Note that Readings for Sundays in ordinary time ([1] to [37]) are aligned with the date rather than the number of Sundays after Epiphany or Pentecost.

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ADVENT

First Sunday of Advent, 27 Nov 22 — Isaiah 2.1-5; Psalm 122; Romans 13.9-14; Matthew 24.36-44.

Second Sunday of Advent, 4 Dec 22 — Isaiah 11.1-10; Psalm 72.1-7, 18-21; Romans 15.4-13; Matthew 3.1-12.

Third Sunday of Advent, 11 Dec 22 — Isaiah 35.1-10; Song of Mary (APBA, p. 31) or Psalm 146; James 5.7-10; Matthew 11.2-11.

Fourth Sunday of Advent, 18 Dec 22 — Isaiah 7.10-16; Psalm 80.1-7, 17-19; Romans 1.1-7; Matthew 1.18-25.

CHRISTMAS

Christmas Eve, Sat 24 Dec 22 — Isaiah 9.2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2.11-14; Luke 2.1-14 (15-20).

Christmas Day, 25 Dec 22 — Isaiah 52.7-10; Psalm 98; Hebrews 1.1-4(5-12); John 1.1-14.

First Sunday after Christmas, 1 Jan 23 — Isaiah 63.7-9; Psalm 148; Hebrews 2.10-18; Matthew 2.13-23.

Second Sunday after Christmas, (Omitted this year) — Jeremiah 31.7-14; Psalm 147.12-20; Ephesians 1.3-14; John 1.(1-9) 10-18.

Naming and Circumcision of Jesus, Sat 1 Jan 22 — Numbers 6.22-27; Psalm 8; Galatians; Luke 2.15-21

EPIPHANY

The Epiphany of Our Lord, Fri 6 Jan 23 — Isaiah 60.1-6; Psalm 72.1-7, 10-14; Ephesians 3.1-12; Matthew 2.1-12.

Baptism of The Lord (First Sunday after the Epiphany), 8 Jan 23 [1] Week of 7 to 13 Jan — Isaiah 42.1-9; Psalm 29; Acts 10.34-43; Matthew 3.13-17.

Second Sunday after the Epiphany, 15 Jan 23 [2] Week of 14 to 20 Jan — Isaiah 49.1-7; Psalm 40.1-11; 1 Corinthians 1.1-9; John 1.29-42.

Third Sunday after the Epiphany, 22 Jan 23 [3] Week of 21 to 27 Jan — Isaiah 9.1-4; Psalm 27.1-10; 1 Corinthians 1.10-18; Matthew 4.12-25.

Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, 29 Jan 23 [4] Week of 28 Jan to 3 Feb — Micah 6.1-8; Psalm 15; 1 Corinthians 1.18-31; Matthew 5.1-12.

The Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Candlemas), Thu 2 Feb 23 — Malachi 3.1-4; Psalm 24 or Psalm 84; Hebrews 2.14-18; Luke 2.22-40

Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany, 5 Feb 23 [5] Week of 4 to 10 Feb — Isaiah 58.1-9a (9b-12); Psalm 112.1-9 (10); 1 Corinthians 2.1-13 (14-16); Matthew 5.13-20.

Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany, 12 Feb 23 [6] Week of 11 to 17 Feb — Deuteronomy 10.12-22; Psalm 119.1-8; 1 Corinthians 3.1-9; Matthew 5.21-37.

Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany, (Omitted this year) [7] Week of 18 to 24 Feb — Leviticus 19.1-2, 9-18; Psalm 119.33-40; 1 Corinthians 3.10-17; Matthew 5.38-48.

(Omitted this year) [8] Week of 25 to 29 Feb or 24 to 28 May — Isaiah 49.8-16a; Psalm 131; 1 Corinthians 3.18-4.5; Matthew 6.22-34.

Last Sunday after the Epiphany / Transfiguration, 19 Feb 23 — Exodus 24.12-18; Psalm 2; 2 Peter 1.16-21; Matthew 17.1-9.

LENT

Ash Wednesday, Wed 22 Feb 23 — Joel 2.1-2, 12-17 or Isaiah 58.1-12; Psalm 51.1-17; 2 Corinthians 5.20b-6.10; Matthew 6.1-6 (7-15) 16-21.

First Sunday in Lent, 26 Feb 23 — Genesis 2.15-17; 3.1-7; Psalm 32; Romans 5.12-21; Matthew 4.1-11.

Second Sunday in Lent, 5 Mar 23 — Genesis 12.1-4a; Psalm 121; Romans 4.1-5 (6-12) 13-17; John 3.1-17 or Matthew 17.1-9.

Third Sunday in Lent, 12 Mar 23 — Exodus 17.1-7; Psalm 95; Romans 5.1-11; John 4.5-42.

Fourth Sunday in Lent, 19 Mar 23 — 1 Samuel 16.1-13; Psalm 23; Ephesians 5.8-14; John 9.1-41.

The Annunciation, Sat 25 Mar 23 — Isaiah 7.10-14; Psalm 40.6-13; Hebrews 10.4-10; Luke 1.26-38

Fifth Sunday in Lent, 26 Mar 23 — Ezekiel 37.1-14; Psalm 130; Romans 8.6-11; John 11.1-45.

Palm Sunday or Passion Sunday, 2 Apr 23 — Matthew.21.1-11; Psalm 118.1-2, 19-29; Liturgy of the Passion; Isaiah 50.4-9a; Psalm 31.9-16; Philippians 2.5-11; Matthew 26.1-27.6 or Matthew 27.11-54.

Maundy Thursday, Thu 6 Apr 23 — Exodus 12.1-4 (5-10) 11-14; Psalm 116.1-2, 12-19; 1 Corinthians 11.23-26; John 13.1-17, 31b-35.

Good Friday, Fri 7 Apr 23 — Isaiah 52.13-53.12; Psalm 22; 1 Corinthians 1.18-31 or Hebrews 10.16-25; John 18.1-19.42.

Holy Saturday, Sat 8 Apr 23 — Job 14.1-14; Psalm 31.1-8; 1 Peter 4.1-11; Matthew 27.57-66.

EASTER

Easter Day, 9 Apr 23 — Acts 10.34-43 or Jeremiah 31.1-6; Psalm 118.1-2, 14-24 or Hymn to the Risen Christ; Colossians 3.1-4; Matthew 28.1-10.

Second Sunday of Easter, 16 Apr 23 — Acts 2.14a,22-32; Psalm 16; 1 Peter 1.1-12; John 20.19-31.

Third Sunday of Easter, 23 Apr 23 — Acts 2.14a,36-41; Psalm 116.1-4,11-18; 1 Peter 1.13-25; Matthew 28.8-15a or Luke 24.13-35.

Fourth Sunday of Easter, 30 Apr 23 — Acts 2.42-47; Psalm 23; 1 Peter 2.1-10; John 10.1-10.

St Philip and St James, Mon 1 May 23 (celebrated 7 May 23) — Isaiah 30.18-21; Psalm 19.1-6; 1 Corinthians 15.1-8; John 14.6-14

(Omitted this year) Fifth Sunday of Easter, 7 May 23 — Acts 7.55-60; Psalm 31.1-5, 17-18; 1 Peter 2.11-25; John 14.1-14.

Sixth Sunday of Easter, 14 May 23 — Acts 17.22-31; Psalm 66.7-19; 1 Peter 3.8-22; John 14.15-21.

Ascension Day, 14 May 23 — Acts 1.1-11; Psalm 47; Ephesians 1.15-23; Matthew 28.16-20.

Seventh Sunday of Easter, 21 May 23 — Acts 1.6-14; Psalm 68.1-10,32-35; 1 Peter 5; John 17.1-11.

PENTECOST

Day of Pentecost, 28 May 23 — Acts 2.1-21 or Numbers 11.24-30; Psalm 104.26-36; 1 Corinthians 12.1-13 or Acts 2.1-21; John 20.19-23 or John 7.37-52.

Trinity Sunday, 4 Jun 23 — Exodus 34.1-8; Song of the Three Young Men APBA p. 399; 2 Corinthians 13.11-13; Matthew 28.16-20.

Corpus Christi, Thu 8 Jun 23 — Exodus 24.3-8; Psalm 116; 1 Corinthians 10.14-21; Mark 14.12-16, 22-26.

(Omitted this year) [9] Week of Sunday, 29 May to 4 June — Genesis 6.9-22,7.24; Psalm 46; Romans 1.16-17,3.21-31; Matthew 7.15-29 [Deuteronony 11.1-21, 26-28; Psalm 31.1-5, 21-27]

Second Sunday after Pentecost, 11 June 23, [10] Week of Sunday, 5 to 11 June — Genesis 12.1-9; Psalm 33.1-12; Romans 4.13-25; Matthew 9.9-13,18-26 [Hosea 5.15-6.6; Psalm 50.7-15]

Third Sunday after Pentecost, [11] Week of Sunday, 12 to 18 Jun — Genesis 18.1-15; Psalm 116.1-2,11-18; Romans 5.1-11; Matthew 9.35-10.8 [Exodus 19.2-8a; Psalm 100]

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, 25 Jun 23 [12] Week of Sunday, 19 to 25 Jun — Genesis 21.8-21; Psalm 86.1-10,16-17; Romans 6.1-11; Matthew 10.29-39 [Jeremiah 20.7-13; Psalm 69.7-19]

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, 2 Jul 23 [13] Week of Sunday, 26 Jun to 2 Jul — Genesis 22.1-14; Psalm 13; Romans 6.12-23; Matthew 10.40-42 [Jeremiah 28.5-9; Psalm 89.1-4,15-18]

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, 9 Jul 23 [14] Week of Sunday, 3 to 9 Jul — Genesis 24.34-38, 42-49, 58-67; Psalm 45.10-17; Romans7.14-25; Mathhew 11.15-19 (20-24) 25-30 [Zechariah 9.9-12; Psalm 145.8-14]

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, 16 Jul 23 [15] Week of Sunday, 10 to 16 Jul — Genesis 25.19-34; Psalm 119.105-112; Romans 8.1-11; Matthew 13.1-9 (10-17) 18-23 [Isaiah 55.10-13; Psalm 65.(1-8) 9-13]

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, 23 Jul 23 [16] Week of Sunday, 17 to 23 Jul — Genesis 28.10-19a; Psalm 139.1-11, 23-24; Romans 8.12-25; Matthew 13.24-30 (31-35) 36-43 [Isaiah 44.6-8; Psalm 86.11-17]

Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, 30 Jul 23 [17] Week of Sunday, 24 to 30 Jul — Genesis 29.15-28; Psalm 105.1-11; or 128; Romans 8.26-39;; Matthew 13.44-58 [1 Kings 3.5-12; and Psalm 119.129-136]

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, 6 Aug 23 [18] Week of Sunday, 31 Jul to 6 Aug — Genesis 32.22-31; Psalm 145.8-9, 14-21; Romans 9.1-8 (9-16); Matthew 14.13-21 [Isaiah 55.1-5; Psalm 145.8-9, 14-21]

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, 13 Aug 23 [19] Week of Sunday, 7 to 13 Aug — Genesis 37.1-4, 12-28; Psalm 105.1-6, 16-22; Romans 10.4-15; Matthew 14.22-36 [1 Kings 19.9-18; Psalm 85.8-13]

Mary, Mother of Our Lord, Tue 15 Aug 23 — isaiah 61.1.62.3-; Luke 1.47-55 or Psalm 113.-; Galatians 4.4-7; Luke 2.1-7

Twelth Sunday after Pentecost, 20 Aug 23 [20] Week of Sunday, 14 to 20 Aug — Genesis 45.1-15; Psalm 133; Romans 11.13-32 (33-36); Matthew 15. (10-20) 21-28 [Isaiah 56.1, 6-8; Psalm 67]

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, 27 Aug 23 [21] Week of Sunday, 21 to 27 Aug — Exodus 1.8-2.10; Psalm 124; Romans 12.1-8; Matthew 16.13-20 [Isaiah 51.1-6; Psalm 138]

Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost, 3 Sep 23 [22] Week of Sunday, 28 Aug to 3 Sep — Exodus 3.1-15; Psalm 105.1-6, 23-26; Romans 12.9-21; Matthew 16.21-28 [Jeremiah 15.15-21; Psalm 26.1-8]

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost, 10 Sep 23 [23] Week of Sunday, 4 Sep to 10 Sep — Exodus 33.7-11; Psalm 149; Romans 13.1-10; Matthew 18.10-20 [Ezekiel 33.7-11; Psalm 119.33-40]

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost, 17 Sep 23 [24] Week of Sunday, 11 to 17 Sep — Exodus 14.19-31; Psalm 114; Romans 14.1-14; ; Matthew 18.21-35 [Exodus 15.1-13, 17-18; Genesis 50.15-21; and Psalm 103.(1-7) 8-13;]

Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost, 24 Sep 23 [25] Week of Sunday, 18 to 24 Sep — Exodus 16.2-15; Psalm 105.1-6, 37-45; Philippians 1; 1.21-30;; Matthew 20.1-16 [Jonah 3.10-4.11; Psalm 145.1-8]

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost, 1 Oct 23 [26] Week of Sunday, 25 Sep to 1 Oct — Exodus 17.1-7; Psalm 78.1-4,11-16; Philippians 2; or Philippians 2.1-13; ; Matthew 21.23-32 [Ezekiel 18.1-4,25-32; Psalm 25.1-9]

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost, 8 Oct 23 [27] Week of Sunday, 2 to 8 Oct — Exodus 20.1-4, 7-9, 12-20; Psalm 19; Philippians 3; or Philippians 3.4b-14; ; Matthew 21.33-46 [Isaiah 5.1-7; Psalm 80.7-15]

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost, 8 Oct 23 [28] Week of Sunday, 9 to 15 Oct — Exodus 32.1-14; Psalm 106.1-6, 20-24; Philippians 4; or Philippians 4.1-9; ; Matthew 22.1-14 [Isaiah 25.1-9; Psalm 23]

Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost, 22 Oct 23 [29] Week of Sunday, 16 to 22 Oct — Exodus 33.12-23; Psalm 99; 1 Thessalonians 1.1-10; Matthew 22.15-33 [Isaiah 45.1-7; Psalm 96.1-9 (10-13)]

Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost, 29 Oct 23 [30] Week of Sunday, 23 to 29 Oct — Deuteronomy 34.1-12; Psalm 90.1-6,13-17; 1 Thessalonians 2.1-13; Matthew 22.34-46 [Leviticus 19.1-2, 15-18; Psalm 1]

All Saints, 5 Nov 23 — Revelation 7.9-17; Psalm 34.1-10, 22; 1 John 3.1-3; Matthew 5.1-12.

(Omitted this year) [31] Week of Sunday, 30 Oct to 5 Nov — Job 42.1-6, 10-17; Psalm 107.1-7; 33-37; 1 Thessalonians 3. 5-13; or 1 Thessalonians 4.1-8; Matthew 23. 1-12 (37-39) [Micah 3.5-12; Psalm 43]

Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost, 12 Nov 23 [32] Week of Sunday, 6 to 12 Nov — Joshua 23.1-3a, 14-25; Psalm 78.1-7; 1 Thessalonians 4.9-18; Matthew 25.1-13 [Amos 5.18-24; Psalm 70]

Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost, 19 Nov 23 [33[Week of Sunday, 13 to 19 Nov — Judges 4.1-10; Psalm 123; 1 Thessalonians 5.1-11; Matthew 25.14-13 [Zephaniah 1.7, 12-18; Psalm 90.1-8 (9-11) 12]

Christ the King / Reign of Christ Sunday after Pentecost, 26 Nov 23 [34] Week of Sunday, 20 to 26 Nov — Ezekiel 34.11-16, 20-24 and Psalm 10 or Psalm 95.1-7; Ephesians 1.15-23; Matthew 25.31-46.

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Science has a special feature in its 4 September 2020 issue on “Democracy in the Balance” arguing for urgent scientific study of what will help democracy survive and hopefully flourish. Introducing the special feature, Tage Rai and Brad Wible observe that democracy is losing ground. “Advances in technology are making it easier to distort true voter representation . . . political campaigns continue to struggle with reaching voters and persuading them to participate. Worryingly, state violence, which has always been a core feature of the democratic experience for some, is spreading in democratic societies.” A scientific understanding of the phenomena that underlie democracy’s operation, Rai and Wible argue, may help us enhance it. [1]

Deen Freelon, Alice Marwick and Daniel Kreiss argue that in the industrialized West, left- and right-wing activists use digital and legacy media differently to achieve their political goals. Left-wing actors operate more strongly through offline protest. Right-wing activists manipulate legacy media, migrate to alternative platforms, and work strategically with partisan media. Isolation of the far right from the rest of the ideological spectrum results in asymmetric polarization and disinformation is a function of right-wing media. We do not know enough about how processes on the left of politics work; they are not equivalent or similar to those on the right. [2]

Susan Hyde argues for a better understanding of how even a superficial experience of democratic institutions may influences citizen behaviour when formal democratic institutions erode or disappear. Are citizen movements alone sufficient to restrain autocracy? [3]

Rohini Pande asks, “Can democracy work for the poor? Science 369, no. 6508 (4 Sep 2020): 1188–92. Millions of the world’s poorest live in middle-income democracies thatcould use their resources to end extreme poverty. But this rarely happens. Somehow we must also improve democratic institutions so that vulnerable populations themselves can push for redistributive policies. But how? [4]

Delia Baldassarri and Maria Abascal identify two features of modern societies—social differentiation and economic interdependence—that can set the stage for constructive interactions with dissimilar others. Whether societal adaptations to diversity lead toward integration or division depends on the positions occupied by minorities and immigrants in the social structure and economic system, along with the institutional arrangements that determine their political inclusion. [5]

1. Tage Rai and Brad Wible, “In flux and under threat,” Science 369, no. 6508 (4 Sep 2020): 1174–5.
2. Deen Freelon, Alice Marwick and Daniel Kreiss “False equivalencies: Online activism from left to right,” Science 369, no. 6508 (4 Sep 2020): 1197-120
3. Susan D. Hyde, “Democracy’s backsliding in the international environment,” Science 369, no. 6508 (4 Sep 2020):1192–6.
4. Rohini Pande, “Can democracy work for the poor? Science 369, no. 6508 (4 Sep 2020): 1188-92.
5. Delia Baldassarri and Maria Abascal, “Diversity and prosocial behavior,” Science 369, no. 6508 (4 Sep 2020): 1183-7.

“The number of vehicles looking for parking varies with the square of the number of new spaces provided.”

Rationale: there is a ‘honey-pot’ effect; whenever new spaces are provided, more people/vehicles are attracted to the convenience of using them than they can accommodate.