Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 4, 2013

At a recent monthly meeting of our parish lectors, the group reflected on the possibility of creating a relationship of love and trust between the lector and the assembly - a real relationship uniting everyone at Mass as fellow worshipers.

By contrast, there are many instances where a sincere voice and clear articulation are not enough to create a genuine relationship between a speaker and his or her listeners.  A prerecorded solicitation on the phone, no matter how sincere sounding, cannot create a real relationship.  In a similar way, a spokesperson passionately defending a company’s involvement in an industrial accident is not likely to create a trusting relationship with a group of cynical reporters.

When self interest is the only purpose for communicating with others, a mutual and caring relationship is highly unlikely.

There are two reasons that explain why lectors are more than “spokespersons” attempting to influence their hearers.  First, lectors care about their hearers.  They believe that agape is the kind of love that makes real relationships possible.

Second, lectors do more than read words. By their prayer and meditation on the Scriptures, they demonstrate that the words they proclaim have a living meaning for everyone.  A lector is never simply a “mouthpiece” delivering a “prepared statement.”

In his book, Engagement with God, Catholic theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar described the mission that is central to the life of every Christian including lectors:  “Each man encountering this light (the light of heaven) receives a call and a commission.  To him is given the task of living for others, and he becomes one of those who have begun to grasp the meaning of communion and sharing.”

It is a kind of sharing that is performed for the sake of others.  It is the kind of sharing that defines the ministry of lector.

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First Reading  -  Ecclesiastes 1:2, 2:21-23
Immortality

Let’s assume that at some time in the future, human beings acquire the technology needed to defeat death.  It would be the kind of scientific breakthrough that enables humanity to achieve its ultimate dream of immortality.  However, having achieved the dream, humanity must then grapple with the really big question: “Are we better off?”

In the Bible, the Book of Ecclesiastes holds a unique place.  It asks questions without providing answers.  It anticipates the modern existential encounter with nothingness.  Even if we could live forever, Ecclesiastes makes clear that the extra years would not provide any additional meaning to our toil, our hardship, or to our very lives. 

Throughout the book, Qoheleth makes a strong effort to find meaning.  He tries wisdom, pleasure, wealth and power, prestige, even a legalistic form of religion.  Nothing works.

The story ends when, as an old man, Qoheleth wanders through a dying village - a place for his own death.  He says; “And the dust returns to the earth as it once was, and the life breath returns to God who gave it.  Vanities of vanities, says Qoheleth, all things are vanity!” (ch.12, vs.7-8).

Our life on earth is not meant to be an eternal utopia.  Our toil and our very lives only make sense if immortality is achieved in heaven with God.

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Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11
Answers to the Hard Questions

If the Book of Ecclesiastes asks hard questions, today’s second reading provides important answers.  The answers renew our hope like a bracing breath of fresh air.

“When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory.”

Life on this earth is not meaningless.  God did not create the universe and put us in it for no reason. The time we spend on earth is meant for making God’s love known to others.

Through love we can directly create a better place to live.  Conversely, Paul tells us that there are some things we should put to death.  They including: “immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry.”

We cannot extend our lives on earth indefinitely.  But we can make the time allotted to us a better time for living - for ourselves and for others.  Today’s second reading assures us that we can find answers to the difficult questions asked in the Book of Ecclesiastes.

© George Fournier 2013

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 28, 2013

Reflection on Lectoring

Should lectors love the people who hear them proclaim the Scriptures at Mass?  Perhaps an even better question is: “How should lectors love the people at Mass?”

In his book, A Secular Age, Catholic philosopher Charles Taylor describes the relationship between a mother and child as a catalyst for the child’s growth.   According to Taylor, in this kind of relationship a mother’s guidance is not just a service she performs.  It is a bond of love “where each (the mother and the child) is a gift to the other, where each gives and receives, and where the line between giving and receiving is blurred.”

In his book I and Thou, Jewish theologian Martin Buber describes an I-You relationship in which, “no purpose intervenes between I and You.”  There is “no greed and no anticipation.”   It is a relationship in which giving and receiving are merged into a single act, with no consideration of reciprocity.  Giving is receiving.  Receiving is giving.

The story of the Prodigal Son is like that.  The father of the wayward son does not express disappointment over the poor return on investment he receives for the gifts he has given to his son.  Instead, the father is overjoyed to be able to give his returning son even more.  In giving, the father receives.

“For it is in giving that we receive,” according to the prayer of St. Francis.

This is not a paradox.  Rather, it is a sign of unconditional love.  It is at the heart of what lectors do at Mass.  It is the point where mission, purpose and love all merge.

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First Reading  -  Genesis 18: 20-32
Every Step of the Way

For some people, God is the person who created the universe according to natural laws, and then stepped back allowing it operate on its own.  This is a kind of Deistic belief that postulates a somewhat hands-off God.

According to this belief, there is no room for miracles that violate the scientific working of natural law.  You can check out the Bible edited by Thomas Jefferson for what a miracle-free world looks like.  It is officially called, The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth.

Today’s first reading is definitely not about a hands-off God.  Immediately before this reading in verse 17, God is standing right next to Abraham and debates whether to tell him what is in store for Sodom and Gomorrah, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do. . . ?”

God decides to tell Abraham his plans, and Abraham starts his well-known bargaining session, hoping that God will spare the two sinful cities.  For Abraham, God was no distant reality.  Although sulfurous fire eventually rained down on Sodom and Gomorrah (ch.19, v.24), Abraham received a fair hearing from a totally present God who was willing to listen.

Throughout the Bible, God is shown to be a very immanent God, not a distant, uncaring God.  As you proclaim the first reading this weekend, you have the opportunity to let your hearers know that God is with them every step of the way.

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Second Reading  -  Colossians 2: 12-14
The Possibility of Real Love

In today’s first reading we see the degree to which God is directly involved in the lives of his creatures.  Today’s second reading offers the ultimate example of God’s involvement: the Incarnation.

The birth, death and resurrection of Jesus liberated us from “the bond against us with its legal claims.”  Together with Jesus we are raised from the dead.  Together with Jesus we are brought to life.  And because of Jesus’ sacrifice, our transgressions are forgiven.

Today’s Gospel tells us how to talk directly to God, and how to ask for the things we really need.  When they are read together, all three of today’s readings demonstrate that our hope in God’s direct involvement is well founded.  They assure us that praying the Lord’s Prayer is something we can do with confidence.

All three readings combine to tell a story.  They tell us that the unconditional love described in today’s Reflection on Lectoring is a real possibility.  A real possibility because God is really with us.

© George Fournier 2013

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 21, 2013

Reflection on Lectoring

American physicist and Nobel laureate, Steven Weinberg is famous for saying, “the more the universe seems comprehensible, the more it seems pointless.”  In other words, as we better understand the universe through the logic of science, the more it becomes evident that looking for a God-given purpose behind it all is foolish.

Perhaps more succinctly stated: impersonal, immutable law trumps God’s immanent love.

We all live in a world where science reassures us that things work in a consistent manner.  Cars, light bulbs, and washing machines all operate according to scientifically proven laws and principles.  However, if all that matters is science, and if the entire world was just one big machine, we might never need God’s help to keep things running smoothly.

That is not the message lectors proclaim from the ambo on Sunday.

The Scriptures are not anti-science, but they do insist on God’s immanence in the affairs of his children.  They do tell us that God loves us.  And they do tell us that belief in God is essential for our wellbeing, regardless of how much our world might seem to push him into the background - or completely out of the picture.

For the past few weeks, we have explored the mission and ministry of the lector.  Perhaps an important aspect of that mission lies in proclaiming Scripture passages that help people embrace the reality of spiritual values.  Perhaps our hearers might feel more secure in believing in the presence in their lives of this world’s Creator.  Perhaps they may find reassurance in knowing that our loving God is behind it all.

More on mission next week.

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First Reading  -  Genesis 18:1-10a
No Laughing Matter

In this week’s Reflection on Lectoring, we suggested that God is not a bystander in the affairs of his children.  He is immanently concerned about their welfare.  Today’s first reading from Genesis is all about God’s being directly involved in something that meant a lot to Abraham and his wife, Sarah.

In the chapter immediately preceding today’s reading, God makes a promise to Abraham (who was ninety-nine years old at the time) that his wife (who was ninety) would have a son.  This makes Abraham laugh (ch.17, v.17).  But God persists and tells Abraham that the boy’s name will be Isaac (which happens to mean “laugh” in Hebrew).

Today’s reading from chapter 18 demonstrates that God was not joking.  One of Abraham’s three guests reaffirms that Sarah will have a child: “I will surely return to you about this time next year and Sarah will then have a son.” Naturally, this prompts Sarah (who was eavesdropping on the conversation) to laugh (v.12). 

God must have been somewhat bemused at the response he received from both Abraham and Sarah.  But like a loving parent, he kept his promise.

Perhaps, this story might never appear in a scholarly scientific journal, but it finds a perfect home in the Bible.  It is a perfect example of the intimate relationship between God and his children.

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Second Reading  -  Colossians 1:24-28
Letters from Jail Read in Church

In his letter to the Colossians, there is justification for Paul to mention “my sufferings for your sake.”  Colossians is one of four letters he wrote while in prison.  However, regardless of his personal circumstances, Paul is happy to continue his job as “a minister in accordance with God’s stewardship given to me to bring to completion for you the word of God.”

The challenge contained in this reading for the lector is the danger that the words, phrases and ideas may pile up on each other.  What is the “mystery hidden from ages?”  How does Paul fill up “what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ?”  Why is Paul “admonishing everyone?”  What does it mean to “present everyone perfect in Christ?”

This rush of ideas can be difficult for the assembly to understand completely.  Perhaps while preparing this reading the lector can start by speaking it out loud.  Does anything stand out?  What is Paul’s purpose in writing these words?  What will your hearers most likely remember?

Paul thought of himself as a minister whose job was “to bring to completion for you the word of God.”  Perhaps these words may also apply to your job of making Paul’s words meaningful.

© George Fournier 2013

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - July 14th

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

July 14, 2013

Reflection on Lectoring

You may have seen or heard about a blockbuster movie from the 1960s entitled, The Greatest Story Ever Told.  Even if you did not see the movie, you might have guessed that it was a story about the life of Jesus.    

There are many different ways (including movies) to tell important stories.  There are also many different storytellers who keep those stories alive.  Finally, there are many different reasons why people continue to enjoy hearing those stories.

The Bible is like that.  It has many important stories, many people who have retold those stories over the centuries, and many reasons why people listen to them today.

Lectors are among our most important Bible storytellers.

Important stories are an essential way for people to pass on their cultural and religious traditions. They provide a supportive and reassuring perspective in a world of sometimes competing and conflicting ideas.  They unite people in a common identity and a shared set of beliefs. 

Finding one’s identity is a creative act.  It is an identity formed, in part, by membership in a group.  It is also an identity that sets a person apart as an individual, providing a sense of community without inhibiting individual ways of looking at things.  Stories, like those in the Bible are an important source of understanding about a person’s place in a community of believers.

As proclaimers of the Scriptures, lectors present the important stories that unite individual people and provide a shared set of values.  More about the mission of lector next week.

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First Reading  -  Deuteronomy 30:10-14

A Complete Set of Directions

“No, it is something very near to you, already in your mouths and in your hearts: you have only to carry it out.”

In today’s first reading we hear that God does not try to trick anyone.  Obscure directions for doing what is right are not part of his plan.

Of course, just knowing what is right or wrong is only part of the story.  Doing what is right is often the hard part.  That is where grace comes in.  That is why the sacrifice of the cross is a necessary component of salvation.   Torah, or the Law of Moses, helped to define sin.  Jesus conquered sin.

Today’s first reading is a perfect introduction to today’s Gospel story of the Good Samaritan.  In this story, Jesus demonstrates that the Samaritan was more concerned about helping someone lying in the street, than he was about precise, legal definitions of which groups of people constituted one’s neighbor. 

Today’s first reading and the Gospel give us a complete set of directions.  In the Old Testament, God gave Moses a clear roadmap.  Through his sacrifice on the cross, Jesus gave us the help needed to avoid getting lost.

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Second Reading  -  Colossians 1:15-20 

A Definition of Christian

Being identified as a Christian means being identified as a believer in Christ.  Although, different people may experience different levels of closeness in their relationship with Jesus, Christians, by definition, recognize him as the Christ.  They believe he lived among us as both God and man.

For a powerful statement of that belief, and as a way to develop a deeper relationship with Jesus, the hymns found in today’s second reading and in Philippians ch.2, vs. 6-11 are a perfect place to start. Putting permanent tabs in your Bible might be an excellent way to frequently remind yourself of what every Christian believes.

By the nature of their calling, lectors are people who demonstrate in a public way what they believe:

      - “Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation”

      - “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”

      - “He is the head of the body, the church.”

 

Today’s second reading is a powerful statement of belief and of Christian identity.  It reminds us of why we call ourselves Christians.

© George Fournier 2013

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 7, 2013

Reflection on Lectoring

Do lectors have a mission statement?  What might a mission statement for lectoring look like? 

Good mission statements put their focus on the people or groups who benefit from the performance of the mission.  Good mission statements establish a relationship between the person providing a product or service and the person receiving that product or service.

When a lector says, “I proclaim the Scriptures,” that is only part of the story.  The complete story must involve the people who hear the word.  Who are they?  What do they need?  How does the proclamation of the word respond to their needs?

The people in the assembly are a very diverse group of people with diverse needs.

-       They are people who are struggling to deepen their understanding of what it means to be a Catholic.

-       They are people who do not struggle.

-       They are people who are struggling to deepen their relationship with God.

-       They are people who have unresolved struggles with God.

Lectors minister to all of these people, and many more.  These people and their needs help to define the mission and ministry of lectoring.  They also define the purpose and identity of the person who performs the mission.

More about the mission next week.

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First Reading  -  Isaiah 66:10-14c
Something for Everyone

You might think you were reading from two completely different books when you compare today’s first joyful reading taken from the last chapter of Isaiah to a few sobering lines from the first chapter.  “Your country is waste, your cities burnt with fire; Your land – before your eyes strangers devour it, a waste, like the devastation of Sodom” (ch.1, v. 7).

The book of Isaiah spans a period of over 200 years.  During that time, the Assyrians caused havoc throughout Judah and shut King Hezekiah up in Jerusalem “like a bird in a cage.”  Then the Babylonians came along, destroying everything, and hauling off the Jews into captivity.  Finally, the Persians became the area strongmen, and let the Jews return to their ruined homeland.

The Jewish people who read Isaiah experienced a variety of triumphs and catastrophes, hopes and fears.  They experienced the promise of God’s help and the knowledge of what can happen when they spurn that help.

As mentioned in the above Refection on Lectoring, people who hear the Scriptures at Mass come from diverse backgrounds and experience diverse needs.  But, as is true for the book of Isaiah, there is something of value for everyone in every Scripture proclamation.   Fulfilling the mission of lectoring requires a belief that everyone can find some inspiration in today’s joyful words, “your heart shall rejoice and your bodies flourish like the grass.”

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Second Reading  -  Galatians 6:14-18
Marks That Show

Paul is not speaking metaphorically when he talks about bearing “the marks of Jesus on my body.”  When you are nearly stoned to death, savagely beaten with rods three times, whipped five times with forty lashes minus one, and shipwrecked three times, your body takes a beating.  You can check Second Corinthians, chapter 12, verses 23 to 28 for all the details of his hardships and suffering.

Furthermore, all of Paul’s suffering was just a prelude to his martyrdom later in Rome - a possibility that may have crossed his mind when he writes about the cross of Christ “through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”

In much of his letter to the Galatians, Paul sounds downright grumpy.  In some places even crude.  There seems to be little effort on his part to soften his language or his opinion of certain people who sought to reinstate the slavery of Jewish law.

What does a lector do when the message is serious?  Looking and sounding grumpy at the ambo would be inappropriate.  Sounding cheerful would be dishonest.  Perhaps a careful reading of the six chapters of Galatians might give lectors additional insights into the real struggles of a making a faith commitment - especially when the disadvantages seem so numerous and painful.

© George Fournier 2013