Minnesota Episcopal Environmental Stewardship Commission (MEESC)

In 1996, starting with Lectionary Year B, the MEESC launched a multi-year project to complete reflections and comments on the earth-centered aspects of the Lectionary readings. Work on filling the gaps for Holy Days will be undertaken each time we approach specific Holy Days; however, input is accepted at any time. If you would like to contribute, please see the directions at the end of this page.

St. Andrew (November 30):

• Old Testament (Hebrew Scripture) Reading: Deuteronomy 30: 11-14
• Psalm 19: 1-6
• New Testament Reading: Romans 10: 8b-18
• Gospel: Matthew 4:18-22

Holy Name of Jesus (January 1):

• General Reflections
• Old Testament (Hebrew Scripture) Reading: Numbers 6: 22-17
• Psalm 8
• New Testament Reading: Galatians 4: 4-7 or Philippians 2: 9-13
• Gospel: Luke 2:15-21

The Transfiguration (August 6):

• General Reflections
• Old Testament (Hebrew Scripture) Reading: Exodus 34:1-8
• Psalm 99
• New Testament Reading: 2 Peter 1: 13-21
• Gospel: Luke 9:28-36

Holy Cross Day (September 14):

• Old Testament (Hebrew Scripture) Reading : Isaiah 45: 21-25
• Psalm 98 or 98: 1-4
• New Testament Reading: Philippians 2: 5-11 or Galatians 6: 14-18
• Gospel: Johm 12: 31-36a

As we receive reflections and comments on a specific Holy Day, we will add them to this listing. If you would like to contribute, please see the directions at the end of this page.

Christmas Day

First Sunday after Christmas

• Sermon for this Sunday (based on Gospel) (by Virginia McBride)
• Old Testament Reading (Hebrew Scripture): Isaiah 61: 10 62:3
• Psalm 147 or 147: 13-21
• New Testament Reading: Galatians 3:23-25; 4: 4-7
• Gospel: John 1:1-18

Second Sunday after Christmas

• Sermon for this Sunday
• Old Testament Reading (Hebrew Scripture): Jeremiah 31: 7-14
• Psalm 84 or 84: 1-8
• New Testament Reading: Ephesians 1:3-6; 15-19a
• Gospel: Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 or Luke 2: 41-52 or Matthew 2: 1-12

The Epiphany (Jan 6)

• Old Testament Reading (Hebrew Scripture): Isaiah 60:1-6
• Psalm 72: 1-7, 10-14
• New Testament Reading: Ephesians 3: 1-12
• Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12
• Sermon on these readings (by the Rev Lynn Naeckel)
• Sermon on these readings (by the Rev Tom Harries)

Ash Wednesday

• Old Testament Reading (Hebrew Scripture): Joel 2: 1-2, 12-17 or Isaiah 58: 1-12
• Psalm 103 or 103:8-14
• New Testament Reading: 2 Corinthians 5: 20b 6: 10.
• Gospel: Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-21

Maundy Thursday

• Old Testament Reading (Hebrew Scripture): Exodus 12:1-4, (5-10), 11-14
• Psalm 116: 1, 10-17
• New Testament Reading: 1 Corinthians 11: 23-26
• Gospel: John 13: 1-17, 31b-35

Good Friday

• Old Testament Reading (Hebrew Scripture): Isaiah 52:1353:12
• Psalm 22
• New Testament Reading: Hebrews 10:16-25 or Hebrews 4: 14-16; 5: 7-9
• Gospel: John 18: 1 19: 42

Holy Saturday

• Meditation on Holy Saturday readings (by John G. Gibbs, PhD)
• Old Testament Reading (Hebrew Scripture): Job 14: 1-14 or Lamentations 3: 1-9, 19-24
• Psalm 31: 1-4, 15-16
• New Testament Reading: 1 Peter 4: 1-8
• Gospel: Matthew 27: 57-66 or John 19: 38-42

Easter Sunday

• General Easter Reflection from the Series Earth Bound (by the Rev Roger Weaver)
• General Reflection on Easter (by the Rev Tom Harries)
• General Reflection on the Easter Lectionary Readings (by John G. Gibbs, PhD)

Easter Vigil

• Old Testament (Hebrew Scripture) Readings and Responses:

  Genesis 1: 1 2: 4a	Psalm 136: 1-9, 23-26
  Genesis 7: 1-5, 11-18; 8: 6-18; 9:8-13	Psalm 46
  Genesis 22: 1-18	Psalm 16
  Exodus 14: 10-31; 15:20-21	Canticle 8
  Isaiah 55: 1-11	Canticle 9
  Baruch 3: 9-15, 32 4: 4 or Proverbs 8: 1-8, 19-21; 9: 4b-6	Psalm 19
  Ezekiel 36: 24-28	Psalms 42 and 43
  Ezekiel 37: 1-14	Psalm 143
  Zephaniah 3: 14-20	Psalm 98

• At the Eucharist:

  Romans 6:3-11

  Psalm 114

• Gospel:

  Year A	Matthew 28: 1-10
  Year B	Mark 16: 1-8
  Year C	Luke 24: 1-12

Easter Evening

• Old Testament (Hebrew Scripture) Reading: Isaiah 25: 6-9
• Psalm 114
• New Testament: 1 Corinthians 5: 6b-8
• Gospel: Luke 24:13-49

• Lessons and Psalm Options

  Genesis 11: 1-9	and	Psalm 33: 12-22	or
  Exodus 19: 1-9a, 16-20a; 20: 18-20	and	Canticle 2 or 13	or
  Ezekiel 37: 1-14	and	Psalm 130	or
  Joel 2: 28-32	and	Canticle 9	or
  Acts 2: 1-11 or Romans 8: 14-17, 22-27	and	Psalm 104: 25-32

• Gospel: John 7: 37-39a