Lectionary - Readings June 2026

WEEK 1: 7th - 13th June

Romans 4:13-end (Trinity 1)

From now until the end of November we keep the Sundays after Trinity, which fall into what is now called 'Ordinary Time'. However, there is nothing ordinary about the epistle which we shall be reading over the next few months; it is Paul's great Epistle to the Romans!

In the previous three chapters of the epistle Paul has set out his famous doctrine of justification by faith'; none of us can earn God's favour by our own merits, as all have sinned, and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Only God himself can put this right, and he has done it for us by the death of Jesus on the cross. In this week's passage Paul illustrates what is involved in faith by reference to the patriarch Abraham and his unwavering trust in God.

WEEK 2: 14th - 20th June

Romans 5:1-8 (Trinity 2)

In this passage Paul draws out the implications of this theme for us; now we have been reconciled with God, we have cause to hope. Indeed, as Paul says in verses 3 and 4, we can even rejoice in our sufferings as an opportunity to grow in grace.

How do we know this? Paul gives the answer in verses 7 and 8 - it is because Christ died for the wicked. He died for us, not because of our good deeds, but while we were still sinners! With this as the bedrock of our faith, we have nothing to fear.

WEEK 3: 21st - 27th June

Romans 6:1b-11 (Trinity 3)

Here Paul tackles a common objection to the idea of justification by faith that was touted around in his own time, and is still heard today. If God has done it for us, and it does not depend on our own efforts, then why do we need to bother? In essence, why not say, 'l am saved, so l can do as I please'?

To Paul this completely misses the point. The faith of which he speaks is no mere intellectual assent - even the Devil has that (see James 2:19). Rather, it is an ongoing relationship of love and trust with God in which we enter into a new life - a life in which we simply do not want to sin!

WEEK 4: 28th - 4th July

Romans 6:12-end (Trinity 4)

Today's reading continues on the same theme, the purpose of Paul being to counter the charge that his emphasis on free grace justifies lawlessness - or, as stated above, the idea that since we have been saved' we are free to do what we want.

Paul's answer to that is someone who persists in wrongdoing is not really free at all. This is something we see in our own lives. We all know what it is to be the slave of bad habits and attitudes. What the death of Jesus offers us is the chance to be free of all that.