Reformation Lectionary Use

Alexander Ring also makes mention of the continued use of the Lectionary at the time of the Reformation. "Indeed, in an end we see that even Luther took himself with a grain of salt, since despite his comments Luther himself prescribed the use of the Historic Lectionary in both the Formula Missae and Deutsche Messe, and all Lutheran altar books continued in their use of it. Even the Augsburg Confession and the Apology testify to its official use in Lutheran congregations, when in speaking about tradition and the Church the Lutherans stated: 'Many traditions are kept on our part, for they lead to good order in the Church, such as the Order of Lessons in the Mass[i.e., the lectionary] and the chief festivals.' 'We keep traditional liturgical forms, such as the order of the lessons, prayers, vestments, etc.' The next 400 years of Lutheran liturgical life was governed by the Historic Lectionary."

The Lutheran Church does maintain these things to be good right and salutary. The Lectionary should be used. The lessons of the Church year should be continued in our Churches. They are still classified as traditions. Traditions are good but they can also see as Alexander Ring stated previously that the Lectionary has been changed and developed over the years. The Confession of the Lutheran Church reminds us that these traditions are good. They do not state that we must follow this specific Lectionary. But we should not force a new Lectionary upon any church with out showing good reason and how it connects to the Historic use of a lectionary.

New Lectionaries allow people to use different texts. They can help to grow and develop the church over the years. Remember the Bible is greater than the Lectionary. The Bible is greater than the Liturgy. But the Church year should help guide us. The outline of the Historic Lectionary should help guide all future lectionaries. Just because it is the way we always have done it does not make it a perfect way. St Paul repeatedly will tell us to encourage one another and read all of Scripture. Thank you.

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