Sunday Readings: The Lectionary

What year was your Book of Common Prayer (BCP) printed?

If it was printed prior to 2007, you have the BCP Lectionary in the back. If it was printed in 2007 or later, you have the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) printed in the back. The Episcopal Church, which publishes the 1979 BCP, voted to change from the BCP Lectionary to the RCL Lectionary at their 2006 General Convention.

“So what?” You may ask.

The Lectionary table beginning on page 889 of the BCP, with Year A, provides the list of readings to be used on the appointed Sunday or feast day. The BCP Lectionary and the RCL Lectionary are not the same. This really only matters if you are preparing to read, or wishing to read the Sunday readings before you see them printed in the Sunday morning bulletins.

The Diocese of San Joaquin and Saint James’ Cathedral are using the BCP Lectionary, and we are currently in Year A, as of the First Sunday of Advent (November 28, 2010).

In order to alleviate the confusion between the two lectionaries, we have listed all of the BCP Lectionary readings for Year A on our website, under “Resources.” The “Resources” button is on the second menu header of the home page. Or click here to go straight to it.