In the following pages are comments on the weekly readings from the Old Testament as set in the Revised Common Lectionary. The comments are the result of an engagement with the text by the writer, bearing in mind the historical and literary context of the readings, the other readings set for the week, the season in the Christian year, and events that are taking place around us.  It is hoped that they will stimulate thought about the Old Testament readings, and encourage preachers to engage more deeply themselves with the Old Testament passages set each week.

Any suggestions or comments about this page should be sent to me as web coordinator (hnwallace@bigpond.com).

Comments on New Testament and Gospel readings for each week can be found on Bill Loader's web site under lectionary resources. Further comments on the OT readings for each week can be found at Anna Grant-Henderson's web site.

Year B: Pentecost

Pentecost 24, November 11, 2012 - Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17 and Psalm 127
Pentecost 25, November 18, 2012 - 1 Samuel 1:4-20 and 1 Sam 2:1-10
Christ the King/The Reign of Christ, November 25, 2012 - 2 Samuel 23:1-7 and Psalm 132:1-12 (13-18)
 

Year C: Advent

Introduction to the Old Testament Readings in Advent

Advent 1, December 2, 2012 - Jeremiah 33:14-16 and Psalm 25:1-10
Advent 2, December 9, 2012 - Malachi 3:1-4 and Luke 1:68-79
Advent 3, December 16, 2012 - Zephaniah 3:14-20 and Isaiah 12:2-6
Advent 4, December 23, 2012 - Micah 5:2-5a and Psalm 80:1-7

Year C: Christmas

Introduction to the Old Testament Readings in Christmas

Christmas Eve/Day 1, December 24/25, 2012 - Isaiah 9:2-7 and Psalm 96
Christmas Day 2, December 25, 2012 - Isaiah 62:6-12 and Psalm 97
Christmas Day 3, December 25, 2012 - Isaiah 52:7-10 and Psalm 98
Christmas 1, December 30, 2012 - 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 and Psalm 148
Epiphany of the Lord, January 6, 2013 -  Isaiah 60:1-6 and Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14

Year C: Epiphany

Introduction to the Old Testament Readings in Epiphany

Baptism of Jesus, January 13, 2013 - Isaiah 43:1-7 and Psalm 29
Epiphany 2, January 20, 2013 - Isaiah 62:1-5 and Psalm 36:5-10
Epiphany 3, January 27, 2013 - Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 and Psalm 19
Epiphany 4, February 3, 2013 - Jeremiah 1:4-10 and Psalm 71:1-6
Transfiguration of Jesus, February 10, 2013 - Exodus 34:29-35 and Psalm 99

Year C: Lent

Introduction to the Old Testament Readings in Lent

Lent 1, February 17, 2013 - Deuteronomy 26:1-11 and Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16
Lent 2, February 24, 2013 - Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 and Psalm 27
Lent 3, March 3, 2013 - Isaiah 55:1-9 (comment on vv. 1-13) and Psalm 63:1-8
Lent 4, March 10, 2013 - Joshua 5:9-12 and Psalm 32
Lent 5, March 17, 2013 - Isaiah 43:16-21 and Psalm 126
Palm/Passion Sunday, March 24, 2013 - Isaiah 50:4-9a and Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 (Palm) or Psalm 31:9-16 (Passion)
Good Friday, March 29, 2013 - Isaiah 52:13-53:12 and Psalm 22

Year C: Easter (commentaries during Easter, when the first reading is taken from Acts, will be on any alternate reading or the Psalm set for the week)

The Old Testament and Easter Readings

Easter Day, March 31, 2013 - Isaiah 65:17-25 (alternate first reading) and Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
Easter 2, April 7, 2013- Psalm 118:14-29 or Psalm 150
Easter 3, April 14, 2013 - Psalm 30
Easter 4, April 21, 2013 - Psalm 23
Easter 5, April 28, 2013 - Psalm 148
Easter 6, May 5, 2013 - Psalm 67
Ascension Day or Easter 7, May 12, 2013 - Psalm 47 or 93 (Ascension) or Psalm 97 (Easter 7)
Pentecost, May 19, 2013 - Genesis 11:1-9 and Psalm 104:24-34, 35b

Year C: After Pentecost

Introduction to the Old Testament Readings in the season after Pentecost

Trinity Sunday, May 26, 2013 - Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 and Psalm 8
Pentecost 2, June 2, 2013 - 1 Kings 18:20-21, (22-29), 30-39 and Psalm 96
Pentecost 3, June 9, 2013 - 1 Kings 17:8-16 (17-24) and Psalm 146
Pentecost 4, June 16, 2013 - 1 Kings 21:1-10, (11-14), 15-21a and Psalm 5:1-8
Pentecost 5, June 23, 2013 - 1 Kings 19:1-4, (5-7), 8-15a and Psalms 42-43
Pentecost 6, June 30, 2013 - 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14 and Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20
Pentecost 7, July 7, 2013 - 2 Kings 5:1-14 and Psalm 30
Pentecost 8, July 14, 2013 - Amos 7:7-17 and Psalm 82
Pentecost 9, July 21, 2013 - Amos 8:1-12 and Psalm 52
Pentecost 10, July 28, 2013 - Hosea 1:2-10 and Psalm 85
Pentecost 11, August 4, 2013 - Hosea 11:1-11 and Psalm 107:1-9, 43
Pentecost 12, August 11, 2013 - Isaiah 1:1, 10-20 and Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23
Pentecost 13, August 18, 2013 - Isaiah 5:1-7 and Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19
Pentecost 14, August 25, 2013 - Jeremiah 1:4-10 and Psalm 71:1-6
Pentecost 15, September 1, 2013 - Jeremiah 2:4-13 and Psalm 81:1, 10-16
Pentecost 16, September 8, 2013 - Jeremiah 18:1-11 and Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
Pentecost 17, Sepetmber 15, 2013 - Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28 and Psalm 14
Pentecost 18, September 22, 2013 - Jeremiah 8:18-9:1 and Psalm 79:1-9
Pentecost 19, September 29, 2013 - Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15 and Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16
Pentecost 20, October 6, 2013 - Lamentations 1:1-6 and Lamentations 3:19-26 or Psalm 137
Pentecost 21, October 13, 2013- Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7 and Psalm 66:1-12
Pentecost 22, October 20, 2013- Jeremiah 31:27-34 and Psalm 119:97-104
Pentecost 23, October 27, 2013 - Joel 2:23-32 and Psalm 65
Pentecost 24, November 3, 2013 - Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4 and Psalm 119:137-144
Pentecost 25, November 10, 2013 - Haggai 1:15b-2:9 and Psalm 145:1-5, 17-28 (or Psalm 98 alt.)
Pentecost 26, November 17, 2013 - Isaiah 65:17-25 (cf. also alternative first reading for Easter Sunday) and Isaiah 12
Christ the King/The Reign of Christ, November 24, 2013 - Jeremiah 23:1-6 and Luke 1:68-79