Introduction of the Readings?

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Sanctus

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Just recently in the Parish I attend when I go to see my family I noticed they started introducing the readings. Before the first and second reading they’ll read a little story/explination about the reading and it’s meaning. Has anyone else seen or heard of this? Is it correct?
 
I am a Minister of the Word at my parish…and usually (not all the time), whilst the reader is walking to the ambo to read the first reading, the priest will explain a tiny bit about what the reading is about, before the MoW begins to read, the same is usually done with the second one!

I think it’s good…sometimes not everyone will understand the reading and to have a little explanation of it before it is read allows people to understand it better.

As for MoW, when we are sent out our rotas for when we are reading, we are also sent a ‘readers guide’, which explains in one or two paragraphs what the reading are for say the next three months ( that’s the rota period). Our PP believes that this will help us to better understand what we are reading etc and I must say it works!
 
our pastor prints cards/sheets that we get as we walk in the door, one side is explinations of the readings and the other is the order of mass and which hymns we will be singing that sunday.
 
It is an allowed practice. And it is for that very purpose of helping the people arrive at a deeper reflection of the words being spoken to them.
 
I think it should be done in every parish.

Before our current priest arrived (and made it the norm) and before I became a Mow, if often found myself reading along and not quite sure what it was about.

Being able to understand the readings should help one meditate upon it!
 
Is this not what the Homily is for though? To explain the readings and relate them to today and to expound on other Church issues?
 
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Sanctus:
Is this not what the Homily is for though? To explain the readings and relate them to today and to expound on other Church issues?
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Yes, absolutely. However, a short explanation before the reading can have the effect of causing people to pay closer attention to the reading. It works that way for me, although I don’t see this happen very often. But when it does, I appreciate the “heads up” about the readings.
 
Fr Mitchel’s scripture explinations are historical context not homiletic application.
 
One of our priests will do this fairly often. He usually gives us some history about the writer or the period of time in which the writing took place. He’s well-versed in bible history so it’s very helpful and I think helps everyone pay closer attention to the readings - some of them are hard to understand if you don’t know the context.
 
Some good points. The readings are better understood if you get a little background. For instance, what is going on before and after the reading for a particular Sunday. Wouldn’t it be great if all the faithful spent a little time before Sunday Mass to study the readings. Am I a dreamer or what?
 
You know, its funny because I just heard that for the first time on Sunday. I DOES help you pay attention to the reading. Now, I do usually review the readings before going to mass, but I’m not always sure of the theme, or what the purposes of a series of reading are (for example, the current section of Romans).

Its a GREAT idea!

Cheers. :twocents:
 
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