C
Charlie_C
Guest
Part 1 of 2
The lector (reading) ministry seems to be the most universally neglected element in Sunday Liturgies. Authenticity in meaning and verbal interpretation of the Word is necessary to inspire and enlighten the People of God. “Just as the eucharistic bread is broken that it might be shared and so nourish those who receive it, so too, the bread of God’s Word must be broken for the gathered community that it might share and be nourished by the living Word of God.” (General Instruction of the Roman Missal #41).
In the many parishes I’ve visited here and abroad, most readings are delivered passively, without enthusiasm, feelings or meaning in the words and phrases that are “proclaimed.” Readings in the Liturgy of the Word are critical in the celebration of the Eucharist, because, 1) a great number of parishioners do not, or rarely, read the Bible at home; this is their only exposure to God’s Word. 2) Since the* homily* is based upon one of the readings, if the lector’s reading is inadequate, the people won’t remember or be able to see the relationship to the homily.
The lector’s responsibility is to provide spiritual nourishment to the faithful. That obligation goes beyond reading Scripture at the reading stand (ambo). Most of the lector’s time should be spent in spiritual preparation and technical practice. One cannot faithfully present a message without having understood that message. The untrained, typical, lector reads a series of emotionless words like a vocabulary list, which is unacceptable. The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy #29 says, *". . .readers . . . must be trained to perform their function in a correct and orderly manner."
*Spiritual preparation is of major importance, as stated in the Lectionary for Mass Introduction #55. “*The spiritual preparation presupposes at least a biblical and liturgical formation. The purpose of their biblical formation is to give readers the ability to understand the readings in context and to perceive by the light of faith the central point of the revealed message.”
*Unless the lector comprehends the essence of the reading to be proclaimed, the words themselves, however well-pronounced, even with a sexy voice, will have no genuine life or depth of meaning for the lector or for the people in the assembly. For help in understanding certain passages there is the Concordance or other publications such as offered by the Paulist Press. When some passages are difficult to grasp, to get the general sense of the reading assignment, you can also privately read the unclear passages in various other Bible versions such as the Jerusalem Bible, New Standard, Living Bible, and so on, although at the liturgy you will still read the words from the current approved Catholic Church version. Also, when in doubt or baffled by a specific reading, check with someone knowledgeable, such as a deacon or priest.
Before one joins the lector (reader) ministry to read to the People of God, several vital questions must be answered. Am I willing to make a commitment to the ministry? Do I feel it is a “calling” to serve, rather than a desire to be noticed, for “glory and honors?” Have I sincerely reflected on and prayed about it? Have others encouraged me to become a reader because they discerned that ministerial gift in me? Can I make time for critical, required preparation which includes Bible study, meetings, practice, workshops, and so on, without hardship to family or other responsibilities?
In Corinthians 12:4 we read, “There are different gifts but the same spirit, there are different ministries but the same Lord.” Do you have the gift to serve others with proclamation skills that include good speech, voice and demeanor as well as control of self-consciousness to “feed and nourish” the people with the Word of God?
The lector (reading) ministry seems to be the most universally neglected element in Sunday Liturgies. Authenticity in meaning and verbal interpretation of the Word is necessary to inspire and enlighten the People of God. “Just as the eucharistic bread is broken that it might be shared and so nourish those who receive it, so too, the bread of God’s Word must be broken for the gathered community that it might share and be nourished by the living Word of God.” (General Instruction of the Roman Missal #41).
In the many parishes I’ve visited here and abroad, most readings are delivered passively, without enthusiasm, feelings or meaning in the words and phrases that are “proclaimed.” Readings in the Liturgy of the Word are critical in the celebration of the Eucharist, because, 1) a great number of parishioners do not, or rarely, read the Bible at home; this is their only exposure to God’s Word. 2) Since the* homily* is based upon one of the readings, if the lector’s reading is inadequate, the people won’t remember or be able to see the relationship to the homily.
The lector’s responsibility is to provide spiritual nourishment to the faithful. That obligation goes beyond reading Scripture at the reading stand (ambo). Most of the lector’s time should be spent in spiritual preparation and technical practice. One cannot faithfully present a message without having understood that message. The untrained, typical, lector reads a series of emotionless words like a vocabulary list, which is unacceptable. The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy #29 says, *". . .readers . . . must be trained to perform their function in a correct and orderly manner."
*Spiritual preparation is of major importance, as stated in the Lectionary for Mass Introduction #55. “*The spiritual preparation presupposes at least a biblical and liturgical formation. The purpose of their biblical formation is to give readers the ability to understand the readings in context and to perceive by the light of faith the central point of the revealed message.”
*Unless the lector comprehends the essence of the reading to be proclaimed, the words themselves, however well-pronounced, even with a sexy voice, will have no genuine life or depth of meaning for the lector or for the people in the assembly. For help in understanding certain passages there is the Concordance or other publications such as offered by the Paulist Press. When some passages are difficult to grasp, to get the general sense of the reading assignment, you can also privately read the unclear passages in various other Bible versions such as the Jerusalem Bible, New Standard, Living Bible, and so on, although at the liturgy you will still read the words from the current approved Catholic Church version. Also, when in doubt or baffled by a specific reading, check with someone knowledgeable, such as a deacon or priest.
Before one joins the lector (reader) ministry to read to the People of God, several vital questions must be answered. Am I willing to make a commitment to the ministry? Do I feel it is a “calling” to serve, rather than a desire to be noticed, for “glory and honors?” Have I sincerely reflected on and prayed about it? Have others encouraged me to become a reader because they discerned that ministerial gift in me? Can I make time for critical, required preparation which includes Bible study, meetings, practice, workshops, and so on, without hardship to family or other responsibilities?
In Corinthians 12:4 we read, “There are different gifts but the same spirit, there are different ministries but the same Lord.” Do you have the gift to serve others with proclamation skills that include good speech, voice and demeanor as well as control of self-consciousness to “feed and nourish” the people with the Word of God?
