July 27, 2014
Reflection on Lectoring
You have only one chance to make a positive first
impression.
The above statement is frequently applied to occasions
when you meet someone for the first time.
It can also be applied to every time you proclaim the Scriptures.
Think about the people at Mass with whom you will share
your assigned reading. Most don’t know
your name. Most have not read the
Scripture passage prior to Mass. Many of
your hearers might be visitors or people who have not attended Mass for some
time. As a lector, you have the
daunting task of getting their attention, making a connection with them as a
fellow worshiper, and presenting a message that has real importance in their
lives. And you have only two or three
minutes to do it.
It sounds like an almost impossible task.
There are all kinds of places you can go for advice
(including these weekly lector reflections).
Perhaps, however, you already know what to do. Perhaps you already know the answer.
You already know how it feels when someone talks with you
in a way that engages you. You already know
how it feels when someone talks with you in a way that shows he or she cares
about you. You already know how it feels
to hear someone who sincerely believes in what he or she is saying to you.
Your task is to be that person who engages, cares and believes. A person who leaves a positive first
impression. You already know how to do
it because you know what it feels like.
___________________________
First Reading - 1 Kings 3:5, 7-12
A Breathtaking Epic
The first eleven chapters of the First Book of Kings are
a breathtaking, yet tragic epic that describes the rise and fall of the 40-year
reign of King Solomon. Numerous
intrigues and assassinations secured his succession to the throne following the
death of King David. Downright stupidity
and egregious infidelity caused the ultimate and permanent breakup of his
kingdom.
In between, Solomon pleases the Lord with his humble
prayer for wisdom, builds a magnificent temple, and leads his nation during a
period of unparalleled prosperity.
Solomon is a man of complex motivations. One of his first acts as king is to create
good relations with Egypt by marrying the Pharaoh’s pagan daughter, something
no self-respecting Jew would do. Later,
he defies the Lord by marrying numerous other pagan women. Among them were Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites,
Sidonians and Hitties - seven hundred in all.
Despite all of this bad behavior, “The
whole world sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put into
his heart” (1 Kings 10:24).
What are we to make of this flawed man who brought his
country international fame, but in the end heard God say, “Since this is what you want, and you have not kept my covenant and the
statues which I enjoined on you, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you
and give it to your servant” (1 Kings 11:11)?
Today’s first reading suggests that God hears sincere
prayer, but that true wisdom requires continued recognition of the real source
of that wisdom.
______________________________
Second Reading - Romans 8:28-30
We Know
“We
know. . . ”
All of Chapter Eight of Romans, including the verses of today’s
second reading, provide the answer to the question posed by Paul in Romans 7:24:
“Miserable one that I am! Who will deliver me from this mortal body?”
He confidently answers the question by saying, “We know that all things work for good for
those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”
Without question, it is God who predestines us to be
called, justified and glorified. And
there can be no better person than the Spirit to justify our hope in
everlasting life because, “If God is for
us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).
Next week, the five
weeks of readings from Chapter Eight of Romans conclude with a joyful
declaration that nothing can separate us from the love of God. Perhaps while proclaiming today’s second
reading, the lector can anticipate some of that confident joy.
© George Fournier 2014
