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Introduction
Without the reading of scripture, Christian worship loses touch with its central tradition. This page introduces us to a systematic way of reading scripture in worship over the Liturgical Year (see article).
A lectionary is an organised list of readings for use in public worship or private devotions. Its great advantage is that it takes us through the whole of scripture rather than leaving us with our “favourite” bits.
Perhaps the simplest form of lectionary is continuous daily reading through the scripture one chapter at a time.
A more balanced approach might be to read passages from the Old and New Testament in parallel. This pattern can be elaborated by introducing a Psalm in addition to OT and NT.
Indeed, this last pattern forms the basis of many lectionaries used for Morning and Evening Prayer. It will also normally include canticles (or scripture songs) to accompany the main readings.
Canticles include:
the Song of Zechariah (Benedictus: Luke 1.68-79),
the Song of Mary (Magnificat: Luke 1.46-55),
the Song of Simeon (Nunc Dimittis: Luke 2.29-32),
Psalm 95 (Venite)
and Psalm 100 (Jubilate)
Weekday Lectionaries
Weekday lectionaries are usually simpler in design than Sunday lectionaries. Two readings, a psalm-passage and a couple of canticles form the most common form of weekday lectionary. Other lectionaries may suggest just one passage (Old or New Testament) and one scripture song (whether psalm or canticle).
Sunday Lectionaries
The most widely adopted lectionaries among the Churches of the West (as opposed to the Orthodox) follow a three-year cycle (see leaflet 4). There are two main lectionaries in this tradition: the Roman Lectionary and the Revised Common Lectionary. Although there are small variations between the two, they are about 90% the same.
Both give a year in turn to each of the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke). Alongside the Gospel passages are set readings from the Old Testament and the Epistles (which for this purpose include the books of Acts and Revelation).
This enables us to speak of the Year of Matthew, the Year of Mark and the Year of Luke. These names are a reminder to us of where we are in the lectionary cycle. We could call them Year A, Year B and Year C; but giving them their Gospel names keeps us in touch with the reading of scripture and its place in our worship.
And what of the Fourth Gospel? John’s Gospel does double duty in the three-year lectionary. Its primary task is to give splendour to the great feasts and the solemn seasons – particularly to Christmas and Easter. It also fills in where there are gaps in the synoptic story – this is particularly noticeable in the Year of Mark.
The Public Reading of Scripture
When we read the lectionary passages in public worship, we undertake a solemn task. We proclaim the word of the Lord. For this reason, we practise out loud and read clearly to be heard by all. ‘This is the word of the Lord,’ we say. ‘Thanks be to God.’
Further Thinking
What pattern of scripture reading do you use for daily devotions?
As the story unfolds, do you make the connections from day to day, from week to week, from season to season, from year to year?
If you were planning an organised reading scheme through scripture (a lectionary), what pattern would you suggest for:
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