November 25, 2012
Reflection on Lectoring
”As people of the word, lectors are also the Scripture people of the parish.”
These words were written by Karen Sue Smith in her 1991 article entitled, A Spirituality for Lectors appearing in Church magazine. Perhaps, some of us may be a bit surprised by this kind of job description. What does it mean to be the Scripture people of the parish?
Perhaps, the answer may lie in the expectations that the parish has for its lectors. Perhaps, the answer may also lie in the expectations that lectors have for themselves.
Few of us would consider ourselves to be Scripture scholars. Some of us may not have read all the parts of the Bible. The Book of Numbers can be especially challenging. And, very few of us know Hebrew or Greek well enough to read the Scriptures in their original form.
With these things in mind, how should we imagine our approach to our ministry? In his book, A Word That Will Rouse Them, Aelred Rosser observes that there is often a difference between the expectations lectors have for themselves and the expectations held by other liturgical ministers. For example, music ministers expect to come together to develop, share and enhance their ministry. Lectors often do these things as best they can on their own.
One result is that the assembly may be uncertain about the kind of training and preparation needed for good lectoring. Sometimes, lectors themselves may be somewhat uncertain about what is best. Perhaps a closer look at what “Scripture people of the parish” means might help to make things more clear. More on this next week.
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"The Lord has given me a well-trained tongue, that I may know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them."
- Isaiah 50:4-5
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First Reading - Daniel 7:13-14
A Happy Ending
A Happy Ending
Daniel had the kind of dream that would make anyone wake up
in a panic.
He saw immense, grotesque monsters: a lion with wings, a bear with three tusks, a leopard with four heads, a fourth beast with iron teeth and ten horns. Fortunately in his vision, the monsters (which represented the various kingdoms that rampaged through the area) were destroyed, to be replaced by the “son of man” about whom we hear in today’s first reading.
Although scholars disagree about who the “son of man” mentioned in the Book of Daniel is, the Gospels use this title as an important way to identify the person of Christ. The Messiah, who had no military might or desire to conquer land, brought with him the kind of kingdom that endures forever.
The feast of Christ the King concludes the liturgical year on a high note. So does the Book of Daniel when it says, “His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed.” Lectors who proclaim this reading can address the assembly in a spirit of joy, knowing that Christ has ended the nightmare.
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He saw immense, grotesque monsters: a lion with wings, a bear with three tusks, a leopard with four heads, a fourth beast with iron teeth and ten horns. Fortunately in his vision, the monsters (which represented the various kingdoms that rampaged through the area) were destroyed, to be replaced by the “son of man” about whom we hear in today’s first reading.
Although scholars disagree about who the “son of man” mentioned in the Book of Daniel is, the Gospels use this title as an important way to identify the person of Christ. The Messiah, who had no military might or desire to conquer land, brought with him the kind of kingdom that endures forever.
The feast of Christ the King concludes the liturgical year on a high note. So does the Book of Daniel when it says, “His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed.” Lectors who proclaim this reading can address the assembly in a spirit of joy, knowing that Christ has ended the nightmare.
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Second Reading - Revelation 1:5-8
The Alpha and the Omega
The Alpha and the Omega
There are two statements about God’s identity that will resound
forever throughout the ages - past, present and to come.
When Moses asks who he should say is sending him back to the Israelites in Egypt, God replies, “I am who am.” It is a profound statement, absolute and direct, yet comforting and reassuring.
Using a few more words, the final verse in today’s second reading says exactly the same thing, “‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty’.”
You could spend a lifetime meditating on these words and still have much more to learn. As the lector at Mass, you will have only a minute to say these words, but they should sound like you have spent a lifetime praying and meditating on them.
© 2012, George Fournier
When Moses asks who he should say is sending him back to the Israelites in Egypt, God replies, “I am who am.” It is a profound statement, absolute and direct, yet comforting and reassuring.
Using a few more words, the final verse in today’s second reading says exactly the same thing, “‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty’.”
You could spend a lifetime meditating on these words and still have much more to learn. As the lector at Mass, you will have only a minute to say these words, but they should sound like you have spent a lifetime praying and meditating on them.
© 2012, George Fournier
