The RCL does not have the reading for Reformation Sunday.
Here is a link to text week for the readings for Reformation Sunday: http://www.textweek.com/festivals/reformation.htm
I haven't double checked but I don't believe that Reformation Sunday (or the Creation Sundays) are part of the RCL - they are sponsored by other organizations or denominations. They had been given to Louis St. Hilaire as samples of "oddities" in lectionaries to be considered in design. Denominational versions of the RCL should include ones like Reformation Sunday. Ones like the 4 Creation Sundays are options that really should be independent
The RCL as defined by Consultation on Common Texts (www.commontexts.org) doesn't appear to include Reformation Sunday. I'm not sure where the readings given on The Text This Week come from. If I'm just missing something, and they are actually an option that's a part of the RCL itself, then we can include it.
I'm sure many denominations' adaptations of the RCL do have readings for Reformation Sunday. If there are adaptations of the RCL that you would like to made into Logos lectionaries (as we've done with the United Methodist RCL), please suggest them.
For somewhat obvious reasons the denominations from Germany tended to be the ones that emphasized Reformation Day. However, more current practice has "demoted" it:
21 October 2002
For Immediate Release
Title: FURTHER OBJECTIONS TO ELCA CANCELLING REFORMATION SUNDAY
The news that the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is advising its parishes to "shift away" from celebrating Reformation Day is spreading across the denomination. In response to the unexpected advisory, objections to the denomination's drift away from the principles of Protestantism are growing.
According to the September-October edition of the ELCA publication, Seeds for the Parish (p. 2), denominational officials recommend, "In light of our church's commitment to ecumenical relations, it may be a good idea to shift away from a focus on the 16th century Lutheran Reformation and its readings ('the truth shall set you free') and move toward an ecumenical celebration of reconciliation and the on-going reformation of the church."
...
On 31 October 1517, Martin Luther, the Augustinian Friar and Professor of Biblical Theology at Wittenberg University in Germany, issued his famous 95 Theses against indulgences. For Luther, indulgences not only lacked Biblical warrant but also led souls astray from their true "justification by grace through faith For Luther's attempts at reforming the medieval Roman Church, the pope sought to excommunicate Luther while arranging for the Emperor to sentence him to death. Many of Luther's followers did lose their lives in the Roman Church's attempts to eradicate the Lutheran Reformation from Europe.
For centuries thereafter, Lutherans have celebrated "Reformation Day" to remind themselves of Luther's bold steadfastness in speaking the truth and setting the faithful back on the right path. Now, after 500 years of Lutheranism, the ELCA's head office is seeking to put an end to Reformation Day.
With 5.1 million members, the ELCA is the largest Lutheran body in the United States. In response to the ELCA's official departure from its own heritage, Lutheran congregations and groups from around the USA are encouraging ELCA parishes to disregard the ELCA's advisory and to celebrate Reformation Day with renewed vigor.
ADDENDUM
1. Use of all or of any part of this article is granted by the author. For further information regarding the above quotations, contact Dr. Mark D. Menacher as per the details given above.
2. The source for the quoted sections of the ELCA advisory is "Seeds for the Parish" (page 2) which is available on the Internet at: http://www.elca.org/co/seeds/septoct02.pdf
The RCL does not have the reading for Reformation Sunday. Here is a link to text week for the readings for Reformation Sunday: http://www.textweek.com/festivals/reformation.htm
Thanks, Tom! Peace to you! Appreciated your post. Actually I was a little surprised.
Just checked the Lutheran Service Book Three Year Lectionary (also FREE! from Logos) and noticed that the Propers for Reformation are for Reformation Day on October 31, tomorrow just being a "regular" Sunday. Although, I think most congregations will use the Readings tomorrow with the Altar Paraments Red. I belong to a congregation that uses the LSB 3 Year Lectionary, and I know we will.
Also, All Saint' Day (Feast) is for Tuesday, November 1, 2011. I noticed that RCL celebrates All Saints' Sunday tomorrow. That's why I was surprised, I guess.
2 Samuel 22:2
I noticed that RCL celebrates All Saints' Sunday tomorrow. That's why I was surprised, I guess.
I haven't double checked but I don't believe that Reformation Sunday (or the Creation Sundays) are part of the RCL
For somewhat obvious reasons the denominations from Germany tended to be the ones that emphasized Reformation Day. However, more current practice has "demoted" it: 21 October 2002 For Immediate Release Title: FURTHER OBJECTIONS TO ELCA CANCELLING REFORMATION SUNDAY
MJ.,
As a member of the ELCA, I did not recall this in the Seeds of Parish. I asked my colleges, and they did not remember this. I looked up this information, and stating that the ELCA is cancelling Reformation Sunday is completely wrong. The article simply states that we (congregations within the ELCA) should use the standard readings for the last Sunday in Oct, and not use the readings for Oct. 31.
This is simply not going to happen in my life time.
Thanks everyone, this has been a very educational experience for me.
I looked up this information, and stating that the ELCA is cancelling Reformation Sunday is completely wrong. The article simply states that we (congregations within the ELCA) should use the standard readings for the last Sunday in Oct, and not use the readings for Oct. 31.
Not surprised. I cut the obviously inflammatory quotations leaving an ellipse but assume the remainder was reasonably accurate. I will be more suspicious of http://www.ccmverax.org/ (specific source was http://www.ccmverax.org/News/FurtherObjections.htm) Lutherans appear to have the same problem with alarmist fringe groups that we Catholics have.
Lutherans appear to have the same problem with alarmist fringe groups that we Catholics have.
Also, All Saint' Day (Feast) is for Tuesday, November 1, 2011. I noticed that RCL celebrates All Saints' Sunday tomorrow.
This actually looks like an error in our data. The RCL gives the option of celebrating All Saints' on the first Sunday in November instead of Proper 26, but All Saints' has a distinct set of readings. We just have the title "All Saints Sunday", but with the normal readings for Proper 26. We'll get this fixed.
