A Cinematic Lectionary for Holy Week & Easter Season
- Kevin Keating
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
Bible films and Bible shows like The Chosen are not meant to replace Bible reading, but they can serve as a useful supplement, kind of like a commentary or devotional reading. That’s why I’m excited to introduce the Cinematic Lectionary, a new devotional resource that’s designed to bring Bible reading and biblical media together.
The Cinematic Lectionary pairs cinematic depictions of biblical stories from a variety of shows and films with readings from the Revised Common Lectionary*, a three-year cycle of weekly Bible readings used in a variety of Christian churches in the United States and Canada. The readings of the RCL follow the seasons and holy days of the traditional Church Calendar and typically contain a reading from the Hebrew Bible, a Psalm, a reading from the Epistles, and a reading from the Gospels.
*Revised Common Lectionary copyright © 1992 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org
If your church is already going through the lectionary, these cinematic depictions can offer fresh insight into the biblical texts you are already reading or hearing preached. On the other hand, if you are someone who already watches biblical media on a regular basis, the structure of the RCL can provide useful direction and the readings can help tether your viewing to a healthy diet of Scripture.
Download the Cinematic Lectionary (Holy Week & Easter)
Notes on Selections:
-I typically provide one cinematic depiction per day, except on certain Holy Days.
-There are certain depictions that I tend to privilege (e.g. The Chosen), but I try to avoid using the same cinematic depiction (i.e the exact same episode or film) multiple times within the same month. To avoid this, if multiple readings are covered by a single cinematic depiction, I generally only pair it with one of those readings and use other depictions for the remaining readings.
-The RCL occasionally contains multiple sets of readings in a single day to facilitate a morning and evening service (e.g. Holy Saturday and Easter Vigil). In these cases, I will typically only include one set of readings and the associated cinematic depiction.
Disclaimer:
-Most of the links included are to the associated film/show in Prime Video, but most films/shows can be found in a variety of locations, including other digital platforms as well as most libraries.
-I have primarily included links to Prime Video in part for uniformity and ease, but I also acknowledge that I am an Amazon Associate and earn a small commission on qualifying views and purchases on Prime Video. Click here for my affiliation policy.
Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Year A (2025-2026): Holy Week Through Pentecost
Liturgy of the Palms - March 29, 2026
RCL Readings: Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29, Matthew 21:1-11
Watch in: The King of Kings (2025)
Monday of Holy Week - March 30, 2026
RCL Readings: Isaiah 42:1-9, Psalm 36:5-11, Hebrews 9:11-15, John 12:1-11
Watch in: The Chosen S4, E8 (“Humble”)
Tuesday of Holy Week - March 31, 2026
RCL Readings: Isaiah 49:1-7, Psalm 71:1-14, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, John 12:20-36
Watch in: The Chosen S5, E1 (“Entry”)
Wednesday of Holy Week - April 1, 2026
RCL Readings: Isaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 70, Hebrews 12:1-3, John 13:21-32
Watch in: The Chosen S5, E4 (“The Same Coin”)
Maundy Thursday - April 2, 2026
RCL Readings: 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 - April 3, 2026
RCL Readings: Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Psalm 22, Hebrews 10:16-25 or Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9, John 18:1-19:42
Watch in: The Passion of the Christ
Holy Saturday - April 4, 2026
RCL Readings: Job 14:1-14 or Lamentations 3:1-9, 19-24, Psalm 31:1-4, 15-16, 1 Peter 4:1-8, Matthew 27:57-66 or John 19:38-42
Watch in: Jesus of Nazareth (1977)
Resurrection of the Lord - April 5, 2026
RCL Readings: Acts 10:34-43 or Jeremiah 31:1-6, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24, Colossians 3:1-4 or Acts 10:34-43, John 20:1-18 or Matthew 28:1-10
Second Sunday of Easter - April 12, 2026
RCL Readings: Acts 2:14a, 22-32, Psalm 16, 1 Peter 1:3-9, John 20:19-31
Watch in: Light of the World
Third Sunday of Easter - April 19, 2026
RCL Readings: Acts 2:14a, 36-41, Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19, 1 Peter 1:17-23, Luke 24:13-35
Watch in: The Gospel of Luke (2017)
Fourth Sunday of Easter - April 26, 2026
RCL Readings: Acts 2:42-47, Psalm 23, 1 Peter 2:19-25, John 10:1-10
Watch in: The Chosen S4, E6 (“Dedication”)
Fifth Sunday of Easter - May 3, 2026
RCL Readings: Acts 7:55-60, Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16, 1 Peter 2:2-10, John 14:1-14
Watch in: Testament S1, E7 (“I See”)
Sixth Sunday of Easter - May 10, 2026
RCL Readings: Acts 17:22-31, Psalm 66:8-20, 1 Peter 3:13-22, John 14:15-21
Watch in: The Chosen S5, E3 (“Woes”)
Ascension of the Lord - May 14, 2026
RCL Readings: Acts 1:1-11, Psalm 47 or Psalm 93, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53
Watch in: Risen
Seventh Sunday of Easter - May 17, 2026
RCL Readings: Acts 1:6-14, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, John 17:1-11
Watch in: The Chosen S5, E1 (“Entry”)
Day of Pentecost - May 24, 2026
RCL Readings: Acts 2:1-21 or Numbers 11:24-30, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b, 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 or Acts 2:1-21, John 20:19-23 or John 7:37-39
Watch in: Testament S1, E1 (“Something Old”)
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Ohh, wait, are these for churches? Or...Idk