CONFESSIONS OF A LECTOR: #2

"It is easier to personalize some lessons over others. I can so much more imagine the role of St. Paul than that of the prophets. He is very relevant to me. His conversion and mission to speak and write to the various cultures of his time are like a parable about my own journey as a lector. Your might say he is my personal "patron saint" of lectors. He also reminds me of one of our responsibilities as Christians - this is where the job gets harder. When I lector, it is tempting to gaze out at the congregation as a whole, as if we are all one anonymous person. I can go through the motions, proclaim the Word, then go home and return to my routine. Over breakfast, the words still run through my head, without the pressure of speaking before the congregation. But no! The challenge has just begun: I must apply the readings to my life at home and at work!

Is this what I agreed to when I first volunteered as a lector? Can I imagine speaking to my family as St. Paul spoke to the Romans? When I report back to my colleagues at work, can I adopt the behavior of forgiveness and compassion that these lessons teach is? No matter how long I serve as lector, my "term" in proclaiming the Word is never up! I am enriched by the lessons I have proclaimed. My confidence grows as I realize my role - our roles - as perpetuating the faith that countless others have proclaimed through the ages. I want to learn more!"

Kathleen points out some important implications of doing this specific Christian ministry.

First, she indicates her kinship with Saint Paul. Paul's vocation was to bring Jesus Christ, the good news, to the various cultures of the Mediterranean. Paul proclaimed his word to Greek-speaking Jewish communities and to people belonging to other religious movements in the Roman world. His task was one of translation. How does the Word address the culture and the world in which one lives?

Second, she says that Paul's mission is a parable of her own journey as a lector. Kathleen could consign the ministry to the Church building. Proclaiming the Word is a task for the assembly. It inspires, edifies, and sanctifies in worship. We are tempted to keep the Word tamed in church. The temptation is to go home and return to one's routine.

But that is not what the Word does. It is a two-edged sword. It cuts to our marrow. It spills over onto our breakfast; it runs around in our head. It somehow challenges us. Kathleen says, "I must apply the readings to my life at home and at work."

Third, Kathleen states that she did not bargain for this. Fair enough. Proclaiming the Word in worship connects us with the mission and purpose of Christ in the world. Can anyone of us "adopt the behavior of forgiveness and compassion that these lessons teach us? No matter how long I serve as lector, my 'term' in proclaiming the Word is never up! I am enriched by the lessons I have proclaimed."

Thank you, Kathleen Blanchard, for powerful testimony!