What is a Lectionary?

A lectionary is a list of scripture readings assigned to be read on a particular day. This tradition of a lectionary has roots in Jewish worship of long ago and was continued by the early Christians.

Not all Christians use the same lectionary, but many Lutheran. Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist and other Christian churches around the world use the Revised Common Lectionary, a three-year cycle beginning in in Advent. Each year the Gospel of Matthew, Mark, or Luke is read primarily with the Gospel of John interspersed throughout all three years. Consequently, if a person worshipped every Sunday for three years, he or she would be able to hear the majority of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.