We recently began the season of Ordinary Time, listening to the accounts of Jesus’ public ministry for a new year from the Gospel of Matthew. Sometimes we might hear people refer to the “Year of Matthew” or “Year A”, which began in Advent last November. What, though, is the meaning behind these titles?
One concern of the bishops at the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s was that more of the Bible was opened up to all of us, starting with our liturgical celebrations. Rather than continuing to listen to the same Scripture texts year on year, the Lectionary (book of readings) for Mass was completely revised. For Sundays, this means we listen to a three-year cycle of readings, with a two-year cycle of readings for weekdays.
These three years in the Sunday Lectionary cycle are referred to as Years A, B and C, with the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke being central to the Scripture proclamations across each year respectively. The Sundays in Ordinary Time in particular invite us to walk with Jesus as he lives out his mission, from his baptism to his final journey towards Jerusalem and his passion, death and resurrection.
Published in our parish bulletin, Carmel, 1 February 2026
Liturgy 