What is a lectionary? What is the Revised Common Lectionary?

Answer

A lectionary is a book of Bible readings or a list of references to be read from Scripture on specific days of the year. Historically, a lectionary took one year to complete; some modern lectionaries, like the Revised Common Lectionary, follow a three-year cycle. They usually align with the liturgical calendar. While some Christian denominations utilize lectionaries, others do not. Various lectionaries have been employed throughout church history, dating back to at least the fourth or fifth century.

There are also Jewish lectionaries, which trace back to the Torah and God’s instructions to regularly commemorate specific historical events. Jesus participated in these readings during His ministry, as seen in Luke 4:14–21, where He reads from Isaiah. These readings likely influenced similar practices in the early church.

Some of the more renowned Christian lectionaries include those from the Greek Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church. Additionally, there is the Protestant Book of Common Prayer, structured similarly.

The Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) is a three-year lectionary initially developed for Protestant churches in the United States and Canada. It was created by the Consultation on Common Texts (CCT), a collaboration of nineteen denominations focused on worship in North America. The Revised Common Lectionary was first published in 1983, revised in 1992, and can be downloaded from the CCT website.

Most Sunday readings consist of a passage from the Old Testament, a Psalm, an Epistle, and a Gospel. On significant feast days like Easter and Christmas, different readings are incorporated. Each year highlights a different Synoptic Gospel, with the Gospel of John being read in its entirety annually.

The readings in the Revised Common Lectionary are designed to complement each other and align with the ChrisThe lectionary provides church congregations with an understanding of the broader context of the Bible and God’s redemptive plan for humanity. Currently, the RCL is utilized globally in 24 different countries across various denominations.

A lectionary can also serve for personal or small group study to align with a church’s teaching schedule. When an entire church denomination adopts the same lectionary, it unifies the entire body in worship and Scripture study from week to week.

The readings in a lectionary do not encompass the entirety of Scripture; they were never intended to substitute reading the Bible cover to cover. In the RCL, each liturgical year commences on the first Sunday of Advent. Presently, we are in Year C. Year A will commence on November 27, 2022, the first Sunday of Advent. The readings for the first Sunday will be as follows:

Isaiah 2:1–5
Psalm 122
Romans 13:11–14
Matthew 24:36–44

Year B, starting on December 3, 2023, will feature the subsequent readings for the first Sunday:

Isaiah 64:1–9
Psalm 80:1–7, 17–19
1 Corinthians 1:3–9
Mark 13:24–37

In 2024, the cycle will revert to Year C.

If you, your church, or small group are seeking a structured approach to engage with Scripture, a lectionary could be a valuable tool. A lectionary does not offer commentary or devotions; it simply provides an organized method to progress through Scripture in alignment with the Christian calendar and the seasons that influence our lives.

God also established an annual pattern for the Israelites. Beginning with Passover, He designated regular times and seasons for them to commemorate what He had accomplished for His people in their history “And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.” (Exodus 12:14)

Following a routine and pattern like a lectionary can be beneficial for us, particularly in our contemporary, distracted world. Setting aside daily time with God in His Word is crucial for our spiritual, mental, and emotional health.