Third Limitation
Sundberg gives a list of Three specific Limitations of the Lectionary in his Article. "3. The lectionary produces too many sermons on the Gospel texts. It is an obvious fact that the lectionary, and worship practice generally, give the gospel lesson pride of place as the culmination of the readings for the day. It is for the gospel alone that we stand; we begin and end the hearing of it with music of praise. This is an honored practice of the Christian tradition. But it is a practice that has led, in my opinion, to a surfeit of sermons grounded in the gospel texts."
On would think if he did not add "texts" to that last phrase it would be a great thing. But the RCL has based itself on the Gospel lesson for every Sunday. The Liturgy of the Lutheran Church and most other Churches rightly so sing praises and alleluias to hear the words of our Lord in red lettering. But the truth is that all God's word is truly important, while the Gospel lessons should be held in high esteem they are not the only lessons are people need to hear us preach upon.
Preachers have three texts for each Sunday and sometimes even more. They should take full advantage of these texts. But when things get difficult all of us revert back to our natural state of things (preaching on the gospel lesson). This is always what bothered me about the One Year Lectionary after three years you need to move because you preached on every lesson. (This only actually would be true if you preached on a different lesson every year.) But some preachers still find the Second Sunday of Easter preaching on John 20 every year. What about those other texts?
I love it when people ask me in Bible Study after Church or even later in the week about one of the other lessons. With the three year lectionary you can expand it to 9 years of preaching on a different text every week except for those cases where the texts over lap from year to year. I can not see this as a problem with the Lectionary itself but more with the preachers and the Liturgy. I might from time to time wish the preacher would change but the Liturgy is still very important to me. Thank you.
On would think if he did not add "texts" to that last phrase it would be a great thing. But the RCL has based itself on the Gospel lesson for every Sunday. The Liturgy of the Lutheran Church and most other Churches rightly so sing praises and alleluias to hear the words of our Lord in red lettering. But the truth is that all God's word is truly important, while the Gospel lessons should be held in high esteem they are not the only lessons are people need to hear us preach upon.
Preachers have three texts for each Sunday and sometimes even more. They should take full advantage of these texts. But when things get difficult all of us revert back to our natural state of things (preaching on the gospel lesson). This is always what bothered me about the One Year Lectionary after three years you need to move because you preached on every lesson. (This only actually would be true if you preached on a different lesson every year.) But some preachers still find the Second Sunday of Easter preaching on John 20 every year. What about those other texts?
I love it when people ask me in Bible Study after Church or even later in the week about one of the other lessons. With the three year lectionary you can expand it to 9 years of preaching on a different text every week except for those cases where the texts over lap from year to year. I can not see this as a problem with the Lectionary itself but more with the preachers and the Liturgy. I might from time to time wish the preacher would change but the Liturgy is still very important to me. Thank you.
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