First, Second and Gospel Readings

[Reuben_J]

Well, I agree with you there. Or read the passages to yourself before Mass starts, but then you’ll need a missalette or handmissal for that. I use the time to study the Latin and do the translation myself.

Oh, don’t you know what the readings would be or don’t you have your own Sunday/Weekday missal at home?

 

[ProVobis]

Oh, don’t you know what the readings would be or don’t you have your own Sunday/Weekday missal at home?

I generally follow the EF calendar and prepare myself accordingly. But I do realize most are comfortable with the OF readings in some translation only.

 

[Reuben_J]

I generally follow the EF calendar and prepare myself accordingly. But I do realize most are comfortable with the OF readings in some translation only.

I see. Thanks.

Ours is all OF. Simple and no translation needed.

 

[ProVobis]

I see. Thanks.

Ours is all OF. Simple and no translation needed.

If it’s in English or Spanish, it is a translation though you probably don’t see the original Latin (or Greek if that’s the case.) I believe real Bible study involves the study of the ancient languages but that’s a good topic for another thread in perhaps another forum.

 

[Reuben_J]

If it’s in English or Spanish, it is a translation though you probably don’t see the original Latin (or Greek if that’s the case.) I believe real Bible study involves the study of the ancient languages but that’s a good topic for another thread in perhaps another forum.

I would agree with you that to go to the heart of the Bible it is helpful to dig into the original language or at least Latin. If one is not multi or bi-lingual then different tranlastions would help. Since the readings are passages from the Bible, probably we are quite familiar with most of them. In some cases it is just a matter in finding out what the readings are. I have the privileged of having the Church bulletin e-mailed to me every week and I would know if there is any changes to the readings. Anyway, I do use the daily mass readings for my daily reflection during a quiet time and I would normally be prepared for a mass.

 

[Reuben_J]

GIRM (General Instruction of the Roman Missal).

GIRM is a good thing to happen because it streamlines the order of the mass but more, if we understand it, it would help us to understand every part and rubric of the mass. It tells us reasons why we do what we are doing during the mass. Perhaps it is more helpful to the beginners but we nevertheless would be more the richer to understand those reasons that explain what is happening in the mass. And hence our disposition and personal action at every stage of the mass.

 

[SMHW]

Well, I agree with you there. Or read the passages to yourself before Mass starts, but then you’ll need a missalette or handmissal for that. I use the time to study the Latin and do the translation myself.

It’s not Latin…

But each week my parish’s Facebook page posts a link to the USCCB’s website for the upcoming Sunday readings for the OF.

Now of course I already know how to use the internet (and various other tools) to look at the readings for Sunday or any other Mass, but it’s certainly convenient when someone reminds you to look at the readings by sending you a link while you are doing something that can easily be interrupted.

Like many other things about the Mass I see using the ears (as opposed to the eyes) to apprehend the readings as the ideal. For all sorts of reasons the ideal may not be feasible or reasonable.

 

[ProVobis]

If one is not multi or bi-lingual then different tranlastions would help.

Many times Fr. Z has different translations (old, new, literal, etc.) of the Latin Collect and goes into analysis of each word and phrase, if that would help.

 

[Corki]

Hey, why the capital letters? What did I say to deserve that?

Nobody is saying it is required. I was saying the idea … . is to listen and to hear. You don’t have to (following the missalette) if you already read and reflected on the readings before the mass. That was clearly a suggestion, an advice to go about this. It is not a declaration or something. So why so touchy?

I was trained in GIRM (General Instruction of the Roman Missal) and that was what my instructor taught us.

By saying that following along in the missalette is “inappropriate,” you went beyond a “suggestion” and into the arena of accusing others of wrong-doing. I don’t think you meant to come on that strong but tone is hard to gauge online.

 

[Reuben_J]

By saying that following along in the missalette is “inappropriate,” you went beyond a “suggestion” and into the arena of accusing others of wrong-doing. I don’t think you meant to come on that strong but tone is hard to gauge online.

OK noted. No problem. I just thought I was giving opinion and did not contradict what anybody has said and I thought the reaction was a bit strong. But it is alright. Probably it is my usage of words.

God bless.

 

[Reuben_J]

Anyway, inappropriate as in unsuitable but not as in cannot.

I should have qualified my statement, **“The idea is about hearing and listening and therefore following along in the missalette is inappropriate except in situation where that is not possible or perhaps when the reading is in the vernacular that one does not understand. The liturgy of the Word is not Bible study but listening to God himself – it is a proclamation". **

To “The idea is about hearing and listening and therefore following along in the missalette is inappropriate except in situation where that is not possible or perhaps when the reading is in the vernacular that one does not understand. The liturgy of the Word is not Bible study but listening to God himself – it is a proclamation. But this by no means that we cannot follow the missalette if that is the preferred way by an individual. It is better not to follow missalette but if it makes better purpose for the individual by all means follow it. After all different strokes for different people,” so that it would not be construed as accusing others of wrong doing.

Anyway, considering the somewhat harsh reaction to my post, I suppose my introduction of the idea must have busted some bubbles in a private pond. It is a lesson learnt nevertheless.

 

[johnmann]

Dies Domini 41:

It should also be borne in mind that the liturgical proclamation of the word of God, especially in the Eucharistic assembly, is not so much a time for meditation and catechesis as a dialogue between God and his People, a dialogue in which the wonders of salvation are proclaimed and the demands of the Covenant are continually restated. On their part, the People of God are drawn to respond to this dialogue of love by giving thanks and praise, also by demonstrating their fidelity to the task of continual “conversion”. The Sunday assembly commits us therefore to an inner renewal of our baptismal promises, which are in a sense implicit in the recitation of the Creed, and are an explicit part of the liturgy of the Easter Vigil and whenever Baptism is celebrated during Mass. In this context, the proclamation of the word in the Sunday Eucharistic celebration takes on the solemn tone found in the Old Testament at moments when the Covenant was renewed, when the Law was proclaimed and the community of Israel was called — like the People in the desert at the foot of Sinai (cf. Ex 19:7-8; 24:3,7) — to repeats its “yes”, renewing its decision to be faithful to God and to obey his commandments. In speaking his word, God awaits our response: a response which Christ has already made for us with his “Amen” (cf. 2 Cor 1:20-22), and which echoes in us through the Holy Spirit so that what we hear may involve us at the deepest level.

 

[Reuben_J]

Dies Domini 41:

Good reference. Also I am reminded of the Old Testament Ezra (Neh 8) that he was asked to get the Book of law to read before the entire assembly of people old enough to understand. There in the square by the gate he read the Law to them from dawn until noon, and they all listened attentively. (v.4)

Ezra was standing on a wooden platform that had been built for the occasion. As Ezra stood there on the platform high above the people, they all kept their eyes fixed on him. (v.5) As soon as he opened the book, they all stood up. Ezra said, “Praise the Lord, the great God!”

When the people heard what the Law required, they were so moved that they began to cry. So it was explained to them, “This day is holy to the Lord your God, so you are not to mourn or cry. Now go home and have a feast. Share your food and wine with those who don’t have enough. Today is holy to our Lord, so don’t be sad. The joy that our Lord gives you will make you strong.”

Now that I have clarified about my usage of the word inappropriate , contrary to what many of the posters here whose position on this is a free for all laissez faire during the readings according to different strokes of people, GIRM actually takes a preferred position of hearing the readings, that they all listened attentively.

This is why we trained the readers because perhaps it is the poor delivery of the readings that set the people scattering for missalettes to ensure the word is heard. If the readers do their job properly to present the readings as clear as possible and understood then perhaps the missalettes would not be necessary at all (except for some who really need them).

My GIRM instructor said people who are flipping into the missalettes to look for translation should have already done it yesterday or maybe after the mass at home to ponder on the word and the homily, at least for Sunday masses.

 

[alohapools]

I like to read along. Is there really a set way we are to hear the voice of God as defined by the church? I have come to appreciate the order of Mass as defined somewhere. Still learning to appreciate that. It is not by my works that I am saved but by the faith in God and Him doing what I couldn’t do for myself. This is a touchy subject for most Catholics. As James says, I will show you my faith by works. You can’t do any good works in the sight of God without faith. If you mingle and worry about how to do the works or what merit they bring you are like an ox without a yoke. With faith, you allow God to work through you to produce the works you desire.

Something like that. But to worry about how to please God through your works but trusting in God will produce all good works. Worrying about syntax about that…takes you away from the main point of glorifying God in the first point. God is not a God of worry or anxiety. Why would He bring up so trivial a thing? When He is suredly happy that you are there to celebrate the Word. You are there to celebrate His Son and Our Savior and remembering and becoming one with Him in the Eucharist? For real? is there rules to hearing and reading and experiencing the word of God? Cuz from my limited understaning it is about God and Receiving Him and not about our earthly ways and regulations to receive HIm! I think God prefers you to be at church and will not condemn you for being there. Less you are in mortal sin and unrepentant. LOL

I prefer to read along. I retain better that way. Some people can’t hear a thing when reading. Some can’t read and have to just listen. For real? What God do you have that doesn’t send rain down on everyone equally? I personally worry about unforgiveness and sins more than I do about the proper way to receive scripture.

I am new to this forum stuff and sure hope I didn’t just post in seminary blog or something where there is a bunch of priests hanging out.

Matthew

 

[SMHW]

…Why would He bring up so trivial a thing? When He is suredly happy that you are there to celebrate the Word.
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For real? is there rules to hearing and reading and experiencing the word of God? Cuz from my limited understaning it is about God and Receiving Him and not about our earthly ways and regulations to receive HIm! I think God prefers you to be at church and will not condemn you for being there. Less you are in mortal sin and unrepentant. LOL

I prefer to read along. I retain better that way. Some people can’t hear a thing when reading. Some can’t read and have to just listen. For real? What God do you have that doesn’t send rain down on everyone equally? I personally worry about unforgiveness and sins more than I do about the proper way to receive scripture.

I am new to this forum stuff and sure hope I didn’t just post in seminary blog or something where there is a bunch of priests hanging out.

Matthew

Welcome Matthew.

You’ll find out we discuss and argue all kinds of topics in the Liturgy and Sacraments forum. You’ll find that some discussions are more academic than others.

I think this topic falls into the academic category even though it is seemingly about a practical matter.

 

[Franklin33]

Thank you all for your comments… I went to confession yesterday and after I was done I asked the priest about this subject… He told me there was nothing at all wrong with following along in the missal. I am going to keep following along since I have always done that and feel most comfortable. Just wanted to make sure I wasn’t doing anything wrong. Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

 

[Magnanimous]

Absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to follow along in the missal(ette), I myself when I attend a vernacular Mass find it more beneficial, absorb and retain the readings longer.

The problem with those who insist on having everyone listen to the Readings and Gospel proclaimed orally without any “distractions”, because that’s how “it was done” in Apostolic/Patristic times. The problem with this is that in those times this was feasible because the culture was exceedingly oral and aural, people’s memory was sharper, they could retain more information, follow spoken word better, because they literally had no other choice, since very could read and write. With the advent of the printing press, and higher literacy rates, it took off a bit of the workload on our minds as a culture, but it also made us a bit dependent on written language as a means of learning and transmitting information.

So to reiterate what I said earlier, by all means feel free to follow along in your missal, it probably benfits you more this way!

 

[OraLabora]

In our abbey the readings are chanted. The quality of the lector chanting can vary. Years spent in heavy industry in the first half of my career, result in my hearing acuity not being what it used to be.

So I follow along.

Honestly sometimes we can get so hung up over trivial details

 

[alohapools]

Welcome Matthew.

You’ll find out we discuss and argue all kinds of topics in the Liturgy and Sacraments forum. You’ll find that some discussions are more academic than others.

I think this topic falls into the academic category even though it is seemingly about a practical matter.

Thanks for the welcome! There is so much stuff in here I could get lost in it! Don’t know why I didn’t find it sooner.

Matthew

 

[Digitonomy]

The GIRM stands however that it is preferred, when possible, to just listen because this also encourage us to read the readings before we go to the mass.

Reuben J:

…contrary to what many of the posters here whose position on this is a free for all laissez faire during the readings according to different strokes of people, GIRM actually takes a preferred position of hearing the readings, that they all listened attentively.

It is certainly the case that the USCCB, at least in the document cited earlier, states a preference for not reading and just listening. However, the GIRM does not state any such preference. It simply explains the role of the congregation being to listen, without suggesting that reading might hinder that.