Since seminary days long ago, I have recognized the value of church calendars and lectionaries. They help provide order, connections with the Christian past, and variety in Scripture readings. The church year and lectionary reflect accumulated Christian wisdom, and they reduce dependence on any individual's whims.
On this blog, I have followed the calendar and lectionary of the 1928 American Book of Common Prayer, with occasional references to the 1549, 1559, and 1662 English BCPs, as well as the 1962 Canadian BCP. Now in retirement, I find myself far from any congregation that follows a traditional BCP calendar or lectionary. The nearby parishes that use a lectionary follow variations of the three-year calendar and readings. I can respect that choice. The three-year lectionary, newer church calendars, and updated English have some good points and promote devotion among some users. In certain respects, they are less archaic and cover more passages of Scripture on Sundays.
Nevertheless, in my heart and mind, the traditional Books of Common Prayer, calendars, and Scripture readings remain standard. Despite some difficulties arising from a long history (for example, archaic use of words such as "prevent," Latin names for Sundays in pre-Lent, and deciphering the procedures at the end of an unusually long Trinity season), the traditional calendar and lectionary still nourish and guide my theology and personal devotion.
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