The Lectionary

 

A lectionary is simply a list of Bible passages for reading, study, or preaching in services of worship. As a general term, a Lectionary can include readings for weekdays, although the term is more commonly applied today to the Scripture readings for Sunday and holidays (Holy Days). Some churches, such as those in the Catholic and Lutheran tradition, have their own lectionaries, while other churches follow a common, shared lectionary. There has been a tendency in recent years to move to more uniformity among the various lectionaries...

 

The Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) Sunday readings are organized around the two major Seasons of the Church Year, beginning with Advent-Christmas-Epiphany, and then Lent-Easter-Pentecost. The remainder of the year between Pentecost and Advent is called Ordinary Time, from the word "ordinal," which simply means counted time (1st Sunday after Pentecost, etc.). The readings during Ordinary Time are more diverse and often follow specific biblical books in sequence rather than coordinating with specific themes. The Sunday biblical readings are designed around a three year cycle, Year A, Year B, and Year C. In this 3-year cycle, all of the major stories and passages from most books of the Bible are included. The Church Year begins with Advent in November/December. We are presently in YEAR A of readings in the Revised Common Lectionary. Year A: 2010-2011, 2013-2014, 2016-2017 Year B: 2011-2012, 2014-2015, 2017-2018 Year C: 2012-2013, 2015-2016, 2018-2019 There are usually four readings for each Sunday, one each from the Psalms, the Old Testament, a Gospel, and an Epistle. However, during the seven Sundays of Easter, the Old Testament Reading is replaced with a reading from Acts. Also, on some Sundays a poetic Responsorial Reading replaces the Psalm reading. Each year in the 3-year cycle, the readings focus on one of the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, or Luke), with readings from the Gospel of John used throughout the year. The Gospel of Matthew is the focus of Year A, Mark of Year B, and Luke of Year C...

 

Dennis Bratcher, http://www.crivoice.org