Rhys Lowther
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
The word packs quite a punch! My brothers Ezekiel Hangan, Tue Pham and Peter Cay Trinh have just been handed what seems to be the first century equivalent of a heightened explosive! I was just glad I was tucked safely behind a pillar of the Cathedral as our new Lectors knelt before Archbishop Comensoli and were handed the large and heavy book of Holy Writ!
Take this book of Holy Scripture
and be faithful in handing on the word of God,
so that it may grow strong in the hearts of His people. (Roman Pontifical, n. 4.)
What is a Lector?
The office of Lector is the first of two ministries received on a man’s journey towards Holy Orders. The Roman Pontifical explains describes the Lector as special office in assisting the mission of the Church to preach the Gospel to the whole world in service of the Faith that souls may know Christ and attain salvation. Practically this includes proclaiming the word in the sacred liturgy, instructing others in the Faith and sacramental preparation. The challenge of internalising this office is summarised eloquently in the words of the rite itself when the Archbishop exhorts,
In proclaiming God's word to others, accept it yourselves in obedience to the Holy Spirit. Meditate on it constantly, so that each day you will have a deeper love of the Scriptures, and in all you say and do show forth to the world our Saviour, Jesus Christ. (Roman Pontifical, n. 4.)
Reading and Service of Scripture.
His Grace reminded the three men that this ministry is not an honour or badge, but rather a unique service of God’s word for the good of His people. They are ministers of God’s deposit of faith (depositum fidei) vouchsafed in the inspired words of Holy Scripture to be understood in the light of the infallible and constant Tradition of the Church. I also see this as an opportunity to renew my own frequently tepid commitment to delve into the “piercing” mysteries of Scripture through which our Lord wishes to speak to you and I. The Imitation of Christ gives us practical counsel:
TRUTH, not eloquence, is to be sought in reading the Holy Scriptures; and every part must be read in the spirit in which it was written. For in the Scriptures we ought to seek profit rather than polished diction. (Imitation of Christ; Book I, Chapter V)
On the path to Priesthood …
But getting back to my trepidation behind the pillar at St Pat’s! My initial shock seems to intensify as I recall St John’s assertion; “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). God’s revelation is not an abstract set of philosophical sayings, pleasant tales or moral codes, but the fullness of His revelation came to us in a man; Jesus Christ our Lord, who indeed is living and active, piercing the depths of our souls and examining the hidden intents of the heart. It is this Christ in whose Person our brothers are preparing to act and this Christ whom they will make present upon our Altars “to the close of the age” (Matt 28:20). Let us therefore pray that the external rites of a Lector on the journey to Priesthood may renew in Ezekiel, Tue and Cay an ever more enlivened conformity to the Word of God Himself and may Our Lady, Mother of the Word Incarnate, keep them always under her mantle.
Mater Verbi,
Ora pro nobis.