Lector's Notes

Birth of John the Baptist - Vigil Mass, Year C, June 23, 2007

The Church so reveres John the Baptist, last of the prophets, that, when his feast occurs on a Sunday, the feast supercedes the Sunday's readings in the liturgy.

First reading, Jeremiah 1:4-10

A divine vocation is a mysterious thing. The called person needs regular reinforcement, especially when things are not going according to the called one's interpretation of God's plan. Wouldn't you think that if God called you to preach reform to the people, God would make the people willing to reform? Seems logical enough. But, alas, neither the people nor God behave in ways so simply logical. Thus the literature of prophets is full of contention between prophet and people, and full of consolation of the prophet by God. The prophet Jeremiah never held back in describing or complaining about the persecution he suffered. (See Lector's Notes, 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A, for more on this.) Here, in the first sentences of his book, he describes how God called him, bolstered him, and predicted the opposition Jeremiah would endure.

In proclaiming this, note carefully that Jeremiah is relating something God said to him. Before you even speak, pause. Pause longer than you think is necessary. Then say the first sentence solemnly:

The Word of the LORD came to me, saying:

Then begin the actual words God spoke. Read these slowly, even tenderly. You're Jeremiah, crusty, battle-scarred veteran prophet, relating the story of how The Lord God called and forewarned you. For God's words, speak like God spoke, encouraging someone you love dearly, and who dearly needs your encouragement. Where you use bold images ("I set you over nations and over kingdoms, to root up and to tear down, ... to build and to plant,"), speak boldly.

Second Reading, 1 Peter 1:8-12

Here is another take on prophecy. The author begins by acknowledging that his addressees did not have the privilege of knowing the earthly Jesus, but love him and are joyful because of it. Clear enough.

But then follow two rhetorically tortured sentences that will challenge your skills as a public speaker. The author says that the prophets of old struggled with the mystery of the coming Christ, and realized that they were doing so for the benefit of the later generations that would finally come to know Christ. Or, from the opposite point of view, the early Christians would interpret the words of the ancient prophets to make clear Christ's puzzling death and astounding resurrection. So simply stated, that's fairly clear.

However, the two sentences that you have to read aloud have forty-eight words each. You have to break them down for the listeners by your phrasing and by changes of pitch. The verbs governing the first sentence are "searched and investigated." What results from the search and investigation? Something "was revealed," the verb governing the second sentence.

Print out the text of the reading, double-spaced, and mark it up. Enclose logical phrases within nested brackets. Underline and use check marks. Do whatever it takes to make clear to yourself the structure of these sentences. Rehearse before a friend, family member or your parish's coordinator of lectors, until the one listening can "get it" without benefit of a missallette.

What did the author want for his addressees, and what you might hope for yours? I submit that the goal should be a sense of privilege, that people hearing these words feel singled out for a special blessing not enjoyed to other worthy creatures. Two clues support this: The ancient prophets who learned in advance about Christ did so in order that their prophecies would later bolster our faith. And even angels have longed to hear the good news we have heard.


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Last modified: Mon Jun 11 21:09:20 CDT 2007