August 3, 2014
Reflection on Lectoring
“Thus
faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of
Christ” (Romans 10:17).
There are two different ways lectors can share the
Scriptures at Mass. They can read the words
in a way that invites the assembly to follow along and read the text for
themselves. Or lectors can proclaim the Scriptures
in a way that invites people to fix their attention on what they hear.
When people read along, there is an emphasis on
clarity. The reading is paced and guided
by the lector so that the words, phrases and sentences are more easily
understood. On the other hand, when the lector
invites people to listen to the proclamation with their hearts and minds, there
is an emphasis on experiencing the joy and sorrow, hope and struggle, wonder
and mystery contained in the words and phrases.
Here is an experiment you can try. The next time you
attend Mass, try listening to the readings with your eyes closed. What do you hear in the proclamation? Is
there an emphasis on keeping up with the flow of the words; or do you sense
that God is speaking at that moment directly to you? Do you hear just words; or do you experience
a moment of grace?
Lectors do not need to have great public speaking skills
to invite people to hear. More
importantly, lectors need to speak as if the words ultimately come from God. They also need to believe that the Holy
Spirit provides sufficient grace for people to truly hear those words.
_________________________
First Reading - Isaiah 55: 1-3
A Voice of Hope
There is an impassioned voice speaking to us in the words
of today’s first Scripture passage. It
is a voice of encouragement that offers hope for a better future. It is a voice filled with love and
compassion. It is a voice that speaks to
the chosen people in a way that continues to be heard today.
Today’s Reflection on Lectoring suggests that there is a
difference between hearing and reading.
It is one thing for a person to read from a book some encouraging
words. It is another thing to hear
comforting words spoken by someone who deeply cares about us.
God’s words came to the chosen people at a time when they
did not feel very chosen. They were in
exile, and their homeland had been destroyed.
They very badly needed to hear some personal words of reassurance.
A great deal of sensitivity is needed by the lector when
speaking words like these to fellow worshipers, many of whom have experienced
loss, disappointment and doubt. False
promises fall flat. And a flat
proclamation offers no hope.
A great deal of sincerity and empathy is required when
you, as the lector, proclaim, “Listen,
that you may have life.”
_______________________________
Second Reading - Romans 8: 37-39
Absolutely Confident
During the last four weekends we have heard ringing in
our ears several verses from the eighth chapter of Romans. Today we come to the powerful and glorious
conclusion.
The three verses at the end of the eighth chapter create
a crescendo that demands to be spoken aloud and proclaimed with conviction. Even the questions stated in the reading are
more like exclamations. “What will separate us from the love of
Christ?”
Nothing will.
Paul is absolutely confident. “For I
am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities. . .
.”
Nothing will be able “to
separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
This weekend, the
lector must be equally confident. In
fairness to Paul, to Paul’s message of hope and trust, and to the people who
will hear you at Mass, there must be no hesitation in your own belief in the
power of God’s love.
© George Fournier, 2014
