Proclaiming Faith - the Cycle of Readings

The Cycle of Readings

Christ is present in the word of God, and we are nourished by the word of God when we read it or hear it proclaimed. As part of the liturgical renewal, the Second Vatican Council directed that there be an increased and varied portion of scripture proclaimed during the liturgy so that the richness and beauty of God's word in the Bible help invigorate and renew the people of God. Because the Bible contains so much, in order to accomplish this the readings from the Bible are proclaimed on Sundays over a three year period.

In selecting the texts from the Bible, the goal was to assign the most important segments to Sundays and holy days when the most people are gathered to celebrate the Eucharist. This arrangement allows the people to hear the principal portions of God's word in the Bible over a period of time.

Sacred scripture proclaimed on Sundays and feasts is arranged in a three year cycle so the same text is read only once every fourth year. Each year of the cycle is named either A, B, or C. As an easy way to recall which is the current cycle of readings for Sundays and feasts, simply remember that Cycle C is assigned to the years that are divisible by 3. For example, 2001 is year C.

The focus for each of the three cycles is one of the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). They are called synoptic (meaning seen together) because when seen together they present a "common view." Although certain parts of the gospels are exactly the same, their points of view are quite different and tell similar stories from the life of Jesus and his message.

Cycle A focuses on the gospel of Matthew.

Cycle B focuses on the gospel of Mark.

Cycle C focuses on the gospel of Luke.

The Lectionary readings for Sundays and feasts in the 2001 liturgical year are from Cycle C.