Reading for the

LORDLECTORATE

Lectorate, A Prophetic Ministry

Lectorate is probably the most SACRED and PROPHETIC.

It NOT just a ceremonial ministry. It is FOR REAL

The Lector READS the scripture and says, “The Word of the Lord”

The Risen Christ is really present in His Living Word .

God is PRESENT through YOU, is something not to be taken lightly.

This is ministry of Christ’s real presence and divine revelation.

It is prophetic privilege, serious responsibility and a great honor.

We need not take LECTORATE for granted.

Lectorate, A Prophetic Ministry

LECTORATE MINISTRY

LECTORATE is an official ministry of the WORD.

Ministry=Latin ministerium=service Lectorate is a loving service to God,

His Word and His People. To be a Lector is to be a SERVANT

To forget one’s self and be available at the disposal of the Master. (Matthew 16:24)

The Lector is called to follow Jesus, to be with Jesus. To be JESUS to others, to share his life and love, his mind and mission on Earth.

Come after me and I will make you Fishers of Men. (Mt. 4:19)

As the Father has sent me, so I send you. (Jn 20:21) All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Go, therefore and make disciples of all nations (Mt 28:18-19)

Reading in the liturgy gives the lector a chance to fulfill her/his prophetic role as a disciple of Christ.

LECTORATE MINISTRY

Sharing the Life of the Church As a Lector s/he are participators in the

function of Christ. The Laity participate because they belong to

the community and share the life and ministry of the Church.

They are NOT passive spectators or invited guests or visiting performers.

The faithful should take part FULLY AWARE of what they are doing, actively engaged in the rite and enriched by it.

ALL should be led to the fully conscious and active participation in the liturgical celebrations.

LECTORATE MINISTRY

LECTORS have a SPECIAL ROLE They are tasked “to proclaim the Word of

God” They are tasked “to read the reading from

the lectern” Recite the readings and psalm Present the intentions for the general

intercessions Direct the singing and the participation of the

faithful They make God present among his people

through his LIVING WORD. Their JOB is indeed most PROPHETIC,

PRIESTLY, and ROYAL

LECTORATE MINISTRY

To be a READER is an honor, a privilege, a gift to be proven and developed, not presumed.

S/He should carefully examine himself/herself. If you qualify:

Thank God with Humility, Generosity and Love Offer yourself at His disposal

Remember…. Lectorate is an official Ministry Recognized Authorized Performed in the name of God, the Church and the

Community It is an exercise of authority, a form of leadership.

LECTORATE MINISTRY

The Reader must therefore be: A good, practicing Catholic Lay person Humble, edifying, responsible and mature. S/He is part of the living message.

Remember:Her/His life and testimony can help or hinder

the proclamation and reception of the Word.S/he is the Principal Witness of the Word s/he

proclaims. S/he must be concerned with how the message is received.

LECTORATE MINISTRY

The lector’s job is NOT to read aloud like reading some report BUT to make God present to his people in a special way, to proclaim and deliver to his people God’s living Word, his love and concern.

The Mass is a double communion with Christ Through the Word Through the Sacrament

The Lector facilitates this very personal and intimate encounter, this important communion of the community with Christ.

The Lector is asked to read as a minister of the community and as a disciple of the Lord who understands the thoughts and feelings of His Master.

When the Lector reads, Christ himself is talking to his people…Whoever listens to you, listens to me

Luke 10:16

LECTORATE MINISTRY

In the Liturgy, the Holy Scripture is of “Extreme Importance”. People hunger for the Word of God. His Word is rich in wisdom, dynamic and effective. It has its own power to move hearts, if only it could be proclaimed and heard intelligently.

Every Liturgical celebration, because it is an action of Christ as the priest and his body, which is the Church,is a sacred action surpassing all others.

The Liturgy is the summit towards the activity of the Church is directed. It is the fount from which all her powers flows.

It is the primary and indispensable source from which the faithful are to derive true Christian Spirit.

Importance of the LECTORATE MINISTRY

When GOD speaks, MAN has to listen carefully, to respond with love and to obey.

To do otherwise would be an INSULT, a SIN.Therefore, God’s message should be:

delivered clearly convincingly; with faith and conviction With respect and reverence it deserves With love and compassion of a Good Shepherd

When a Lector or Reader takes the trouble to prepare carefully and does her/his job well, the Word of God is proclaimed effectively. People listen attentively and are spiritually enriched, inspired to thank the Lord and moved to obey and commit themselves to him evermore generously.

Importance of the LECTORATE MINISTRY

Public Communication Diction Accent Pronunciation

Readers need to PRACTICE Art of Oral Interpretation

DIFFICULTIES IN PROCLAIMING THE WORD

Sense of Discipleship, Strong Prayer Life

Loving Service Love of the Word of God Love for the LITURGY Love for the Church, the People of

God Good Communicator

QUALIFICATIONS OF A GOOD LECTOR

Bible Lectionary Missal Common Library Good Public Address System Lectorate Group must conduct Bible classes,

recollections, seminars on the Church, liturgy, ministry, the Bible, Communication Arts

TOOLS of the LECTORATE MINISTRY

PRAYER STUDY

Background Literary Form Aesthetic Quality Intellectual Content Emotional Tone Personal Insights

INTERNALIZATION PRACTICE PROFESSIONALISM COORDINATION

PREPARATIONS of the LECTORATE MINISTRY

DELIVERY: Proclamation not SOLILIQUY PACING: Speak deliberately and distinctly without

eating the words, dropping the last consonants, slower than private conversation

PAUSING EMPHASIS DRAMATIZING CHECKING

DELIVERY

DISTRACTIONS EXAGGERATIONS FUMBLING GESTURES MISTAKES

PITFALLS

Did the reader’s personality exude trust, respect, warmth, sincerity, enthusiasm, love for the Word of God and people? Or was s/he aloof, indifferent, detached, careless, overbearing, insecure?

Did s/he appear prepared? How was her/his pronunciation, delivery, oral

interpretation? Does he have a gift of lectorate? Or s/he be better

off in another ministry? PARISH EVALUATION

EVALUATION

CONCLUSION Isaiah 42: 1-9 The Servant of the LORD 42 “Here is my servant, whom I uphold,  my chosen one in whom I delight;

I will put my Spirit on him,    and he will bring justice to the nations. 2 He will not shout or cry out,     or raise his voice in the streets.3 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; 4 he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his teaching the islands will put their hope.” 5 This is what God the LORD says— the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out,    who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: 6 “I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, 7 to open eyes that are blind,  to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. 8 “I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols. 9 See, the former things have taken place,    and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.”

Thank you for listening

The End