October 21, 2012
Reflection on Lectoring
Everyone has heard these words:
Free at last!
Free at last!
Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!
When Martin Luther King quoted these words from a Negro spiritual during his “I Have a Dream” speech, he made them part of every American’s consciousness.
In the same powerful way, the New Testament has a lot to say about freedom: freedom from the slavery of sin (Romans 7:6) - freedom from false gods and the things of this world (Galatians 4:1-7) - and the freedom to hope in eternal life, “This is the promise that he made us: eternal life” (1 John 2:25).
Words like these, preserved on every page of the Bible, are part of our Christian consciousness. They are essential to our understanding of who we are and the world around us. They inspire us. They move us to action. They are the same powerful words spoken at every Mass by every lector.
There can never be anything casual or commonplace about the way they are proclaimed.
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"So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child than also an heir, through God."
- Galatians 4:7
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First Reading - Isaiah 53:10-11
Who Is This Person?
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First Reading - Isaiah 53:10-11
Who Is This Person?
Who is the person Isaiah is writing about in today’s first reading?
To answer that question, it would be helpful to read all of Chapter 53 and its description of Isaiah’s Suffering Servant. In this chapter, scholars think Isaiah was describing the restored nation of Israel after the Babylonian exile. Christians reflecting on this passage find in the Suffering Servant a direct parallel to the sacrifice of the Messiah who was crushed in infirmity to justify the many.
Isaiah did not know about Jesus when he wrote the Suffering Servant songs. But he knew that there is something extraordinary about someone who sacrifices everything for the sake of others. Chapter 53 opens with the words, “Who would believe what we have heard?” And it ends with the words, “Therefore I will give him his portion among the great. . . and he shall take away the sins of the many, and win pardon for their offenses.”
When you reflect on whom the Suffering Servant describes, you might think about the kinds of people who have made lasting contributions to humanity. Your answer to that question might guide the way in which you proclaim today’s first reading.
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Second Reading - Hebrews:4:14-16
Just Like Us
In last week’s second reading from Hebrews, Christ was described as the “word of God.” For the next five Sundays, he will be described in Hebrews as a “high priest.” Why is there so much importance attached to this one aspect of Christ’s relationship with his people? The answer will be found in Hebrews’ eloquent comparison between Old Testament priests, their sacrifices and the perfect sacrifice of Christ.
Running from 4:14 to 10:18, Hebrews gives us a comprehensive picture of Christ’s role as our perfect high priest. In today’s passage, we find a powerful reason to feel confident when we ask for his help.
There is a quality of mercy found in Jesus, our new high priest. He understands our needs because he experienced them himself. The mystery of his incarnation serves as the foundation for our belief that we have a priest “who has passed through the heavens,” and was tested in every way.
It is easy for this passage to sound like a lot of abstract theologizing if not proclaimed with a sense that Christ really cares about us. He sacrificed himself because he cares. He gave us the Mass to renew that caring sacrifice. He inspired the words you read so that the assembly will clearly understand that he continues to care
© 2012 George Fournier
