For more than fifty years, our Scripture readings at Mass have been taken from the Jerusalem Bible translation. From the First Sunday of Advent (1st December 2024), the Bishops of England, Wales and Scotland have decreed that we will instead be using the English Standard Version – Catholic Edition (ESV-CE) for our Mass readings.
Among the reasons for making the change is a desire to reflect more accurately the meaning of the original biblical texts. The new Lectionary is intended for public proclamation, rather than personal reading, and the construction of the text reflects that distinction. You can find more information on the Bishops’ Conference website.
We are using new Parish Mass Books containing the new translation from the First Sunday of Advent, so that Mass-goers can follow the revised text. There are also Sunday Missals available to purchase for private use. Personal missals containing the new version of readings for weekdays are not expected to be available until some time in 2025.
The Mass readings for today (and for the coming week) are available to view on the Universalis website. You will also find links on that website to follow the Liturgy of the Hours, the daily prayer of the Church.
It will take us a while to get used to the new translation after so many years without change, but it gives us an opportunity to gain new insights into the biblical texts.