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 C: Advent

Introduction to the Old Testament Readings in Advent

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

Year C: Christmas

Introduction to the Old Testament Readings in Christmas

Christmas Eve/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 - 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 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 147:12-20
Epiphany of the Lord, January 6 -  Isaiah 60:1-6 and Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14

Year C: Epiphany

Introduction to the Old Testament Readings in Epiphany

Epiphany 1 or Baptism of Jesus, between January 7 and January 13 - Isaiah 43:1-7 and Psalm 29
Epiphany 2, between January 14 and Jan. 20 - Isaiah 62:1-5 and Psalm 36:5-10
Epiphany 3, between Jan. 21 and Jan. 27 - Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 and Psalm 19
Epiphany 4, between Jan. 28 and Feb. 3 - Jeremiah 1:4-10 and Psalm 71:1-6
Epiphany 5, between Feb. 4 and Feb. 10 - Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13) and Psalm 138
Epiphany 6, between Feb. 11 and Feb. 17 - Jeremiah 17:5-10 and Psalm 1
Epiphany 7, between Feb. 18 and February 24 -  Genesis 45:3-11, 15 and Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40
Epiphany 8, between February 25 and Feb. 29 - Isaiah 55:10-13 and Psalm 92:1-4,12-15
Transfiguration of Jesus, last Sunday after Epiphany - Exodus 34:29-35 and Psalm 99

Year C: Lent

Introduction to the Old Testament Readings in Lent

Ash Wednesday - Isaiah 58:1-12(alt.) and Psalm 51
Lent 1 - Deuteronomy 26:1-11 and Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16
Lent 2 - Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 and Psalm 27
Lent 3 - Isaiah 55:1-9 (comment on vv. 1-13) and Psalm 63:1-8
Lent 4 - Joshua 5:9-12 and Psalm 32
Lent 5 - Isaiah 43:16-21 and Psalm 126
Palm/Passion Sunday - Isaiah 50:4-9a and Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 (Palm) or Psalm 31:9-16 (Passion)
Good Friday - 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)

Easter Day - Isaiah 65:17-25 (alternate first reading) and Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
Easter 2- Psalm 118:14-29 or Psalm 150
Easter 3 - Psalm 30
Easter 4 - Psalm 23
Easter 5 - Psalm 148
Easter 6 - Psalm 67
Easter 7 - Psalm 97
Day of Pentecost - Genesis 11:1-9 and Psalm 104:24-34, 35b

Year C: After Pentecost

Trinity Sunday, first Sunday after Pentecost - Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 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) - 1 Kings 18:20-21, (22-29), 30-39 and Psalm 96
Sunday between June 5 and June 11 (if after Trinity Sunday) - 1 Kings 17:8-16 (17-24)and Psalm 146
Sunday between June 12 and June 18 (if after Trinity Sunday) - 1 Kings 21:1-10, (11-14), 15-21a and Psalm 5:1-8
Sunday between June 19 and June 25 (if after Trinity Sunday)- 1 Kings 19:1-4, (5-7), 8-15a and Psalms 42-43
Sunday between June 26 and July 2 - 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14 and Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20
Sunday between July 3 and July 9 - 2 Kings 5:1-14 and Psalm 30
Sunday between July 10 and July 16 - Amos 7:7-17 and Psalm 82
Sunday between July 17 and July 23 - Amos 8:1-12 and Psalm 52
Sunday between July 24 and July 30 - Hosea 1:2-10 and Psalm 85
Sunday between July 31 and Aug. 6 - Hosea 11:1-11 and Psalm 107:1-9, 43
Sunday between Aug. 7 and Aug. 13 - Isaiah 1:1, 10-20 and Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23
Sunday between Aug. 14 and Aug. 20 - Isaiah 5:1-7 and Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19
Sunday between Aug. 21 and Aug. 27 - Jeremiah 1:4-10 and Psalm 71:1-6
Sunday between Aug. 28 and Sept. 3 - Jeremiah 2:4-13 and Psalm 81:1, 10-16
Sunday between Sept. 4 and Sept. 10 - Jeremiah 18:1-11 and Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
Sunday between Sept. 11 and Sept. 17 - Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28 and Psalm 14
Sunday between Sept. 18 and Sept. 24 - Jeremiah 8:18-9:1 and Psalm 79:1-9
Sunday between Sept. 25 and Oct. 1 - Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15 and Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16
Sunday between Oct. 2 and Oct. 8 - Lamentations 1:1-6 and Lamentations 3:19-26 (see comments on Lamentations 1) or Psalm 137
Sunday between Oct. 9 and Oct. 15 - Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7 and Psalm 66:1-12
Sunday between Oct. 16 and Oct. 22 - Jeremiah 31:27-34 and Psalm 119:97-104
Sunday between Oct. 23 and Oct. 29 - Joel 2:23-32 and Psalm 65
Sunday between Oct. 30 and Nov. 5 - Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4 and Psalm 119:137-144
All Saints may be celebrated on Sunday Nov. 1 or on the Sunday after Nov. 1 - Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18 and Psalm 149
Sunday between Nov. 6 and Nov. 12 - Haggai 1:15b-2:9 and Psalm 145:1-5, 17-28 (or Psalm 98 alt.)
Sunday between Nov. 13 and Nov. 19 - Isaiah 65:17-25and Isaiah 12
Christ the King/The Reign of Christ, Sunday between Nov. 20 and Nov. 26 - Jeremiah 23:1-6 and Luke 1:68-79