Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 24, 2014

Reflection on Lectoring

There is often an emphasis in Scripture commentaries on analyzing the historical facts about people and events.  As an example, there is a natural desire to know why Shebna mentioned in today’s first reading lost his job. In a reading proclaimed earlier this year, we heard that the Lord degraded the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali.  We might naturally ask, “Why would he do that?”

Knowing the background of people and events like these might help us become more informed, but raw facts alone do not enable us internalize the deeper meaning.

Your hearers at Mass this weekend are unlikely to know much about either Shebna or Eliakim, the guy who replaced Shebna.  Instead, more importantly, they can be offered the opportunity to gain greater insight into the miracle of how God reveals himself to us.

How does an infinite God communicate with creatures who cannot comprehend infinity?  How do biblical stories illuminate the ways lowly creatures can develop a genuine relationship with a transcendent God?  And, equally important for lectors, how can we make seemingly mundane readings filled with strange names and places something profoundly important?

It starts by believing that God had a timeless purpose for everything he included in the Bible.  Perhaps some of the references to people and events may be obscure, but every passage of Scripture can offer opportunities to deepen a person’s faith.

The Scriptures do contain facts and figures.  But, to a much greater extent, they also contain examples of feelings and faith.   The job of the lector is not to shortchange the assembly by concentrating solely on who did what to whom.  As you will see in the following reflection on the first reading, there is more to reflect upon than just the identity of someone named Shebna. 

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First Reading  -  Isaiah 22:19:23
Who is Shebna?

The name Shebna, the master of the palace, appears three times in the Bible, twice in Isaiah and once in 2 Kings where he is called a scribe.  His origins and his attempts to influence public policy are debated by scholars.  There is even a possibility that there was more than one Shebna. 

How important will such scholarly speculations about Shebna be to the people who hear your proclamation at Mass this weekend?  Perhaps, more importantly, there should be a greater emphasis on understanding what God wishes and intends for us.

Just six verses earlier in Chapter 22 of Second Kings appear the words, “Eat and drink for tomorrow we die!”   Despite serious threats from hostile Assyrians, many people at the time preferred having a good time, being solely concerned with satisfying their own selfish desires.  In the same way, Shebna, who built a lavish tomb for himself, had the wrong priorities. This was not what God intended.

As proof of God’s intentions, Eliakim, who was faithful, earned God’s favor.  And, like Peter in today’s Gospel, Eliakim received the key that opened and shut doors.

It is unlikely that after Mass anyone will remember Shebna or Eliakim.  Hopefully, however, they will reflect a little more on what God wishes and intends for them.

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Second Reading  -  Romans 11:33-36

Understanding God

In today’s Reflection on Lectoring found above, we suggested that we, as God’s finite creatures, cannot fully understand his infinite goodness and majesty.  It is a truth that Paul makes clear in today’s second reading: “For who has known the mind of the Lord?”

St. Augustine agreed when he said, “We are talking about God.  What wonder is it that you do not understand?  If you do understand, then it is not God.” St. Augustine understood that God is beyond our human ability to grasp fully.

Does that mean that God has left us totally in the dark about who he is?  Not according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church which says, “God who ‘dwells in unapproachable light,’ wants to communicate his own divine life to the men he freely created” (No. 52).  It is a belief that Paul himself echoes when he says “In all wisdom and insight, he has made known to us the mystery of his will” (Ephesians 1:8).

With humility, lectors must accept that no amount of Scripture study will give us all the answers.  However, with trust and confidence lectors can proclaim, “For from him and through him and for him are all things.  To him be glory forever.”

There is much that is “unsearchable” about God’s ways.  What is important, however, is that God “will not leave you as orphans” (John 14:18) left abandoned without a father.   There is a lot in this short reading for lectors and their hearers to reflect on.

© George Fournier, 2014