USCCB on "Yahweh" in the Lectionary

[japhy]

I emailed the USCCB Committee on Divine Worship about the presence of the name “Yahweh” in the Lectionary (Genesis 22:14 is read two times in the cycle, and Judges 6:24 is read once). Here is the (quick!) response I received:
Mr. Pinyan,

Thank you for your question to the Committee on Divine Worship.

The question of Biblical place names containing the word Yahweh was covered in the most recent issue of the Newsletter. I cite the relevant passage in our article:

“Several readers have posed a question regarding several passages in the Lectionary for Mass which appear to make use of the Divine Name. In three separate instances, the Name ‘Yahweh’ appears as part of a hyphenated construction of the name of a particular place, e.g., ‘Yahweh–yireh’ (Genesis 22:14, Easter Vigil, Second Reading, long form, #41; Thursday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1, #380) or ‘Yahweh–shalom’ (Judges 6:24, Tuesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1, #420). As proper names of places (that do not refer directly to God), changes to these constructions will not be necessary.”

Again, thank you for your question, and for your interest in the liturgical life of our Church.

Sincerely,
[XXX]
Staff Assistant
USCCB Secretariat for Divine Worship
I’m not entirely sure I agree that the names of these places “do not refer directly to God”, but I will accept the USCCB’s decision on this matter (unless, of course, Rome were to say otherwise).

 

[rpp]

Well, they are place names and not the name of God. I do not see the problem with. I mean if Abraham and Gideon gave those names, it is reasonable to expect that their contemporaries used those names when referring to those places. It appears to me that the Secretariat for Divine Worship is correct.

 

[japhy]

Well, they are place names and not the name of God. I do not see the problem with.

My point was that a road named “Scott’s Corner Road” is referring to a Mr. Scott, and a town named “Fredericksville” is referring to a Mr. Frederick, so I would expect a mountain named “Yahweh-yireh” (the LORD will see) is, well, referring to Yahweh.

 

[Brendan]

My point was that a road named “Scott’s Corner Road” is referring to a Mr. Scott, and a town named “Fredericksville” is referring to a Mr. Frederick, so I would expect a mountain named “Yahweh-yireh” (the LORD will see) is, well, referring to Yahweh.

There is an association, but “Fredericsville” and “Mr. Frederic” are two different proper nouns. The refer to two different entities.

 

[rpp]

My point was that a road named “Scott’s Corner Road” is referring to a Mr. Scott, and a town named “Fredericksville” is referring to a Mr. Frederick, so I would expect a mountain named “Yahweh-yireh” (the LORD will see) is, well, referring to Yahweh.

I am with Bendan here. They are two proper noun referring to two different entities. The fact that the Church in her liturgy also seems to hold this position is not something that should be ignored. It seems to take another position is to question the validity of the Church being able to determine what is correct in the Liturgy.

 

[Digitonomy]

I’m not entirely sure I agree that the names of these places “do not refer directly to God”

They obviously do refer to God, but they most directly refer to the place, and more indirectly refer to God.

I have found this sudden interest by the Vatican in the use of Yahweh during mass a bit puzzling after many centuries when it was not an issue. In addition to the official reason that the early Christians would not have pronounced the name, I think there is consideration of Jewish relations with the Church. With that in mind, it makes sense that if Palestinian Jews had a double standard on pronunciation of the word, we should adopt their standard. No reason to reinvent the wheel on what I see as a somewhat arcane issue.

 

[japhy]

Ok, you’ve convinced me.

 

[alih]

the september 2008 edition of the adoremus bulletin deals with this subject in an article captioned “the unpronounceable tetragrammaton is-unpronounceable.” a simple online search may give you the information desired. have a good year. (alih)