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Written by Harold Martin, 02/02/2010

Why Some Pastors and Churches Use Lectionaries

The introduction to an Abingdon Commentary on the Lectionary gives what I consider solid reasons for using a lectionary while keeping the freedom in churches to chose their scriptures for weekly worship. Lectionaries should not become another layer of legalism in the church but serve as scriptural inspiration for Christian ministries. I quote from the introduction to a 1992 edition of the Abingdon Commentary:

"The use of a lectionary provides a more diverse scriptural diet for God’s people, and it can help protect the congregation from the whims and prejudices of the pastor and other worship planners. Faithful use of the lectionary means that preachers must deal with texts they would rather ignore, but about which the congregation may have great concern and interest . . . . Adherence to the lectionary can be an antidote to that homiletical arrogance that says, "I know what my people need," and in humility acknowledges that the Word of God found in scripture may speak to more needs on Sunday morning than we even know exist, when we seek to proclaim faithfully the message we have wrestled from the text."

In the last third of the 20th century the Protestant Churches were taking more seriously the role of the Bible in their services along with their pastors in their sermons. The Roman Catholic renewed interest in the scriptures for worship (1960s) was also joined by many denominations in creating the REVISED COMMON LECTIONARY. Although there were and are some differences in the final lectionaries of the various traditions, the effort was to increase agreement among the churches and to better present the Christian witness to the world.

We are presently in the season of Epiphany. Some liturgists call this season "Ordinary Time", but I prefer the older designation of a season. Epiphany refers to a time of new dawning insights and bursting forth of moments of divine light. The journey of the Wise Men following the star in Matthew’s Gospel in commonly celebrated on January 6^th to fit this purpose.

The first Sunday in Epiphany features the Baptism of Jesus, and the last Sunday before Ash Wednesday to begin Lent is the Transfiguration. Both of these emphasize the words from heaven, "this is my beloved Son". They are moments of Divine Epiphany: light, insight, and revelation. Epiphany is our sacred moment. The Scriptures for February 14^th are: Psalm 99; Exodus 34:29-35; II Corinthians 3:12-4:2; Luke 9:28-43a. Read them and prepare your soul for your very own Epiphany.

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