Q & A, Quotations from the Lectionary

These excerpts are provided for the enrichment and benefit of our liturgical readers.

Some Questions and Answers in Relation to the General Introduction to the Lectionary and the General Instruction

Where should I be in the procession?
You precede the priest. The reader with the Book of the Gospels is directly before the priest.
How high should I raise the Book of the Gospels?
As high as possible, but the Book of the Gospels is very heavy. Some may have to rest it on their body.
Are we at Little Flower moving toward sitting in the assembly as readers?
Yes. Our ministries all come from ourselves as assembly.
Are we at Little Flower moving toward not having the reader's welcome or announcements?
Yes. You as reader train yourself to proclaim scripture. Over the years, you have been asked to do more... welcome, announcements, intercessions (though these close the Liturgy of the Word). This could change but the assembly's welcome of one another will continue.
How should the Lectionary be held during the reading?
Try not to raise the Lectionary. First, it's heavy; second, if you obscure the flat microphone, you will not be heard well.
What should the reader do about kneeling?
Whatever you wish and can do.
Should the reader use hand gestures?
No.
Should the reader raise the lectionary for "The Word of God"?
This is not necessary.
Should we strive to have a reader proclaim only one reading?
Yes.
Should we strive to accept only one ministry at Mass?
Yes. We build skill at our ministries so we should concentrate on one and do it as well as possible. This increases the need and the desire to invite others to find their ministries in response to our needs as a community.

Quotations from the Introduction to the Lectionary

(Lectionary mandated for use on Ash Wednesday, 2002)

The Word of God constantly proclaimed in the Liturgy is always, then, a living and effective word through the power of the Holy Spirit. #4

The New Testament lies hidden in the Old; the Old Testament comes fully to light in the New. Christ himself is the center and fullness of the whole of scripture, just as he is in the liturgical celebration. Thus the scriptures are the living waters from which all who seek life and salvation must drink. The more profound our understanding of the celebration of the liturgy, the higher our appreciation of the importance of God's word. #5

In the hearing of the word of God the Church is built up and grows, and in the signs of the liturgical celebration God's wonderful, past works in the history of salvation are presented anew as mysterious realities. God in turn makes use of the congregation of the faithful that celebrates the liturgy in order that his word may speed on and be glorified and that his name be exalted among the nations.

Whenever, therefore, the Church, gathered by the Holy Spirit for liturgical celebrations, announces and proclaims the word of God, she is aware of being a new people in whom the covenant made in the past is perfected and fulfilled. Baptism and confirmation in the Spirit have made all Christ's faithful into messengers of God's word because of the grace of hearing they have received. They must therefore be the bearers of the same word in the Church and in the world, at least by the witness of their lives.

The word of God proclaimed in the celebration of God's mysteries does not only address present conditions but looks back to past events and forward to what is yet to come. Thus God's word shows us what we should hope for with such a longing that in this changing world our hearts will be set on the place where our true joys lie. #7

A speaking style on the part of the readers that is audible, clear, and intelligent is the first means of transmitting the word of God properly to the congregation. (The readings can be sung but the singing must bring out the sense of the words not obscure them.)

The liturgy of the word must be celebrated in a way that fosters meditation; clearly, any sort of haste that hinders recollection must be avoided. The dialogue between God and his people taking place through the Holy Spirit demands short intervals of silence, suitable to the assembled congregation, as an opportunity to take the word of God to heart and to prepare a response to it in prayer. #28

The proclamation of the Gospel always stands as the high point of the liturgy of the word. Thus the liturgical tradition of both West and East has consistently made a certain distinction between the books for the readings. The Book of the Gospels was always fabricated and decorated with the utmost care and shown greater respect than any of the other books of readings. (It is not carried out in procession at the end of the liturgy. It stays alive and active in our midst.)