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MARCH 2010
LECTORS
Hi, I am Vice
President of Altar Society in our church Holy Rosary Parish, Freshwater,
NL. I am a very active in doing church duties. One thing I have noticed
several times now in our nearby church is that one Lector does the two
readings and also the petitions. It has been my understanding that the
readings from the Old Testament and New Testament are to be proclaimed
by different readers with dignity and clarity. I think somewhere along
the way I have read that from The General Introduction to the Roman
Missal. Can you help me with this or give me some insight to if I'm
right or wrong on it. Thanks, Margaret
Dear Margaret, in our parish Sunday liturgy we generally have two
lectors, one to proclaim the first reading and another to proclaim the
second reading. We also have a cantor to sing the psalm, and a different
person to read the General Intercessions. However, this may not be
possible in all circumstances. I checked the GIRM document (General
Introduction to the Roman Missal) and found nothing about the number of
readers. Perhaps this is dictated somewhere else. Here is what I found
(read "he or she" where it says "he"):
* By tradition, the office of reading the Scriptures is a ministerial,
not a presidential function. The readings should be delivered by a
lector, the Gospel being proclaimed by the deacon or by a priest other
than the celebrant. If, however, a deacon or other priest is not
present, the priest celebrant proclaims the Gospel. Further, if a
suitable lector is not present, then the priest celebrant also delivers
the other readings. After each reading, whoever does the reading
proclaims the acclamation. Responding to it, the gathered people honor
the word of God which they have received with faith and grateful hearts
(59).
* The lector is instituted to proclaim the readings from Sacred
Scripture, with the exception of the gospel reading. He may also
announce the intentions for the General Intercessions and, in the
absence of the psalmist, sing or read the psalm between the readings. In
the celebration of the Eucharist, the lector has specific duties which
he alone ought to perform, even though ordained ministers may be present
(99).
* In the absence of an instituted lector, other lay people may be
designated to proclaim the readings from the Sacred Scriptures. Such
designated lectors must be truly qualified and carefully prepared for
this office, so that the faithful will develop a warm and lively love
for Sacred Scripture from listening to the reading from the sacred texts
(101).
I hope this is a help to you. Kay
WHAT DOES THE WORD "PREFIGUREMENT"
MEAN?
When Catholics
talk about prefigurement what does that mean? Lori
Dear Lori, A prefigurement is a phenomenon that serves as a sign or
warning of some future good or evil: forerunner, omen, portent, presage,
sign. For example: Moses foreshadows Christ. Both did the work of
prophets, priests, and kings -- the three most important positions of
authority in the ancient world. Both brought their people from slavery
to freedom and the Promised Land. The bronze serpent Moses lifted up in
the desert prefigures Christ's saving death on the cross (Numbers 21:9;
John 3:14). Jeremiah prefigures Christ in his sufferings. Jonah's three
days in the belly of the whale prefigure Christ's body in the tomb
(Jonah 1:17; Luke 11:29-30). I hope these examples are a help to you in
understanding the meaning of prefigurement. Thank you, Kay
SCRIPTURE AND
LITURGY
Could you tell me
– is all of the Catholic Bible read throughout the Cycles (A, B, C)? Is
it all or part of the Old Testament or all or part of the New Testament?
I know our readings are usually 1st from the Old, 2nd from the New and
the Psalms – responsorial. I have been studying Scripture and have found
so much that I have never heard before and I am a 56 year old cradle
Catholic. I understand that the daily Liturgy would cover some of it –
but is it really all covered? Thanks for your response! Debbie, Dayton,
Ohio
Dear Debbie, I'm glad you are reading and growing in your Catholic
Faith. Here is an article from the United States Catholic Conference of
Bishops (USCCB) that might answer your questions.
The Lectionary is arranged in two cycles, one for Sundays and one for
weekdays.
The Sunday cycle is divided into three years, labeled A, B, and C. 2008
was Year A. 2009 was Year B, 2010 is Year C, etc. In Year A, we read
mostly from the Gospel of Matthew. In Year B, we read the Gospel of Mark
and chapter 6 of the Gospel of John. In Year C, we read the Gospel of
Luke. The Gospel of John is read during the Easter season in all three
years. The first reading, usually from the Old Testament, reflects
important themes from the Gospel reading. The second reading is usually
from one of the epistles, a letter written to an early church community.
These letters are read semi-continuously. Each Sunday, we pick up close
to where we left off the Sunday before, though some passages are never
read.
The weekday cycle is divided into two years, Year I and Year II. Year I
is read in odd-numbered years (2009, 2011, etc.) and Year II is used in
even-numbered years (2010, 2012, etc.) The Gospels for both years are
the same. During the year, the Gospels are read semi-continuously,
beginning with Mark, then moving on to Matthew and Luke. The Gospel of
John is read during the Easter season. For Advent, Christmas, and Lent,
readings are chosen that are appropriate to the season. The first
reading on weekdays may be taken from the Old or the New Testament.
Typically, a single book is read semi-continuously (i.e., some passages
are not read) until it is finished and then a new book is started.
The year of the cycle does not change on January 1st, but on the 1st
Sunday of Advent (usually late November) which is the beginning of the
liturgical year. The liturgical year 2010 began on November 29, 2009,
and ends on November 27, 2010.
In addition to the Sunday and weekday cycles, the Lectionary provides
readings for feasts of the saints, for common celebrations such as
Marian feasts, for ritual Masses (weddings, funerals, etc.), for votive
Masses, and for various needs. These readings have been selected to
reflect the themes of these celebrations.
I hope this article was helpful. Let me know if you have further
questions. Blessings on your Lenten journey of dying and rising with
Christ. Kay
FEBRUARY 2010
STUDY ON WOMEN IN
THE BIBLE
Dear Kay Murdy, I
am presently enrolled in the Certificate of Pastoral Ministry Program at
St. Peter's Seminary in London, Ontario. Part of our formation is
developing a project/program. I have always been very moved by the women
of the Bible. I am to present my outline for my project on March 20. I
have sought out several sources
for their input on this, and it's all very positive. I am turning to
you, to ask for direction. I would like to offer a four week course on
Women of the Bible, how they empower us. Are there any resources that I
should consider ? Also, what are your thoughts on a course such as this.
I read your insights to the readings and use them in our RCIA classes,
Confirmation Classes and also the papers that I write for my classes.
Thank you for the website that you offer. Peace, Betty, Immaculate Heart
Parish, Ontario
Dear Betty, I think your project on Women of the Bible is a wonderful
idea. You might want to consider Deborah, Ruth, Esther, Judith in the
Old Testament and Martha and Mary, Mary Magdala and Mary of Nazareth, as
well as Paul's "co-workers" in the New Testament (see list in Romans
16). For further discussion on the social, cultural and historical
context of women in biblical times see Meyers, "Everyday Life: Women in
the Period of the Hebrew Bible." Wordelman, "Everyday Life: Women in the
Period of the New Testament" in The Women’s Bible Commentary, Expanded
Edition, with Apocrypha. Edited by Carol A. Newsom and Sharon H. Ringe.
Louisville, KY: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1998. Thank you for your
kind words regarding my web site. I hope they will continue to be a help
to you. Good luck to you. Blessings, Kay Murdy
JANUARY 2010
DAILY WORD OF
LIFE
Hi Sis Kay, I am
Bro Bobot here in Phils and your daily reflection had helped me in walk
with the Lord. Am also sharing your reflections to my facebook friends.
May God bless you more with healthy, blessed years. GOD BLESS! Bro Bobot
Dear Bro Bobot, thank you for your kind words. I pray that my
reflections will continue to be a blessing for God's people. Thank you,
Kay
BIBLE STUDY
Dear Kay, I am 55
years old and divorced. I am at a crossroads in my life. I got online
because I just heard last night that I was going to be furloughed. I
have always wanted to do a bible study and have not had the time. I
found your site and I love it!!!!! I was sad but reading Psalm 23 three
times has given me the comfort again that it is in God's hand. Never
done a bible study so I have no idea where to start. Can you guide me?
Thank you and have a blessed year! Suzi
Dear Suzi, I know that the Lord is leading you on a path that he wants
you to follow. Trust in his guidance. I'm glad that my web site was
helpful to you. I have a Home Bible Study course that you can use if you
wish. You can find it at:
http://www.daily-word-of-life.com/bible_study.htm. Start at the
first page and continue on as suggested. I hope it is a blessing to you.
Kay
REAL PRESENCE
Many
ministers lead the church according to their best ideas, which sound
pretty nice to the natural ear, but some of them are against the mind of
Christ. Such is the case of churches that want to build a tabernacle of
worship for the glory of God, which is a proof that they do not have the
mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16 ). It is impossible that the Holy
Spirit inspires you to do something contrary to Jesus (John 4:22-24).
Ramon
Dear Ramon, in the Old Covenant, the tabernacle was placed in the Holy
Place in the Temple. It contained the tablets of the Law among other
sacred relics. After the Temple was destroyed and rebuilt after the
exile, the tabernacle was empty. But it was always a special sign of the
presence, or the Shekinah glory of the Lord. Since early Christians were
mostly Jews by birth, much of our sacred symbols are based on Jewish
worship -- the altar, the candles, the tabernacle, etc. As Catholics we
believe Christ's real presence is in the precious bread reserved in the
tabernacle. "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever
eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for
the life of the world is my flesh." (John 6:51). Pray to the Holy Spirit
to reveal this great mystery to you. Blessings of Christ, Kay
DAILY GOSPEL
RESOURCES
My dad is 84 and
Catholic. I am searching for a way to help him grow in his faith. When
he visits, I print the daily Gospel readings with meditations and put
them on the counter for him to read during breakfast. Is there a small
booklet that I could buy for him that is geared toward older adults that
have the Daily Gospel reading from the Bible, meditation questions, and
a prayer? Thank you for your assistance, His Daughter, Dee
Dear Dee, you are a loving daughter to be concerned about your father's
spiritual well being. Are the meditations you print from my web site? If
not, you might check these out for your father. I have a new book for
the Season of Lent -- "A Closer Walk with Jesus" that has one page
reflections on the readings of the daily liturgy with questions and
prayer starters. It is $10.00. You can purchase it from my publisher:
Resource Publications
http://www.rpinet.com/
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