Addressing Anti‑Judaism in Lent, Holy Week and Eastertide: Updated Lectionary Recommendations

Overview

As churches continue to deepen their commitment to justice, reconciliation, and good interfaith relationships, the Consultation on Common Texts (CCT) – the ecumenical body responsible for the Revised Common Lectionary – has issued significant guidance to help congregations address concerns about anti‑Judaism in Christian interpretation of Scripture.

The CCT’s work responds to widespread recognition that some biblical passages used during Lent and Holy Week have, over many centuries, been misread in ways that foster harmful attitudes towards Jewish people. These misreadings have influenced Christian history, contributed to discrimination, and caused deep pain to Jewish communities. The updated guidance calls the Church to confession, lament, careful biblical interpretation, and thoughtful liturgical practice.

For wider Methodist context and previous Methodist statements on addressing anti‑Judaism and anti‑Semitism, see Guidance for Methodist people concerning Anti Semitism and the service for Good Friday.

This article introduces the key issues and outlines how the Methodist Church will help worship leaders navigate the trial materials. The CCT document can be read here: Addressing Anti-Judaism during Lent and Eastertide.

Why These Changes Are Needed

In parts of the New Testament – particularly in the Gospel of John and the Acts of the Apostles – the term “the Jews” appears in ways that can be misunderstood without awareness of the historical and literary context.

The updated guidance highlights that:

• Jesus and his earliest followers were themselves Jewish.
• Conflicts described in the Gospels usually involve particular groups or authorities, not the Jewish people as a whole.
• Across Christian history, some interpretations have mistakenly presented “the Jews” as collectively opposed to Jesus.
• These interpretations have, at times, contributed to anti‑Jewish prejudice, hostility, and violence.

Recognising this difficult history is an essential step towards healing, justice, and better interfaith relationships. The guidance encourages churches to approach these passages with sensitivity, clarity, and pastoral care.

What Is Being Done

The revised recommendations include several key actions to help churches engage faithfully with Scripture and worship during Lent and Eastertide.

1. Confession and Lament

Churches are encouraged to acknowledge the ways in which Christian interpretation and liturgical practice have sometimes contributed to anti‑Judaism. This may be done through preaching, teaching, and prayer, especially during Lent and Holy Week.

2. Careful Use of Biblical Translations

Some English translations use the phrase “the Jews” in ways that can obscure the narrative’s meaning. The guidance recommends using translations that offer clearer or more nuanced phrasing, or making thoughtful choices about translations during the most sensitive seasons of the year.

3. Thoughtful Use of Dramatic Gospel Readings

Where congregations make use of dramatic presentations of the Passion narrative, care should be taken to avoid unintentionally reinforcing ideas of collective Jewish responsibility for Jesus’ death. Assigning certain lines to the whole congregation, for example, can help express the Christian understanding that Christ’s suffering concerns the whole of humanity.

4. Providing Commentary or Explanatory Notes

Where readings may be misunderstood, worship materials – whether printed or projected – may include short notes offering context or acknowledging the Christian history of interpreting certain texts harmfully. These brief statements can help congregations hear the readings with clarity and care.

5. Updated Lectionary Recommendations

The Consultation on Common Texts has proposed a set of optional lectionary adjustments for a three‑year trial period beginning in Advent 2025. These recommendations are intended to support sensitive and responsible engagement with Scripture during Lent, Holy Week and Eastertide, while helping congregations avoid interpretations that have historically contributed to anti‑Judaism.

A brief overview of the types of changes being proposed includes:

• Alternative Gospel readings for Holy Week

Optional alternative Gospel readings are provided for Palm/Passion Sunday and Good Friday. These alternatives offer worship planners flexibility when certain passages may be difficult to hear without fuller historical explanation.

• Rebalancing the Easter Season by restoring Hebrew Scripture readings

During Eastertide, the Revised Common Lectionary traditionally replaces the Old Testament reading with a passage from the Acts of the Apostles. The proposed changes restore Hebrew Scripture readings to this season, highlighting the continuity of God's saving work throughout the whole of Scripture and ensuring that the shared heritage of Judaism and Christianity remains visible during this important period.

• Moving Acts readings to the time after Pentecost

Rather than removing Acts entirely, the proposal relocates these readings to later in the year, beginning part‑way through the Season after Pentecost. This allows congregations to explore the life of the early Church in depth without displacing the Old Testament readings during Eastertide.

• Providing an optional pattern of Acts readings

To support this shift, the CCT offers a suggested sequence of Acts readings for use after Pentecost. These are arranged thematically, with different emphases depending on the lectionary year, and are available as an optional resource for churches wishing to adopt the trial pattern.

How This Will Be Used on the Methodist Website

Each week on the lectionary pages, a short note will highlight when a reading relates to the CCT’s recommendations, with a link back to this article for those who wish to explore the background in more depth.

This approach will support ministers, preachers, worship leaders, and local churches as they navigate the updated guidance with confidence and pastoral sensitivity.