Sunday Readings in Context
This Sunday’s Readings in Context
Parishioner Tom O’Brien, a Canon and Examining Chaplain for Scripture of this diocese, writes brief background descriptions of the Sunday readings.
We thank Tom for sharing his learning and love of Scripture with us in this way.
Sunday’s Reading for February 12, 2023
The Revised Common Lectionary for today offers a choice between Deuteronomy and Sirach. Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Reading 15 Moses said, “See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity. 16 If you obey the commandments of the LORD your God that I...
Sunday’s Reading for February 5, 2023
Isaiah 58:1-12 Reading 1 Shout out, do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Announce to my people their rebellion, to the house of Jacob their sins.2 Yet day after day they seek me and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that practiced...
Sunday’s Reading for January 29, 2023
Micah 6:1-8 Reading 1 Hear what the LORD says: Rise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice.2 Hear, you mountains, the controversy of the LORD, and you enduring foundations of the earth; for the LORD has a controversy with his people,...
Sunday’s Reading for January 22, 2023
Isaiah 9:1-4 Reading 1 There will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee...
Sunday’s Reading for January 15, 2023
Isaiah 49:1-7 Reading 1 Listen to me, O coastlands, pay attention, you peoples from far away! The LORD called me before I was born, while I was in my mother's womb, he named me.2 He made my mouth like a sharp sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a...
Sunday’s Reading for January 8, 2023
Isaiah 42:1-9 Reading 1 Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.2 He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street;3 a bruised reed he will...
Sunday’s Reading for January 1, 2023
Numbers 6:22-27 Reading 22 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 23 Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the Israelites: You shall say to them,24 The LORD bless you and keep you;25 the LORD make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;26 the...
Sunday’s Reading for December 25, 2022
Isaiah 52:7-10 Reading 7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace,who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns."8 Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices, together they sing for joy;...
Sunday’s Reading for December 18, 2022
Isaiah 7:10-16 Reading 10 Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying, 11 Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. 12 But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test. 13 Then Isaiah said: “Hear then, O house of David!...