The Revised Common Lectionary: The Consultation on Common Texts

by The Consultation on Common Texts and Abingdon Press

Book Overview

For twenty years now the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) has been doing its work among us. . . . It has had to win its way simply by its own excellence and by the appeal of the idea of reading the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0687361745
• ISBN13: 9780687361748
• Release Date: October 1992
• Publisher: Abingdon Press
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 7.0" x 10.0"

Customer Reviews

Very nice and handy volume

Abingdon has done an excellent job of producing this edition of the RCL. Considering the low price, the paper is of good quality, the type face is clear and elegant, and the binding is plenty sturdy for personal use. I note that one reviewer condemns the selection of readings, preferring the Roman lectionary. That certainly is his/her prerogative but s/he should be aware that this is a minority opinion, even among Roman clergy, at least in this country. While the RCL was generated by non-Catholic bodies, it is by no means hermeneutically (he ought to learn to spell that, by the way) "Protestant." A substantial number of Roman bishops strongly supported adoption of the RCL but were overruled by Rome. There are many, many rationales for choosing lections and none of them will satisfy everyone. A very nice and inexpensive lectionary for personal use.

Great service!

This was a great transaction! Book arrived quickly, in excellent condition, better than described.

Excellent Bible Study

Extremely pleased with the format of the study. Very easy to understand for laity.

A common spirit...

This is primarily a book of lists. The lectionary is the series of readings from the Bible for church purposes. Many denominations follow a lectionary, i.e., a pre-set cycle of readings, rather like schools following a similarly planned curriculum. There are advantages and disadvantages to this system - the greatest disadvantage some see is in a lack of flexibility for preaching. However, the greatest advantage I see in following a lectionary cycle is the inability to avoid difficult or problematic texts in the Bible. Too often preachers will succumb to the temptation to preach on the same comfortable and inspiring passages, and largely ignore the rest of the Bible. The lectionary doesn't enable one to do that, but stimulates creativity and learning in the congregation as they too are exposed to passages that might not make the top of the preferred reading lists. Introduction The introduction to this book presents a brief, 10-page essay on what a lectionary is, the history of lectionaries, and how to use the Revised Common Lectionary. It shows start and end dates for liturgical years, incorporates liturgical and worship calendars, sets up a three-year cycle of readings for Sundays, and discusses the use of the Old Testament/Hebrew Scriptures in Sunday worship. As the name `Revised Common Lectionary' suggests, there was an earlier lectionary, based largely on the Roman Catholic lectionary development after Vatican II. In the spirit of ecumenical cooperation, a large number of denominations participated in the Consultation that led to this development, with the understanding that it is binding on none of them. Titles of Sundays and Special Days This 3-page section gives the official or proper names to Sundays and special days. This is particularly useful for those in churches who would like a firmer understanding of Christian history but do not come out of a tradition that has incorporated much. Liturgical seasons such as Advent, Epiphany, Lent and the like are grouped with their respective times in the liturgical calendar. Years A, B and C The three years are largely based on the three synoptic gospels - Year A focuses on Matthew; Year B on Mark; Year C on Luke. John is incorporated in various ways throughout these three years. In Year B, Luke and John are used to supplement some of the Markan readings; in Year C, John is again used extensively. The other books of the New Testament are incorporated as secondary readings and most of the New Testament in fact gets covered in the three year cycle. For Old Testament readings, the lists present alternative scriptures and psalms for use, depending upon the intention of the congregation. Some churches (Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Episcopal) have a different intention behind the selection of texts, to fit their Eucharistic theological perspectives and the incorporation into the gospel message of the day, and so the lists give alternatives in many cases. Special Days This is a one-page chart of those special