Editing the Readings in the Lectionary

[papaspicy]

Today in mass a question came to mind that really made me wonder. Why are various verses from the scriptures sometimes left our from the lectionary? For example, this Sunday’s first reading (Feb. 18 – 1 Sm 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23). In the complete chapter, Saul and David speak to each other, but in the edited version Saul says nothing. I can see that the lectionary reading focuses on David and the lesson that his actions teach us, but I just think that it would be better to hear the full story. Another example was the first reading a few weeks ago (Feb. 4 – Is 6:1-2a, 3-8). In this case, only the first part of the second verse was included in the reading and the rest was left out:

Seraphim were stationed above; -]each of them had six wings: with two they veiled their faces, with two they veiled their feet, and with two they hovered aloft/-].

I would agree that the part left out is not crucial to the reading, but it is a relatively short reading, so why leave it out? I don’t think it makes anything confusing. I understand that the psalm used as the responsorial is often adjusted for various musical arrangements, but why are the readings occasionally broken up or have various verses left out? Does this bother anyone else?

 

[awalt]

Many times all the readings complement each other, so even though the parts left out may be important to the story, I assume the people who planned the lectionary felt that in the interest of time they did not contribute anything to the common theme(s) for today’s readings.

 

[John_Lilburne]

The following explanation is from the Introduction to the Lectionary for Mass, of 1981:

"4) The Omission of Certain Verses

1. The omission of verses in readings from Scripture has at times been the tradition of many liturgies, including the Roman liturgy. Admittedly such omissions may not be made lightly, for fear of distorting the meaning of the text or the intent and style of Scripture. Yet on pastoral grounds it was decided to continue the traditional practice in the present Order of Readings, but at the same time to ensure that the essential meaning of the text remained intact. One reason for the decision is that otherwise some texts would have been unduly long. It would also have been necessary to omit completely certain readings of high spiritual value for the faithful because those readings include some verse that is pastorally less useful or that involves truly difficult questions."

The full document is at ewtn.com/library/CURIA/CDWLECT.HTM .