Rachel Evans
The Catholic Church has a three-year cycle of Sunday readings, labelled A, B, and C, which repeat every three years. Each year is dedicated to a different Gospel: Year A to the Gospel of St. Matthew, Year B to the Gospel of St. Mark, and Year C to the Gospel of St. Luke. The Gospel of St. John is typically used for solemnities and during Holy Week, and it is read during the Easter season in all three years. The weekday cycle is divided into two years, Year I and Year II, which are read in odd-numbered and even-numbered years, respectively. The readings are typically read from a Lectionary, which is composed of the readings and the responsorial psalm assigned for each Mass of the year.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cycle of Readings | 3 years, labelled A, B, and C |
| Year A | Gospel of St. Matthew |
| Year B | Gospel of St. Mark |
| Year B Supplement | Gospel of St. John, Chapter 6 |
| Year C | Gospel of St. Luke |
| Year I | Odd-numbered years (2023, 2025, etc.) |
| Year II | Even-numbered years (2022, 2024, etc.) |
| Readings | 2 readings, 1 from the Gospels (3 on Sundays and solemnities) |
| Additional Reading | Psalm or Canticle |
| Reading Source | Lectionary, not the Bible |
| Lectionary Composition | Readings and responsorial psalm assigned for each Mass of the year |
| Lectionary Reading Division | Day or theme (baptism, marriage, etc.) |
| Lectionary Reading Introduction | Introductory phrases, called incipits |
| Lectionary Individual Readings | Pericopes, from the Greek meaning "section" or "cutting" |
| First Reading | Old Testament |
| Second Reading | Epistle, a letter written to an early church community |
| Second Reading Schedule | Semi-continuous |
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What You'll Learn
The three-year cycle of readings
The Catholic Church follows a three-year cycle of readings, also known as the liturgical year. Each of the three years is dedicated to a different Gospel: Year A to the Gospel of St. Matthew, Year B to the Gospel of St. Mark, and Year C to the Gospel of St. Luke. The Gospel of St. John is typically used for solemnities and during Holy Week, and the shorter Gospel of Mark is usually supplemented with readings from Matthew and Luke in Year B.
The three-year cycle was established to provide a more varied selection of readings from the Bible, putting more emphasis on the Word of God and opening up its riches to the lay faithful. The readings on Sundays and some principal feasts follow this cycle, with four passages from Scripture (including one from the Psalms) being used in each celebration. On weekdays, three passages are used, with the first reading and the psalm recurring in a two-year cycle, and the Gospel reading recurring annually. The Sunday cycle is divided into three years, labelled A, B, and C, with each yearly cycle beginning on the first Sunday of Advent (between November 27 and December 3).
To determine the cycle year, a simple method is to add the digits of the calendar year and check if they are divisible by three. If yes, then it is Year C. For instance, for the year 2019, 2 + 0 + 1 + 9 = 12, which is divisible by 3, making 2019 Year C. The liturgical year for 2020 thus began in December 2019 and was Year A.
The readings are typically read from a Lectionary, which is composed of the readings and the responsorial psalm assigned for each Mass of the year (Sundays, weekdays, and special occasions). The readings are divided by the day or theme (baptism, marriage, vocations, etc.) rather than according to the books of the Bible.
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Readings from the Old Testament
The Catholic Church follows a three-year cycle of Sunday readings, labelled A, B, and C. Each year is dedicated to a different Gospel: Year A to the Gospel of St. Matthew, Year B to the Gospel of St. Mark, and Year C to the Gospel of St. Luke. The Gospel of St. John is typically used during solemnities and Holy Week, and it is also read during the Easter season in all three years. The weekday cycle, on the other hand, is divided into two years: Year I and Year II.
The Lectionary, from which the readings are usually taken, is composed of the readings and the responsorial psalm assigned for each Mass of the year (Sundays, weekdays, and special occasions). The readings are divided by the day or theme rather than according to the books of the Bible.
The first reading during Mass, usually from the Old Testament, reflects important themes from the Gospel reading. Suggested Old Testament readings for Catholic funeral liturgies include:
- Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31
- Ecclesiastes 3:1-15
- Song of Songs 8:6-7
- Isaiah 35:1-6, 10
- Isaiah 41:8-10, 13
- Isaiah 57:15-19
- Isaiah 61:1-3
- Isaiah 65:17-21
- Ezekiel 34:11-16
- Micah 6:6-8
- Zephaniah 3:16
Other Old Testament readings include:
> The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace. For if before men, indeed they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality; Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself. As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with his elect.
> Understanding is the hoary crown, and an unsullied life, the attainment of old age… If you’re Catholic, you can look forward to a future where God will wipe the tears from your eyes. On this mountain, the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples. On this mountain, he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, the web that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever. The Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces.
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Readings from the Gospels
The Catholic Church has a three-year cycle of Sunday readings, labelled A, B, and C. This cycle was established after the Second Vatican Council to provide a varied selection of readings from the Bible and put more emphasis on the Word of God. The Sunday readings repeat every three years, with each year dedicated to a different Gospel: Year A to the Gospel of St. Matthew, Year B to the Gospel of St. Mark, and Year C to the Gospel of St. Luke. The Gospel of St. John is typically used for solemnities and during Holy Week, and it is read during the Easter season in all three years.
To determine which year the Catholic Church is currently in for the Sunday readings, one can refer to the USCCB liturgical calendar or use a simple mathematical rule. If the sum of the digits of the calendar year is divisible by three, then it is Year C; otherwise, it is either Year A or Year B. For example, for the year 2025, 2 + 0 + 2 + 5 = 9, which is not divisible by three. Hence, 2025 is either Year A or Year B.
The readings for each Mass are typically read from a Lectionary, which is composed of the readings and the responsorial psalm assigned for each Mass of the year (Sundays, weekdays, and special occasions). The Lectionary is arranged in two cycles: one for Sundays and one for weekdays. The weekday cycle is divided into two years: Year I and Year II. Year I is read in odd-numbered years, while Year II is used in even-numbered years. The Gospels for both years are the same, and they are read semi-continuously, beginning with Mark, then moving on to Matthew and Luke.
The readings from Scripture are part of every Mass. There are at least two readings, with one always from the Gospels (three on Sundays and solemnities). In addition, a psalm or canticle is sung. These readings are divided by the day or theme (baptism, marriage, vocations, etc.) rather than according to the books of the Bible. Introductions and conclusions have been added to each reading. The first reading, usually from the Old Testament, reflects important themes from the Gospel reading. The second reading is usually from one of the epistles, a letter written to an early church community.
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Readings from the New Testament Epistles
The New Testament Epistles are letters written by Apostles to Christians. Those written by Paul are known as Pauline Epistles, while the rest are called Catholic or General Epistles. The New Testament contains 21 Epistle books, 13 of which are attributed to Paul.
The apostle Paul, one of the most important early Christian missionaries, wrote 13 letters during his travels. These letters were addressed to various congregations and individuals. For example, Romans describes why a person would want to be a Christian and how they can become one. Paul tells the Romans that getting to heaven is not based on performance but on believing in Jesus and having faith in him. Another of Paul's letters, First Corinthians, is written to the most corrupt Christian church mentioned in the Bible. The sequel to this letter, Second Corinthians, continues to advise the Corinthians on how to live correctly. Paul also wrote to the Galatians, addressing the problem of adding man-made requirements for becoming a Christian.
The remaining eight Epistles, from James to Jude, are named after their authors. For example, James conveys that faith without works is dead, and that trials produce maturity. Peter's letter states that it is good to be persecuted for Christ, and that suffering tests one's faith.
In the context of liturgy, the term 'epistle' may refer to a particular passage from a New Testament Epistle that is scheduled to be read on a certain day or occasion. In the Roman Catholic Mass, epistles are read between the Collect and the Gospel reading. The Second Readings from the New Testament Epistles follow a semi-continuous reading schedule and are thus unrelated to the themes of the First Reading and the Gospel.
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Readings from the Lectionary
The Lectionary is a book that contains the scheduled readings for Mass in the Catholic Church. Readings from Scripture are part of every Mass, with at least two readings, one always from the Gospels, and three on Sundays and solemnities. In addition, a psalm or canticle is sung. These readings are typically read from a Lectionary, not a Bible, though the Lectionary is taken from the Bible.
The Lectionary is arranged in two cycles, one for Sundays and one for weekdays. The Sunday cycle is divided into three years, labelled A, B, and C. Each of the three years is dedicated to a different Gospel. Year A is dedicated to the Gospel of St. Matthew, Year B to the Gospel of St. Mark, and Year C to the Gospel of St. Luke. The Gospel of St. John is typically used for solemnities and during Holy Week and is read during the Easter season in all three years.
The weekday cycle is divided into two years, Year I and Year II. Year I is read in odd-numbered years, while Year II is used in even-numbered years. The Gospels for both years are the same, and they are read semi-continuously, beginning with Mark, then moving on to Matthew and Luke.
The readings in the Lectionary are divided by the day or theme (baptism, marriage, vocations, etc.) rather than according to the books of the Bible. Introductions and conclusions have been added to each reading. The first reading, usually from the Old Testament, reflects important themes from the Gospel reading. The second reading is usually from one of the epistles, a letter written to an early church community. These letters are read semi-continuously, with each Sunday picking up close to where the previous Sunday left off.
The Sunday readings repeat every three years, and one can determine which year it is by adding the digits of the calendar year and seeing if they are divisible by three. If it is divisible by three, then it is Year C. For example, in 2022, 2 + 2 + 2 = 6, so it is Year C. Similarly, 2025, 2 + 0 + 2 + 5 = 9, is also a Year C.
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Frequently asked questions
Readings from Scripture are part of every Mass. There are at least two readings, one always from the Gospels, and three on Sundays and solemnities. A psalm or canticle is also sung.
The Catholic Church has a three-year cycle of Sunday readings at Mass. The Sunday cycle is divided into three years, labelled A, B, and C.
One simple way to determine the cycle year is to add the digits of the calendar year and see if they are divisible by three. If it is divisible by three, then it is "Year C".
In Year A, readings are mostly from the Gospel of Matthew. In Year B, they are mostly from the Gospel of Mark. In Year C, they are mostly from the Gospel of Luke.
The USCCB liturgical calendar clearly states which year we are in for the Sunday readings. You can also find the daily readings on websites such as EWTN.
