Year A Lent Devotional Readings

These are the suggested daily lectionary scripture readings for the 40 days of Lent. The readings for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday are in preparation for the following Sunday. Readings for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday are reflections on the past Sunday. References are to the NRSV.

In 2008, Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on February 6.

Ash Wednesday

• Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 Return to God or Isaiah 58:1-12 The fast that God chooses

• Psalm 51:1-17 Plea for mercy

• 2 Corinthians 5:20b—6:10 Now is the day of salvation

• Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 The practice of faith

Thursday

• Jonah 3:1-10 Nineveh hears Jonah's preaching and repents

• Romans 1:1-7 Appointed to preach the good news of Christ

• Psalm 51 Create in me a clean heart

Friday

• Jonah 4:1-11 God mercifully reproves Jonah

• Romans 1:8-17 Live by faith

• Psalm 51 Create in me a clean heart

Saturday

• Isaiah 58:1-12 The fast that God chooses

• Matthew 18:1-7 The humble one is the greatest

• Psalm 51 Create in me a clean heart

First Sunday in Lent

• Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 Eating of the tree of knowledge

• Psalm 32 Mercy embraces us

• Romans 5:12-19 Death came, life comes

• Matthew 4:1-11 The temptation of Jesus

Monday

• 1 Kings 19:1-8 An angel feeds Elijah in the wilderness

• Hebrews 2:10-18 Christ goes before us in suffering

• Psalm 32 Mercy embraces us

Tuesday

• Genesis 4:1-16 God protects Cain

• Hebrews 4:14—5:10 Christ was tempted as we are

• Psalm 32 Mercy embraces us

Wednesday

• Exodus 34:1-9, 27-28 God's revelation of mercy

• Matthew 18:10-14 Not one of these little ones should be lost

• Psalm 32 Mercy embraces us

Thursday

• Isaiah 51:1-3 Look to Abraham and Sarah

• 2 Timothy 1:3-7 Faith handed down from faithful mothers

• Psalm 121 The Lord watches over you

Friday

• Micah 7:18-20 God's faithfulness

• Romans 3:21-31 Paul relates law and faith

• Psalm 121 The Lord watches over you

Saturday

• Isaiah 51:4-8 God's word means justice for all

• Luke 7:1-10 Room at the table of Abraham

• Psalm 121 The Lord watches over you

Second Sunday in Lent

• Genesis 12:1-4a The blessing of God upon Abram

• Psalm 121 The Lord watches over you

• Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 The promise to those of Abraham's faith

• John 3:1-17 The mission of Christ: saving the world or Matthew 17:1-9 Christ revealed as God's beloved Son

Monday

• Numbers 21:4-9 Moses lifts up the serpent

• Hebrews 3:1-6 Moses the servant, Christ the son

• Psalm 128 God promises life

Tuesday

• Isaiah 65:17-25 God promises a new creation

• Romans 4:6-13 Abraham saved through faith

• Psalm 128 God promises life

Wednesday

• Ezekiel 36:22-32 God will renew the people

• John 7:53—8:11 Jesus does not condemn the sinner

• Psalm 128 God promises life

Thursday

• Exodus 16:1-8 Israel complains of hunger in the wilderness

• Colossians 1:15-23 Christ, the reconciliation of all things

• Psalm 95 The rock of our salvation

Friday

• Exodus 16:9-21 God gives manna and quail

• Ephesians 2:11-22 Christ, the reconciliation of Jew and Gentile

• Psalm 95 The rock of our salvation

Saturday

• Exodus 16:27-35 Manna and the sabbath

• John 4:1-6 Jesus travels to Jacob's well in Samaria

• Psalm 95 The rock of our salvation

Third Sunday in Lent

• Exodus 17:1-7 Water from the rock

• Psalm 95 The rock of our salvation

• Romans 5:1-11 Reconciled to God by Christ's death

• John 4:5-42 The woman at the well

Monday

• Genesis 24:1-27 Rebekah at the well

• 2 John 1-13 A woman reminded to abide in Christ

• Psalm 81 We drink from the rock

Tuesday

• Genesis 29:1-14 Rachel at the well

• 1 Corinthians 10:1-4 Drinking from Christ, the spiritual rock

• Psalm 81 We drink from the rock

Wednesday

• Jeremiah 2:4-13 God, the living water

• John 7:14-31, 37-39 Drink of Jesus, the Messiah

• Psalm 81 We drink from the rock

Thursday

• 1 Samuel 15:10-21 The prophet Samuel confronts the king

• Ephesians 4:25-32 Called to honesty and forbearance

• Psalm 23 My head anointed with oil

Friday

• 1 Samuel 15:22-31 The king confesses his sinful disobedience

• Ephesians 5:1-9 Now in the Lord you are light

• Psalm 23 My head anointed with oil

Saturday

• 1 Samuel 15:32-34 Samuel grieves over Saul

• John 1:1-9 Christ comes with light and life

• Psalm 23 My head anointed with oil

Fourth Sunday in Lent

• 1 Samuel 16:1-13 David is chosen and anointed

• Psalm 23 My head anointed with oil

• Ephesians 5:8-14 Live as children of light

• John 9:1-41 The man born blind

Monday

• Isaiah 59:9-19 The blindness of injustice

• Acts 9:1-20 Saul is baptized, his sight restored

• Psalm 146 God opens the eyes of the blind

Tuesday

• Isaiah 42:14-21 God will heal the blind

• Colossians 1:9-14 The inheritance of the saints in light

• Psalm 146 God opens the eyes of the blind

Wednesday

• Isaiah 60:17-22 God our light

• Matthew 9:27-34 Jesus heals the blind

• Psalm 146 God opens the eyes of the blind

Thursday

• Ezekiel 11-3; 2:8—3:3 The word of God: lamentation and sweetness

• Revelation 10:1-11 The word of God: bitter and sweet

• Psalm 130 Mercy and redemption

Friday

• Ezekiel 33:10-16 The word of God: repent and live

• Revelation 11:15-19 The word of God: thanksgiving and singing

• Psalm 130 Mercy and redemption

Saturday

• Ezekiel 36:8-15 Blessings upon Israel

• Luke 22:44-53 Jesus blesses the disciples

• Psalm 130 Mercy and redemption\

Fifth Sunday in Lent

• Ezekiel 37:1-14 The dry bones of Israel

• Psalm 130 Mercy and redemption

• Romans 8:6-11 Life in the Spirit

• John 11:1-45 The raising of Lazarus

Monday

• 1 Kings 17:17-24 Elijah raises the widow's son

• Acts 20:7-12 Paul raises a young man

• Psalm 143 Save me from death

Tuesday

• 2 Kings 4:18-37 Elisha raises a child from death

• Ephesians 2:1-10 Alive in Christ

• Psalm 143 Save me from death

Wednesday

• Jeremiah 32:1-9, 36-41 Jeremiah buys a field

• Matthew 22:23-33 God of the living

• Psalm 143 Save me from death

Thursday

• 1 Samuel 16:11-13 Samuel anoints David

• Philippians 1:1-11 Encouraged to follow Christ's righteousness

• Psalm 31:9-16 I commend my spirit

Friday

• Job 13:13-19 A servant keeps silence

• Philippians 1:21-30 Seeing Christ in this life

• Psalm 31:9-16 I commend my spirit

Saturday

• Lamentations 3:55-66 A cry for help

• Mark 10:32-34 Going up to Jerusalem

• Psalm 31:9-16 I commend my spirit

Palm Sunday

• Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 The passover praise psalm

• Matthew 21:1-11 Jesus enters Jerusalem

• Isaiah 50:4-9a The servant submits to suffering

• Psalm 31;9-16 I commend my spirit

• Philippians 2:5-11 Death on a cross

• Matthew 26:14—27:66 or Matthew 27:11-54 The passion and death of Jesus

Monday of Holy Week

• Isaiah 42:1-9 The servant brings forth justice

• Psalm 36:5-11 Refuge under the shadow of your wings

• Hebrews 9:11-15 The blood of Christ redeems for eternal life

• John 12:1-11 Mary of Bethany anoints Jesus

Tuesday of Holy Week

• Isaiah 49:1-7 The servant brings salvation to earth's ends

• Psalm 71:1-14 From my mother's womb you have been my strength

• 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 The cross of Christ reveals God's power and wisdom

• John 12:20-36 Jesus speaks of his death

Wednesday of Holy Week

• Isaiah 50:4-9a The servant is vindicated by God

• Psalm 70 Be pleased, O God, to deliver me

• Hebrews 12:1-3 Look to Jesus, who endured the cross

• John 13:21-32 Jesus foretells his betrayal

Holy Thursday

• Exodus 12:1-4 [5-10] 11-14 The passover of the Lord

• Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 The cup of salvation

• 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 Proclaim the Lord's death

• John 13;1-17, 31b-35 The service of Christ: footwashing and meal

Good Friday

• Isaiah 52:13—53:12 The suffering servant

• Psalm 22 Why have you forsaken me?

• Hebrews 10:16-25 The way to God is opened or Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9 The merciful high priest

• John 18:1—19:42 The passion and death of Jesus

Holy Saturday

• Job 14:1-14 Hope for a tree or Lamentations 3:1-9, 19-24 I will hope in the Lord

• Psalm 31:1-4, 15-16 Take me out of the net

• 1 Peter 4:1-8 The gospel proclaimed even to the dead

• Matthew 27:57-66 The burial of Jesus or John 19:38-42 The burial of Jesus