Gospel Reading Outside of the Holy Mass

[Dove1]

During our monthly Lector meetings, we start with a Gospel reading by one member and then a few members can give reflections on the read Gospel. I notice the reader starts with:

“A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.”
And the rest of the members reply, “Glory to you, O Lord.”

The reader reads the Gospel and ends with:

“…The Gospel of the Lord”
And everyone answers “Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.”

Notice, they would read the Gospel the way a priest would during the Holy Mass with everyone else responding accordingly.

Is this the correct way of reading the Gospel for the sake of sharing reflections?

 

[Usige]

Outside of liturgical settings there is no right or wrong way to read the Gospels.

The major issue with treating it the same as during Mass is it can blur people’s understanding of the function of the clergy and the ministerial proclamation of the Gospels. That is not to say one shouldn’t, but rather to be aware that reading the Gospels is not the same as proclaiming them

Personally I would leave off the responses, crossing and kissing the pages and anything that has a liturgical character, but that’s me.

 

[GoGoDiego]

During our monthly Lector meetings, we start with a Gospel reading by one member and then a few members can give reflections on the read Gospel. I notice the reader starts with:

“A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.”
And the rest of the members reply, “Glory to you, O Lord.”

The reader reads the Gospel and ends with:

“…The Gospel of the Lord”
And everyone answers “Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.”

Notice, they would read the Gospel the way a priest would during the Holy Mass with everyone else responding accordingly.

Is this the correct way of reading the Gospel for the sake of sharing reflections?

Back in high school and grade school we would read the gospel of that day in this manner as our morning prayers before the start of the day’s classes. We still sign our forehead, lips and heart with the sign of the cross during the: “Gloria tibi, Domine.” The assigned prayer leader may give a reflection or a mini-sermon of that sort

On school assemblies, this is done. If the Chaplain (Spiritual Director) is present, he takes precedence by leading the reading of the gospel. (He sometimes wears the stole if he does so.) He adds “The Lord be with you” before the reading of the gospel, like at Mass

 

[Dove1]

If just for the sake of reflections I thought it was odd that the Gospel was read that way in the meeting. The liturgical phrases uttered by the reader actually elicit the usual responses from the rest - sort of by instinct.

If called, what I plan to say at the start is: “Today’s Gospel reading is taken from St. Matthew.” Read the Gospel and then at the end, just say “And that is today’s Gospel. Please be seated.” or something similar.

Thoughts?

 

[pianistclare]

Outside of liturgical settings there is no right or wrong way to read the Gospels.

The major issue with treating it the same as during Mass is it can blur people’s understanding of the function of the clergy and the ministerial proclamation of the Gospels. That is not to say one shouldn’t, but rather to be aware that reading the Gospels is not the same as proclaiming them

Personally I would leave off the responses, crossing and kissing the pages and anything that has a liturgical character, but that’s me.

this^^^