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.

The comments have been prepared by a team of writers from the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania of the Uniting Church in Australia. The team consists of Audrey Schindler, Morag Logan, Paul Tonson, Lorraine Parkinson and myself, Howard Wallace. Any suggestions or comments about this page should be sent to me as web coordinator (hwallace@vic.uca.org.au).

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 22 , November 5, 2006 - Ruth 1:1-18
Pentecost 23, November 12, 2006 - Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17
Pentecost 24, November 19, 2006 - 1 Samuel 1:4-20
Christ the King/The Reign of Christ, November 26, 2006 - 2 Samuel 23:1-7
 

Year C: Advent

Introduction to the Old Testament Readings in Advent

Advent 1, December 3, 2006 - Jeremiah 33:14-16
Advent 2, December 10, 2006 - Malachi 3:1-4
Advent 3, December 17, 2006 - Zephaniah 3:14-20
Advent 4, December 24, 2006 - Micah 5:2-5a

Year C: Christmas

Introduction to the Old Testament Readings in Christmas

Christmas Eve, December 24, 2006 - Isaiah 9:2-7
Christmas Day 1, December 25, 2006 - Isaiah 62:6-12
Christmas Day 2, December 25, 2006 - Isaiah 52:7-10
Christmas 1, December 31, 2006 - 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26
Baptism of Jesus, January 7, 2007 - Isaiah 43:1-7

Year C: Epiphany

Introduction to the Old Testament Readings in Epiphany

Epiphany 2, January 14, 2007 - Isaiah 62:1-5
Epiphany 3, January 21, 2007 - Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
Epiphany 4, January 28, 2007 - Jeremiah 1:4-10
Epiphany 5, February 4, 2007 - Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13)
Epiphany 6, February 11, 2007 - Jeremiah 17:5-10
Transfiguration of Jesus, February 18, 2007 - Exodus 34:29-35

Year C: Lent

Lent 1, February 25, 2007 - Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Lent 2, March 4, 2007 - Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
Lent 3, March 11, 2007 - Isaiah 55:1-9 (comment on vv. 1-13)
Lent 4, March 18, 2007 - Joshua 5:9-12
Lent 5, March 25, 2004 - Isaiah 43:16-21
Palm/Passion Sunday, April 1, 2007 - Isaiah 50:4-9a

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)

Easter Day, April 8, 2007 - Isaiah 65:17-25 (alternate first reading)
Easter 2, April 15, 2007 - Psalm 118:14-29
Easter 3, April 22, 2007 - Psalm 30
Easter 4, April 29, 2007 - Psalm 23
Easter 5, May 6, 2007 - Psalm 148
Easter 6, May 13, 2007 - Psalm 67
Easter 7, May 20, 2007 - Psalm 97
Pentecost, May 27, 2007 - Genesis 11:1-9

Year C: After Pentecost

Trinity Sunday, June 3, 2007 - Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31
Pentecost 2, June 10, 2007 - 1 Kings 17:8-16 (17-24)
Pentecost 3, June 17, 2007 - 1 Kings 21:1-10, (11-14), 15-21a
Pentecost 4, June 24, 2007 - 1 Kings 19:1-4, (5-7), 8-15a
Pentecost 5, July 1, 2007 - 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14
Pentecost 6, July 8, 2007 - 2 Kings 5:1-14
Pentecost 7, July 15, 2007 - Amos 7:7-17
Pentecost 8, July 22, 2007 - Amos 8:1-12
Pentecost 9, July 29, 2007 - Hosea 1:2-10
Pentecost 10, August 5, 2007 - Hosea 11:1-11
Pentecost 11, August 12, 2007 - Isaiah 1:1, 10-20
Pentecost 12, August 19, 2007 - Isaiah 5:1-7
Pentecost 13, August 26, 2007 - Jeremiah 1:4-10
Pentecost 14, September 2, 2007 - Jeremiah 2:4-13
Pentecost 15, September 9, 2007 - Jeremiah 18:1-11
Pentecost 16, September 16, 2007 - Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28
Pentecost 17, Sepetmber 23, 2007 - Jeremiah 8:18-9:1
Pentecost 18, September 30, 2007 - Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15
Pentecost 19, October 7, 2007 - Lamentations 1:1-6
Pentecost 20, October 14, 2007 - Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7
Pentecost 21, October 21, 2007 - Jeremiah 31:27-34
Pentecost 22, October 28, 2007 - Joel 2:23-32
Pentecost 23, November 4, 2007 - Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4
Pentecost 24, November 11, 2007 - Haggai 1:15b-2:9
Pentecost 25, November 18, 2007 - Isaiah 65:17-25 (cf. also alternative first reading for Easter Sunday)
The Reign of Christ, November 25, 2007 - Jeremiah 23:1-6