And now we’re ready to jump right into reading, right? Well, if the answer was “yes,” I probably wouldn’t have asked that in such a sarcastic tone, would I? Just like we did before we said the Collect at the end of the Introductory Rites, it’s important for us, before we begin the selected Biblical readings, to take a moment of silence and remind ourselves that we’re in the presence of God and that we need to give Him and His Word our full attention. I’m not talking about 5 minutes or anything…just 5-10 seconds where people can gather their thoughts and focus on what’s happening.
Proclaiming the readings is a “ministerial” function and not a “presidential” function (referring to the priest who “presides” over the Mass…not the President of the United States), and as such is to be done by an instituted lector (from the Latin legere, meaning “to read”) who has been commissioned to read the Sacred Scriptures at Mass, with the exception of the Gospel, which is to be proclaimed by a deacon. However, since most church parishes won’t have a formally instituted lector, the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (the general guide for how Mass should be celebrated, abbreviated GIRM) says that in the absence of a lector, other laypersons (people who are not bishops, priests, or deacons) may be commissioned to proclaim the readings. Let’s be clear, though, that the GIRM points out (taking its cue from the writings of the Second Vatican Council’s Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy) that the people proclaiming the readings “should be truly suited to perform this function and should receive careful preparation, so that the faithful by listening to the readings from the sacred texts may develop in their hearts a warm and living love for Sacred Scripture.” In plain English, this means that although some people may WANT to proclaim the readings at Mass, it isn’t necessarily a great idea to just let ANYONE read just because they WANT to. The readings should be “PROCLAIMED” and not simply rattled off in a monotone voice with no inflection or passion for the true message behind the text. Besides the emphatic element to reading, the person should, on a very basic level, be able to actually READ the words in the readings. If someone does not have a firm grasp of the language being spoken at the Mass, the readings can be a very frustrating and distracting time for the congregation who is probably having a hard time following along because of all the little kids crying and dropping their toys and cups on the floor, and saying, “I want some Cheerios!” and, “Dad, I have to go potty!” (Don’t worry, I’m not fussing anyone…these are the things my own kids do at least twice each before we even get to sit down at this point in the Mass.) If there is absolutely no suitable reader in the entire congregation, a deacon may proclaim the readings, and if there is no deacon, then it goes to a priest other than the principal celebrant. If there is only one priest, the responsibility ultimately falls to him.
So now that we have someone well-suited to proclaim these readings, they make their way up to the Ambo. The lector reads the First Reading, which is taken from the Old Testament, but not from the Book of Psalms. At the end of the reading, the lector will say, “The Word of the Lord,” to which the congregation responds, “Thanks be to God.”
After the First Reading comes the Responsorial Psalm. The Responsorial Psalm is taken from the Book of Psalms, and is meant to foster meditation on the Word of God. The Psalm should connect to each reading, and should be taken from the Lectionary. The Responsorial Psalm consists of a repeated antiphon (the “response” portion) and a few verses that accompany it. It should be completely sung by a cantor/psalmist (person who leads the congregation/choir in singing) from the ambo, or another suitable place (preferably not from the choir area if the only justification is that it’s just “easier” to do it from there). If there is no suitable cantor to sing the verses, the people’s response should be led in song by the choir or cantor, with the verses being spoken. If there is no suitable musician at all, then the entire Responsorial Psalm may be recited. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has determined that in dioceses of the United States, it is acceptable to substitute the pre-determined Responsorial Psalm for that day’s Mass with one of two alternatives: (1) the proper or seasonal antiphon and Psalm from the Lectionary, or (2) an antiphon and Psalm from another collection set to music, provided it has been approved by the USCCB. To be even clearer, the GIRM says, “Songs and hymns may not be used in place of the responsorial Psalm.” It doesn’t matter how beautiful the new Casting Crowns or MercyMe song is, or how much you think it relates to the readings, THIS is not its place. The responsorial Psalm is a time for a PSALM (it’s right there in the name). There are plenty of other opportunities, both Liturgical and non-Liturgical, when other songs and hymns can be used. Just don’t mess with the Psalms.
After the Responsorial Psalm, comes the Second Reading, which comes from the Acts of the Apostles, the New Testament Letters, or the Revelation to John. The Second Reading connects to the First Reading, with a central theme that is highlighted in the responsorial Psalm. The Second Reading is also read by a Lector, and ends with the same formula of the Lector saying, “The Word of the Lord,” and the people responding, “Thanks be to God.”
No comments:
Post a Comment