Sunday Mass Readings

[jundags]

The Catholic church where I and my family belong does not read the Sunday’s second mass reading. I am concerned because in most churches that I’ve been to, they always read the second reading. Even the bible reading guide and the devotional that I am using always have second readings on Sundays. This lead me to ask: Is the Sunday’s second reading merely optional? Does the Church give prerogative to parishes to decide whether to read or not the Sunday’s second reading? Should I call the attention of the Parish priest and the readers? I am confused. Thank you very much and God bless you all.

 

[SHJ-BVM]

Jundags,

I hope someone more knowlegeable than I also answers, but in short, if the second reading is being omitted it is an abuse.

The rubrics of the (Sunday) mass specifically includes the second reading. It goes hand in hand with the first reading (Old Testament) and compliments the Gospel reading. The rubrics are not to be changed or altered. Also from Canon Law:

Can. 846 §1 The liturgical books, approved by the competent authority, are to be faithfully followed in the celebration of the sacraments. Accordingly, no one may on a personal initiative add to or omit or alter anything in those books. (epmhasis mine)

The Lectionary is the approved liturgical book for Sunday Mass and contains the second reading. It seems to me that to omit it would be breaking Canon Law 846.

As I said, I hope someone else, more knowledgeable than myself, can confirm what I have posted.

 

[puzzleannie]

there is no option to skip any of the readings. the responsorial psalm may be one of the seasonal psalms suggested, rather than the one for Sunday, and the readings for year A may be used during Lent for RCIA in other years. There may also be substitutionsfor the given Sunday readings if a Solemnity falls on a Sunday. but there is never an option to skip a reading, or to truncate it (beyond the permissions given for longer readings) or to change the wording to make it “gender inclusive” or politically correct. Also the Easter Vigil has 9 OT readings, but if the 3 essential readings are kept the others are optional ( which is sad because they give the entire salvation history and are powerful catechesis).

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

jundags:

The Catholic church where I and my family belong does not read the Sunday’s second mass reading. I am concerned because in most churches that I’ve been to, they always read the second reading. Even the bible reading guide and the devotional that I am using always have second readings on Sundays. This lead me to ask: Is the Sunday’s second reading merely optional? Does the Church give prerogative to parishes to decide whether to read or not the Sunday’s second reading? Should I call the attention of the Parish priest and the readers? I am confused. Thank you very much and God bless you all.

Sunday always has 3 (or 4 if you include the Psalm) readings, it’s not optional. Bring this to the pastors attention today!