate for Trinity Sunday: peace with God through Jesus Christ, and God’s love poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.
  • John 16.12-15 concludes the series in John (and the series in the ‘farewell discourse’), and speaks of the Trinity, with Jesus speaking about the Spirit and about the Father.

Day of Thanksgiving for Holy Communion (Corpus Christi)

  • Genesis 14.18-20 describes Melchizedek bringing bread and wine.
  • Psalm 116.10-17 (EV: 12-19) mentions the ‘cup of salvation’ and offering ‘a sacrifice of thanksgiving’.
  • 1 Corinthians 11.23-26 is Paul’s account of the institution of the Lord’s Supper.
  • John 6.51-58 is about eating Jesus’ flesh and drinking his blood.

Sunday between 24 and 28 May (Proper 3)*

See Sunday between 18 and 24 February.

Sunday between 29 May and 4 June (Proper 4)*

Year A

  • Genesis 6.9-22; 7.24; 8.14-19 begins a 22-week semicontinuous series in the Pentateuch (12 weeks in Genesis, 9 weeks in Exodus and Deuteronomy 34 for the final week), which covers all of the Sundays after Trinity. (In the RCL, the series begins at Genesis 1.1 on Trinity Sunday, whereas in Common Worship that passage is set for 2 before Lent.) A brief account is provided of Noah and the flood. (See also the alternative first readings for Easter 4-6.) Psalm 46 says, ‘Therefore we will not fear, though … the waters rage and swell’. (Perhaps intentionally, there is a link with the ‘floods’ in the Gospel reading.)
  • Romans 1.16, 17; 3.22b-28 [29-31] begins a 16-part semicontinuous series in Romans, and is about the righteousness of God through faith.
  • Matthew 7.21-29 continues the series in Matthew (from 2 before Lent), on the theme of hearing and doing, with the house on rock or sand, and the floods coming. (If the reading is extended to begin at verse 16, this would restore to the lectionary some important sayings that are omitted by Common Worship: see RCL ‘Proper 3’ and Luke 6.43-44.) The ‘Related’ reading, Deuteronomy 11.18-21, 26-28, is about blessing following obedience, and curse following disobedience. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 31.1-5, 19-24 [or 31.19-24] mentions God being a ‘strong rock’, and speaks of the blessings that come from fearing God.

Year B

  • 1 Samuel 3.1-10 [11-20] begins a series on history and wisdom (4 weeks in 1 Samuel, 7 weeks in 2 Samuel, 2 weeks in 1 Kings, 1 week in Song of Solomon, 3 weeks in Proverbs, 1 week in Esther, 4 weeks in Job). This reading begins a series on Samuel, Saul, David and Solomon from 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 Kings, and is about God calling Samuel (see Epiphany 2). Psalm 139.1-5, 12-18 says, ‘you know my sitting down and my rising up’.
  • 2 Corinthians 4.5-12 continues the series in 2 Corinthians (see Proper 3, NB: RCL ‘Proper 3’), and says, ‘we have this treasure in clay jars’.
  • Mark 2.23 – 3.6 continues the series in Mark (from Proper 3, NB: RCL ‘Proper 3’), and is about Jesus and the sabbath. The ‘Related’ reading, Deuteronomy 5.12-15, is about the sabbath. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 81.1-10, says, ‘I eased their shoulder from the burden’, reflecting the sabbath.

Year C

  • 1 Kings 18.20, 21 [22-29] 30-39 begins a long (chronological) series on the prophets, which covers all of the Sundays after Trinity. The series has between zero and four weeks on Elijah (depending on the date of Easter, and out of sequence), followed by two weeks each for Elisha (the first of which is the transition from Elijah), Amos, Hosea and Isaiah, nine weeks in Jeremiah and Lamentations, and a final week in Joel. This reading begins the Elijah/Elisha series in 1 and 2 Kings, with Elijah on Mount Carmel. Psalm 96 contrasts the Lord with idols.
  • Galatians 1.1-12 begins a semicontinuous series in Galatians, with Paul’s preaching of the gospel.
  • Luke 7.1-10 continues the series in Luke (from Proper 3), with the centurion’s faith. The ‘Related’ reading, 1 Kings 8.22-23, 41-43, asks God to answer the prayers of foreigners, while the ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 96.1-9 (part of the ‘Continuous’ psalm), invites the whole earth to draw near to the Lord.

Sunday between 5 and 11 June (Proper 5)*

Year A

  • Genesis 12.1-9 continues the series in the Pentateuch and in Genesis, and is about the call of Abram. Psalm 33.1-12 responds to God’s call of Abram: ‘Happy the nation whose God is the Lord and the people he has chosen for his own.’
  • Romans 4.13-25 continues the series in Romans, and is about the fulfilment of God’s promise to Abraham (the connection with the first reading might be deliberate).
  • Matthew 9.9-13, 18-26 continues the series in Matthew, and is about Jesus calling Matthew and eating with ‘tax-collectors and sinners’, and then about Jesus restoring a girl to life and healing a woman. (The gap in the reading could be filled to include material that is otherwise omitted from the lectionary.) The ‘Related’ reading, Hosea 5.15 – 6.6, says, ‘I desire steadfast love [mercy] and not sacrifice’, which is quoted in the Gospel reading. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 50.7-15, has God testifying against Israel, despite their sacrifices.

Year B

  • 1 Samuel 8.4-11 [12-15] 16-20 [11.14-15] continues the series on history and wisdom, and is about Israel’s request for a king [Saul]. Psalm 138 says, ‘All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O Lord’.
  • 2 Corinthians 4.13 – 5.1 continues the series in 2 Corinthians (without a gap), and is about having faith and speaking, despite affliction.
  • Mark 3.20-35 continues the series in Mark, and is about Jesus and Beelzebul, Satan, forgiveness, and Jesus’ true family. The ‘Related’ reading, Genesis 3.8-15, includes God’s judgment on the serpent. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 130, says, ‘But there is forgiveness with you’.

Year C

  • 1 Kings 17.8-16 [17-24] continues the series on the prophets and in 1 and 2 Kings (out of sequence, presumably to give some connections with the Gospel reading), and tells of Elijah providing for the widow in Zaraphath [and raising her son: see the Gospel reading]. Psalm 146 rejoices in the Lord’s provision for the orphan and widow.
  • Galatians 1.11-24 continues the series in Galatians, overlapping slightly with the previous section. Paul recounts his calling.
  • Luke 7.11-17 continues the series in Luke (without a gap), and tells of Jesus raising the widow’s son in Nain. The ‘Related’ reading, 1 Kings 17.17-24 (also the optional section of the ‘Continuous’ reading) tells of Elijah raising the widow’s son in Zaraphath. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 30 thanks God for raising the psalmist ‘from the dead’.

Sunday between 12 and 18 June (Proper 6)*

Year A

  • Genesis 18.1-15 [21.1-7] continues the series in the Pentateuch and in Genesis, and is about the promise [and birth] of Isaac. Psalm 116.1, 10-17 (EV: 1-2, 12-19) [or 116.9-17 (EV: 10-19)] expresses the kind of grateful response Abraham and Sarah would have made for the gift of a son.
  • Romans 5.1-8 continues the series in Romans (without a gap), and is about sinners being justified by faith.
  • Matthew 9.35 – 10.8 [9-23] continues the series in Matthew, and is about the calling of the twelve apostles, and their mission ‘to the lost sheep of the house of Israel’. The ‘Related’ reading, Exodus 19.2-8a, is about Israel’s vocation (to which Jesus presumably calls them to return). The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 100, says, ‘we are his people and the sheep of his pasture’.

Year B

  • 1 Samuel 15.34 – 16.13 continues the series on history and wisdom, and is about Samuel anointing David to replace Saul as king. Psalm 20 says, ‘Now I know that the Lord will save his anointed’.
  • 2 Corinthians 5.6-10 [11-13] 14-17 continues the series in 2 Corinthians, and is about walking ‘by faith, not by sight’ or ‘from a human point of view’ (providing some links with the reading from 1 Samuel).
  • Mark 4.26-34 continues the series in Mark, and features two parables of growth. The ‘Related’ reading, Ezekiel 17.22-24, is about God planting a ‘sprig’ to grow and become ‘a noble cedar’. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 92.1-4, 12-15 [or 92.1-8], praises God for his works and says, ‘The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, and shall spread abroad like a cedar of Lebanon’ (12).

Year C

  • 1 Kings 21.1-10 [11-14] 15-21a continues the series on the prophets and in 1 and 2 Kings, with Naboth’s vineyard. Psalm 5.1-8 is a plea to God in the face of ‘the bloodthirsty and deceitful’.
  • Galatians 2.15-21 continues the series in Galatians, on justification by faith.
  • Luke 7.36 – 8.3 continues the series in Luke, with Jesus being anointed by the sinful woman, who had been forgiven. The ‘Related’ reading, 2 Samuel 11.26 – 12.10, 13-15 is about David being forgiven for his sin. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 32, is about the blessing of forgiveness.

Sunday between 19 and 25 June (Proper 7)*

Year A

  • Genesis 21.8-21 continues the series in the Pentateuch and in Genesis (without a gap, if the optional verses were included last week), and is about Hagar and Ishmael. Psalm 86.1-10, 16-17 [or 86.1-10] echoes Hagar’s cry of distress, particularly, ‘save the child of your handmaid’.
  • Romans 6.1b-11 continues the series in Romans, and is about dying and rising with Christ.
  • Matthew 10.24-39 continues the series in Matthew (without a gap, if the optional verses were included last week), and is about not being afraid of persecution. The ‘Related’ reading, Jeremiah 20.7-13, is Jeremiah’s response to persecution. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 69.8-11 [12-17] 18-20 (EV: 7-10 [11-15] 16-18) [or 69.14-20 (EV: 13-18)] is a prayer for deliverance from persecution.

Year B

  • 1 Samuel 17.[1a, 4-11, 19-23] 32-49 continues the series on history and wisdom, and is about David’s victory over Goliath. Psalm 9.9-20 is about God’s deliverance of the oppressed.
  • Alternatively, 1 Samuel 17.57 – 18.5, 10-16 is about Jonathan making a covenant with David, and Saul trying to kill David. Psalm 133 reflects on Jonathan’s covenant with David: ‘Behold how good and pleasant it is to dwell together in unity.’
  • 2 Corinthians 6.1-13 continues the series in 2 Corinthians, and is about Paul’s afflictions.
  • Mark 4.35-41 continues the series in Mark (without a gap), and is about Jesus stilling the storm. The ‘Related’ reading, Job 38.1-11, has God saying to the sea, ‘here shall your proud waves be stopped’. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 107.1-3, 23-32 [or 107.23-32], says of God, ‘He made the storm be still and the waves of the sea were calmed.’

Year C

  • 1 Kings 19.1-4 [5-7] 8-15a continues the series on the prophets and in 1 and 2 Kings (out of sequence, for some reason), with Elijah fleeing to Horeb. Psalms 42, 43 [or 42 or 43] reflect Elijah’s troubled state and his longing for God.
  • Galatians 3.23-29 continues the series in Galatians, on being children of God together.
  • Luke 8.26-39 continues the series in Luke, with Jesus restoring the demon-possessed man. The ‘Related’ reading, Isaiah 65.1-9 is about God holding out his hands to those who ‘sit inside tombs’ and ‘eat swine’s flesh’. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 22.19-28 praises God for his deliverance, and calls the nations to worship.

Sunday between 26 June and 2 July (Proper 8)

Year A

  • Genesis 22.1-14 continues the series in the Pentateuch and in Genesis, and is about Abraham being commanded to offer his son Isaac as a burnt-offering. Psalm 13 is about God’s deliverance from death.
  • Romans 6.12-23 continues the series in Romans (without a gap), and is about living as slaves of righteousness, not as slaves of sin.
  • Matthew 10.40-42 continues the series in Matthew (without a gap), and says, ‘Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward’. The ‘Related’ reading, Jeremiah 28.5-9 is about true and false prophets, and looks ahead to the vindication (reward?) of the true prophets. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 89.1-4, 15-18 (or 89.8-18) says, ‘in your favour you lift up our heads’, which might be a prophet’s reward.

Year B

  • 2 Samuel 1.1, 17-27 continues the series on history and wisdom, and is David’s lament over Saul and Jonathan: ‘How the mighty have fallen!’ (The Gospel reading also has people ‘weeping and wailing loudly’ following a death.) Psalm 130 begins, ‘Out of the depths have I cried to you, O Lord’, perhaps reflecting David’s grief.
  • 2 Corinthians 8.7-15 continues the series in 2 Corinthians, and is about giving in response to ‘the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ’.
  • Mark 5.21-43 continues the series in Mark, and is about Jairus’s daughter being raised to the life, and a woman being healed. The ‘Related’ reading from the Apocrypha, Wisdom of Solomon 1.13-15; 2.23-24, is about God’s opposition to death. Alternatively (or as the ‘Related’ canticle), Lamentations 3.23-33 is about hoping patiently in God. As an alternative to the ‘Related’ canticle, the ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 30, says, ‘You brought me up, O Lord, from the dead’.

Year C

  • 2 Kings 2.1-2, 6-14 continues the series on the prophets and in 1 and 2 Kings, and is about Elijah being taken into heaven and the water dividing before Elijah and Elisha. (Perhaps coincidentally, there is a link with Luke 9.51, which speaks of Jesus being ‘taken up’.) Psalm 77.1-2, 11-20 [or 77.11-20] is about the waters seeing God and being afraid.
  • Galatians 5.1, 13-25 continues the series in Galatians, on the acts of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit.
  • Luke 9.51-62 continues the series in Luke, with Jesus heading towards Jerusalem and teaching on what it means to follow him. The ‘Related’ reading, 1 Kings 19.15-16, 19-21 is about Elisha following Elijah. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 16 is about following the Lord wholeheartedly.

Sunday between 3 and 9 July (Proper 9)

Year A

  • Genesis 24.34-38, 42-49, 58-67 continues the series in the Pentateuch and in Genesis, and is about Abraham’s servant finding a wife (Rebekah) for Isaac. Psalm 45.10-17 is about a royal bride being brought to the king. Alternatively, the canticle, Song of Solomon 2.8-13 is about the meeting of the woman and her beloved.
  • Romans 7.15-25a continues the series in Romans, and is about delighting ‘in the law of God’ but being ‘captive to the law of sin’. (The whole of verse 25 could be included.)
  • Matthew 11.16-19, 25-30 continues the series in Matthew, and is about negative and positive responses to Jesus, who is ‘gentle and humble in heart’, and calls all who are weary to come to him. (11.20-24, ‘woe to you…’, could be included ‘when opportunity allows’: compare Luke 10.1-11, 16-20, which also omits this bit.) The ‘Related’ reading, Zechariah 9.9-12 is about Zion’s king coming in humility. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 145.8-15 (EV: 8-14), says, ‘The Lord is gracious and merciful’ and ‘loving to everyone’.

Year B

  • 2 Samuel 5.1-5, 9-10 continues the series on history and wisdom, and is about David being anointed as king over all Israel in Hebron, and then taking the ‘stronghold of Zion’ (7), naming it the ‘city of David’ (9). Psalm 48 says, ‘On Mount Zion, the divine dwelling place, stands the city of the great king.’
  • 2 Corinthians 12.2-10 concludes the series in 2 Corinthians, and is about Paul boasting of his weaknesses.
  • Mark 6.1-13 continues the series in Mark (without a gap), and is about Jesus being met with unbelief in his ‘home town’ (‘Prophets are not without honour, except in their home town’), and then sending the twelve out two by two. The ‘Related’ reading, Ezekiel 2.1-5, is about Ezekiel being sent as a ‘prophet’ to ‘impudent and stubborn’ people who will ‘refuse to hear’. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 123, calls out to God on account of ‘the scorn of the arrogant’ and ‘the contempt of the proud’.

Year C

  • 2 Kings 5.1-14 continues the series on the prophets, and concludes the series in 1 and 2 Kings, with Elisha curing Naaman of leprosy (see Proper 2, Year B). Psalm 30 gives thanks to God for answered prayer: ‘you have healed me’.
  • Galatians 6.[1-6] 7-16 concludes the series in Galatians, with an exhortation to do good to all.
  • Luke 10.1-11, 16-20 continues the series in Luke (without a gap), with Jesus sending out the seventy-two who then return rejoicing. (10.12-15, ‘woe to you…’, could be included ‘when opportunity allows’: compare Matthew 11.16-19, 25-30, which also omits this bit.) The ‘Related’ reading, Isaiah 66.10-14, calls on people to rejoice. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 66.1-8 (EV: 1-9), begins with a call to be joyful.

Sunday between 10 and 16 July (Proper 10)

Year A

  • Genesis 25.19-34 continues the series in the Pentateuch and in Genesis, and is about the birth of Esau and Jacob, and Esau selling his birthright to Jacob. Psalm 119.105-112 might be related by the theme of holding firmly to something: Jacob holding firmly to Esau’s heel, and the psalmist holding firmly to God’s word.
  • Romans 8.1-11 continues the series in Romans (after a gap of only half a verse), and is about life in the Spirit.
  • Matthew 13.1-9, 18-23 continues the series in Matthew, and is the Parable of the Sower. (13.10-17 could be included ‘when opportunity allows’.) The ‘Related’ reading, Isaiah 55.10-13, likens God’s word to rain, ‘giving seed to the sower’. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 65.[1-7] 8-13 (EV: [1-8] 9-13), is about God watering the earth and bringing grain.

Year B

  • 2 Samuel 6.1-5, 12b-19 continues the series on history and wisdom, and is about David bringing the ark up into the city of David. Psalm 24 is about ascending ‘the hill of the Lord’, and about the triumphal entry of the ‘King of glory’.
  • Ephesians 1.3-14 begins a seven-part series in Ephesians, and is about God blessing us in Christ.
  • Mark 6.14-29 continues the series in Mark (without a gap), and is about John the Baptist being beheaded by King Herod. The ‘Related’ reading, Amos 7.7-15, is about Amos speaking against King Jeroboam, and facing threats as a consequence. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 85.8-13, says, ‘I will listen to what the Lord God will say’ (reflecting the role of a prophet), and promises that God’s ‘salvation is near to those who fear him’.

Year C

  • Amos 7.7-17 continues the series on the prophets, and is the first of two weeks in Amos (the earliest of the prophetic books). The theme of God as judge is reflected in Psalm 82.
  • Colossians 1.1-14 begins a series covering much of Colossians 1.1 – 3.11, and gives thanks for the fruitfulness that comes from ‘the word of the truth, the gospel’.
  • Luke 10.25-37 continues the series in Luke, on the importance of love for God and neighbour, explained in the parable of the good Samaritan, The ‘Related’ reading, Deuteronomy 30.9-14 is about turning to God ‘with all your heart and with all your soul’ and obeying God’s commandments. (The promise of fruitfulness might relate to the reading from Colossians.) The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 25.1-10 (EV: 1-11) asks for guidance in keeping God’s ways.

Sunday between 17 and 23 July (Proper 11)

Year A

  • Genesis 28.10-19a continues the series in the Pentateuch and in Genesis, and is about Jacob’s dream at Bethel. God promises to be with him as he leaves the land. Psalm 139.1-11, 23-24 (EV: 1-12, 23-24) [or 139.1-11 (EV: 1-12)] asks, ‘Where can I go then from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence?’
  • Romans 8.12-25 continues the series in Romans (without a gap), and is about life in the Spirit, suffering, and future glory.
  • Matthew 13.24-30, 36-43 continues the series in Matthew (without a gap), and is the Parable of the Weeds, speaking of the judgment ‘at the end of the age’, which is delayed for the sake of the ‘righteous’. The ‘Related’ reading from the Apocrypha, Wisdom of Solomon 12.13, 16-19, is a careful selection of verses speaking of God’s ‘forbearance’. Alternatively, Isaiah 44.6-8 speaks of God as the one who ‘has announced from of old the things to come’. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 86.11-17, is about God being ‘slow to anger’.

Year B

  • 2 Samuel 7.1-14a continues the series on history and wisdom, and is about God’s promise to make a ‘house’ for David. Psalm 89.20-37 speaks of God’s promise to David: ‘His seed shall endure for ever and his throne as the sun before me’.
  • Ephesians 2.11-22 continues the series in Ephesians, and is about Christ creating ‘in himself one new humanity in place of the two’.
  • Mark 6.30-34, 53-56 continues the series in Mark (without a gap), and is about Jesus having compassion on the crowd ‘because they were like sheep without a shepherd’, teaching them, and healing the sick. (Note that John’s accounts of the feeding of the 5000 and Jesus walking on the water are included next week.) The ‘Related’ reading, Jeremiah 23.1-6, is about God’s promise to ‘raise up shepherds’ in place of ‘the shepherds who destroy and scatter’. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 23, begins, ‘The Lord is my shepherd’.

Year C

  • Amos 8.1-12 continues the series on the prophets, and is the second of two weeks in Amos, continuing from last week without a gap. The warnings of judgment are reflected in Psalm 52.
  • Colossians 1.15-28 continues the series in Colossians (without a gap), focusing on the person and work of the Son of God.
  • Luke 10.38-42 continues the series in Luke (without a gap), with Martha and Mary welcoming Jesus. The ‘Related’ reading, Genesis 18.1-10a is about Abraham showing hospitality to three visitors. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 15, describes the purity of life displayed by Abraham.

Sunday between 24 and 30 July (Proper 12)

Year A

  • Genesis 29.15-28 continues the series in the Pentateuch and in Genesis, and is about Jacob marrying Laban’s daughters. Psalm 105.1-11, 45b [or 105.1-11] (see also Proper 14, 17 and 20) speaks of God’s faithfulness to his covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Alternatively, Psalm 128 speaks of God’s blessing in terms of wife and children.
  • Romans 8.26-39 continues the series in Romans (without a gap), and is about ‘the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord’.
  • Matthew 13.31-33, 44-52 continues the series in Matthew (without a gap), and consists of several parables, likening understanding to treasure. The ‘Related’ reading, 1 Kings 3.5-12, speaks of Solomon’s request for ‘an understanding mind’, which is more precious than riches. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 119.129-136 echoes Solomon’s request: ‘Order my steps by your word … and teach me your statutes’.

Year B

  • 2 Samuel 11.1-15 continues the series on history and wisdom, and is about David and Bathsheba (to be continued next week). Psalm 14 says, ‘there is no one that does good’.
  • Ephesians 3.14-21 continues the series in Ephesians, and is Paul’s prayer for his readers ‘to know the love of Christ’.
  • John 6.1-21 begins a five-part series covering most of John 6 (acting as an interlude in the series in Mark), and is about Jesus feeding the 5000 and walking on the water (filling the gap in last week’s reading from Mark 6). The ‘Related’ reading, 2 Kings 4.42-44, is about Elisha feeding 100 people. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 145.10-19 (EV: 10-18), says, ‘The eyes of all wait upon you, O Lord, and you give them their food in due season. You open wide your hand and fill all things living with plenty.’

Year C

  • Hosea 1.2-10 continues the series on the prophets, and is the first of two weeks in Hosea (moving on chronologically from Amos). Hosea’s faithfulness to ‘a wife of whoredom’ is an image of God’s faithfulness to Israel. Psalm 85 [or 85.1-7] is about God’s faithfulness to his people, forgiving their sins.
  • Colossians 2.6-15 [16-19] continues the series in Colossians, and is about fullness in Christ.
  • Luke 11.1-13 continues the series in Luke (without a gap), and is about prayer. The ‘Related’ reading, Genesis 18.20-32, is from the same chapter as last week’s reading, and is about Abraham interceding for Sodom. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 138, gives thanks for answered prayer, and speaks of God differentiating between the lowly and the proud.

Sunday between 31 July and 6 August (Proper 13)

Year A

  • Genesis 32.22-31 continues the series in the Pentateuch and in Genesis, and is about Jacob wrestling with God: ‘I have seen God face to face’. Psalm 17.1-7, 16 (EV: 1-7, 15) [or 17.1-7] calls out to God in prayer, and says in the final verse, ‘As for me, I shall see your face in righteousness’.
  • Romans 9.1-5 continues the series in Romans (without a gap), and is about Paul’s ‘great sorrow’ for his fellow Israelites.
  • Matthew 14.13-21 continues the series in Matthew, and is the feeding of the 5000. The ‘Related’ reading, Isaiah 55.1-5, invites people to come and ‘eat what is good’. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 145.8-9, 15-22 (EV: 8-9, 14-21) [or 145.15-22 (EV: 14-21)], says to God, ‘You open wide your hand and fill all things living with plenty.’

Year B

  • 2 Samuel 11.26 – 12.13a continues the series on history and wisdom, and is about David and Bathsheba (continued from last week), with Nathan confronting David. Psalm 51.1-13 (EV: 1-12) includes in the superscription, ‘A Psalm of David, when the prophet Nathan came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba’ (NRSV).
  • Ephesians 4.1-16 continues the series in Ephesians (without a gap), and is about the unity and growth of the body of Christ.
  • John 6.24-35 continues the series in John 6 (skipping verses 22 and 23, which could be included for completeness and context), and connects the feeding of the 5000 with the theme of Jesus as the ‘bread of life’ (including, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat’). The ‘Related’ reading, Exodus 16.2-4, 9-15, is quoted or alluded to in John 6: ‘bread from heaven … the bread that the Lord has given you to eat’. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 78.23-29, is also quoted or alluded to in John 6: ‘He rained down upon them manna to eat’.

Year C

  • Hosea 11.1-11 continues the series on the prophets, and is the second of two weeks in Hosea. God loves Israel, despite their waywardness. Psalm 107.1-9, 43 [or 107.1-9] is about God restoring those who have gone astray, because of his steadfast love.
  • Colossians 3.1-11 concludes the series in Colossians, and is about dying to the old life and rising to the new life in Christ.
  • Luke 12.13-21 continues the series in Luke, and is about possessions and the importance of being ‘rich towards God’. The ‘Related’ reading, Ecclesiastes 1.2, 12-14; 2.18-23 is about the futility of toiling in the face of death. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 49.1-12 [or 49.1-9], is a reminder that all will die and ‘leave their riches to others’.

Sunday between 7 and 13 August (Proper 14)

Year A

  • Genesis 37.1-4,12-28 continues the series in the Pentateuch and in Genesis, and is about Joseph’s dreams and his brothers selling him to be taken to Egypt. Psalm 105.1-6, 16-22, 45b [or 105.1-10] (see also Proper 12, 17 and 20) speaks of ‘Joseph, who was sold as a slave’.
  • Romans 10.5-15 continues the series in Romans, and is about salvation through Jesus for Jew and Greek.
  • Matthew 14.22-33 continues the series in Matthew (without a gap), and is about Jesus (and Peter) walking on water, and Jesus speaking peace: ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.’ The ‘Related’ reading, 1 Kings 19.9-18, is about Elijah meeting God on the mountain, and has various things in common with the Gospel reading: a mountain, wind, and God’s presence being recognised when the wind ceases. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 85.8-13, says that God ‘shall speak peace to his people’.

Year B

  • 2 Samuel 18.5-9, 15, 31-33 continues the series on history and wisdom, and is about Absalom’s death. Psalm 130 (again: Proper 8) begins, ‘Out of the depths have I cried to you, O Lord’, reflecting David’s grief.
  • Ephesians 4.25 – 5.2 continues the series in Ephesians, and describes the new way of life.
  • John 6.35, 41-51 continues the series in John 6 (including verse 35 from last week, then leaving a gap, which could be filled for completeness), and is about Jesus as the bread of life: ‘whoever believes has eternal life’. The ‘Related’ reading, 1 Kings 19.4-8, is about Elijah being provided with food by an angel. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 34.1-8 (continued next week and the week after), says, ‘The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him and delivers them. O taste and see that the Lord is gracious; blessed is the one who trusts in him.’

Year C

  • Isaiah 1.1, 10-20 continues the series on the prophets, and is the first of two weeks in Isaiah (moving on chronologically from Hosea). Both readings are quite hard-hitting, which provides a smooth transition into Jeremiah. (Isaiah’s call featured in Proper 1.) God has no pleasure in his people’s offerings when their hands are ‘full of blood’. Psalm 50.1-8, 23-24 (EV: 1-8, 22-23) [or 50.1-7] speaks of God testifying against his people, despite their sacrifices.
  • Hebrews 11.1-3, 8-16 begins a four-part series in Hebrews 11-13, and is about the faith of Abraham.
  • Luke 12.32-40 continues the series in Luke, and is about treasure in heaven and the coming of the Son of Man. The choice of verses seems odd, but it captures the seamless transition between ‘don’t worry’ (22-34) and ‘be ready’ (35-48). (The reading could be extended to verse 48, ‘when opportunity allows’.) The ‘Related’ reading, Genesis 15.1-6, is about Abram looking to his reward and trusting God’s promise. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 33.12-22 [or 33.12-21] is about waiting for God, who is our ‘shield’ (Genesis 15.1).

Sunday between 14 and 20 August (Proper 15)

Year A

  • Genesis 45.1-15 continues the series in the Pentateuch and concludes the series in Genesis, and is about Joseph revealing his identity to his brothers in Egypt. Psalm 133 says, ‘Behold how good and pleasant it is to dwell together in unity!’
  • Romans 11.1-2a, 29-32 continues the series in Romans, and is about God showing mercy to Israel.
  • Matthew 15.[10-20] 21-28 continues the series in Matthew, and is about [things that defile, and] the Canaanite woman’s faith. The ‘Related’ reading, Isaiah 56.1, 6-8, speaks about God accepting foreigners. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 67, calls for God’s ‘saving power’ to be known ‘among all nations’.

Year B

  • 1 Kings 2.10-12; 3.3-14 continues the series on history and wisdom, and is about David’s death and Solomon’s prayer for ‘an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil’. Psalm 111 says, ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom’.
  • Ephesians 5.15-20 continues the series in Ephesians, and is about living ‘not as unwise people but as wise’ (perhaps providing a link with the Old Testament reading). (Some of the preceding verses could be included.)
  • John 6.51-58 continues the series in John 6 (including verse 51 from last week), and says it is necessary to ‘eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood’. The ‘Related’ reading, Proverbs 9.1-6, has ‘Wisdom’ saying, ‘Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed.’ The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 34.9-14 (continued from last week and continued next week), says, ‘Lions may lack and suffer hunger, but those who seek the Lord lack nothing that is good’, and, ‘those who fear him lack nothing’. (cf. Proverbs 9.10: ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom’).

Year C

  • Isaiah 5.1-7 continues the series on the prophets, and is the second of two weeks in Isaiah. God’s vineyard, Israel, has ‘yielded wild grapes’. Psalm 80.1-2, 9-20 (EV: 1-2a, 8-19) [or 80.9-20 (EV: 8-19)] is about God’s ‘vine’.
  • Hebrews 11.29 – 12.2 continues the series in Hebrews 11-13, and is about faith and perseverance.
  • Luke 12.49-56 continues the series in Luke, and is about Jesus coming to bring ‘fire to the earth’, not bringing peace but division. The ‘Related’ reading, Jeremiah 23.23-29, speaks of God’s word being like fire, and is about the God who fills heaven and earth coming in judgment. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 82, calls on God to ‘judge the earth’.

Sunday between 21 and 27 August (Proper 16)

Year A

  • Exodus 1.8 – 2.10 continues the series in the Pentateuch and begins a 9-week series in Exodus, and is about Israel being oppressed in Egypt, and the baby Moses being rescued through the water. Psalm 124 is about God rescuing his people from ‘the raging waters’.
  • Romans 12.1-8 continues the series in Romans, and is about presenting ‘your bodies as a living sacrifice’, and living as members of ‘one body in Christ’.
  • Matthew 16.13-20 continues the series in Matthew, and includes Peter’s confession: ‘You are the Messiah’, and speaks of the ‘rock’ on which Jesus will build his church, ‘and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it’. The ‘Related’ reading, Isaiah 51.1-6, says, ‘Look to the rock from which you were hewn’, inviting a comparison between Peter and Abraham. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 138, says that the ‘fury of [God’s] enemies’ will not prevent his purposes from being fulfilled.

Year B

  • 1 Kings 8.[1, 6, 10-11] 22-30, 41-43 continues the series on history and wisdom (concluding the history part), and is about Solomon’s dedication of ‘the house of the Lord’. Psalm 84 begins, ‘How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!’
  • Ephesians 6.10-20 concludes the series in Ephesians, and is about the ‘armour of God’.
  • John 6.56-69 concludes the series in John 6 (including verse 56-58 from last week, and skipping the final two verses of the chapter, which could be included for completeness), and focuses on positive and negative responses to Jesus’ teaching. The ‘Related’ reading, Joshua 24.1-2a, 14-18, has Joshua urging the people to respond well to God: ‘choose this day whom you will serve’. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 34.15-22 (continued from last week and the week before), makes a contrast between the ‘righteous’ and the ‘wicked’.

Year C

  • Jeremiah 1.4-10 continues the series on the prophets, and begins an 8-week vaguely-sequential series in Jeremiah (moving on chronologically from Isaiah), along with one week in Lamentations. The series moves from warning to judgment to hope. This week, Jeremiah the prophet is commissioned, having been set apart before he was born. Psalm 71.1-6 is about trusting in God from birth onwards.
  • Hebrews 12.18-29 continues the series in Hebrews 11-13, contrasting Sinai with Mount Zion.
  • Luke 13.10-17 continues the series in Luke, and is about the crippled woman being healed on the sabbath, so that she ‘stood up straight and began praising God’. The ‘Related’ reading, Isaiah 58.9b-14, is about honouring the sabbath and delighting in God, who will ‘satisfy your needs’. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 103.1-8, speaks of God as the one who ‘satisfies you with good things’.

Sunday between 28 August and 3 September (Proper 17)

Year A

  • Exodus 3.1-15 continues the series in the Pentateuch and in Exodus, and is about Moses at the burning bush, and God’s promise to deliver his people from Egypt, and bring them ‘to a good and broad land’. Psalm 105.1-6, 23-26, 45b (see also Proper 12, 14 and 20) speaks of Israel in Egypt, and of God sending ‘Moses his servant’. Alternatively, Psalm 115 is about God’s supremacy over the idols of the nations.
  • Romans 12.9-21 continues the series in Romans (without a gap), and is about living as Christians.
  • Matthew 16.21-28 continues the series in Matthew (without a gap), and has Jesus foretelling his death and resurrection, and calling his followers to ‘take up their cross’, with the promise that ‘those who lose their life for my sake will find it’. The ‘Related’ reading, Jeremiah 15.15-21, has Jeremiah speaking of being persecuted, and God promising to save him and deliver him. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 26.1-8, calls out for vindication when living among the wicked.

Year B

  • Song of Solomon 2.8-13 continues the series on history and wisdom (beginning the wisdom part), and features the woman hearing the voice of her beloved (the only time this book features prominently in the lectionary). Psalm 45.1-2, 6-9 [or 45.1-7] speaks in praise of the king: ‘You are the fairest of men’.
  • James 1.17-27 begins a five-part series in James, and is about being ‘doers of the word, and not merely hearers’ (providing some links with the Gospel reading).
  • Mark 7.1-8, 14-15, 21-23 resumes the series in Mark, and is a warning against the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, who ‘abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition’. (The gaps could be filled ‘when opportunity allows’.) The ‘Related’ reading, Deuteronomy 4.1-2, 6-9, says, ‘You must neither add anything to what I command you nor take away anything from it, but keep the commandments of the Lord your God with which I am charging you.’ The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 15, is about the one who ‘leads an uncorrupt life and does the thing that is right’.

Year C

  • Jeremiah 2.4-13 continues the series on the prophets and in Jeremiah, and is about God’s people forsaking him in favour of ‘cracked cisterns’. Psalm 81.1, 10-16 [or 81.1-11] is about God’s desire to ‘fill’ and ‘satisfy’ his people, but their refusal to listen.
  • Hebrews 13.1-8, 15-16 concludes the series in Hebrews 11-13, and is about the ‘sacrifices’ that are ‘pleasing to God’.
  • Luke 14.1, 7-14 continues the series in Luke, and is about taking the place of honour at a feast. (These verses are selected from verses 1-24, which form a single unit. The reading could be extended ‘when opportunity allows’.) The ‘Related’ reading from the Apocrypha, Ecclesiasticus 10.12-18, is about pride and humility. The alternative ‘Related’ reading, Proverbs 25.6-7, says it is better to take the humble place and be exalted than vice versa. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 112, says that those who give freely to the poor will be exalted.

Sunday between 4 and 10 September (Proper 18)

Year A

  • Exodus 12.1-14 continues the series in the Pentateuch and in Exodus, and describes the institution of the Passover celebration, as a reminder of God’s judgment on the gods of Egypt. Psalm 149 is a psalm of celebration and speaks of God’s judgment on the nations.
  • Romans 13.8-14 continues the series in Romans, and is about loving one another and living ‘as in the day’.
  • Matthew 18.15-20 continues the series in Matthew, and is about dealing with sin in the church. The ‘Related’ reading, Ezekiel 33.7-11, is about the wicked turning from their ways. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 119.33-40, is about learning God’s ways.

Year B

  • Proverbs 22.1-2, 8-9, 22-23 continues the series on history and wisdom, and begins a three-part series in Proverbs, with some proverbs about riches and poverty (perhaps chosen to link with the reading from James). Psalm 125 says, ‘Do good, O Lord, to those who are good’.
  • James 2.1-10 [11-13] 14-17 continues the series in James, and is about how one should act towards those who are rich or poor (providing some links with the reading from Proverbs).
  • Mark 7.24-37 continues the series in Mark (without a gap), and is about Jesus casting a demon out of the daughter of the Syrophoenician woman, and saying to a ‘deaf man who had an impediment in his speech’: ‘Be opened.’ The ‘Related’ reading, Isaiah 35.4-7a, says, ‘Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.’ The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 146, says, ‘the Lord opens the eyes of the blind’.

Year C

  • Jeremiah 18.1-11 continues the series on the prophets and in Jeremiah (out of sequence, perhaps to maintain a thematic sequence from warning to judgment, and perhaps chosen to fit with the Gospel reading and its themes of choice and consequences). God is the potter, and is calling his people to change their ways. Psalm 139.1-5, 12-18 (EV: 1-6, 13-18) [or 139.1-7 (EV: 1-8)] is about the God who formed us (as a potter).
  • Philemon 1-21 is Paul’s appeal for runaway slave Onesimus. Perhaps it appears here because it mentions Timothy (see next week).
  • Luke 14.25-33 continues the series in Luke, and is about the cost of being a disciple. (14.34-35 could be included for completeness ‘when opportunity allows’.) The ‘Related’ reading, Deuteronomy 30.15-20 calls its hearers to consider the benefits that follow when they ‘choose life’, and the curses that follow when they do not. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 1, is about the blessings that await the righteous, and the judgment that awaits the wicked.

Sunday between 11 and 17 September (Proper 19)

Year A

  • Exodus 14.19-31 continues the series in the Pentateuch and in Exodus, and is about the Israelites walking through the sea on dry ground. Psalm 114 is about the see fleeing ‘When Israel went out of Egypt’. Alternatively, the canticle, Exodus 15.1b-11, 20-21, is the song of Moses and Miriam: ‘horse and rider he has thrown into the sea’.
  • Romans 14.1-12 concludes the series in Romans (continuing without a gap), and calls us not to judge or despise one another.
  • Matthew 18.21-35 continues the series in Matthew (without a gap), and includes the parable of the unforgiving servant. The ‘Related’ reading, Genesis 50.15-21, is about Joseph forgiving his brothers. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 103.[1-7] 8-13, says that God ‘has not dealt with us according to our sins’.

Year B

  • Proverbs 1.20-33 continues the series on history and wisdom and in Proverbs, and has ‘Wisdom’ raising her voice and speaking of knowledge. Psalm 19 [or 19.1-6] says, ‘The heavens are telling the glory of God … and one night unfolds knowledge to another.’ Alternatively, the canticle, Wisdom of Solomon 7.26 – 8.1 (from the Apocrypha), says of wisdom, ‘She reaches mightily from one end of the earth to the other, and she orders all things well.’
  • James 3.1-12 continues the series in James, and says that ‘no one can tame the tongue’.
  • Mark 8.27-38 continues the series in Mark, and has Peter saying to Jesus, ‘You are the Messiah’, and Jesus speaking of his coming death and resurrection. The ‘Related’ reading, Isaiah 50.4-9a, says, ‘I did not hide my face from insult and spitting’, but, ‘I know that I shall not be put to shame; he who vindicates me is near’. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 116.1-8 (EV: 1-9), says to God, ‘you have delivered my soul from death’.

Year C

  • Jeremiah 4.11-12, 22-28 continues the series on the prophets and in Jeremiah, and is about the land becoming a desolation as a consequence of the people’s foolishness. Psalm 14 is about the foolishness of turning from God.
  • 1 Timothy 1.12-17 begins a three-week series in 1 Timothy. Paul, the foremost of sinners, received mercy.
  • Luke 15.1-10 continues the series in Luke, and is about God welcoming sinners, and the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin. (These parables go together with that of the lost son, which follows directly, and which is set for Lent 4, but which might have been ‘displaced’ by Mothering Sunday.) The ‘Related’ reading, Exodus 32.7-14, is about God forgiving sinners, after the incident with the golden calf. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 51.1-11 (EV: 1-10), is about the forgiveness of sins.

Sunday between 18 and 24 September (Proper 20)

Year A

  • Exodus 16.2-15 continues the series in the Pentateuch and in Exodus, and is about the manna. Psalm 105.1-6, 37-45 [or 105.37-45] (see also Proper 12, 14 and 17) says, ‘They asked and he brought them quails; he satisfied them with the bread of heaven.’
  • Philippians 1.21-30 begins a four-part semicontinuous series in Philippians, and is about living ‘in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ’.
  • Matthew 20.1-16 continues the series in Matthew, and is the parable of the labourers in the vineyard: ‘are you envious because I am generous?’ The ‘Related’ reading, Jonah 3.10 – 4.11, is about Jonah’s anger in response God showing mercy to Nineveh: ‘a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love’. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 145.1-8, says that God is ‘gracious and merciful, long-suffering and of great goodness’.

Year B

  • Proverbs 31.10-31 continues the series on history and wisdom and concludes the series in Proverbs, with the description of the ‘capable wife’, twice mentioning ‘the fruit of her hands’. Psalm 1 says of those whose ‘delight is in the law of the Lord’, that they are like trees that ‘yield their fruit in its season’, and ‘whatever they do, it shall prosper’, reflecting the woman of Proverbs 31.
  • James 3.13 – 4.3, 7-8a continues the series in James (without a gap), and contrasts ‘the wisdom from above’, which is ‘full of mercy and good fruits’, with the ‘wisdom’ that is ‘earthly, unspiritual, devilish’ (providing some links with the reading from Proverbs and with the psalm).
  • Mark 9.30-37 continues the series in Mark, and has Jesus foretelling his betrayal, death and resurrection, and teaching about greatness. The ‘Related’ reading from the Apocrypha, Wisdom of Solomon 1.16 – 2.1, 12-22, has the ‘ungodly’ saying, ‘Let us lie in wait for the righteous man’, not knowing ‘the secret purposes of God’. The alternative ‘Related’ reading, Jeremiah 11.18-20, has Jeremiah committing his cause to God when threatened with death. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 54, cries out for deliverance from those who ‘seek after my life’.

Year C

  • Jeremiah 8.18 – 9.1 continues the series on the prophets and in Jeremiah, and expresses sorrow for the pain of ‘my poor people’. Psalm 79.1-9 cries out to God over the desolation of Jerusalem.
  • 1 Timothy 2.1-7 continues the series in 1 Timothy, with a call to pray for everyone.
  • Luke 16.1-13 continues the series in Luke, with the parable of the shrewd and dishonest manager. The ‘Related’ reading, Amos 8.4-7, speaks against those who ‘trample on the needy’ and ‘practise deceit’. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 113, speaks of God who ‘lifts the needy from the ashes’.

Sunday between 25 September and 1 October (Proper 21)

Year A

  • Exodus 17.1-7 continues the series in the Pentateuch and in Exodus, and is about water coming out of the rock. Psalm 78.1-4, 12-16 [or 78.1-7] praises God for his ‘wonderful works’ (4): ‘He brought streams out of the rock and made water gush out like rivers’ (16).
  • Philippians 2.1-13 continues the series in Philippians (without a gap), and is about imitating Christ’s humility.
  • Matthew 21.23-32 continues the series in Matthew, and includes the parable of the two sons. The ‘Related’ reading, Ezekiel 18.1-4, 25-32 is about how God deals with those (like the two sons) who change their ways. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 25.1-8 (EV: 1-9), says that God will ‘teach sinners in the way’.

Year B

  • Esther 7.1-6, 9-10; 9.20-22 continues the series on history and wisdom, and is the only reading in the lectionary from Esther, giving a brief glimpse of the people’s fortunes being turned ‘from sorrow into gladness’. Psalm 124 says, ‘blessed be the Lord who has not given us over to be a prey for their teeth’.
  • James 5.13-20 concludes the series in James with the final verses of the letter, about the ‘prayer of faith’.
  • Mark 9.38-50 continues the series in Mark (without a gap), and has Jesus saying, ‘Whoever is not against us is for us’ (in response to an attempt to stop people casting out demons in Jesus’ name), and then teaching about things that cause people to stumble. The ‘Related’ reading, Numbers 11.4-6, 10-16, 24-29, has Joshua calling on Moses to stop certain people from prophesying, and Moses refusing to do so. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 19.7-14, says, ‘Keep your servant also from presumptuous sins lest they get dominion over me’, reflecting Jesus’ teaching on things that cause people to stumble.

Year C

  • Jeremiah 32.1-3a, 6-15 continues the series on the prophets and in Jeremiah, and begins to glimpse hope for the distant future, with the purchase of a field. Psalm 91.1-6, 14-16 [or 91.11-16] promises deliverance for those who take refuge in God.
  • 1 Timothy 6.6-19 concludes the series in 1 Timothy, with a call to ‘Fight the good fight of the faith’, and with teaching about riches (which – coincidentally? – fits well with the Gospel reading).
  • Luke 16.19-31 continues the series in Luke, with the rich man and Lazarus. The ‘Related’ reading, Amos 6.1a, 4-7, is a warning for the rich. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 146, warns that princes will perish, but promises ‘bread to those who hunger’.

Sunday between 2 and 8 October (Proper 22)

Year A

  • Exodus 20.1-4, 7-9, 12-20 continues the series in the Pentateuch and in Exodus, and is the Ten Commandments (with some of the details omitted). Psalm 19 [or 19.7-14] is about the ‘law’, ‘testimony’, ‘statutes’ and ‘commandment of the Lord’.
  • Philippians 3.4b-14 begins a two-part series in Philippians, and has Paul saying, ‘I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord’.
  • Matthew 21.33-46 continues the series in Matthew (without a gap), and is the parable of the wicked tenants of the vineyard. The ‘Related’ reading, Isaiah 5.1-7, is a song about God’s vineyard. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 80.9-17 (EV: 8-16), is about God’s vine.

Year B

  • Job 1.1; 2.1-10 continues the series on history and wisdom, and begins a four-part series in Job, with an introduction to Job (‘blameless and upright’) and his sufferings. Psalm 26 says, ‘I have walked with integrity’, and calls on God to ‘Prove me … and try me’.
  • Hebrews 1.1-4; 2.5-12 begins a seven-part series on Christ as high priest in Hebrews 1-10, and is about Jesus having ‘made purification for sins’ and being ‘crowned with glory and honour because of the suffering of death’.
  • Mark 10.2-16 continues the series in Mark (skipping one verse), and has Jesus teaching about divorce and blessing little children. The ‘Related’ reading, Genesis 2.18-24, has man giving ‘names to all cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every animal of the field’, before God makes a woman, and is quoted in the Gospel reading (‘Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh’). The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 8 (also quoted in the reading from Hebrews), says that all living things have been put under the feet of ‘man’.

Year C

  • Lamentations 1.1-6 continues the series on the prophets, and provides a brief excursion from Jeremiah. It laments the desolation of Jerusalem, but the canticle, Lamentations 3.19-26 glimpses hope for the future. As an alternative to the canticle, Psalm 137 [or 137.1-6], is about the desolation of Jerusalem.
  • 2 Timothy 1.1-14 begins a four-week series in 2 Timothy, with a call to remain faithful to the gospel.
  • Luke 17.5-10 continues the series in Luke, with teaching about faith and duty. The ‘Related’ reading, Habakkuk 1.1-4; 2.1-4, features the prophet’s faith being increased (perhaps). The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 37.1-9, is a response to Habakkuk’s cries about wrongdoers, and calls for faith in God.

Sunday between 9 and 15 October (Proper 23)

Year A

  • Exodus 32.1-14 continues the series in the Pentateuch and in Exodus, and is about the golden calf. Psalm 106.1-6, 19-23 [or 106.1-6] says, ‘We have sinned like our forebears’ (6), and, ‘They made a calf at Horeb and worshipped the molten image’ (19).
  • Philippians 4.1-9 concludes the two-part series in Philippians, and contains an appeal for unity, and an encouragement to rejoice.
  • Matthew 22.1-14 continues the series in Matthew (without a gap), and is the parable of the wedding banquet. The ‘Related’ reading, Isaiah 25.1-9, is about a ‘feast’ made by God ‘for all peoples’. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 23, says, ‘You spread a table before me’.

Year B

  • Job 23.1-9, 16-17 continues the series on history and wisdom and in Job, and has Job longing to lay his case before God. Psalm 22.1-15 says, ‘I cry in the daytime, but you do not answer’.
  • Hebrews 4.12-16 continues the series on Christ as high priest in Hebrews 1-10, and is an invitation to ‘hold fast to our confession’ and ‘approach the throne of grace with boldness’, because Jesus is a ‘great high priest’ who is able ‘to sympathize with our weaknesses’.
  • Mark 10.17-31 continues the series in Mark (without a gap), and is about the rich man and Jesus, ending with the promise that ‘the last will be first’. The ‘Related’ reading, Amos 5.6-7, 10-15, calls on those who ‘trample on the poor’ to ‘establish justice’. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 90.12-17, says, ‘Give us gladness for the days you have afflicted us’.

Year C

  • Jeremiah 29.1, 4-7 continues the series on the prophets and in Jeremiah, and is a word of comfort and assurance for God’s people in exile (out of sequence, presumably for thematic reasons). (Extending the reading by a few verses would provide additional comfort.) Psalm 66.1-11 (EV: 1-12) is about being brought ‘through fire and water … into a place of liberty’.
  • 2 Timothy 2.8-15 continues the series in 2 Timothy, with a call to endurance.
  • Luke 17.11-19 continues the series in Luke (without a gap), with the cleansing of the ten lepers, only one of whom (a Samaritan) gave praise to God. (See also Harvest Thanksgiving.) The ‘Related’ reading, 2 Kings 5.1-3, 7-15c, is about Naaman being cured of leprosy. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 111, is a psalm of thanksgiving for God’s powerful works.

Sunday between 16 and 22 October (Proper 24)

Year A

  • Exodus 33.12-23 continues the series in the Pentateuch and concludes the series in Exodus, and is about Moses interceding for God’s people. Psalm 99 says of Moses (and others): ‘they called upon the Lord and he answered them’.
  • 1 Thessalonians 1.1-10 begins a five-part series in 1 Thessalonians (1.1 – 2.13; 4.13 – 5.11), and is about the faith and example of the Thessalonian believers. (See Advent 1, Year C, for 1 Thessalonians 3.9-13.)
  • Matthew 22.15-22 continues the series in Matthew (without a gap), and is about paying taxes to the emperor. The ‘Related’ reading, Isaiah 45.1-7, is about God’s lordship over Cyrus (the emperor). The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 96.1-9 [10-13] is about God’s superiority over the nations.

Year B

  • Job 38.1-7 [34-41] continues the series on history and wisdom and in Job, and is the first part of God’s response to Job, pointing to God’s wisdom in creation. Psalm 104.1-10, 26, 37b [correction: cf. RCL] (EV: 1-9, 24, 35b) [or 104.1-10 (EV: 1-9)] praises God for his wisdom in creation (‘In wisdom you have made them all’, 26 [EV: 24]).
  • Hebrews 5.1-10 continues the series on Christ as high priest in Hebrews 1-10 (without a gap), and is about Jesus, the ‘Son’ who ‘learned obedience through what he suffered’, who has been ‘made perfect’, the ‘source of eternal salvation for all who obey him’, and ‘designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek’ (the only mention of Melchizedek in the series).
  • Mark 10.35-45 continues the series in Mark, and has the request of James and John, and Jesus teaching about greatness and service: ‘For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.’ The ‘Related’ reading, Isaiah 53.4-12, is about the ‘servant’ who ‘poured out himself to death’ and yet ‘shall prolong his days’ and be allotted ‘a portion with the great’. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 91.9-16, has God saying of those who take refuge in him in the face of danger: ‘I will lift them up’ and ‘With long life will I satisfy them’.

Year C

  • Jeremiah 31.27-34 continues the series on the prophets and concludes the series in Jeremiah, with the promise of a new covenant: ‘I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts’. Psalm 119.97-104 begins, ‘Lord, how I love your law!’
  • 2 Timothy 3.14 – 4.5 continues the series in 2 Timothy, with a call to faithful proclamation.
  • Luke 18.1-8 continues the series in Luke, with the parable of the persistent widow. The ‘Related’ reading, Genesis 32.22-31, is about Jacob’s persistence with God. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 121, is about looking to the Lord for help.

Sunday between 23 and 29 October (Proper 25)

Omitted if Bible Sunday is observed.

Year A

  • Deuteronomy 34.1-12 concludes the series in the Pentateuch, and is about the death of Moses. Psalm 90.1-6, 13-17 [or 90.1-6] is headed, ‘A Prayer of Moses’, and says, ‘You turn us back to dust’.
  • 1 Thessalonians 2.1-8 continues the series in 1 Thessalonians (without a gap), and is about Paul’s pattern of ministry.
  • Matthew 22.34-46 continues the series in Matthew, and has Jesus being questioned about the greatest commandment in the law, and then asking a question about David’s Lord. The ‘Related’ reading, Leviticus 19.1-2, 15-18 includes ‘you shall love your neighbour as yourself’, which is quoted in the Gospel reading. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 1, is about those whose ‘delight is in the law of the Lord’.

Year B

  • Job 42.1-6, 10-17 concludes the series on history and wisdom and in Job, and is about Job’s fortunes being restored after his suffering. Psalm 34.1-8, 19-22 [or 34.1-8] says, ‘This poor soul cried, and the Lord heard me and saved me from all my troubles.’
  • Hebrews 7.23-28 continues the series on Christ as high priest in Hebrews 1-10, and says that Jesus, unlike ‘the former priests’, ‘continues for ever’, and is therefore ‘able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them’.
  • Mark 10.46-52 continues the series in Mark (without a gap), and is about Bartimaeus, who ‘regained his sight and followed [Jesus] on the way’. The ‘Related’ reading, Jeremiah 31.7-9, says of the returning remnant, ‘among them the blind and the lame’, and speaks of ‘gladness’ and ‘weeping’. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 126, says, ‘Those who go out weeping … will come back with shouts of joy.’

Year C

  • Joel 2.23-32 concludes the series on the prophets, with a single extract from Joel. Joel is difficult to date, so it is unlikely that this passage is here for chronological reasons. It follows well from last week, with the promise that God will pour abundant rain on the earth, and his spirit on all flesh. Psalm 65 [or 65.1-7 (EV: 1-8)] is about God watering the earth abundantly.
  • 2 Timothy 4.6-8, 16-18 concludes the series in 2 Timothy (continuing without a gap), with Paul looking towards his departure.
  • Luke 18.9-14 continues the series in Luke (without a gap), with the parable of the Pharisee and the tax-collector. The ‘Related’ reading, Ecclesiasticus 35.12-17, is about God listening to the prayer of the poor (the tax-collector being taken as someone who is poor, at least in spirit, presumably). The alternative ‘Related’ reading, Jeremiah 14.7-10, 19-22, is a confession of sin and a plea for God’s help. The ‘Related’ psalm, Psalm 84.1-7 (EV: 1-8), expresses a desire ‘to enter the courts of the Lord’, and asks God to ‘hear my prayer’.

The Last Sunday after Trinity if observed as Bible Sunday

Year A

  • Nehemiah 8.1-4a [5-6] 8-12 is about ‘the book of the law of Moses’ being read and being understood by the people.
  • Psalm 119.9-16 is about delighting in God’s words and commandments.
  • Colossians 3.12-17 says, ‘Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly’.
  • Matthew 24.30-35 has Jesus saying, ‘Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.’

Year B

  • Isaiah 55.1-11 has God saying, ‘my word … shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it’.
  • Psalm 19.7-14 begins, ‘The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul’.
  • 2 Timothy 3.14 – 4.5 speaks of Timothy having ‘known the sacred writings’ from childhood. ‘All scripture is inspired by God and is useful’, so Timothy should ‘proclaim the message’.
  • John 5.36b-47 has Jesus saying, ‘You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on my behalf’.

Year C

  • Isaiah 45.22-25 has God saying, ‘from my mouth has gone forth in righteousness a word that shall not return’.
  • Psalm 119.129-136 includes the verse, ‘The opening of your word gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.’
  • Romans 15.1-6 speaks of the scriptures, that ‘whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction’.
  • Luke 4.16-24 tells of Jesus reading from Isaiah and saying, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’ (Luke 4.14-21 is also set for Epiphany 3.)

All Saints’ Day

1 November, or the Sunday between 30 October and 5 November as All Saints’ Sunday.

Themes include: holiness, purity, God’s holy ones, Mount Zion, the holy city.

Year A

  • Revelation 7.9-17 (see BCP) has a ‘great multitude … standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white’.
  • Psalm 34.1-10 says, ‘Look upon him and be radiant’, and, ‘Fear the Lord, all you his holy ones’.
  • 1 John 3.1-3 says, ‘when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is’.
  • Matthew 5.1-12 (see BCP) contains the Beatitudes, including, ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.’

Year B

  • Wisdom of Solomon 3.1-9 (from the Apocrypha) says, ‘the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God’.
  • Alternatively, Isaiah 25.6-9 speaks of ‘this mountain’ and is echoed in the reading from Revelation: God ‘will swallow up death for ever’ and ‘will wipe away the tears from all faces’.
  • Psalm 24.1-6 says, ‘Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? Those who have clean hands and pure hearts’.
  • Revelation 21.1-6a speaks of ‘the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God’, and of God dwelling with his people, and says, ‘he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more’.
  • John 11.32-44 reflects the readings from Revelation and Isaiah, with Lazarus being raised from the dead.

Year C

  • Daniel 7.1-3, 15-18 speaks of ‘the holy ones of the Most High’.
  • Psalm 149 mentions ‘the congregation of the faithful’ and the Lord’s ‘faithful servants’.
  • Ephesians 1.11-23 speaks of the ‘glorious inheritance among the saints’.
  • Luke 6.20-31 says ‘your reward is great in heaven’.

If All Saints’ Day is celebrated on a Sunday, there may be a supplementary celebration on 1 November:

Years A, B and C

  • Isaiah 56.3-8 has God promising to give ‘an everlasting name’ and to bring people to his ‘holy mountain’.
  • Alternatively, 2 Esdras 2.42-48 (from the Apocrypha) speaks of the ‘Son of God’ crowning a great multitude on Mount Zion.
  • Psalm 33.1-5 (see BCP+) calls on the ‘righteous’ to sing God’s praise.
  • Hebrews 12.18-24 says, ‘you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God’.
  • Matthew 5.1-12 contains the Beatitudes, including, ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.’

4 before Advent (between 30 October and 5 November)*

(RCL ‘Proper 26’.)

Displaced if All Saints’ Day falls (or is celebrated) on a Sunday.

Year A

  • The alternative psalm, Psalm 107.1-8, is derived from the RCL, which has a ‘Continuous’ Old Testament reading from Joshua 3.7-17, about the crossing of the Jordan, followed by Psalm 107.1-7, 33-37, which says, ‘The Lord turns rivers into wilderness’ (33).
  • 1 Thessalonians 2.9-13 continues the series in 1 Thessalonians (without a gap), and is about how both Paul and the word of God worked among the believers.
  • Matthew 24.1-14 continues the series in Matthew, and is about ‘the sign of [Jesus’] coming and of the end of the age’. (The RCL has Matthew 23.1-12, which fits less well with the themes of the Sundays before Advent, but the change leaves a gap in the lectionary provision.) Micah 3.5-12 is the related reading for the RCL reading, Matthew 23.1-12, pronouncing judgment on the prophets and rulers, but it also fits with Matthew 24.1-14, declaring that ‘Jerusalem shall become a heap of ruins’. Psalm 43 calls out for deliverance ‘from the deceitful and the wicked’.

Year B

  • Hebrews 9.11-14 continues the series on Christ as high priest in Hebrews 1-10, and contrasts the sacrifices of the earthly tabernacle with the sacrifice of Christ (see next week), focusing on the power of Christ’s blood to sanctify and purify.
  • Mark 12.28-34 continues the series in Mark, and is about the greatest commandments. Deuteronomy 6.1-9 is quoted in the Gospel reading: ‘Hear, O Israel …’. Psalm 119.1-8 says, ‘You, O Lord, have charged that we should diligently keep your commandments.’

Year C

  • 2 Thessalonians 1.1-12 begins a three-week series in 2 Thessalonians. Paul looks ahead to the coming of Jesus.
  • Luke 19.1-10 continues the series in Luke, with Zacchaeus the repentant and forgiven tax-collector. Isaiah 1.10-18 is a call to repentance and to seek justice, with a promise of forgiveness. Psalm 32.1-8 (EV: 1-7) is about repentance and forgiveness.

3 before Advent (between 6 and 12 November)

(RCL ‘Proper 27’.)

Usually Remembrance Sunday (the Sunday between 8 and 14 November).

Year A

  • 1 Thessalonians 4.13-18 continues the series in 1 Thessalonians, and is about ‘the coming of the Lord’.
  • Matthew 25.1-13 continues the series in Matthew, and is the parable of the ten bridesmaids (five foolish and five wise). Wisdom of Solomon 6.12-16 (from the Apocrypha) is about wisdom, and is continued in the canticle, Wisdom of Solomon 6.17-20. Alternatively, Amos 5.18-24, is a warning (to the foolish) that ‘the day of the Lord’ will be ‘darkness, not light’, whereas Psalm 70 echoes the longing of the wise bridesmaids for the coming of the bridegroom: ‘O Lord, do not delay’.

Year B

The Gospel and related Old Testament and Psalm are transferred from RCL Epiphany 3, conceivably because they were considered more suitable to Remembrance Sunday and the Sundays before Advent than the RCL readings (Mark 12.38-44 and related passages about poor widows).

  • Hebrews 9.24-28 continues the series on Christ as high priest in Hebrews 1-10, and continues to contrast the sacrifices of the earthly tabernacle with the sacrifice of Christ (see last week), focusing on the ‘once for all’ nature of Christ’s sacrifice, preparing the way for Christ to ‘appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him’.
  • Mark 1.14-20 continues the series in Mark (out of sequence), and is about Jesus proclaiming, ‘repent, and believe the good news’ (because ‘the kingdom of God has come near’), and calling people to follow him. Jonah 3.1-5, 10 is about the people of Nineveh believing (trust) God and repenting at the preaching of Jonah: ‘they turned from their evil ways’. Psalm 62.5-12 is about trusting God, and reflects God’s response to the repentance of the people of Nineveh: ‘Steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord, for you repay everyone according to their deeds.’

Year C

  • 2 Thessalonians 2.1-5, 13-17 continues the series in 2 Thessalonians, with more on the coming of Jesus.
  • Luke 20.27-38 continues the series in Luke, and picks up the end-times emphasis of the Sundays before Advent, with Jesus and the Sadducees discussing the resurrection and marriage. Job 19.23-27a contains a glimpse of resurrection hope. Psalm 17.1-9 [or 17.1-8] follows Job in pleading integrity before God.

2 before Advent (between 13 and 19 November)

(RCL ‘Proper 28’.)

Sometimes Remembrance Sunday (the Sunday between 8 and 14 November).

Year A

  • 1 Thessalonians 5.1-11 concludes the series in 1 Thessalonians (continuing without a gap), and is about ‘the day of the Lord’. (The series could be concluded a few weeks later, in Advent 3, Year A, with 1 Thessalonians 5.16-24.)
  • Matthew 25.14-30 continues the series in Matthew (without a gap), and is the parable of the talents, concluding with a warning of judgment. Zephaniah 1.7, 12-18 is about the day of the Lord: ‘Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them’. Psalm 90.1-8 [9-11] 12 [or 90.1-8] says, ‘You have set our misdeeds before you and our secret sins in the light of your countenance.’

Year B

  • Hebrews 10.11-14 [15-18] 19-25 concludes the series on Christ as high priest in Hebrews 1-10, and focuses on our response: ‘let us approach … Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering … And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds’. (The series could be concluded a few weeks later, in Advent 4, Year C, with the preceding passage, Hebrews 10.5-10.)
  • Mark 13.1-8 continues the series in Mark, and has Jesus warning of ‘wars and rumours of wars’, as ‘the beginning of the birth pangs’, before ‘the end’. Daniel 12.1-3 speaks of ‘a time of anguish’ and of the dead being raised. Psalm 16 expresses confidence in the face of death: ‘my flesh also shall rest secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Death’.

Year C

  • 2 Thessalonians 3.6-13 concludes the series in 2 Thessalonians, with a warning against idleness.
  • Luke 21.5-19 continues the series in Luke, and continues the end-times emphasis of the Sundays before Advent, with Jesus speaking about the destruction of the temple and the signs of the end times. Malachi 4.1-2a looks ahead to a day of destruction. Psalm 98 says that the Lord ‘comes to judge the earth’.

Christ the King: 1 before Advent (between 20 and 26 November)

(RCL ‘Proper 29’.)

Year A

  • Ephesians 1.15-23 says that God has put all things under Christ’s feet.
  • Matthew 25.31-46 concludes the series in Matthew (continuing without a gap), and is about the ‘Son of Man’ on his throne separating the ‘sheep’ from the ‘goats’. Ezekiel 34.11-16, 20-24 is about God’s care for his sheep: ‘I will judge between sheep and sheep’. Psalm 95.1-7 (EV: 1-7a) says, ‘we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand’.

Year B

  • Daniel 7.9-10, 13-14 has ‘one like a human being coming with the clouds of heaven’, being presented before ‘the Ancient One’: ‘his kingship is one that shall never be destroyed’.
  • Psalm 93 begins, ‘The Lord is king’.
  • Revelation 1.4b-8 speaks of Jesus as ‘the ruler of the kings of the earth’, and quotes the reading from Daniel: ‘He is coming with the clouds’.
  • John 18.33-37 has Jesus speaking to Pilate about his ‘kingdom’.

Year C

  • Jeremiah 23.1-6 (see BCP) says that God will raise up ‘a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king’.
  • Psalm 46 has God reigning over the nations, causing wars to cease.
  • Colossians 1.11-20 (see BCP+) is about ‘the kingdom of [God’s] beloved Son’, in whom all things in heaven and on earth hold together.
  • Luke 23.33-43 concludes the series in Luke, with an extract from the Passion narrative (set for Palm Sunday). One of the crucified criminals acknowledges Christ as King.

Festivals

The RCL provides readings only for a small number of the Festivals listed below: the Annunciation, the Visitation, Holy Cross, and Thanksgiving Day (observed in Common Worship as Harvest Thanksgiving).

According to the Rules, Festivals are ‘not usually displaced’. However,

Festivals falling on a Sunday are to be kept on that day or transferred to the Monday (or, at the discretion of the minister, to the next suitable weekday). But a Festival may not be celebrated on Sundays in Advent, Lent or Eastertide. Festivals coinciding with a Principal Feast or Principal Holy Day are transferred to the first available day.

One of these Festivals might be the Patronal or Dedication Festival, which can be observed either as a Festival or as a Principal Feast. According to the Rules,

When kept as Principal Feasts, the Patronal and Dedication Festivals may be transferred to the nearest Sunday, unless that day is already a Principal Feast or one of the following days: the First Sunday of Advent, the Baptism of Christ, the First Sunday of Lent, the Fifth Sunday of Lent or Palm Sunday.

If it falls on one of those days, it must be transferred.

The Naming and Circumcision of Jesus (1 January)

If Jesus was born on 25 December, he was circumcised on 1 January.

  • Numbers 6.22-27 connects the Aaronic blessing with the Lord’s name: ‘So they shall put my name on the Israelites’.
  • Psalm 8 (see BCP+) says to the Lord, ‘how glorious is your name’.
  • Galatians 4.4-7 says that Jesus was ‘born under the law’, which explains why he was circumcised.
  • Luke 2.15-21 (see BCP) says, ‘After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.’

The Conversion of Paul (25 January)

According to rule 6 at the top of the lectionary,

If there are only two readings at the principal service on … the Conversion of Paul …, the reading from the Acts of the Apostles must always be used.

Most of the readings are about the nations/Gentiles hearing and responding to God’s message.

  • Jeremiah 1.4-10 is about Jeremiah’s call as ‘a prophet to the nations’. (See below for the alternative, Acts 9.1-22.)
  • Psalm 67 (see BCP+) says, ‘let all the peoples praise you’.
  • Acts 9.1-22 (see BCP) is the account of Saul/Paul’s experience on the road to Damascus, in which the Lord says of him, ‘he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles’.
  • Alternatively, the passage from Acts can be the first reading, with Galatians 1.11-16a as the second reading, in which Paul says that God ‘was pleased to reveal his Son to me, so that I might proclaim him among the Gentiles’.
  • Matthew 19.27-30 (see BCP) is Jesus’ promise to those who have ‘left everything and followed [him]’, which is the essence of conversion.

Joseph of Nazareth (19 March)

19 March always falls during Lent. According to the Rules,

When St Joseph’s Day falls between Palm Sunday and the Second Sunday of Easter inclusive, it is transferred to the Monday after the Second Sunday of Easter or, if the Annunciation has already been moved to that date, to the first available day thereafter.

  • 2 Samuel 7.4-16 is God’s message to David, saying of David’s son, ‘I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me.’
  • Psalm 89.26-36 has God saying of David, ‘He shall call to me, “You are my Father,”’ and ‘His seed shall endure for ever’.
  • Romans 4.13-18 moves (apparently) from the idea of Jesus being treated as Joseph’s son, to the idea of believers being treated as descendants of Abraham.
  • Matthew 1.18-25 is about Joseph, who ‘took [Mary] as his wife’, and ‘named [her son] Jesus’.

The Annunciation of Our Lord to the Blessed Virgin Mary (25 March)

This is a Principal Feast, but it comes across as somewhat unwanted, as it is never celebrated on a Sunday (unless it is the Patronal Festival celebrated as a Principal Feast). 25 March always fall during Lent, or very occasionally on or just after Easter Day. According to the Rules,

the Annunciation, falling on a Sunday, is transferred to the Monday following or, falling between Palm Sunday and the Second Sunday of Easter inclusive, is transferred to the Monday after the Second Sunday of Easter.

  • Isaiah 7.10-14 (see BCP+) says, ‘Look, the young woman [Gk the virgin] is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.’
  • Psalm 40.5-11 (EV: 5-10) reflects Mary’s response: ‘In the scroll of the book it is written of me that I should do your will, O my God; I delight to do it: your law is within my heart.’
  • Hebrews 10.4-10 quotes Psalm 40 in relation to Jesus: ‘a body you have prepared for me … Then I said, “See, God, I have come to do your will, O God” (in the scroll of the book it is written of me).’
  • Luke 1.26-38 (see BCP) is about the visit of Gabriel to Mary: ‘you will conceive in your womb and bear a son’, concluding with Mary saying, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’

George, Martyr, Patron of England (23 April)

23 April always falls during the Easter season or on Good Friday or Easter Eve (Easter always falls between 22 March and 25 April), so this Festival is never celebrated on a Sunday (unless it is the Patronal Festival celebrated as a Principal Feast), and it is always celebrated during the Easter season. According to the Rules,

When St George’s Day or St Mark’s Day falls between Palm Sunday and the Second Sunday of Easter inclusive, it is transferred to the Monday after the Second Sunday of Easter. If both fall in this period, St George’s Day is transferred to the Monday and St Mark’s Day to the Tuesday.

The readings reflect themes of martyrdom (looking for hope beyond death) and of dragons and other dangerous animals.

  • 1 Maccabees 2.59-64 (from the Apocrypha) says, ‘Daniel, because of his innocence, was delivered from the mouth of the lions.’
  • Alternatively, Revelation 12.7-12 says, ‘The great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan’, and speaks of those who ‘did not cling to life even in the face of death’.
  • Psalm 126 says, ‘Those who sow in tears shall reap with songs of joy.’
  • 2 Timothy 2.3-13 says, ‘Share in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.’
  • John 15.18-21 is from a portion of John’s Gospel that features during the Easter season, and has Jesus saying, ‘If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you.’

Mark the Evangelist (25 April)

25 April always falls during the Easter season, so this Festival is never celebrated on a Sunday (unless it is the Patronal Festival celebrated as a Principal Feast). See above on George (23 April).

  • Proverbs 15.28-33 (see BCP+) speaks of ‘good news’, reflecting Mark’s role in writing the ‘good news’ (Mark 1.1), and speaks of those who ‘gain understanding’, perhaps reflecting Mark’s growth in wisdom after initially deserting Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15.38).
  • Alternatively, Acts 15.35-41 is the account of Paul and Barnabas parting company, after disagreeing about whether ‘to take with them John called Mark’.
  • Psalm 119.9-16 (see BCP+) speaks of ‘young people’ (Mark presumably being a young man at the start of his ministry), and says, ‘I will not forget your word’, pointing to Mark’s work in writing his Gospel.
  • Ephesians 4.7-16 (see BCP) says, ‘The gifts [Christ] gave were that some would be … evangelists’, and says that the church grows through ‘speaking the truth in love’.
  • Mark 13.5-13 speaks of persecution (according to tradition, Mark was martyred), and says, ‘the good news must first be proclaimed to all nations’.

Philip and James, Apostles (1 May)

1 May always falls during the Easter season, so this Festival is never celebrated on a Sunday (unless it is the Patronal Festival celebrated as a Principal Feast).

Two of the Twelve are called James; this is James ‘the Less’, son of Alphaeus.

Little is known of Philip or James. The readings reflect Philip’s desire to see the Father, and Jesus’ response to Philip: ‘Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.’

  • Isaiah 30.15-21 says, ‘your eyes shall see your Teacher’.
  • Psalm 119.1-8 says, ‘Blessed are those who … seek him with their whole heart’.
  • Ephesians 1.3-10 says that ‘the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ … has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing’ and ‘has made known to us the mystery of his will’.
  • John 14.1-14 (see BCP) has Philip saying to Jesus, ‘Lord, show us the Father,’ prompting the response from Jesus: ‘Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.’

Matthias the Apostle (14 May)

14 May always falls between Easter and Trinity, so this Festival is never celebrated on a Sunday (unless it is the Patronal Festival celebrated as a Principal Feast).

According to rule 6 at the top of the lectionary,

If there are only two readings at the principal service on … the Festivals of Matthias …, the reading from the Acts of the Apostles must always be used.

  • Isaiah 22.15-25 is about Shebna being thrust from his office and Eliakim taking his place (as Matthias took the place of Judas).
  • Psalm 15 says that the one who ‘leads an uncorrupt life … shall never fall’ (like Matthias, and unlike Judas).
  • Acts 1.15-26 (see BCP) is about Matthias being chosen by the ‘Lord’ (Jesus) to take the place of Judas.
  • John 15.9-17 has Jesus saying, ‘You did not choose me but I chose you’.

The Visit of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth (31 May)

Also known as the Visitation.

31 May usually falls between Easter and Trinity, so this Festival can rarely be celebrated on a Sunday (unless it is the Patronal Festival celebrated as a Principal Feast).

  • Zephaniah 3.14-18 calls on ‘daughter Zion’ to rejoice, because ‘The Lord, your God, is in your midst’.
  • Psalm 113 (see BCP+) says that God ‘raises the poor from the dust’ and ‘gives the barren woman a place in the house and makes her a joyful mother of children’.
  • Romans 12.9-16 says, ‘Rejoice with those who rejoice’.
  • Luke 1.39-49 [50-56] (see BCP) has Mary visiting Elizabeth after the annunciation. At Mary’s greeting, the child in Elizabeth’s womb (John the Baptist) leaps for joy, Elizabeth cries out, ‘Blessed…’, and Mary responds with the Magnificat.

Barnabas the Apostle (11 June)

11 June occasionally falls before Trinity (20 June at the latest).

According to rule 6 at the top of the lectionary,

If there are only two readings at the principal service on … the Festivals of … Barnabas …, the reading from the Acts of the Apostles must always be used.

Barnabas first appears in Acts 4.32-37, which says that his name means ‘son of encouragement’, and that he sold a field in order to help believers who were in need.

  • Job 29.11-16 (see BCP+) has Job saying, ‘I delivered the poor who cried,’ and, ‘I was a father to the needy’.
  • Psalm 112 (see BCP+) says that the righteous ‘have given freely to the poor’.
  • Acts 11.19-30 (see BCP) has Barnabas being sent from Jerusalem to Antioch, and then being sent back (with Saul) in order to ‘send relief to the believers living in Judea’.
  • Alternatively, the passage from Acts can be the first reading, with Galatians 2.1-10 as the second reading, which is about Paul’s visit to Jerusalem with Barnabas, including the request they received to ‘remember the poor’.
  • John 15.12-17 (see BCP) includes the commandment to ‘love one another’, and has Jesus saying, ‘I appointed you to go and bear fruit’.

The Birth of John the Baptist (24 June)

  • Isaiah 40.1-11 (see BCP+) anticipates John the Baptist: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way’.
  • Psalm 85.7-13 speaks of the way being prepared: ‘Righteousness shall go before him and direct his steps in the way’ (NRSV: ‘make a path for his steps’).
  • Acts 13.14b-26 (see BCP) includes Paul’s description of John’s ministry.
  • Alternatively, Galatians 3.23-29 speaks of the law preparing the way for Christ.
  • Luke 1.57-66, 80 (see BCP) is about the birth of John the Baptist.

Peter and Paul, Apostles, or Peter the Apostle (29 June)

The readings differ slightly, depending on whether Peter and Paul are celebrated together, or Peter alone.

Both Peter and Paul faced persecution and martyrdom, and this is reflected in the readings.

  • Peter and Paul: Zechariah 4.1-6a, 10b-14 is the vision of the two olive trees (see Revelation 11), which have been associated with Peter and Paul.
  • Peter alone: Ezekiel 3.22-27 is part of Ezekiel’s calling as a prophet, and includes ‘cords shall be placed on you, and you shall be bound with them’ (see Acts 12).
  • Psalm 125 (see BCP+) says, ‘Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but stands fast for ever’, like the ‘rock’ in Matthew 16.
  • Acts 12.1-11 (see BCP) is about Peter being imprisoned and chained, and then being rescued by an angel.
  • Alternatively, the passage from Acts can be the first reading, with one of the following as the second reading:
    • Peter and Paul: 2 Timothy 4.6-8, 17-18 has Paul anticipating his death, looking ahead to ‘the crown of righteousness’, and trusting in the Lord to rescue him.
    • Peter alone: 1 Peter 2.19-25 is about suffering unjustly, after the example of Christ.
  • Matthew 16.13-19 (see BCP) is Peter’s declaration of Jesus as Messiah, with Jesus’ response: ‘you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it’.

Thomas the Apostle (3 July)

  • Habakkuk 2.1-4 says, ‘the righteous live by their faith’, reflecting the mention in the Gospel reading of ‘those who have not seen and yet have come to believe’.
  • Psalm 31.1-6 emphasises that faith is better than sight: ‘I hate those who cling to worthless idols; I put my trust in the Lord.’
  • Ephesians 2.19-22 (see BCP) speaks of the church as being ‘built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone’.
  • John 20.24-29 (see BCP) is about Thomas believing only after seeing the risen Jesus, who then said, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’

Mary Magdalene (22 July)

The focus is on Mary Magdalene seeing the risen Christ.

  • Song of Solomon 3.1-4 says, ‘I found him whom my soul loves’ and ‘I held him, and would not let him go’.
  • Psalm 42.1-10 (EV: 1-8) expresses a tearful longing for ‘the presence of God’.
  • 2 Corinthians 5.14-17 (see BCP+) speaks of Christ being raised, and says, ‘even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way’.
  • John 20.1-2, 11-18 (see BCP+) is about Mary Magdalene ‘weeping outside the tomb’, then encountering the risen Jesus, who said, ‘Do not hold on to me’.

James the Apostle (25 July)

According to rule 6 at the top of the lectionary,

If there are only two readings at the principal service on … the Festivals of … James …, the reading from the Acts of the Apostles must always be used.

Two of the Twelve are called James; this is James ‘the Great’, son of Zebedee and elder brother of John, and the first of the Twelve to suffer martyrdom (Acts 12.2).

  • Jeremiah 45.1-5 gives assurance in the face of death: ‘I will give you your life as a prize of war in every place to which you may go’.
  • Psalm 126 says, ‘Those who sow in tears shall reap with songs of joy.’
  • Acts 11.27 – 12.2 (see BCP) says that Herod ‘had James, the brother of John, killed with the sword’.
  • Alternatively, the passage from Acts can be the first reading, with 2 Corinthians 4.7-15 as the second reading, in which Paul speaks of ‘being given up to death for Jesus’ sake’.
  • Matthew 20.20-28 (see BCP) is the request of ‘the mother of the sons of Zebedee’ (James and John), with Jesus’ words to them, ‘You will indeed drink my cup’.

The Transfiguration of Our Lord (6 August)

The Transfiguration is also celebrated on the Sunday before Lent.

  • Daniel 7.9-10, 13-14 is Daniel’s vision of ‘one like a human being coming with the clouds of heaven’ and being presented before ‘the Ancient One’, whose ‘clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool’.
  • Psalm 97 says, ‘Clouds and darkness are round about him’, and, ‘Fire goes before him’.
  • 2 Peter 1.16-19 includes Peter’s eyewitness account of the Transfiguration.
  • Luke 9.28-36 is Luke’s account of Jesus’ Transfiguration: ‘his clothes became dazzling white … they saw his glory … a cloud came and overshadowed them’.

The Blessed Virgin Mary (15 August)

Although the date is derived from the Assumption, this festival is not so specific, and ‘may be celebrated on 8 September [The Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary] instead of 15 August’, according to the Calendar.

  • Isaiah 61.10-11 says, ‘I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God’, echoing the Magnificat.
  • Alternatively, Revelation 11.19 – 12.6, 10 is John’s vision of ‘a woman clothed with the sun’ who ‘gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron’. (The ‘ark of his covenant’ [11.19] has also been taken as a reference to Mary.)
  • Psalm 45.10-17 (see BCP+) says to the ‘king’s daughter’, ‘I will make your name to be remembered through all generations’, echoing the Magnificat.
  • Galatians 4.4-7 says, ‘God sent his Son, born of a woman’.
  • Luke 1.46-55 is the Magnificat.

Bartholomew the Apostle (24 August)

One of the Twelve, according to Matthew, Mark and Luke, identified with Nathanael in John. Subsequently active as a missionary and then martyred, according to tradition.

  • Isaiah 43.8-13 says, ‘you are my witnesses’.
  • Psalm 145.1-7 says, ‘I will tell of all your wonderful deeds’.
  • Acts 5.12-16 (see BCP) says that ‘many signs and wonders were done among the people through the apostles’ (including Bartholomew, presumably: 1.13).
  • Alternatively, the passage from Acts can be the first reading, with 1 Corinthians 4.9-15 as the second reading, in which Paul says, ‘I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, as though sentenced to death’.
  • Luke 22.24-30 (see BCP) has Jesus saying, ‘the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves’, perhaps hinting at Bartholomew’s martyrdom, or at his lack of prominence among the apostles.

Holy Cross Day (14 September)

This is also known as the Feast of the ‘Exaltation of the Cross’, and has its origins in more than one event associated with the cross and Jerusalem. The theme of exaltation is reflected in the readings.

  • Psalm 22.23-28 expresses praise to the Lord, who ‘has not despised nor abhorred the suffering of the poor’, which fits with the theme of the crucified one being exalted.
  • Philippians 2.6-11 is about Christ humbling himself to ‘death on a cross’ and subsequently being exalted.
  • John 3.13-17 is about the Son of Man being ‘lifted up’, ‘just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness’. Numbers 21.4-9 (see BCP+) is about the bronze serpent.

Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist (21 September)

Matthew was a tax-collector. This is reflected in the readings.

  • Proverbs 3.13-18 says that wisdom is better than silver and gold.
  • Psalm 119.65-72 (see BCP+) says that God’s law is ‘dearer to me than a hoard of gold and silver’.
  • 2 Corinthians 4.1-6 (see BCP) has several possible connections with Matthew: renouncing ‘shameful things’, the ‘open statement of the truth’ (in writing his Gospel), light shining into Matthew’s heart.
  • Matthew 9.9-13 (see BCP) tells of Jesus calling Matthew the tax-collector to follow him, and of Jesus eating with ‘tax-collectors and sinners’.

Michael and All Angels (29 September)

Michael the archangel is mentioned four times in Scripture: Daniel 10.13-21 and 12.1, Jude 9 and Revelation 12.7.

  • Genesis 28.10-17 is Jacob’s dream of a ‘ladder’ with ‘the angels of God … ascending and descending on it’, which is echoed in the Gospel reading.
  • See below for the alternative, Revelation 12.7-12.
  • Psalm 103.19-22 (see BCP+) says, ‘Bless the Lord, you angels of his’.
  • Revelation 12.7-12 (see BCP) is about ‘Michael and his angels’ fighting against ‘the dragon … and his angels’.
  • Alternatively, the passage from Revelation can be the first reading, with Hebrews 1.5-14 as the second reading, contrasting angels with the Son: see 1.1-4 and 2.1-4.
  • John 1.47-51 has Jesus saying to Nathanael, ‘you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man’, echoing the Old Testament reading.

Luke the Evangelist (18 October)

Luke was a ‘physician’ (Colossians 4.14). This is reflected in the readings. (Elsewhere, Luke is mentioned by name only in 2 Timothy 4.11 and Philemon 24.)

  • Isaiah 35.3-6 (see BCP+) is about the restoration of health.
  • Alternatively, Acts 16.6-12a contains the first ‘we’ of the narrative, subtly indicating the point at which Luke joined Paul and his companions.
  • Psalm 147.1-7 (see BCP+) says that the Lord ‘heals the brokenhearted and binds up all their wounds’.
  • 2 Timothy 4.5-17 (see BCP) says, ‘Only Luke is with me.’
  • Luke 10.1-9 (see BCP) is about the mission of the seventy, which perhaps speaks more directly to those (such as Luke) who are not numbered among the Twelve. (Luke has at times been numbered among the seventy disciples.) They were sent out to ‘cure the sick’ and to speak of the ‘kingdom of God’, which is appropriate to Luke as a physician and the author of one of the Gospels.

Simon and Jude, Apostles (28 October)

Simon, one of the Twelve (not Peter), appears as ‘the Cananaean’ in Matthew 10.4 and Mark 3.18, and as ‘the Zealot’ in Luke 6.15 and Acts 1.13.

Jude, one of the Twelve, is mentioned as ‘Judas son of James’ in Luke 6.16 and Acts 1.13, as ‘Judas (not Iscariot)’ when he asks a question in John 14.22, and (presumably) as ‘Thaddaeus’ (or ‘Lebbaeus’) in Matthew 10.3 and as ‘Thaddaeus’ in Mark 3.18. The Greek behind ‘son of James’ is simply ‘of James’, which has historically led many (especially in the West) to identify this Jude with the author of the Epistle of Jude (who describes himself as ‘Jude … brother of James’), who is identified with ‘Judas’, a brother of Jesus, mentioned in Matthew 13.55 and Mark 6.3.

According to tradition, Simon and Jude worked together as evangelists and were martyred together.

  • Ephesians 2.19-22 speaks of the church as being ‘built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone’. Isaiah 28.14-16 (see BCP+) has God speaking of ‘a foundation stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation’. Psalm 119.89-96 reflects the theme of foundations: the Lord’s word ‘stands firm’, the Lord has ‘established the earth’, and the Lord’s ‘judgements stand firm’.
  • John 15.17-27 (see BCP) reflects Simon and Jude’s calling, by speaking of persecution and of Jesus’ command to his disciples to ‘testify’.

Andrew the Apostle (30 November)

30 November, if it is a Sunday, falls on the First Sunday of Advent, so this Festival is never celebrated on a Sunday (not even if it is the Patronal Festival celebrated as a Principal Feast).

‘In the Anglican Communion, St Andrewstide is widely observed by intercessions for foreign missions.’4 This is the emphasis in the readings.

  • Romans 10.12-18 (see BCP) is about the good news being proclaimed ‘to all the earth’, echoing Jesus’ call to Andrew. The other two readings are quoted: Isaiah 52.7-10 (‘How beautiful … are the feet’) and Psalm 19.1-6 (‘… their words to the ends of the world’).
  • Matthew 4.18-22 (see BCP) has Jesus calling two pairs of brothers as his first followers: Simon Peter and Andrew, followed by James and John. To the first pair, Jesus says, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.’

Stephen, Deacon, First Martyr (26 December)

According to rule 6 at the top of the lectionary,

If there are only two readings at the principal service on … the Festivals of … Stephen, the reading from the Acts of the Apostles must always be used.

  • 2 Chronicles 24.20-22 (see BCP+) is about the stoning of Zechariah (who said as he was dying, ‘May the Lord see and avenge!’).
  • See below for the alternative, Acts 7.51-60.
  • Psalm 119.161-168 (see BCP+) speaks of being ‘persecuted … without a cause’.
  • Acts 7.51-60 (see BCP) is about the stoning of Stephen (who said as he was dying, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them’).
  • Alternatively, the passage from Acts can be the first reading, with Galatians 2.16b-20 as the second reading, which speaks of having been ‘crucified with Christ’.
  • Matthew 10.17-22 warns of being ‘put to death’ because of Jesus.

John, Apostle and Evangelist (27 December)

John the Apostle (son of Zebedee) is traditionally identified with the evangelist who wrote ‘John’s Gospel’, with the author of the ‘Letters of John’, and with the author of the Book of Revelation.

  • Psalm 117 may have been chosen because John’s testimony was for all nations.
  • 1 John 1 (see BCP) is about John’s eyewitness testimony.
  • John 21.19b-25 (see BCP) says that ‘the disciple whom Jesus loved’, ‘the one who had reclined next to Jesus at the supper’, was the one who wrote this Gospel. Exodus 33.7-11a (see BCP+) speaks of a similarly close relationship: ‘the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend’.

The Holy Innocents (28 December)

The infants of Bethlehem are often celebrated as martyrs, and this may be reflected in the readings.

  • Psalm 124 speaks of having ‘escaped’, as the infant Jesus (and the other infants?) escaped from Herod.
  • 1 Corinthians 1.26-29 speaks of God choosing ‘what is weak in the world to shame the strong’, inviting a contrast between the infant Jesus (and the other infants?) and Herod.
  • Matthew 2.13-18 (see BCP) says that Herod ‘killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under’. Jeremiah 31.15-17 (see BCP+) is quoted: ‘Rachel weeping for her children’.

Dedication Festival

According to the Rules,

The Dedication Festival of a church is the anniversary of the date of its dedication or consecration. This is kept either as a Festival or as a Principal Feast.

Year A

  • 1 Kings 8.22-30 is Solomon’s prayer of dedication for the temple.
  • Alternatively, Revelation 21.9-14 speaks of the walls and gates of the ‘holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God’.
  • Psalm 122 (see BCP+) says, ‘I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”’
  • Hebrews 12.18-24 says that believers ‘have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem’.
  • Matthew 21.12-16 (see BCP+) says that Jesus ‘drove out all who were selling and buying in the temple’.

Year B

  • Genesis 28.11-18 is about Jacob’s vision: ‘This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.’
  • Alternatively, Revelation 21.9-14: see Year A.
  • Psalm 122: see Year A.
  • 1 Peter 2.1-10 (see BCP+) likens believers to ‘living stones’, being built into a spiritual house’.
  • John 10.22-29 (see BCP+) is set in Jerusalem at the time of ‘the festival of the Dedication’.

Year C

  • 1 Chronicles 29.6-19 has David praising God when the people make offerings for the construction of the temple.
  • Psalm 122: see Year A.
  • Ephesians 2.19-22 speaks of believers growing into ‘a holy temple in the Lord’.
  • John 2.13-22 speaks of Jesus driving people out of the temple and saying, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.’

Harvest Thanksgiving

Based on the RCL readings for Thanksgiving Day.

Year A

  • Deuteronomy 8.7-18 (see BCP+) speaks of God bringing his people into a fruitful land, and warns against forgetting God in times of plenty.
  • Alternatively, Deuteronomy 28.1-14 speaks of the blessings that follow from obedience.
  • Psalm 65 (see BCP+) says, ‘You visit the earth and water it; you make it very plenteous.’
  • 2 Corinthians 9.6-15 speaks of sowing and reaping for ‘the harvest of your righteousness’.
  • Luke 12.16-30 is about the rich man and his barns, and about not worrying about food or clothing (compare Year B). (Verse 31 could also be included.)
  • Alternatively, Luke 17.11-19 is about the ten lepers, only one of whom returned to praise God.

Year B

  • Joel 2.21-27 is about God bringing fruitfulness, after the invasion of locusts: ‘the Lord has done great things’.
  • Psalm 126 says, ‘The Lord has done great things’, and, ‘Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed, will come back with shouts of joy, bearing their sheaves with them.’
  • 1 Timothy 2.1-7 calls for ‘supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings’.
  • Alternatively, 1 Timothy 6.6-10 is about contentment: ‘if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these’.
  • Matthew 6.25-33 is about not worrying about food or clothing (compare Year A). (Verse 34 could also be included.)

Year C

  • Deuteronomy 26.1-11 (see BCP+) is about offering some of the first fruits of the harvest.
  • Psalm 100 calls for joy and thanksgiving.
  • Philippians 4.4-9 calls for ‘prayer and supplication with thanksgiving’.
  • Alternatively, Revelation 14.14-18 is about ‘one like the Son of Man’ reaping the harvest of the earth.
  • John 6.25-35 says (after the feeding of the 5000), ‘Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life’.

Appendix: Gospels

What follows is a complete index to each of the four Gospels, showing which passages are included, which are omitted but have a parallel passage included from one of the other Gospels, and which are simply omitted. See the Introduction for a broad overview of how the Gospels are treated in the lectionary.

For Matthew, Mark and Luke, the semicontinuous series from Epiphany 3 to the end of Ordinary Time is shown in bold.

It is difficult to quantify how much material is included from the Synoptic Gospels, without first creating a harmony of the Gospels. In one English Version, the Synoptic Gospels have 61,615 words, of which around 10,147 words are in the passages listed below as ‘omitted’. This would mean that 84% of the material in the Synoptic Gospels is included, making certain assumptions about how likely it is that included or omitted passages have a parallel in another Gospel.

Matthew (Year A)

  • Matthew 1.1-17: omitted.
  • Matthew 1.18-25: Advent 4; Joseph of Nazareth.
  • Matthew 2.1-12: Epiphany.
  • Matthew 2.13-23: Christmas 1 (2.13-18: Holy Innocents).
  • Matthew 3.1-12: Advent 2.
  • Matthew 3.13-17: Epiphany 1.
  • Matthew 4.1-11: Lent 1.
  • Matthew 4.12-23: Epiphany 3 (4.18-22: Andrew).
  • Matthew 5.1-12: All Saints’ Day (NB: RCL Epiphany 4).
  • Matthew 5.13-20: Proper 1.
  • Matthew 5.21-37: Proper 2.
  • Matthew 5.38-48: Proper 3.
  • Matthew 6.1-6, 16-21: Ash Wednesday.
  • Matthew 6.7-8: omitted.
  • Matthew 6.9-13: see Luke 11.1-13.
  • Matthew 6.14-15: omitted (but see Matthew 18.21-35).
  • Matthew 6.22-23: omitted, along with its parallel in Luke 11.34-35.
  • Matthew 6.24: see Luke 16.1-13.
  • Matthew 6.25-34: 2 before Lent (6.25-33: Harvest Thanksgiving, Year B).
  • Matthew 7.1-2: see Luke 6.27-38.
  • Matthew 7.3-5: omitted, along with its parallel in Luke 6.41-42 (NB: RCL ‘Proper 3’).
  • Matthew 7.6: omitted.
  • Matthew 7.7-11: see Luke 11.1-13.
  • Matthew 7.12a: see Luke 6.27-38.
  • Matthew 7.12b: omitted.
  • Matthew 7.13-14: omitted, along with its close parallel in Luke 13.22-24.
  • Matthew 7.15-20: omitted.
  • Matthew 7.21-29: Proper 4.
  • Matthew 8.1: omitted.
  • Matthew 8.2-4: see Mark 1.40-45.
  • Matthew 8.5-13: see Luke 7.1-10.
  • Matthew 8.14-16: see Mark 1.29-39.
  • Matthew 8.17: omitted.
  • Matthew 8.18-22: see Luke 9.51-62.
  • Matthew 8.23-27: see Mark 4.35-41 and Luke 8.22-25.
  • Matthew 8.28-34: see Luke 8.26-39.
  • Matthew 9.1: omitted.
  • Matthew 9.2-8: see Mark 2.1-12.
  • Matthew 9.9-13, 18-26: Proper 5 (9.9-13: Matthew).
  • Matthew 9.14-17: omitted, along with its parallels in Mark 2.18-22 and Luke 5.33-39 (NB: RCL ‘Proper 3’).
  • Matthew 9.27-31: omitted, along with its close parallel in Mark 8.22-26.
  • Matthew 9.32-33: omitted (cf. Matthew 12.22-23).
  • Matthew 9.34: see Mark 3.20-35 (cf. Matthew 12.24).
  • Matthew 9.35 – 10.8 [9-23]: Proper 6 (10.17-22: Stephen).
  • Matthew 10.24-39: Proper 7.
  • Matthew 10.40-42: Proper 8.
  • Matthew 11.1: omitted.
  • Matthew 11.2-11: Advent 3.
  • Matthew 11.12-13: omitted, along with its parallel in Luke 16.16.
  • Matthew 11.14: omitted, along with its close parallels in Matthew 17.10-13 and Mark 9.11-13.
  • Matthew 11.15: common saying, included elsewhere (‘Let anyone with ears listen!’).
  • Matthew 11.16-19, 25-30: Proper 9.
  • Matthew 11.20-24: omitted, along with its parallel in Luke 10.12-15.
  • Matthew 12.1-14: see Mark 2.23 – 3.6.
  • Matthew 12.15-21: omitted.
  • Matthew 12.22-23: omitted (cf. Matthew 9.32-33).
  • Matthew 12.24-29: see Mark 3.20-35 (cf. Matthew 9.34).
  • Matthew 12.30: omitted, along with its parallel in Luke 11.23.
  • Matthew 12.31-32: see Mark 3.20-35.
  • Matthew 12.33-35: omitted, along with its parallels in Matthew 7.16, 18, 20 and Luke 6.43-45.
  • Matthew 12.36-37: omitted.
  • Matthew 12.38-42: omitted, along with its parallel in Luke 11.29-32.
  • Matthew 12.43-45: omitted, along with its parallel in Luke 11.24-26.
  • Matthew 12.46-50: see Mark 3.20-35.
  • Matthew 13.1-9, 18-23: Proper 10.
  • Matthew 13.10-15: omitted, along with its parallels in Mark 4.10-12 and Luke 8.9-10.
  • Matthew 13.16-17: omitted, along with its parallel in Luke 10.23-24.
  • Matthew 13.24-30, 36-43: Proper 11.
  • Matthew 13.31-33, 44-52: Proper 12.
  • Matthew 13.34-35: omitted.
  • Matthew 13.53: omitted.
  • Matthew 13.54-58: see Mark 6.1-13.
  • Matthew 14.1-12: see Mark 6.14-29.
  • Matthew 14.13-21: Proper 13.
  • Matthew 14.22-33: Proper 14.
  • Matthew 14.34-36: see Mark 6.30-34, 53-56.
  • Matthew 15.1-2: see Mark 7.1-8, 14-15, 21-23.
  • Matthew 15.3-6: omitted, along with its parallel in Mark 7.9-13.
  • Matthew 15.7-9: see Mark 7.1-8, 14-15, 21-23.
  • Matthew 15.[10-20] 21-28: Proper 15.
  • Matthew 15.29-31: see Mark 7.24-37.
  • Matthew 15.32-39: omitted, along with its parallel in Mark 8.1-10.
  • Matthew 16.1-12: omitted, along with its parallel in Mark 8.11-21.
  • Matthew 16.13-20: Proper 16 (16.13-19: Peter and Paul).
  • Matthew 16.21-28: Proper 17.
  • Matthew 17.1-9: 1 before Lent.
  • Matthew 17.10-13: omitted, along with its parallel in Mark 9.11-13, and its close parallel in Matthew 11.14.
  • Matthew 17.14-18: see Luke 9.28-43a.
  • Matthew 17.19-21: omitted, along with its parallel in Mark 9.28-29.
  • Matthew 17.22-23: see Mark 9.30-37.
  • Matthew 17.24-27: omitted.
  • Matthew 18.1-5: see Mark 9.30-37.
  • Matthew 18.6-9: see Mark 9.38-50.
  • Matthew 18.10: omitted.
  • Matthew 18.11: see Luke 19.1-10.
  • Matthew 18.12-14: see Luke 15.1-10.
  • Matthew 18.15-20: Proper 18.
  • Matthew 18.21-35: Proper 19.
  • Matthew 19.1: omitted, along with its parallel in Mark 10.1.
  • Matthew 19.2-15: see Mark 10.2-16.
  • Matthew 19.16-30: see Mark 10.17-31 (19.27-30: Conversion of Paul).
  • Matthew 20.1-16: Proper 20.
  • Matthew 20.17-19: see Mark 9.30-32 for a close parallel.
  • Matthew 20.20-28: James; see Mark 10.35-45.
  • Matthew 20.29-34: see Mark 10.46-52.
  • Matthew 21.1-11: Palm Sunday.
  • Matthew 21.12-16: Dedication Festival; see John 2.13-22.
  • Matthew 21.17-22: omitted, along with its parallel in Mark 11.12-14, 19-24.
  • Matthew 21.23-32: Proper 21.
  • Matthew 21.33-46: Proper 22.
  • Matthew 22.1-14: Proper 23.
  • Matthew 22.15-22: Proper 24.
  • Matthew 22.23-32: see Luke 20.27-38.
  • Matthew 22.33: omitted.
  • Matthew 22.34-46: Proper 25.
  • Matthew 23.1-7: omitted, along with its parallels in Mark 12.38-39 and Luke 11.43; 20.45-46 (NB: RCL ‘Proper 26’).
  • Matthew 23.8-12: omitted (NB: RCL ‘Proper 26’).
  • Matthew 23.13-36: omitted, along with Luke 11.39-42, 44-52, which contains many parallels.
  • Matthew 23.37-39: see Luke 13.31-35.
  • Matthew 24.1-14: 4 before Advent.
  • Matthew 24.15-25: omitted, along with its parallels in Mark 13.14-23 and Luke 21.20-24.
  • Matthew 24.26-27: omitted, along with its parallel in Luke 17.23-24.
  • Matthew 24.28: omitted, along with its parallel in Luke 17.37.
  • Matthew 24.29-35: see Mark 13.24-37.
  • Matthew 24.30-35: Bible Sunday.
  • Matthew 24.36-44: Advent 1.
  • Matthew 24.45-51: omitted, along with its parallel in Luke 12.42-46.
  • Matthew 25.1-13: 3 before Advent.
  • Matthew 25.14-30: 2 before Advent.
  • Matthew 25.31-46: 1 before Advent.
  • Matthew 26.1-13: see Mark 14.1 – 15.47 and John 12.1-8.
  • Matthew 26.14 – 27.66: Palm Sunday.
  • Matthew 27.57-66: Easter Eve, Years A, B and C (first alternative).
  • Matthew 28.1-10: Easter Vigil; Easter Day (second alternative)
  • Matthew 28.11-15: omitted.
  • Matthew 28.16-20: Trinity.

Mark (Year B)

  • Mark 1.1-8: Advent 2.
  • Mark 1.4-11: Epiphany 1.
  • Mark 1.9-15: Lent 1.
  • Mark 1.14-20: 3 before Advent (NB: RCL Epiphany 3).
  • Mark 1.21-28: Epiphany 4.
  • Mark 1.29-39: Proper 1.
  • Mark 1.40-45: Proper 2.
  • Mark 2.1-12: Proper 3.
  • Mark 2.13: omitted (NB: RCL ‘Proper 3’).
  • Mark 2.14-17: see Matthew 9.9-13, 18-26.
  • Mark 2.18-22: omitted, along with its parallels in Matthew 9.14-17 and Luke 5.33-39 (NB: RCL ‘Proper 3’).
  • Mark 2.23 – 3.6: Proper 4
  • Mark 3.7-12: omitted.
  • Mark 3.13-19: see Matthew 9.35 – 10.8.
  • Mark 3.20-35: Proper 5.
  • Mark 4.1-9, 14-20: see Matthew 13.1-9, 18-23.
  • Mark 4.10-12: omitted, along with its parallels in Matthew 13.10-17 and Luke 8.9-10.
  • Mark 4.13: omitted.
  • Mark 4.21: see Matthew 5.13-20.
  • Mark 4.22: see Matthew 10.24-39.
  • Mark 4.23: common saying, included elsewhere (‘Let anyone with ears to hear listen!’).
  • Mark 4.24: see Luke 6.27-38.
  • Mark 4.25: Matthew 25.14-30.
  • Mark 4.26-34: Proper 6.
  • Mark 4.35-41: Proper 7.
  • Mark 5.1-21: see Luke 8.26-39.
  • Mark 5.21-43: Proper 8.
  • Mark 6.1-13: Proper 9.
  • Mark 6.14-29: Proper 10.
  • Mark 6.30-34, 53-56: Proper 11.
  • Mark 6.35-44: see Matthew 14.13-21 and John 6.1-21.
  • Mark 6.45-52: see Matthew 14.22-33 and John 6.1-21.
  • Mark 7.1-8, 14-15, 21-23: Proper 17.
  • Mark 7.9-13: omitted, along with its parallel in Matthew 15.3-6.
  • Mark 7.16-20: see Matthew 15.[10-20] 21-28.
  • Mark 7.24-37: Proper 18.
  • Mark 8.1-10: omitted, along with its parallel in Matthew 15.32-39.
  • Mark 8.11-21: omitted, along with its parallel in Matthew 16.1-12.
  • Mark 8.22-26: omitted, along with its close parallel in Matthew 9.27-31.
  • Mark 8.27-38: Proper 19.
  • Mark 8.31-38: Lent 2.
  • Mark 9.1: see Matthew 16.21-28.
  • Mark 9.2-9: 1 before Lent.
  • Mark 9.10: omitted.
  • Mark 9.11-13: omitted, along with its parallel in Matthew 17.10-13, and its close parallel in Matthew 11.14.
  • Mark 9.14-27: see Luke 9.28-43a.
  • Mark 9.28-29: omitted, along with its parallel in Matthew 17.19-21.
  • Mark 9.30-37: Proper 20.
  • Mark 9.38-50: Proper 21.
  • Mark 10.1: omitted, along with its parallel in Matthew 19.1.
  • Mark 10.2-16: Proper 22.
  • Mark 10.17-31: Proper 23.
  • Mark 10.32-34: see Mark 9.30-32 for a close parallel.
  • Mark 10.35-45: Proper 24.
  • Mark 10.46-52: Proper 25.
  • Mark 11.1-11: Palm Sunday.
  • Mark 11.12-14, 19-24: omitted, along with its parallel in Matthew 21.17-22.
  • Mark 11.15-18: see Matthew 21.12-16 (Dedication Festival, Year A) and John 2.13-22.
  • Mark 11.25-26: omitted (but see Matthew 18.21-35).
  • Mark 11.27-33: see Matthew 21.23-32.
  • Mark 12.1-12: see Matthew 21.33-46.
  • Mark 12.13-17: see Matthew 22.15-22.
  • Mark 12.18-27: see Luke 20.27-38.
  • Mark 12.28-34: 4 before Advent.
  • Mark 12.35-37: see Matthew 22.34-46.
  • Mark 12.38-40: omitted, along with its parallels in Matthew 23.1-7 and Luke 20.45-47 (NB: RCL ‘Proper 26’ and ‘Proper 27’).
  • Mark 12.41-44 (widow’s offering): omitted, along with its parallel in Luke 21.1-4 (NB: RCL ‘Proper 27’).
  • Mark 13.1-8: 2 before Advent.
  • Mark 13.5-13: Mark.
  • Mark 13.14-23: omitted, along with its parallels in Matthew 24.15-25 and Luke 21.20-24.
  • Mark 13.24-37: Advent 1.
  • Mark 14.1 – 15.47: Palm Sunday.
  • Mark 16.1-8: Easter Vigil; Easter Day (second alternative).
  • Mark 16.9-20 (‘longer ending’): omitted.

Luke (Year C)

  • Luke 1.1-25: omitted.
  • Luke 1.26-38: Advent 4, Year B; Annunciation.
  • Luke 1.39-56: Advent 4 (omitting verse 56); 1.46-55 (the Magnificat) as the canticle for Advent 3 or 4 (1.39-56: Visit of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth; 1.46-56: Blessed Virgin Mary).
  • Luke 1.57-80: omitted from the main lectionary, but 1.68-79 (the Benedictus) is included as the canticle for Advent 2 (1.57-66, 80: Birth of John the Baptist).
  • Luke 2.1-14 [15-20]: Christmas Day (I).
  • Luke 2.[1-7] 8-20: Christmas Day (II).
  • Luke 2.15-21: Christmas 1, Year B; Naming and Circumcision of Jesus.
  • Luke 2.22-40: Epiphany 4, Presentation (2.33-35: Mothering Sunday, first alternative).
  • Luke 2.41-52: Christmas 1.
  • Luke 3.1-6: Advent 2.
  • Luke 3.7-18: Advent 3.
  • Luke 3.15-17, 21-22: Epiphany 1.
  • Luke 3.19-20: see Mark 6.14-29.
  • Luke 3.23-38: omitted.
  • Luke 4.1-13: Lent 1.
  • Luke 4.14-21: Epiphany 3.
  • Luke 4.16-24: Bible Sunday.
  • Luke 4.25-30: omitted (NB: RCL Epiphany 4).
  • Luke 4.31-37: see Mark 1.21-28.
  • Luke 4.38-44: see Mark 1.29-39.
  • Luke 5.1-11: Proper 1.
  • Luke 5.12-16: see Mark 1.40-45.
  • Luke 5.17-26: see Mark 2.1-12.
  • Luke 5.27-32: see Matthew 9.9-13.
  • Luke 5.33-39: omitted, along with its parallels in Matthew 9.14-17 and Mark 2.18-22 (NB: RCL ‘Proper 3’).
  • Luke 6.1-11: see Mark 2.23 – 3.6.
  • Luke 6.12-16: see Matthew 9.35 – 10.8.
  • Luke 6.17-26: Proper 2.
  • Luke 6.20-31: All Saints’ Day.
  • Luke 6.27-38: Proper 3.
  • Luke 6.39-49 (NB: RCL ‘Proper 3’)…
    • Luke 6.39: see Matthew 15.[10-20] 21-28.
    • Luke 6.40: see John 13.1-17, 31b-35.
    • Luke 6.41-42: omitted, along with its parallel in Matthew 7.3-5.
    • Luke 6.43-44: omitted, along with its parallels in Matthew 7.16, 18, 20 and Matthew 11.33-35.
    • Luke 6.45: see Matthew 12.34-35 (which is omitted) and a near parallel in Mark 7.20-23, which is (mostly) included in Mark 7.1-8, 14-15, 21-23.
    • Luke 6.46-49: see Matthew 7.21-29.
  • Luke 7.1-10: Proper 4.
  • Luke 7.11-17: Proper 5.
  • Luke 7.18-35: see Matthew 11.2-19, which is mostly covered on two separate occasions by Matthew 11.2-11 and 16-19.
  • Luke 7.36 – 8.3: Proper 6.
  • Luke 8.4-8, 11-15: see Matthew 13.1-9, 18-23.
  • Luke 8.9-10: omitted, along with its parallels in Matthew 13.10-17 and Mark 4.10-12.
  • Luke 8.16-18: omitted.
  • Luke 8.19-21: see Mark 3.20-35.
  • Luke 8.22-25: 2 before Lent, also covered in Mark 4.35-41.
  • Luke 8.26-39: Proper 7.
  • Luke 8.40-56: see Matthew 9.9-13, 18-26 and Mark 5.21-43.
  • Luke 9.1-9: see Mark 6.1-13 and 6.14-29.
  • Luke 9.10-17: see Matthew 14.13-21 and John 6.1-21.
  • Luke 9.18-27: see Mark 8.27-31.
  • Luke 9.18-20: see Matthew 16.13-20.
  • Luke 9.21-27: see Matthew 16.21-28 and Mark 8.31-38.
  • Luke 9.28-43a: 1 before Lent (9.28-36: Transfiguration).
  • Luke 9.43b-48: see Mark 9.30-37.
  • Luke 9.49-50: see Mark 9.38-50.
  • Luke 9.51-62: Proper 8.
  • Luke 10.1-11, 16-20: Proper 9 (10.1-9: Luke).
  • Luke 10.12-15: omitted, along with its parallel in Matthew 11.20-24.
  • Luke 10.21-22: see Matthew 11.16-19, 25-30.
  • Luke 10.23-24: omitted, along with its parallel in Matthew 13.16-17.
  • Luke 10.25-37: Proper 10.
  • Luke 10.38-42: Proper 11.
  • Luke 11.1-13: Proper 12.
  • Luke 11.14: omitted, along with its parallel in Matthew 12.22-23.
  • Luke 11.15, 17-22: see Mark 3.20-35.
  • Luke 11.16: omitted, along with its parallel in Matthew 12.38.
  • Luke 11.23: omitted, along with its parallel in Matthew 12.30.
  • Luke 11.24-26: omitted, along with its parallel in Matthew 12.43-45.
  • Luke 11.27-28: omitted.
  • Luke 11.29-32: omitted, along with its parallel in Matthew 12.39-42.
  • Luke 11.33: see Matthew 5.13-20.
  • Luke 11.34-35: omitted, along with its parallel in Matthew 6.22-23.
  • Luke 11.36: omitted.
  • Luke 11.37-54 (‘woe to you…’): omitted, along with Matthew 23.1-36, which contains many parallels (NB: RCL ‘Proper 26’).
  • Luke 12.1-9: see Matthew 10.24-39.
  • Luke 12.10: see Mark 3.20-35.
  • Luke 12.11-12: omitted (but see Matthew 10.17-22, set for Stephen). Compare Luke 21.5-19 (and Mark 13.5-13, set for Mark).
  • Luke 12.13-21: Proper 13.
  • Luke 12.16-30: Harvest Thanksgiving, Year A. For Luke 12.22-31, see also Matthew 6.25-34.
  • Luke 12.31: see Matthew 6.25-34.
  • Luke 12.32-40: Proper 14.
  • Luke 12.41: omitted.
  • Luke 12.42-46: omitted, along with its parallel in Matthew 24.45-51.
  • Luke 12.47-48: omitted.
  • Luke 12.49-56: Proper 15.
  • Luke 12.57-59: see Matthew 5.21-37.
  • Luke 13.1-9: Lent 3.
  • Luke 13.10-17: Proper 16.
  • Luke 13.18-19: see Mark 4.26-34.
  • Luke 13.18-21: see Matthew 13.31-33, 44-52.
  • Luke 13.22-24: omitted, along with its close parallel in Matthew 7.13-14.
  • Luke 13.25-27: see Matthew 7.21-29.
  • Luke 13.28-29: omitted, along with its parallel in Matthew 8.11-12.
  • Luke 13.30: see Matthew 20.1-16 and Mark 10.17-31.
  • Luke 13.31-35: Lent 2.
  • Luke 14.1, 7-14: Proper 17.
  • Luke 14.2-6: omitted.
  • Luke 14.15-24: omitted, but see similar passage in Matthew 22.1-14.
  • Luke 14.25-33: Proper 18.
  • Luke 14.34-35: see the similar saying in Matthew 5.13-20 and Mark 9.38-50.
  • Luke 15.1-10: Proper 19.
  • Luke 15.1-3, 11b-32: Lent 4 (NB: Mothering Sunday).
  • Luke 16.1-13: Proper 20.
  • Luke 16.14-15: omitted.
  • Luke 16.16: omitted, along with its parallel in Matthew 11.12-13.
  • Luke 16.17: see Matthew 5.13-20.
  • Luke 16.18: see Matthew 5.21-37 and Mark 10.2-16.
  • Luke 16.19-31: Proper 21.
  • Luke 17.1-2: omitted, along with its parallel in Matthew 18.6-7.
  • Luke 17.3-4: see Matthew 18.15-20 and 18.21-35.
  • Luke 17.5-10: Proper 22.
  • Luke 17.11-19: Proper 23 (Harvest Thanksgiving, Year A).
  • Luke 17.20-22: omitted
  • Luke 17.23-24: omitted, along with its parallel in Matthew 24.26-27.
  • Luke 17.25: various parallels.
  • Luke 17.26-27: see Matthew 24.36-44.
  • Luke 17.28-30: omitted.
  • Luke 17.31: omitted, along with its parallel in Matthew 24.17-18.
  • Luke 17.32: omitted.
  • Luke 17.33: various parallels.
  • Luke 17.34-35[36]: see Matthew 24.36-44.
  • Luke 17.37: omitted, along with its parallel in Matthew 24.28.
  • Luke 18.1-8: Proper 24.
  • Luke 18.9-14: Proper 25.
  • Luke 18.15-17: see Mark 10.2-16.
  • Luke 18.18-30: see Mark 10.17-31.
  • Luke 18.31-34: see Mark 9.30-32 for a close parallel.
  • Luke 18.35-43: see Mark 10.46-52.
  • Luke 19.1-10: 4 before Advent.
  • Luke 19.11-27: see Matthew 25.14-30.
  • Luke 19.28-40: Palm Sunday.
  • Luke 19.41-44: omitted.
  • Luke 19.45-46: see Matthew 21.12-16 (Dedication Festival, Year A) and John 2.13-22.
  • Luke 19.47-48: omitted.
  • Luke 20.1-8: see Matthew 21.23-32.
  • Luke 20.9-19: see Matthew 21.33-46.
  • Luke 20.20-26: see Matthew 22.15-22.
  • Luke 20.27-38: 3 before Advent.
  • Luke 20.39-40: omitted.
  • Luke 20.41-44: see Matthew 22.34-46.
  • Luke 20.45-47: omitted, along with its parallels in Matthew 23.1-7 and Mark 12.38-40 (NB: RCL ‘Proper 26’ and ‘Proper 27’).
  • Luke 21.1-4 (widow’s offering): omitted, along with its parallel in Mark 12.41-44 (NB: RCL ‘Proper 27’).
  • Luke 21.5-19: 2 before Advent.
  • Luke 21.20-24: omitted, along with its parallels in Matthew 24.15-21 and Mark 13.14-19.
  • Luke 21.25-36: Advent 1.
  • Luke 21.37-38: omitted.
  • Luke 22.1-6: see Mark 14.1-2, 10-11, included in Mark 14.1 – 15.47 (Palm Sunday).
  • Luke 22.7-13: see Mark 14.12-16, included in Mark 14.1 – 15.47 (Palm Sunday).
  • Luke 22.14 – 23.56: Palm Sunday (22.24-30: Bartholomew).
  • Luke 23.33-43: 1 before Advent.
  • Luke 24.1-12: Easter Vigil; Easter Day (second alternative).
  • Luke 24.13-35: Easter 3, Year A.
  • Luke 24.36-48: Easter 3, Year B.
  • Luke 24.44-53: Ascension Day, Years A, B and C.

John (Years A, B and C)

Every year is a ‘John year’, at least from Christmas to Pentecost (or Trinity), during which the Gospel reading is very often taken from John. Most (73%) of John is covered, with the biggest omissions in chapters 7, 8 and 16. The only readings from John in Ordinary Time are from chapter 6 in Year B (Proper 12 to 16). Each year includes readings taken from the following chapters (more or less):

  • Christmas and Epiphany: chapters 1 and 2
  • Ash Wednesday: chapter 8 (one alternative)
  • Lent (2), 3, 4 (Years A and B): chapters 2, 3, 4 and 9
  • Lent 5: chapters 11 and 12
  • Holy Week: chapters 12 and 13
  • Good Friday: chapters 18 and 19
  • Easter Day and Easter 2: chapter 20 (and Easter 3, Year C, chapter 21)
  • Easter 4: chapter 10
  • Easter 5 and 6: chapters 13 to 15
  • Easter 7: chapter 17
  • Pentecost and Trinity: various

In detail:

  • John 1.1-14: Christmas Day (III); 2 before Lent, Year B.
  • John 1.[1-9] 10-18: Christmas 2, Years A, B and C.
  • John 1.6-8, 19-28: Advent 3, Year B.
  • John 1.29-42: Epiphany 2, Year A.
  • John 1.43-51: Epiphany 2, Year B (1.47-51: Michael and All Angels).
  • John 2.1-11: Epiphany 2, Year C; Epiphany 3, Year B; Epiphany 4, Year A.
  • John 2.12: omitted.
  • John 2.13-22: Lent 3, Year B; Dedication Festival, Year C.
  • John 2.23-25: omitted.
  • John 3.1-17: Lent 2, Year A; Trinity, Year B (3.13-17: Holy Cross).
  • John 3.14-21: Lent 4, Year B.
  • John 3.22-36: omitted.
  • John 4.1-4: omitted.
  • John 4.5-42: Lent 3, Year A.
  • John 4.43-54: omitted.
  • John 5.1-9: Easter 6, Year C (second alternative).
  • John 5.10-36a: omitted.
  • John 5.36b-47: Bible Sunday, Year B.
  • John 6.1-21: Proper 12, Year B.
  • John 6.22-23: omitted.
  • John 6.24-35: Proper 13, Year B (6.25-35: Harvest Thanksgiving, Year C).
  • John 6.35, 41-51: Proper 14, Year B.
  • John 6.36-40: omitted.
  • John 6.51-58: Proper 15, Year B; Corpus Christi, Years A, B and C.
  • John 6.56-69: Proper 16, Year B.
  • John 6.70-71: omitted.
  • John 7.1-36: omitted.
  • John 7.37-39: Pentecost, Year A (second alternative).
  • John 7.40-53: omitted.
  • John 8.1-11: Ash Wednesday, Years A, B and C (second alternative).
  • John 8.12-59: omitted.
  • John 9.1-41: Lent 4, Year A.
  • John 10.1-10: Easter 4, Year A.
  • John 10.11-18: Easter 4, Year B.
  • John 10.19-21: omitted.
  • John 10.22-30: Easter 4, Year C (10.22-29: Dedication Festival, Year B).
  • John 10.31-42: omitted.
  • John 11.1-45: Lent 5, Year A (11.32-44: All Saints’ Day, Year B).
  • John 11.46-57: omitted.
  • John 12.1-8: Lent 5, Year C.
  • John 12.1-11: Monday of Holy Week, Years A, B and C.
  • John 12.12-16: Palm Sunday, Year B (Liturgy of the Palms, second alternative).
  • John 12.17-19: omitted
  • John 12.20-33: Lent 5, Year B.
  • John 12.20-36: Tuesday of Holy Week, Years A, B and C.
  • John 12.37-50: omitted.
  • John 13.1-17, 31b-35: Maundy Thursday, Years A, B and C.
  • John 13.18-20: omitted.
  • John 13.21-32: Wednesday of Holy Week, Years A, B and C.
  • John 13.31-35: Easter 5, Year C.
  • Jonn 13.36-38: omitted.
  • John 14.1-14: Easter 5, Year A; Philip and James.
  • John 14.8-17 [25-27]: Pentecost, Year C.
  • John 14.15-21: Easter 6, Year A.
  • John 14.22: omitted.
  • John 14.23-29: Easter 6, Year C (first alternative).
  • John 14.30-31: omitted.
  • John 15.1-8: Easter 5, Year B.
  • John 15.9-17: Easter 6, Year B; Matthias (15.12-17: Barnabas).
  • John 15.17-27: Simon and Jude.
  • John 15.18-21: George.
  • John 15.26-27; 16.4b-15: Pentecost, Year B.
  • John 16.1-4a: omitted.
  • John 16.12-15: Trinity, Year C.
  • John 16.16-33: omitted.
  • John 17.1-11: Easter 7, Year A.
  • John 17.6-19: Easter 7, Year B.
  • John 17.20-26: Easter 7, Year C.
  • John 18.1 – 19.42: Good Friday.
  • John 18.33-37: 1 before Advent, Year B.
  • John 19.25-27: Mothering Sunday, Years A, B and C (second alternative).
  • John 19.38-42: Easter Eve, Years A, B and C (second alternative).
  • John 20.1-18: Easter Day, Years A, B and C (first alternative) (20.1-2, 11-18: Mary Magdalene).
  • John 20.19-23: Pentecost, Year A (first alternative).
  • John 20.19-31: Easter 2, Years A, B and C (20.24-29: Thomas).
  • John 21.1-19: Easter 3, Year C.
  • John 21.19b-25: John.

Further reading

Common Worship

Print resources

  • Paul Bradshaw, ed., A Companion to Common Worship, Volume 1 (London: SPCK, 2001)
    • Gordon Giles, ‘The Sunday Lectionary’

Web resources

Notes

  1. Joel B. Green, The Gospel of Luke, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997), p. 233. ↩

  2. Gordon Giles, ‘The Sunday Lectionary’, in A Companion to Common Worship, Volume 1, ed. by Paul Bradshaw (London: SPCK, 2001), p. 232. ↩

  3. Jeremy Haselock, ‘Lent’, in David Kennedy with Jeremy Haselock, Using Common Worship: Times and Seasons, Part 2 (Lent to Embertide) (London: Church House Publishing, 2008), p. 17. ↩

  4. ‘Andrew, St’, in The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, ed. by F. L. Cross and E. A. Livingstone, 3rd ed. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1997), p. 60. ↩