… how can you incorporate the daily Mass readings into the LOTH? Because I’ve heard if you wish you can do this. I really would like to start praying the LOTH, just Morning and Evening Prayer. But I really do like the daily Mass readings because they can be easily recognized by everybody and are used widely as devotional materials. But does anyone know how I could tackle this problem? …
The short answer is that you are not permitted to use all the Daily Mass readings in the Liturgy of the Hours.
If you want to use the Daily Mass readings and psalms from the Liturgy of the Hours have a “Celebration of the Word of God”. This ceremony need not have a bishop or ordained minister. But it is well described in Ceremonial of Bishops:
"226. After the introductory rites (consisting of a song, greeting, and prayer), or or more readings from Sacred Scripture are proclaimed, with songs or psalms or intervals of silence interspersed. The readings are explained in a homily that relates them to the lives of those present.
"The homily may be followed by a period of silent reflection on the word of God. Then the whole congregation with one heart and voice should join in praying the intercessions, in litanic or other suitable form that encourages participation. Finally the Lord’s Prayer should be recited.
"The bishop, as the one who presides over the assembly, concludes the celebration with a prayer and blesses the people in the manner indicated in nos. 1120-1121.
“One of the deacons or ministers dismisses the people, saying,
Go in the peace of Christ, and all reply,
Thanks be to God.”
(Ceremonial of Bishops, Liturgical Press, 1989, ISBN 0-8146-1818-9, page 77.)
A “Celebration of the Word of God” does not require an ordained minister. This is clear from the description of its use in the Rite of Chirstian Initiation of Adults, (USA numbers 81-97, from The Rites Volume One, Liturgical Press, 1990, ISBN: 0-8146-6015-0, page 73-81).
But if you want to celebrate the Liturgy of the Hours then respect the rules for this ceremony. The only Gospel reading in Morning Prayer is the Benedictus (Luke 1:68-79). The only Gospel reading for Evening Prayer is the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55).
An instruction on this is the General Introduction to the Liturgy of the Hours, n. 144: “With the exception made in n 73, the Gospel is not read in the Liturgy of the Hours. …”. This exception, of n. 73 is for the Office of Readings:
"… Those who wish to adhere to the tradition of marking the Vigil of a Sunday, solemnity or feast with a more extended celebration should proceed in the following way.
"Firstly, the Office of Readings should be celebrated as in The Divine Office as far as the readings inclusively. After both readings and before the Te Deum, canticles may be added, selected from the appropriate appendix. A Gospel passage in then read, followed if desired by a homily; afterwards the Te Deum is sung and the concluding prayer said.
“The Gospel on solemnities and feasts is taken from the Lectionary of the Mass; on Sundays it is taken from the series on the paschal mystery found in the Appendix of the Book.”
(Divine Office, published by E.J. Dwyer, Sydney, 1974, ISBN 085574233X, page xlvii).
While the Gospel is out, for Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer, there is an option to have another Mass reading in them. In the General Introduction’s section on Morning and Evening prayer, it has that instead of the short reading provided:
“46. A longer scripture reading may be chosen, especially for celebrations with the people. It may be taken from the Office of Readings or from the passage read at Mass, and especially from those texts left unread for various reasons. On occasion, there is no reason why a more suitable reading may not be chosen in accordance with the norms of nn 248-249, 251.” (Divine Office, published by E.J. Dwyer, Sydney, 1974, ISBN 085574233X, page xlii).
