In the following pages are comments on the weekly readings from the Old Testament as set in the Revised Common Lectionary for Year A. 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, and the season in the Christian year.

The following comments are designed to cover all possible arrangements of the lectionary given such variables as the day on which Epiphany falls, the date of Easter etc. While it is intended that the readings and comments can be clearly followed in any one particular year, the Calendar and Lectionary published by The Uniting Church (through the National Working Group on Worship), or similar specific year church calendars, will aid in finding the readings for a particular Sunday. If you have any major difficulties please let me know via email (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 A: Advent

Introduction to the Old Testament readings in Advent A
Advent 1 - Isaiah 2:1-5 and Psalm 122
Advent 2 - Isaiah 11:1-10 and Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19
Advent 3 - Isaiah 35:1-10 and Psalm 146:5-10
Advent 4 - Isaiah 7:10-16 and Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19

Year A: Christmas

Introduction to the Old Testament readings in Christmas
Christmas Day 1 - Isaiah 9:2-7 and Psalm 96
Christmas Day 2 - Isaiah 62:6-12 and Psalm 97
Christmas Day 3 - Isaiah 52:7-10 and Psalm 98
Christmas 1 - Isaiah 63:7-9 and Psalm 148
Christmas 2, used when Epiphany (Jan. 6) falls on a weekday following the 2nd Sunday after Christmas - Jeremiah 31:7-14 and Psalm 147
Epiphany of the Lord (January 6) - Isaiah 60:1-6 and Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14

Year A: After Epiphany

The number of Sundays in Epiphany depends on the date of Easter. The last Sunday in Epiphany in a particular year will be the Sunday before Ash Wednesday. The readings for the Transfiguration of Jesus should be used on that Sunday.

Introduction to the Old Testament readings in Epiphany
Epiphany 1 or Baptism of Jesus, between January 7 and January 13 - Isaiah 42:1-9 and Psalm 29
Epiphany 2, between January 14 and Jan. 20 - Isaiah 49:1-7 and Psalm 40
Epiphany 3, between Jan. 21 and Jan. 27 - Isaiah 9:1-4 and Psalm 27
Epiphany 4, between Jan. 28 and Feb. 3 - Micah 6:1-8 and Psalm 15
Epiphany 5, between Feb. 4 and Feb. 10 - Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12) and Psalm 112
Epiphany 6, between Feb. 11 and Feb. 17 - Deuteronomy 30:15-20 and Psalm 119:1-8
Epiphany 7, between Feb. 18 and February 24 - Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18 and Psalm 119:33-40
Epiphany 8, between February25 and Feb. 29 - Isaiah 49:8-16a and Psalm 131
Transfiguration of Jesus - Exodus 24:12-18 and Psalm 2 or Psalm 99

Year A: Lent

Introduction to the Old Testament readings in LentA
Ash Wednesday - Isaiah 58:1-12(alt.) and Psalm 51
Lent 1 - Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 and Psalm 32
Lent 2 - Genesis 12:1-4a and Psalm 121
Lent 3 - Exodus 17:1-7 and Psalm 95
Lent 4 - 1 Samuel 16:1-13 and Psalm 23
Lent 5 - Ezekiel 37:1-14 and Psalm 130
Passion/Palm Sunday - Isaiah 50:4-9a and Psalm 31:9-16 (Passion) or Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 (Palm)
Good Friday - Isaiah 52:13-53:12 and Psalm 22

Year A: Easter

Easter Day (alt.) - Jeremiah 31:1-6 and Psalm 118
Easter 2 - Psalm 16
Easter 3 - Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19
Easter 4 - Psalm 23
Easter 5 - Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16
Easter 6 - Psalm 66:8-20
Ascension Day - Psalm 47 or Psalm 93
Easter 7 - Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35
Day of Pentecost - Numbers 11:24-30 and Psalm 104

Year A: Pentecost

Trinity Sunday, first Sunday after Pentecost - Genesis 1:1-2:4a and Psalm 8
If the Sunday between May 24 and 28 inclusive follows Trinity Sunday, the readings for Epiphany 8 are used.
Sunday between May 29 and June 4 (if after Trinity Sunday) - Genesis 6:9-22; 7:24; 8:14-19 and Psalm 46
Sunday between June 5 and June 11 (if after Trinity Sunday) - Genesis 12:1-9 and Psalm 33:1-12
Sunday between June 12 and June 18 (if after Trinity Sunday) - Genesis 18:1-15 (21:1-7) and Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19
Sunday between June 19 and June 25 (if after Trinity Sunday) - Genesis 21:8-21 and Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17
UCA Anniversary, June 22 - Ezekiel 37:15-28 and Psalm 122
Sunday between June 26 and July 2 - Genesis 22:1-14 and Psalm 13
Sunday between July 3 and July 9 - Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67 and Psalm 45 or Song of Songs 2:8-13
Sunday between July 10 and July 16 - Genesis 25:19-34 and Psalm 119:105-112
Sunday between July 17 and July 23 - Genesis 28:10-19a and Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24
Sunday between July 24 and July 30 - Genesis 29:15-28 and Psalm 105:1-11, 45b
Sunday between July 31 and Aug. 6 - Genesis 32:22-31 and Psalm 17
Sunday between Aug. 7 and Aug. 13 - Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 and Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b
Sunday between Aug. 14 and Aug. 20 - Genesis 45:1-15 and Psalm 133
Sunday between Aug. 21 and Aug. 27 - Exodus 1:8-2:10 and Psalm 124
Sunday between Aug. 28 and Sept. 3 - Exodus 3:1-15 and Psalm 105:1-6: 23-26, 45c
Sunday between Sept. 4 and Sept. 10 - Exodus 12:1-14 and Psalm 149
Sunday between Sept. 11 and Sept. 17 - Exodus 14:19-31 and Psalm 114
Sunday between Sept. 18 and Sept. 24 - Exodus 16:2-15 and Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45
Sunday between Sept. 25 and Oct. 1 - Exodus 17:1-7 and Psalm 78
Sunday between Oct. 2 and Oct. 8 - Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 and Psalm 19
Sunday between Oct. 9 and Oct. 15 - Exodus 32:1-14 and Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23
Sunday between Oct. 16 and Oct. 22 - Exodus 33:12-23 and Psalm 99
Sunday between Oct. 23 and Oct. 29 - Deuteronomy 34:1-12 and Psalm 90
Sunday between Oct. 30 and Nov. 5 - Joshua 3:7-17 and Psalm 107
All Saints may be celebrated on Sunday Nov. 1 or  on the Sunday after Nov. 1 - Isaiah 51:1-6 (alt.) and Psalm 34:1-10, 22
Sunday between Nov. 6 and Nov. 12 - Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 and Psalm 78
Sunday between Nov. 13 and Nov. 19 - Judges 4:1-7 and Psalm 123
Christ the King or The Reign of Christ, Sunday between Nov. 20 and Nov. 26 - Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 and Psalm 100