Introducing the Three Years of the Revised Common Lectionary

Year A
Year B
Year C
Holy Week

Year A
Year A focuses on the gospel of Matthew.  The gospel readings from the season of Advent through the Sundays after the Epiphany tell of the coming of Christ and his manifestation especially through his preaching.  Most of the first readings, chosen to illuminate the gospel passage, are from the prophet Isaiah.  The second readings include selections mainly from Romans and 1 Corinthians.  The season also features some traditional propers, such as John 1 on Christmas Day.  Churches may conclude the period after Epiphany with a reading on the Transfiguration, unless this gospel text is to be proclaimed on the Second Sunday in Lent.

From Ash Wednesday through Pentecost of year A, many of the gospel readings are traditional selections from the gospel of John including the three great initiatory texts of John 4, 9, and 11 on Lent 3, 4, and 5, and the discourses of John during the season of Easter.  During the season of Lent, the first readings are chosen to illuminate the gospel.  During the season of Easter, the first readings are from Acts.  The second readings highlight Romans and the initiatory exhortations in 1 Peter.

During the Sundays after Pentecost, one set of Old Testament lessons is a semicontinuous series of readings that focus on the major Genesis narratives, the covenant with Moses, and the establishment of Israel in the promised land.  The other set of readings is selected from throughout the Hebrew Scriptures for their relationship with the gospel of the day.  The second readings are taken from Romans, Philippians, and 1 Thessalonians.  The final Sundays after Pentecost focus on eschatological themes and the reign of Christ.

Year B
Year B focuses on the gospel of Mark.  The gospel readings from the season of Advent through the Sundays after Epiphany tell of the coming of Christ and his ministry.  The first readings, chosen to illuminate the gospel, are selected from throughout the Old Testament.  The second readings include selections mainly drawn from the two letters to the Corinthians.

From Ash Wednesday through Pentecost of year B, we add readings from John and Luke to the readings from Mark. During the season of Lent, the first readings, chosen to illuminate the gospel, include important narratives of faith.  During the season of Easter the first readings are from Acts.  The second readings during this season are a semicontinuous selection from 1 John.

During the Sundays after Pentecost, the gospel readings move forward through the gospel of Mark, with five Sundays from John 6 to supplement the list.  One set of Old Testament lessons is a series of semicontinuous readings that focus on the Davidic covenant and Wisdom literature. The other set of readings is selected from throughout the Hebrew Scriptures for their close relationship with the gospel of the day.  The second readings are semicontinuous selections from 2 Corinthians, Ephesians, James, and Hebrews.  The final Sundays after Pentecost focus on eschatological themes and the reign of Christ.

Year C
Year C focuses on the gospel of Luke.  The gospel readings from the season of Advent through the Sundays after Epiphany tell of the coming of Christ and the beginning of Jesus' ministry. The first readings, chosen to illuminate the gospels, are selected from throughout the Hebrew Scriptures. The second readings include semicontinuous readings from 1 Corinthians.

From Ash Wednesday through Pentecost of year C, we add several readings from John to those of Luke.  During the season of Lent, the first readings, chosen to illuminate the gospel, include both narrative and prophetic passages.  During the season of Easter, semicontinuous selections are read from the book of Revelation.

During the Sundays after Pentecost, the gospel readings move forward through the gospel of Luke.  One set of Old Testament texts is a series of semicontinuous readings of the prophetic proclamation, chosen in chronological order and highlighting Jeremiah.  The other set of readings is selected from throughout the Hebrew Scriptures for their close relationship with the gospel of the day.  The second readings are semicontinuous selections, chosen mainly from Galatians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Timothy, and 2 Thessalonians.  The final Sundays after Pentecost focus on eschatological themes and the reign of Christ.

Holy Week

For all three years, the readings appointed for Holy Week focus on the last days of Jesus' life in the flesh (see Hebrews 5:7).  The readings appointed for the Easter Vigil, following ancient tradition, include narratives and poems from the Old Testament which describe the history of salvation and the Christian passage from death to life in baptism.


For general information about the liturgical year, see "Liturgical Year" at www.wikipedia.org.