July 22, 2012
Reflection on Lectoring
I belong.
I belong to you.
We belong to each other.
Did you ever wonder why the Scripture passages from St. Paul or St. John used in the second reading at Mass often begin with “Brothers and sisters,” or “My children,” or “Beloved?”
They were deliberately put there for some reason.One reason is that the early Christians called themselves brothers and sisters. They were part of something new. They found in their new identity a common bond of faith and friendship that sustained them. They often met in peoples’ homes to worship God and share their faith. They were family.
The Pauline letters are rich in expressions of friendship and intimacy. His words express a deep sense of belonging to God and to each other. “We give thanks to God always for all of you,” and “brothers loved by God” (1 Thessalonians 1:2-4).
Today, the reasons for prefacing the second reading at Mass with the words “brothers and sisters” are just as valid. The people to whom you proclaim the Scriptures are part of your family. They and you are people who belong to each other. When you look at today’s second reading, you’ll find the reason that the sense of belonging can be just as strong today as it was in the early days of the church.
__________________________
"Therefore,
my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm
in the Lord, beloved.”
- Philippians 4:1__________________________
First
Reading - Jeremiah 23:1-6Man
of the People
In last week’s first reading, the prophet Amos had little good to say about Jeroboam II, the unfaithful king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel and his hypocritical priest Amaziah. This week, it is Jeremiah’s turn to criticize the “shepherds who mislead and scatter the flock.”
In Judah, King Jehoiachin, who lasted only three months, and his father Jehoiakim were hardly what anyone would call “shepherds.” Jehoiakim murdered prophets. Jehoiachin, who was equally faithless, lost his throne when the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem.
Throughout his career, Jeremiah found a lot of unfaithfulness to criticize. But why bring all that up again today at Mass? Where is the relevance?A look at today’s Gospel might help. The passage from Mark reads, “For they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things.” Jesus was not motivated by power, status or greed. Caring for the needs of people was more than just a political slogan for him.
When you proclaim the words, “I will appoint shepherds for them who will shepherd them,” say them with the same genuineness that drew people to Jesus.
In last week’s first reading, the prophet Amos had little good to say about Jeroboam II, the unfaithful king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel and his hypocritical priest Amaziah. This week, it is Jeremiah’s turn to criticize the “shepherds who mislead and scatter the flock.”
In Judah, King Jehoiachin, who lasted only three months, and his father Jehoiakim were hardly what anyone would call “shepherds.” Jehoiakim murdered prophets. Jehoiachin, who was equally faithless, lost his throne when the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem.
Throughout his career, Jeremiah found a lot of unfaithfulness to criticize. But why bring all that up again today at Mass? Where is the relevance?A look at today’s Gospel might help. The passage from Mark reads, “For they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things.” Jesus was not motivated by power, status or greed. Caring for the needs of people was more than just a political slogan for him.
When you proclaim the words, “I will appoint shepherds for them who will shepherd them,” say them with the same genuineness that drew people to Jesus.
_________________________
Second Reading - Ephesians 2:13-18We Both
For seven Sundays (beginning last weekend) the second reading comes from the letter to the Ephesians. The letter was most likely a circular letter intended for a larger audience than just the Christian community in Ephesus.In this Sunday’s installment, the letter draws a parallel between the former alienation of people with their Creator and the very human question of “why can’t we all just get along?”
Reconciliation and redemption were at the heart of Jesus’ mission. His conquest of sin made us heirs to the promise of salvation. His breaking “down the dividing wall” made the Gentiles co-heirs. And his creation of “one new person” tells us that our differences need not keep us from celebrating our family unity as brothers and sisters.
Today’s reading concludes with the words, “for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.” As you proclaim these words, you might ask yourself how strongly you experience the connection with your hearers implied in the words “we both?”
© 2012 George Fournier
Second Reading - Ephesians 2:13-18We Both
For seven Sundays (beginning last weekend) the second reading comes from the letter to the Ephesians. The letter was most likely a circular letter intended for a larger audience than just the Christian community in Ephesus.In this Sunday’s installment, the letter draws a parallel between the former alienation of people with their Creator and the very human question of “why can’t we all just get along?”
Reconciliation and redemption were at the heart of Jesus’ mission. His conquest of sin made us heirs to the promise of salvation. His breaking “down the dividing wall” made the Gentiles co-heirs. And his creation of “one new person” tells us that our differences need not keep us from celebrating our family unity as brothers and sisters.
Today’s reading concludes with the words, “for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.” As you proclaim these words, you might ask yourself how strongly you experience the connection with your hearers implied in the words “we both?”
© 2012 George Fournier
