October 19, 2014
Reflection on Lectoring
The introduction to The
Right of Christian Initiation of Adults says the RCIA is “designed for adults who, after hearing the mystery of
Christ proclaimed, consciously and freely seek the living God” (RCIA No.1). Perhaps, as they proclaim the “mystery of
Christ” at Mass, lectors can find in the words of the RCIA a more clear understanding of the importance of their ministry.
Regardless of their level of faith commitment, Christians
buy into a mystery - the kind of mystery no one can completely understand. No one can completely understand our infinite
and transcendent God who exists outside of time and space. No one can completely understand how an
infinite God could become a human person, “becoming
obedient to death, even to death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8). No one can completely understand how, when we
die, we shall exist in a place we cannot now imagine. It’s all a mystery.
The mysteries of our faith are not mysteries to overcome
or figure out, but to embrace. They are mysteries
that instill a sense of wonder. They are
mysteries that take us beyond ourselves, opening up the possibility of
something greater than the things experienced by our senses. They are mysteries to which we can make our
deepest commitment.
When someone becomes initiated into the Catholic faith,
he or she takes on a new identity. It is
not an identity solely defined by rules and rubrics. But by a sense of wonder and joy. Intellect and reason can contribute to our
understanding. But by themselves, they
cannot unlock the mystery. Only the
heart can complete the picture and reveal the wonder.
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First Reading - Isaiah 45:1, 4-6
There is No Other
In Chapter 19 of John’s Gospel, Jesus makes it clear to
Pilate who is ultimately in charge, “You
would have no power over me if it had not been given to you from above”
(v.11). In today’s Gospel from Matthew,
Jesus allows for a division of authority when he says, “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to
God” (v.21). In today’s first
reading from Isaiah, that division of authority is made both clear and complex.
The year is 538 BC and the Israelites are again in
captivity, this time in Babylon. But
King Cyrus of Persia defeats the Babylonians and issues the Edict of Cyrus
saying that the Israelites are free to go home.
He also says he will help them rebuild their temple. As told by Isaiah this is good news, but why
did God have to call Cyrus “his anointed”?
How can a pagan also be a messiah?
King Cyrus’ 30-year reign was a watershed event in
history. He created the largest empire
the world had seen. Perhaps God decided
he needed someone with real power like Cyrus to accomplish his purpose, even
though he was a pagan.
However, a careful reading of all of Chapter 45 makes it
clear who is really in charge. The
phrase, “I am the Lord, there is no
other,” appears four times in the chapter.
Lectors might do well to read the entire chapter so that when they
proclaim the final verse of today’s reading, they can more fully express how
God works.
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Second Reading - 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5b
The Earliest Christian Writing
Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians has the
distinction of being the oldest preserved Christian writing, predating all the
other 26 books of the New Testament, including the Gospels. When he could not be physically present in
the Christian communities he founded, Paul wrote letters that were cherished
and preserved by those who received them.
That is why we still have them today.
Today’s second reading includes the first half of the
first chapter. The second half will be
proclaimed next weekend. And, as with
nearly all his letters, Paul begins with a thanksgiving, thanking God for the
faith, love and hope demonstrated by his new converts. In the thoroughly pagan surroundings in which
the Thessalonians lived, all three of these theological virtues were vital
assets.
The last verse of
today’s reading identifies another essential asset for every Christian
community: “For our gospel did not come
to you in word alone, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with much
conviction.” Perhaps Paul understood
what every lector should know. As the final
verse says, every proclamation of the word must have the support of the Holy
Spirit if it is to be proclaimed with conviction and achieve its purpose.
© George Fournier, 2014
