Fifth Sunday in Easter
May 18, 2014

Reflection on Lectoring

In a recent Reflection on Lectoring we talked about the Good Thief receiving Jesus’ promise that “today you will be with me in Paradise.”  How easy it is to hear this familiar story without delving very deeply into all that happened.  Having heard the customary commentaries on the dialogue between Jesus and the thief, there might seem to be no real need to give it additional thought. 

However, the job of the lector requires more than simple repetition. Every story in the Bible, including the Crucifixion, deserves a fresh examination every time it is proclaimed - just as if it were being told for the first time.

For instance, consider how easy it is to surmise that the Good Thief, knowing his time was short, simply decided that heaven was his best option.  In St. Luke’s account of the Crucifixion the thief says, “Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom.”  But perhaps we should give some thought to what the thief saw and experienced as he hung on the cross.  From all appearances, Jesus does not seem to be in a position to help anyone.  What kind of kingdom was the thief hoping to get?  Was his telling the other thief to stop verbally abusing Jesus as an act of compassion for a fellow human being?

More questions surface when we check the Crucifixion accounts provided by Mathew and Mark.  In their Passion narratives, we find that neither of the two thieves asked for anything.  In fact, both of them insulted Jesus.   The story of the Good Thief provides a wonderful opportunity to meditate on why someone described as a “revolutionary” would be the first person to join Christ in heaven.

When we pray and meditate on the Scriptures our purpose is not to test the truth of what God has revealed.  Rather, meditation is meant to reveal the depth of meaning present in each chapter and verse.  If the Scriptures are to connect with the real lives of real people, simple answers offer only limited guidance or comfort. Very rarely do the challenges of real life allow for simple answers.  And the Scriptures are very much about real life.

____________________________________

First Reading  -  Acts of the Apostles 6:1-7
A Question of Priorities

“It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table.”  These words spoken by the apostles come directly from today’s first reading.  How should we take this statement?

Perhaps it is perfectly logical that a division of labor was needed.  And spreading God’s word had the highest priority.

Or, perhaps the apostles would do better to remember how Jesus washed their feet at the Last Supper.  There should be no higher priority than loving others by serving their needs.

Perhaps spirit-filled preaching would bring a greater number of people into the new community than would a more equitable distribution of food.

Or, perhaps those who did not want to serve at table were simply looking for an excuse not to.

In this week’s Reflection on Lectoring we suggested that lectors have a responsibility to pray and meditate on each Scripture passage as if hearing it for the first time.  The early followers of Christ were real people confronting real challenges and complex questions.   Very much like the challenges and questions faced by those with whom you share this reading today.

Asking questions is an important way to achieve wisdom.  Trusting that God invites your questions is an important way to strengthen faith.

____________________________

Second Reading  -  1 Peter 2:4-9
Making Something out of Stones

Because we humans cannot fully comprehend the infinite goodness and transcendence of God, we come as close as we can by drawing analogies to what we do know.  We call God “living water,” “light of the world,” and in today’s second reading “a living stone.”

The second reading continues this analogy by suggesting that we too have become living stones.  Perhaps, based on the name given to him by Jesus, Peter is the ideal person to use the stone analogy and then apply it to us. “And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18).

We have all become partners with God in building a living church.   It is a continuous process.  It is a process that gives both purpose and identity.   The second reading closes with the words, “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

This reading offers a challenge to the lector.  Your hearers at Mass are not accustomed to hearing themselves described as stones of any kind - except perhaps when they sit in church.  However, their identity as Christians must reach beyond the time they spend in church.

Presenting analogies as a doorway (analogy intended) to real understanding rather than as a passage of flowery poetry is a real challenge.  This weekend this challenge is being offered to you.

© George Fournier, 2014