First Sunday of Lent
February 17, 2013

Reflection on Lectoring

Here is something to think about.

Why not choose just one person for the job of parish lector, and have him or her proclaim the Scriptures at every Mass?

One reason for not doing that might be the desire to engage as many of the laity as possible in liturgical ministry.  Perhaps more might simply be better.

Or perhaps there might be an additional, more important reason than just quantity.

Think about what it would be like if there was only one musician in the world.  Or only one artist.  Or only one book author.  No matter how good those individuals might be, there would be only one perspective and only one set of life experiences for us to hear, or see, or read.

The same applies to lectors.  Each lector proclaims differently because each lector is different.  And those human differences allow the assembly to hear new and different insights every time a Scripture passage is proclaimed.

Last week, we began our discussion of Lectio Divina by suggesting that it can help lectors hear what God is saying in the Scriptures in a new and personal way.  In turn, lectors may be better prepared to proclaim the Scriptures with a broader perspective and deeper insights.

Lectio Divina is not an esoteric form of communication with God appropriate only for saints and Scripture scholars.  Neither is it just for lectors.  Next week, we shall see how Lectio Divina can make a significant difference in how we all read the Scriptures.

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"It pleased God, in his goodness and wisdom, to reveal himself and to make known the mystery of his will.”

                                                                  -  Verbum Dei , n. 2

                                                                      Documents of Vatican Council II

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First Reading  -  Deuteronomy 26:4-10

"Thank You"

The Book of Deuteronomy can be read as Moses’ last will and testament to his people as he prepares to leave them.  The Lord had brought the Israelites to the edge of the promised land, and Moses gives them a brief history of what went before.  He also puts forth a compilation of the laws that bind the Israelites to their God.

In the midst of a long list of does and don’ts, Moses reminds his people to say “thank you.”  Gratitude is a central theme of today’s first Scripture passage.

When their fathers wandered about in foreign lands, God gave them a direction and a promise.  When things were bad in Egypt, God came to their rescue.  When there was nothing to eat in the desert, God gave them food.  The wandering people finally had a home.  And God gave it to them.

This is a story that can describe individual nations as well as individual people.  We are all wanderers, all dependent, all in need of help.  We all have a reason to be grateful.  Perhaps, your hearers at Mass may also be prompted to say “thank you.”

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Second Reading  -  Romans 10:8-13

Suggestions from a Friend

Chapters nine through eleven in Paul’s Letter to the Romans deal with the question of why so many of God’s chosen people now seem to be on the outside looking in.  Or not looking in at all.  Although they obediently followed Torah, the Jewish people were now being asked to take a very difficult next step, a big leap of faith.  Was God being fair?

In response, Paul’s says that the law and the prophets always pointed to the messiah, to the path of true salvation.    And whether you were Jew or Gentile, “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Taking the next step is not always easy, particularly if it means grappling with your relationship with God.  Torah spelled out the rules.  Going beyond Torah meant journeying in a new and unfamiliar landscape.  It meant being guided by the example of the risen Christ and being open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.  Although it continued to mean worshiping in community, it also meant communicating with God in an individual and very personal way.  The way of faith.

When you reassure your hearers in the assembly that “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart,” you might take some comfort for yourself in knowing that God is always ready to talk, and listen, and offer suggestions.

© 2013, George Fournier