The BCP Propers Podcast

May 15 2024 42 ep. 43 mins 11

The BCP Propers Podcast artwork

The BCP Propers Podcast discusses the proper lectionary readings from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer. Each episode explains and comments on the Scripture passages for each week in the one-year historic Anglican lectionary.

Religion & Spirituality

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Whitsunday

May 15 2024 47 mins

This Sunday is Pentecost or "Whitsunday" as it is known in the English tradition and in the Book of Common Prayer. There are lots of proper readings for this week. The Communion Propers are Acts 2:1-11 and St. John 14:15-31. There are also proper Psalms and a proper First and Second Lesson for Morning and Evening Prayer. The BCP ties in diverse themes to show how Pentecos

The Sunday After Ascension Day

May 08 2024 29 mins

This week falls in between the Ascension and Whitsunday. The Collect ties both days together, and the readings focus on how the Holy Spirit equips us for the coming conflict of evangelism and spiritual warfare. The Epistle reading is 1 Peter 4:7:11, instructing us on to live in charity even in the face of divine judgment. The Gospel reading is St. John 15:24-16:4, where Jesus expla

The Fifth Sunday After Easter

May 08 2024 25 mins

This week is Rogation Sunday. Traditionally based on the new planting season, Rogation is when Anglicans ask God's blessing upon the material goods and produce of the new year. It's also a time for reflecting on economic justice and charitable giving. The readings for this week focus on prayer and the right way to use the gifts God gives. The Epistle is James 1:22-27, the G

The Fourth Sunday After Easter

Apr 25 2024 35 mins

On today's episode we look at the relationship between Christ's departure and the coming of the Holy Spirit. The Epistle reading from James 1 teaches that God gives gifts from His own nature and these gifts allow us to bring our unruly passions under an orderly control. The Gospel reading is John 16:5-15, and it teaches us that the Holy Spirit takes the place of Christ in o

The Second Sunday After Easter

Apr 12 2024 43 mins

For this next week in Easter the readings move to the life of suffering that comes with following Christ but also the victorious promise that Jesus gives to gospel ministry. The Epistle comes from 1 Peter 2 and teaches us about suffering for righteousness' sake. The Gospel reading from John 10:11-16 is the famous "Good Shepherd" passage. Christ teaches the difference

The First Sunday After Easter

Apr 04 2024 39 mins

Happy Easter! This week is the First Sunday after Easter. The Scripture readings move into a new theme, as the focus is on the new life we have in Christ and the mission of the Church. The Epistle reading comes from 1 John 5, promising us victory and life in Christ. The Gospel comes from John 20:19-23, and it shows the empowering of the disciples to begin the mission of the Church.

The Sunday Next Before Easter

Mar 19 2024 33 mins

This week kicks off what is known as Holy Week or "Passion Week." Different from later Prayer Books and lectionaries, the Reformation-era BCPs did not have a "Palm Sunday." Instead, this Sunday was the "Sunday Next Before Easter," a Sunday entirely dedicated to the Cross. The central emphasis is clear in the lengthy readings of all 75 verses of Matthew

The Fifth Sunday in Lent

Mar 12 2024 37 mins

This week's Collect and proper Scripture passages tie together the themes of God's covenant, His people, and the priestly work of Christ in salvation. The Epistle reading from Hebrews 9 explains how Christ is our high priest who enters the sanctuary in heaven. The Gospel, from John 8, portrays Jesus as the Covenant God of Abraham, as He proclaims to be "I Am." The

The Fourth Sunday in Lent

Mar 06 2024 38 mins

We have passed the midpoint in the season of Lent, and so this week's Collect and readings focus on relief. Though we deserve punishment, God gives us grace through the gospel of Christ. The Epistle reading, from Galatians 4, tells the "allegory" of the two covenants, Hagar-Sinai and the Promise, and Paul uses this understanding of Genesis to argue for salvation by gr

The Third Sunday in Lent

Feb 28 2024 38 mins

For this week in Lent, the Prayerbook focuses on spiritual warfare, the battle against the demonic but also against sin and those under its power. The Epistle reading, from Ephesians 5, restates certain sins from last week but adds our need to reprove them by living in the light of Christ. The Gospel reading is from Luke 11, where Jesus casts out demons and then warns about both th