Sunday, Holy Day, and Commemoration Lectionary

Sunday, Holy Day, and Commemoration Lectionary

General Instructions

The public reading of Scripture in the liturgies of the Church is among the most important features of any act of worship. No one should be admitted to this high privilege who has not thoroughly prepared the passage to be read, so that the lesson can be read with clarity, authority and understanding.

This lectionary provides a three-year cycle of four readings for each Sunday of the Christian Year. Year A begins with Advent Sunday in those years evenly divisible by 3. Thus, Advent 2019 begins a new cycle with Year A. Multiple sets of lessons are assigned for Christmas Day, Easter Day and All Saints’ Day. Also included are single sets of readings for all other Prayer Book Principal Feasts and Holy Days (Red-Letter Days), including Ash Wednesday and the days of Holy Week and Easter Week. Lessons for Ember Days, Rogation Days, National Days, and Commemorations (Black-Letter Days) are appointed as well.

The number of readings on any Sunday or Holy Day may be lessened according to pastoral circumstance, provided the gospel is always read at Eucharist. The English Standard Version of the Scriptures is the normative text; however, the Psalms should be read or sung in a version intended for that purpose. The Bishop of the Diocese is to be consulted where a regular pattern of fewer than four lessons is adopted as the Sunday customary of a congregation, or when a pattern of alternate readings (a “sermon series”) is proposed. The rector of a congregation may direct that an appointed lesson be shortened or lengthened, provided the plain sense is retained.

Feasts of Dedication, special observances customary in the local setting, or days of national or provincial mourning or celebration may employ lessons other than those regularly established for a given Sunday.

Day / Year A / Year B / Year C
ADVENT
The First Sunday in Advent / Isa 2:1-5
Ps 122
Rom 13:8-14
Matt 24:29-44 / Isa 64:1-9a
Ps 80 or 80:1-7
1 Cor 1:1-9
Mark 13:24-37 / Zech 14:(1-2)3-9
Ps 50 or 50:1-6
1 Thess 3:6-13
Luke 21:25-33
The Second Sunday in Advent / Isa 11:1-10
Ps 72:1-15(16-19)
Rom 15:1-13
Matt 3:1-12 / Isa 40:1-11
Ps 85
2 Pet 3:8-18
Mark 1:1-8 / Mal 3:1-5
Ps 126
1 Cor 4:(1-7)8-21
Luke 3:1-6
The Third Sunday in Advent / Isa 35:1-10
Ps 146
James 5:7-12
Matt 11:2-19 / Isa 65:17-25
Ps 126
1 Thess 5:12-28
John 3:22-30 / Zeph 3:14-20
Ps 85
Phil 4:4-9
Luke 3:7-20
The Fourth Sunday in Advent / Isa 7:10-17
Ps 24
Rom 1:1-7
Matt 1:18-25 / 2 Sam 7:1-17
Ps 132:(1-7) 8-19
Rom 16:25-27
Luke 1:26-38 / Mic 5:2-5a
Ps 80:1-7
Heb 10:1-10
Luke 1:39-56
CHRISTMAS
Christmas Day I / Isa 9:1-7
Ps 96
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-14(15-20) / Isa 9:1-7
Ps 96
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-14(15-20) / Isa 9:1-7
Ps 96
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-14(15-20)
Christmas Day II / Isa 62:6-12
Ps 97
Titus 3:4-7
Luke 2:(1-14)15-20 / Isa 62:6-12
Ps 97
Titus 3:4-7
Luke 2:(1-14)15-20 / Isa 62:6-12
Ps 97
Titus 3:4-7
Luke 2:(1-14)15-20
Christmas Day III / Isa 52:7-12
Ps 98
Heb 1:1-12
John 1:1-18 / Isa 52:7-12
Ps 98
Heb 1:1-12
John 1:1-18 / Isa 52:7-12
Ps 98
Heb 1:1-12
John 1:1-18
The First Sunday of Christmas / Isa 61:10-62:5
Ps 147:13-21
Gal 3:23-4:7
John 1:1-18 / Isa 61:10-62:5
Ps 147:13-21
Gal 3:23-4:7
John 1:1-18 / Isa 61:10-62:5
Ps 147:13-21
Gal 3:23-4:7
John 1:1-18
Holy Name
(January 1) / Ex 34:1-9
Ps 8
Rom 1:1-7
Luke 2:15-21 / Ex 34:1-9
Ps 8
Rom 1:1-7
Luke 2:15-21 / Ex 34:1-9
Ps 8
Rom 1:1-7
Luke 2:15-21
The Second Sunday of Christmas / Jer 31:7-14
Ps 84
Eph 1:3-14
Luke 2:41-52 or Matt 2:1-12 / Jer 31:7-14
Ps 84
Eph 1:3-14
Matt 2:13-23 or Matt 2:1-12 / Jer 31:7-14
Ps 84
Eph 1:3-14
Luke 2:22-40 or Matt 2:1-12
EPIPHANY
The Epiphany
(January 6) / Isa 60:1-9
Ps 72 or 72:1-11
Eph 3:1-13
Matt 2:1-12 / Isa 60:1-9
Ps 72 or 72:1-11
Eph 3:1-13
Matt 2:1-12 / Isa 60:1-9
Ps 72 or 72:1-11
Eph 3:1-13
Matt 2:1-12
The First Sunday of Epiphany
[Baptism of our Lord] / Isa 42:1-9
Ps 89:1-29 or 89:20-29
Acts 10:34-38
Matt 3:13-17 / Isa 42:1-9
Ps 89:1-29 or 89:20-29
Acts 10:34-38
Mark 1:7-11 / Isa 42:1-9
Ps 89:1-29 or 89:20-29
Acts 10:34-38
Luke 3:15-22
The Second Sunday of Epiphany / Isa 49:1-7
Ps 40:1-10
1 Cor 1:1-9
John 1:29-42 / 1 Sam 3:1-20
Ps 63:1-8(9-11)
1 Cor 6:9-20
John 1:43-51 / Isa 62:1-5
Ps 96
1 Cor 12:1-11
John 2:1-11
The Third Sunday of Epiphany / Amos 3:1-11
Ps 139:1-16
1 Cor 1:10-17
Matt 4:12-22 / Jer 3:19-4:4
Ps 130
1 Cor 7:17-24
Mark 1:14-20 / Neh 8:1-12
Ps 113
1 Cor 12:12-27
Luke 4:14-21
The Fourth Sunday of Epiphany / Mic 6:1-8
Ps 37:1-11
1 Cor 1:18-31
Matt 5:1-12 / Deut 18:15-22
Ps 111
1 Cor 8:1-13
Mark 1:21-28 / Jer 1:4-10
Ps 71:12-21
1 Cor 14:12-25
Luke 4:21-32
The Presentation of Christ in the Temple
(February 2) / Mal 3:1-4
Ps 84
Heb 2:14-18
Luke 2:22-40 / Mal 3:1-4
Ps 84
Heb 2:14-18
Luke 2:22-40 / Mal 3:1-4
Ps 84
Heb 2:14-18
Luke 2:22-40
The Fifth Sunday of Epiphany / Hab. 3:(1), 2-15, (16-19)
Ps 27
1 Cor 2:1-16
Matt 5:13-20 / 2 Kings 4:8-21(22-31)32-37
Ps 142
1 Cor 9:16-23
Mark 1:29-39 / Judg 6:11-24
Ps 85
1 Cor 15:1-11
Luke 5:1-11
The Sixth Sunday of Epiphany / Ecclesiasticus 15:11-20
Ps 119:(1-8)9-16
1 Cor 3:1-9
Matt 5:21-37 / 2 Kings 5:1-15a
Ps42:1-7(8-15)
1 Cor 9:24-27
Mark 1:40-45 / Jer 17:5-10
Ps 1
1 Cor 15:12-20
Luke 6:17-26
The Seventh Sunday of Epiphany / Lev 19:1-2,9-18
Ps 71 or 71:12-24
1 Cor 3:10-23
Matt 5:38-48 / Isa 43:18-25
Ps 32
2 Cor 1:18-22
Mark 2:1-12 / Gen 45:3-11,21-28
Ps 37:(1-7)8-17
1 Cor 15:35-49
Luke 6:27-38
The Eighth Sunday of Epiphany / Isa 49:8-18
Ps 62
1 Cor 4:1-13
Matt 6:24-3 / Hos 2:14-23
Ps 103 or 103:1-14
2 Cor 3:4-18
Mark 2:18-22 / Jer 7:1-15
Ps 92
1 Cor 15:50-58
Luke 6:39-49
The Second to Last Sunday after Epiphany [World Mission] / Isa 49:1-7
Ps 67
Acts 1:1-8
Matthew 9:35-38 / Gen 12:1-3
Ps 86:8-13
Rev 7:9-17
Matt 28:16-20 / Isa 61:1-4
Ps 96
Rom 10:9-17
John 20:19-31
The Last Sunday after Epiphany [Transfiguration] / Ex 24:12-18
Ps 99
Phil 3:7-14
Matt 17:1-9 / 1 Kings 19:9-18
Ps 27
2 Pet 1:13-21
Mark 9:2-9 / Ex 34:29-35
Ps 99
1 Cor 12:27-13:13
Luke 9:28-36
LENT
Ash Wednesday / Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
Ps 103 or 103:8-14
2 Cor 5:20-6:10
Matt 6:1-6, 16-18(19-21) / Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
Ps 103 or 103:8-14
2 Cor 5:20-6:10
Matt 6:1-6, 16-18(19-21) / Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
Ps 103 or 103:8-14
2 Cor 5:20-6:10
Matt 6:1-6, 16-18(19-21)
The First Sunday in Lent / Gen 2:4-9, 15-17, 25-3:7
Ps 51 or Ps 51:1-13
Rom 5:12-19(21-22)
Matt 4:1-11 / Gen 9:8-17
Ps 25 or 25:3-9
1 Pet 3:18-22
Mark 1:9-13 / Deut 26:(1-4),5-11
Ps 91 or 91:9-16
Rom 10:4-13
Luke 4:1-13
The Second Sunday in Lent / Gen 12:1-9
Ps 33:12-22
Rom 4:1-5(6-12)13-17
John 3:1-16 / Gen 22:1-14
Ps 16 or 16:5-11
Rom 8:31-39
Mark 8:31-38 / Gen 15: 1-12, 17-18
Ps 27 or 27:10-18
Phil 3:17-4:1
Luke 13:(22-30)31-35
The Third Sunday in Lent / Ex 17:1-7
Ps 95
Rom 1:16-32
John 4:5-26(27-38)39-42 / Ex 20:1-21
Ps 19:7-14
Rom 7:12-25
John 2:13-22 / Ex 3:1-15
Ps 103 or 103:1-12
1 Cor 10:1-13
Luke 13:1-9
The Fourth Sunday in Lent / 1 Sam 16:1-13
Ps 23
Eph 5:1-14
John 9:1-13, 28-38(39-41) / 2 Chr 36:14-23
Ps 122
Eph 2:4-10
John 6:1-15 / Josh (4:19-24)5:1(2-8)9-12
Ps 34 or 34:1-8
2 Cor 5:17-21
Luke 15:11-32
The Fifth Sunday in Lent / Ezek 37:1-14
Ps 130
Rom 6:15-23
John 11:(1-17)18-44 / Jer 31:31-34
Ps 51 or 51:11-16
Heb 4:(14-16)5:1-10
John 12:20-33(34-36) / Isa 43:16-21
Ps 126
Phil 3:7-16
Luke 20:9-19
HOLY WEEK
Palm Sunday: Liturgy of the Palms / Matt 21:1-11
Ps 118:19-29 / Mark 11:1-11a
Ps 118:19-29 / Luke 19:29-40
Ps 118:19-29
Palm Sunday / Isa 52:13-53:12
Ps 22:1-21 or Ps 22:1-11 Phil 2:5-11
Matt (26:36-75)27:1-54(55-66) / Isa 52:13-53:12
Ps 22:1-11 or Ps 22:1-21
Phil 2:5-11
Mark (14:32-72)15:1-39(40-47) / Isa 52:13-53:12
Ps 22:1-11 or Ps 22:1-21
Phil 2:5-11
Luke (22:39-71)23:1-49(50-56)
Monday in Holy Week / Isa 42:1-9
Ps 36:5-10
Heb 11:39-12:3
John 12:1-11 or Mark 14:3-9 / Isa 42:1-9
Ps 36:5-10
Heb 11:39-12:3
John 12:1-11 or Mark 14:3-9 / Isa 42:1-9
Ps 36:5-10
Heb 11:39-12:3
John 12:1-11 or Mark 14:3-9
Tuesday in Holy Week / Isa 49:1-6
Ps 71:1-12
1 Cor 1:18-31
John 12:37-38,42-50 or Mark 11:15-19 / Isa 49:1-6
Ps 71:1-12
1 Cor 1:18-31
John 12:37-38,42-50 or Mark 11:15-19 / Isa 49:1-6
Ps 71:1-12
1 Cor 1:18-31
John 12:37-38,42-50 or Mark 11:15-19
Wednesday in Holy Week / Isa 50:4-9
Ps 69:7-15,22-23
Heb 9:11-28
Matt 26:1-5,14-25 / Isa 50:4-9
Ps 69:7-15,22-23
Heb 9:11-28
Matt 26:1-5,14-25 / Isa 50:4-9
Ps 69:7-15,22-23
Heb 9:11-28
Matt 26:1-5,14-25
Maundy Thursday / Ex 12:1-14
Ps 78:14-25
1 Cor 11:23-26(27-34)
John 13:1-15 or
Luke 22:14-30 / Ex 12:1-14
Ps 78:14-25
1 Cor 11:23-26(27-34)
John 13:1-15 or
Luke 22:14-30 / Ex 12:1-14
Ps 78:14-25
1 Cor 11:23-26(27-34)
John 13:1-15 or
Luke 22:14-30
Good Friday / Gen 22:1-18 or
Isa 52:13—53:12
Ps 22:1-11(12-21)
or Ps 40:1-14 or 69:1-23
Heb 10:1-25
John (18:1-40) 19:1-37 / Gen 22:1-18 or
Isa 52:13—53:12
Ps 22:1-11(12-21)
or Ps 40:1-14 or 69:1-23
Heb 10:1-25
John (18:1-40) 19:1-37 / Gen 22:1-18 or
Isa 52:13—53:12
Ps 22:1-11(12-21)
or Ps 40:1-14 or 69:1-23
Heb 10:1-25
John (18:1-40) 19:1-37
Holy Saturday / Job 14:1-17
Ps 130 or 31:1-5
1 Pet 4:1-8
Matt 27:57-66 or John 19:38-42 / Job 14:1-17
Ps 130 or 31:1-5
1 Pet 4:1-8
Matt 27:57-66 or John 19:38-42 / Job 14:1-17
Ps 130 or 31:1-5
1 Pet 4:1-8
Matt 27:57-66 or John 19:38-42
EASTER
The Great Vigil of Easter / Gen 1:1—2:3
Gen 3
Gen 7:1-5,11-18; 8:6-20; 9:8-13
Gen 22:1-18
Ex 14:10—15:1
Isa 4:2-6
Isa 55:1-11
Ezek 36:24-28
Ezek 37:1-14
Dan 3:1-28
Jonah 1:1—2:10
Zeph 3:12-20
Rom 6:3-11
Matt 28:1-10 / Gen 1:1—2:3
Gen 3
Gen 7:1-5,11-18; 8:6-20; 9:8-13
Gen 22:1-18
Ex 14:10—15:1
Isa 4:2-6
Isa 55:1-11
Ezek 36:24-28
Ezek 37:1-14
Dan 3:1-28
Jonah 1:1—2:10
Zeph 3:12-20
Rom 6:3-11
Matt 28:1-10 / Gen 1:1—2:3
Gen 3
Gen 7:1-5,11-18; 8:6-20; 9:8-13
Gen 22:1-18
Ex 14:10—15:1
Isa 4:2-6
Isa 55:1-11
Ezek 36:24-28
Ezek 37:1-14
Dan 3:1-28
Jonah 1:1—2:10
Zeph 3:12-20
Rom 6:3-11
Matt 28:1-10
Easter Day: Early Service / Use one of the Old Testament Lessons from the Vigil
Ps 114
Rom 6:3-11
Matt 28:1-10 / Use one of the Old Testament Lessons from the Vigil
Ps 114
Rom 6:3-11
Matt 28:1-10 / Use one of the Old Testament Lessons from the Vigil
Ps 114
Rom 6:3-11
Matt 28:1-10
Easter Day: Principal Service / Acts 10:34-43 or
Ex 14:10-14,21-31
Ps 118:14-17,22-24
Col 3:1-4 or
Acts 10:34-43
John 20:1-10(11-18) or
Matt 28:1-10 / Acts 10:34-43 or Isa 25:6-9
Ps 118:14-17,22-24
Col 3:1-4 or
Acts 10:34-43
Mark 16:1-8 / Acts 10:34-43 or Isa 51:9-11
Ps 118:14-17,22-24
Col 3:1-4 or
Acts 10:34-43
Luke 24:1-12
Easter Day: Evening Service / Dan 12:1-3
Ps 136
1 Cor 5:6-8
Luke 24:13-35 / Dan 12:1-3
Ps 136
1 Cor 5:6-8
Luke 24:13-35 / Dan 12:1-3
Ps 136
1 Cor 5:6-8
Luke 24:13-35
Monday of Easter Week / Acts 2:14,22-32
Ps 16
Matt 28:9-15 / Acts 2:14,22-32
Ps 16
Matt 28:9-15 / Acts 2:14,22-32
Ps 16
Matt 28:9-15
Tuesday of Easter Week / Acts 2:14,36-41
Ps 33:18-22
John 20:11-18 / Acts 2:14,36-41
Ps 33:18-22
John 20:11-18 / Acts 2:14,36-41
Ps 33:18-22
John 20:11-18
Wednesday of Easter Week / Acts 3:1-10
Ps 105:1-8
Luke 24:13-35 / Acts 3:1-10
Ps 105:1-8
Luke 24:13-35 / Acts 3:1-10
Ps 105:1-8
Luke 24:13-35
Thursday of Easter Week / Acts 3:11-26
Ps 8
Luke 24:36-49 / Acts 3:11-26
Ps 8
Luke 24:36-49 / Acts 3:11-26
Ps 8
Luke 24:36-49
Friday of Easter Week / 1 Pet 1:3-9
Ps 116:1-8
John 21:1-14 / 1 Pet 1:3-9
Ps 116:1-8
John 21:1-14 / 1 Pet 1:3-9
Ps 116:1-8
John 21:1-14
Saturday of Easter Week / Acts 4:1-22
Ps 118:14-18
Mark 16:9-20 / Acts 4:1-22
Ps 118:14-18
Mark 16:9-20 / Acts 4:1-22
Ps 118:14-18
Mark 16:9-20
The Second Sunday of Easter / Acts 2:14a,22-32
or Gen 8:6-16, 9:8-16
Ps. 111
1 Pet 1:3-9
John 20:19-31 / Acts 3:12a, 13-15,17-26 or Isa 26:1-9,19
Ps 111
1 John 5:1-5
John 20:19-31 / Acts 5:12a, 17-22, 25-29 or Job 42:1-6
Ps 111
Rev 1:(1-8)9-19
John 20:19-31
The Third Sunday of Easter / Acts 2:14a,36-47
or Isa 43:1-12
Ps 116:10-17
1 Pet 1:13-25
Luke 24:13-35 / Acts 4:5-14
or Mic 4:1-5
Ps 98 or 98:1-5
1 John 1:1-2:2
Luke 24:36-49 / Acts 9:1-19a
or Jer 32:36-41
Ps 33 or 33:1-11
Rev 5:(1-5)6-14
John 21:1-14
The Fourth Sunday of Easter [Good Shepherd] / Acts 6:1-9, 7:2a,51-60
or Neh 9:(1-3)6-15
Ps 23
1 Pet 2:13-25
John 10:1-10 / Acts 4:(23-31)32-37
or Ezek 34:1-10
Ps 23
1 John 3:1-10
John 10:11-16 / Acts 13:14b-16, 26-39
or Num 27:12-23
Ps 100
Rev 7:9-17
John 10:22-30
The Fifth Sunday of Easter / Acts 17:1-15 or Deut 6:20-25
Ps 66:1-11 or 66:1-8
1 Pet 2:1-12
John 14:1-14 / Acts 8:26-40 or Deut 4:32-40
Ps 66:1-11 or 66:1-8
1 John 3: (11-17)18-24
John 14:15-21 / Acts 13:44-52 or
Lev 19:1-2,9-18