September 22, 2013
Reflection on Lectoring
Here is something to think about. Can people at Mass actually enjoy hearing the
Scriptures proclaimed?
Perhaps Scripture reading should be thought of in a more
reverential way - a required part of the Mass respectfully heard by people
sitting quietly in the assembly.
It is possible to think of prayer in a similar way. Prayers before a meal or before going to bed
can be thought of as a required part of our customary daily routine. Just one of the things we are supposed to do.
In a recent homily at my parish, the homilist painted a picture of
prayer and the Scriptures that went well past such placid and flaccid
approaches. He described Abraham as
begging, bargaining and importuning God.
When Abraham prayed for the innocent people in Sodom, he persisted
without letup, “Please, let not my Lord
grow angry with me.” His was a
lively and spirited conversation with God.
A brisk, question and answer session between a flesh-and-blood creature
and his real and responsive Creator.
When they are properly read, spoken and heard, Scripture
passages can generate real emotion and inspiration - not just the quiet passing
of a few minutes at Mass. They are words
and stories that describe our relationship with God. They are intimate conversations between God and
us. They are words and stories that can
be enjoyed whenever we hear them.
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First Reading - Amos 8:4-7
Timely Advice
In today’s Reflection on Lectoring, we suggested that
there was real comfort and inspiration to be found in the Scriptures. However, today’s first reading seems to negate
all of that in favor of doom and gloom. The
words of this passage convict the greedy and powerful of Israel by detailing
their meanness and pettiness.
Except for its last five verses, the nine-chapter Book of
Amos contains an unrelenting series of angry accusations and predictions of
brutal punishments. Perhaps it is
fitting that Amos’ name in Hebrew means “burden.”
So what do a lector and his or her hearers make of all
this gloom? Why should anyone want to hear it, or remember it? Is this all about learning a painful lesson? Is this passage meant to balance out our belief
in a loving God with a fear of a vindictive God?
In the second reading from the Letter to the Hebrews five
Sundays ago we heard about the “discipline
of the Lord” that brings the “peaceful
fruit of righteousness.” Perhaps
your hearers may not fully recall the reading, but they can be reminded that
God uses the negative consequences of bad behavior to point the way to a better
life. God is not an angry parent who
finds satisfaction in doling out punishment. In reality, he is a loving parent offering forgiveness
and a path away from death to life.
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Second Reading - 1 Timothy 2:1-8
A Little Wine, Exercise and God
Paul’s first letter to Timothy offers a remarkable
combination of bedrock beliefs and practical advice. In 5:23 he recommends, “Stop drinking only water, but have a little wine for the sake of your
stomach and your frequent illnesses.”
In 4:8 he suggests that exercise is ok, but . . . “for, while physical training is of limited value, devotion is valuable
in every respect.”
In the same letter, Paul also expresses some of the
creedal beliefs of our faith. In today’s
verses, he says: “For there is one
God. There is also one mediator between
God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as ransom for all.”
In the next chapter, verse 16 he continues, “Who was manifested in the flesh, vindicated
in the spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed to the Gentiles, believed in
throughout the world, taken up in glory.”
Paul is a bold preacher.
He felt confident when talking about both theological matters and
everyday affairs. His words also
reinforced the essential reality of all the Scriptures - that they are meant
for real people who really want to understand their God.
© George Fournier 2013
