"We cannot defend saying only 'Brothers,' when reading St. Paul at Mass"

[edward_george1]

It’s a greeting that’s not even part of the scripture verses that are part of the reading. I don’t even know why it’s there.

There are occasionally greetings or incipits of this sort added at the beginning of a reading. In the old rite of the Mass, Old Testament readings would begin with “in diebus illis,” or “in those days,” while Gospel readings would begin with “in illo tempore,” or “at that time.” There’s a long custom of doing that. So adding “brethren/brothers and sisters” at the beginning of a reading from one of St Paul’s letters is similar.

 

[Bernadette2]

I totally agree with you! What is written is written.And just leave it.

 

[FiveLinden]

It is easy to see what words means in contemporary English:

“Man is a creature who breastfeeds his babies”.

“My brothers, we have all had the experience of being pregnant”.

 

[Anesti33]

I think we need to translate 2 Cor 13:12 as “Greet one another with a holy head-nod.” (It would’ve been “handshake” before COVID-19 came around.)