October 27, 2013
Reflection on Lectoring
You have heard it frequently said: “If more people truly believed
in their hearts that Jesus is present in the Eucharist, our churches would be
filled to overflowing.” No one would want
to miss an opportunity to be close to the God who loves us so much. And yet, many people do.
What about the words?
Do the words of Scripture heard at Mass fall to the ground like leaves
in Fall, to be covered by snow in the Winter?
Or do people truly believe that the Lord can be found in his word?
It does little good to indict secular society,
consumerism or the mass media as obstacles that make belief difficult. We can only look to ourselves and decide how
to encounter our current culture and environment without diminishing our faith.
Sorting through conflicting ways of thinking and believing
takes time and patience, along with a long-term commitment. For lectors, it is also involves acknowledging
their mission to serve others and their role in sustaining genuine belief.
Lectors know that they cannot share what they do not
have. They know that they have a responsibility
to proclaim the words of Scripture as living and effective. They know that they have a role to play in
making the Mass an opportunity to feel closer to God. All this is true because they know that God’s
presence can be found in his word.
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First Reading - Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18
The Lessons of Life
The Book of Sirach, also known as the Wisdom of Ben Sira,
tells you up front its basic premise. In
chapter 1, verse 14, he writes, “The
beginning of wisdom is to fear the Lord.”
This connection with “fear of the Lord” continues with, “The fullness of wisdom is. . . The crown of wisdom is. . . The root of wisdom is. . .”
Ben Sira was a sage who lived in Jerusalem and taught a
series of lessons dealing with subjects like friendship, education, poverty and
wealth, and religious worship. Just as
in today’s first reading from chapter 35, there is practical advice found
throughout the 51 chapters of his book. Ben
Sira also puts his own slant on Jewish history with a brief historical overview
including the rebuilding of Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity.
Perhaps all this might sound somewhat boring and
pedantic. The kind of thing you hear in
a classroom. But today’s reading shows
there is a heart and a soul to be found here.
There is also a deep feeling of trust in the justice of God and in his
desire for the well-being of his creatures.
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Second Reading - 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18
Going Home
An inspirational story is coming to an end. And you begin to feel a little choked
up. You will miss the person soon to be
taken up into heaven. He was larger than
life and made every minute of his life count.
Paul says so himself: “I
have competed well, I have finished the race . . .” But most importantly, “I have kept the faith.”
We desperately need people of genuine courage and
commitment. Paul’s mission was never
easy. There were always hardships,
disappointments, and even betrayals.
There were thousands of miles to travel, and thousands of people who
needed to hear the good news.
You wish Paul did not have to leave. He gave you strength. But you also know he is leaving you a job to
do. In a bittersweet way you are glad
that God will bring him “safe to his
heavenly kingdom.”
© George Fournier 2013
