The Lectionary
To see an on-line Lectionary, click here.
The Lectionary is a table of appointed scripture readings for the eucharist and for the daily office throughout the year. The 1979 Book of Common Prayer has two lectionaries: the eucharistic lectionary, which provides for reading a substantial amount of the Old Testament and almost all of the New Testament over a three-year cycle; and the daily office lectionary, which allows for three readings each day over a two-year cycle. (John N. Wall, A Dictionary for Episcopalians, pp. 73-74.)
Thanks to the Lectionary, most of Christianity — Episcopalians, Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Methodists, the United Church of Christ, Baptists, etc. — hear the same lessons read in church on Sunday mornings.