December 2, 2012
Reflection
on Lectoring
There are some Scripture passages proclaimed at Mass that may leave you wondering about the exact meaning contained in their verses.
When, in Revelations 7:3, an angel comes from the East to say, “Do not damage the land or the sea or the trees until we put the seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God,” we might wonder about the symbolism. Or when Wisdom “has built her house, she has set up her seven columns” (Proverbs 9:1), we might wonder how important “seven columns” is to the story.
Perhaps the most challenging passage is found in the first chapter of Matthew’s Gospel that is read at the Vigil Mass for the Nativity of the Lord (Matthew 1:1-25). It is a long genealogy containing forty-six names read in quick sequence. What is the lector or Gospel reader to make of some of these curious or obscure passages? Just as important, what is the assembly to make of them?
In a recent Reflection on Lectoring, we quoted Karen Sue Smith when she says lectors are the “Scripture People” of the parish. They are men and women of the word. They are people who have internalized the word and have confidence that all of Scripture can be a source of meaning and inspiration.
The assembly can sense when a lector feels an intimate connection with the words he or she proclaims. The assembly can also recognize that this connection is an essential component of good lectoring. Most importantly, the assembly can find in every inspiring Scripture proclamation something that will arouse feelings of connectedness to God in them.
Maybe the meaning of “seven columns” and “seals on foreheads” may not always be clear, but the power of the words will always be felt - with the help of the “Scripture People” of the parish.
There are some Scripture passages proclaimed at Mass that may leave you wondering about the exact meaning contained in their verses.
When, in Revelations 7:3, an angel comes from the East to say, “Do not damage the land or the sea or the trees until we put the seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God,” we might wonder about the symbolism. Or when Wisdom “has built her house, she has set up her seven columns” (Proverbs 9:1), we might wonder how important “seven columns” is to the story.
Perhaps the most challenging passage is found in the first chapter of Matthew’s Gospel that is read at the Vigil Mass for the Nativity of the Lord (Matthew 1:1-25). It is a long genealogy containing forty-six names read in quick sequence. What is the lector or Gospel reader to make of some of these curious or obscure passages? Just as important, what is the assembly to make of them?
In a recent Reflection on Lectoring, we quoted Karen Sue Smith when she says lectors are the “Scripture People” of the parish. They are men and women of the word. They are people who have internalized the word and have confidence that all of Scripture can be a source of meaning and inspiration.
The assembly can sense when a lector feels an intimate connection with the words he or she proclaims. The assembly can also recognize that this connection is an essential component of good lectoring. Most importantly, the assembly can find in every inspiring Scripture proclamation something that will arouse feelings of connectedness to God in them.
Maybe the meaning of “seven columns” and “seals on foreheads” may not always be clear, but the power of the words will always be felt - with the help of the “Scripture People” of the parish.
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"The record of the genealogy of Jeses the Messiah, the son of David, thesone of Abraham . . . and he called hisname Jesus."
- Matthew 1:1, 25
- Matthew 1:1, 25
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First Reading - Jeremiah 33:14-16
An Act of Worship
The Messiah is coming. The promise made centuries ago will be fulfilled. Perhaps, not many of the people who heard Jeremiah’s prophecy while witnessing the destruction of Jerusalem in 587 B.C. could understand the significance of this promise.
Nevertheless, in his proclamation of a new covenant, Jeremiah demonstrated a profound insight: “‘The days are coming,’ says the Lord, ‘when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah’” (31:31). This new covenant would be irrevocable and be powered by God’s grace. The path to salvation would always be open to those who respond in faith to God’s grace.
In today’s brief first reading, there is little opportunity for the lector to fully explore the theme of redemption made possible by Christ. Scripture proclamation at Mass is significantly different from studying the Bible in a classroom.
What the lector can do is give the assembly a sense that God’s promise to humanity is the greatest gift we can ever receive. And that Advent is a time of joyful preparation for that gift. The lector can also show the assembly that he or she really believes what he or she proclaims. Whenever the lector speaks from the heart, his or her proclamation becomes a true act of worship.
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Second Reading - 1 Thessalonians 3:12 - 4:2
From Athens with Love
Generally believed to be the oldest preserved New
Testament composition, Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians demonstrates
the love he had for the faith community he founded. In the letter, he addresses the Thessalonians
as his “brothers” fourteen times.
In verse 9, a few verses before today’s second reading, Paul says, “How can we thank God enough for you, for all the joy that we feel before our God on your account?” This good feeling is especially poignant since Paul is writing from Athens after being forced out of Thessalonica by marketplace crowds stirred up by local Jewish residents.
All three of today’s readings arise out of backgrounds of struggle. In the Gospel, the struggle is most directly evident. However, all three readings have an optimistic message. Because of God’s love for his people, redemption is possible. Paul tells the Thessalonians much the same thing when he says, “May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all.”
With God’s love as a starting point, it is possible to love one another. An ideal way to make Advent a special time of preparation.
© 2012, George Fournier
In verse 9, a few verses before today’s second reading, Paul says, “How can we thank God enough for you, for all the joy that we feel before our God on your account?” This good feeling is especially poignant since Paul is writing from Athens after being forced out of Thessalonica by marketplace crowds stirred up by local Jewish residents.
All three of today’s readings arise out of backgrounds of struggle. In the Gospel, the struggle is most directly evident. However, all three readings have an optimistic message. Because of God’s love for his people, redemption is possible. Paul tells the Thessalonians much the same thing when he says, “May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all.”
With God’s love as a starting point, it is possible to love one another. An ideal way to make Advent a special time of preparation.
© 2012, George Fournier
