Lectionary - Readings September 2026

WEEK 13: 30th August - 5th September 

Romans 12: 9-end (Trinity 13)

After all of the excitement that has gone before, the last five chapters of Romans may come as something of an anticlimax. Now we are brought back down to earth with a bump, as Paul challenges us to come to terms with the boring old nitty gritty of daily Christian living.

However, this is no accident. It is one thing to contemplate the great truths of our faith, but applying them in the context of our daily lives is another matter altogether. This week's reading, with its echoes of the Sermon on the Mount, reminds us that in the end God has given us Jesus, in the words of the old collect, not only as a 'sacrifice for sin', but also as an 'example of godly life', and that we are called not only to 'give thanks for that his inestimable benefit', but also to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life'. May that be our aim as we all get back to normal after the summer holidays!

WEEK 1: 6th - 12th September

Romans 13: 8-14 (Trinity 14)

We continue with our study of the Epistle to the Romans. In this week's passage Paul continues his set of instructions for Christian living, by reference to the second great commandment as laid down by Jesus (see Mark 12:31).

In the last four verses he puts this in context; the moment is critical, and we must be prepared. Paul's reference here is to the anticipated Second Coming (which is why this passage is often read on Advent Sunday, but it can equally be applied to the perilous times in which we live.

WEEK 2: 13th - 19th September

Romans 14:1-12 (Trinity 15)

Paul's focus this, week is on relationships within the church congregation. Though the particular disputes he mentions have largely passed into history, the tendency for us to fall out over matters of detail is one with which we are all too familiar.

The problem here for Paul - and for us - is not so much the issues themselves as the entrenched attitudes they engender. As Paul says later (see verse 19) we must all pursue the things that make for peace and build up our common life.

WEEK 3: 20th - 26th September

Philippians 1:21-30 (Trinity 16)

We now turn to Philippians. Though written in trying circumstances - Paul was in prison at the time - this is one of the most happy and positive of Paul's letters.

The reason for this is made apparent in this week's passage. To Paul, as for many of the great saints, suffering for the faith was not a burden but a privilege; compare Acts 5:41. This may seem strange to us, but even today it is congregations under the lash of persecution that often display the most jo 

WEEK 4: 27th - 3rd October

Philippians 2:1-13 (Trinity 17)

In verses 5 to 11 we see one of the greatest passages in the Bible. Thought by many to be an ancient Christian hymn, we now often use it as a canticle during Lent and read it as a lesson on Palm Sunday.

In this week's reading we see these verses put in context. What Paul is saying is that what Jesus has done for us we in turn should do for others. (compare John 13:12-17).