As a lector, this is not a stage opportunity to be in the limelight for yourself, but a wonderful opportunity to radiate and shine for God, as His good news bearer.
We can pick up a leaf from Jesus Himself, as written in Luke 4:16-22. As He read the scroll from Isaiah in the synagogue, He proclaimed the word with boldness and conviction, so that everyone’s eyes were fixed on Him, and everyone who heard Him was amazed at the words that came out of His mouth. Remember this as you serve in this ministry.
6 Tips For Lectors
L – Be Loud and clear.
“For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control.” — 2 Timothy 1:7
You are proclaiming God’s word. And these words will bring hope to someone listening to you. It’s not an opportunity to show off how well you can articulate, but an opportunity to share the Good News. Let your light shine through your voice.
E – Be empowered with the Holy Spirit.
“For our gospel did not come to you in word alone, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and [with] much conviction.” —1 Thessalonians 1:5
You are not rattling empty words, and you do not need to do it alone. You are giving hope through the Word of God. Hope is the little light that shines through the darkest valley, and when the Spirit of God anoints you, He will work through you mightily, and the Word of God will touch many hearts.
C – Be confident that the words of Scripture have the power to transform.
“He said to them, ‘Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.'”* — Luke 4:21
Let the Word of God speak to your own heart first. Believe what you proclaim, and allow it to challenge and transform you. Proclaim the Scriptures with the confidence and conviction of Jesus, who said, “Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21). When God’s Word has first taken root in your own heart, your belief in what you proclaim will be evident to those who hear it.
T – Be trustworthy and set an example by the way you live.
“Attend to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in both tasks, for by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.” — 1 Timothy 4:16
Your life is the greatest testimony, so live the word you proclaim and be messengers of God’s love, hope, and power. Strive to live out the commandments, and when you fail, as we all do, make time for Confession.
O – Be overjoyed at the calling given to you.
“I, then, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received.” — Ephesians 4:1
God can use you mightily through this ministry, so orient yourself and be an outlet for His mighty work as He sends you to proclaim the good news. Let your joy be apparent through your tone and your body language.
R – Be responsible.
“He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and he who is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much.” — Luke 16:10
Your responsibility should be reflected in the way you prepare before you proclaim God’s word. You should read and practice at least a few times throughout the week. Take some time to pray with the passages that you will be reading each day. Keep your commitment faithfully by being punctual and showing up when you are scheduled. If you can’t make it, find a sub and let someone know of your absence. Your modest attire speaks about who you represent, so dress with dignity.
“When the Sacred Scriptures are read in the Church, God himself speaks to his people, and Christ, present in his word, proclaims the Gospel. Therefore, the readings from the Word of God are to be listened to reverently by everyone, for they are an element of the greatest importance in the Liturgy. Although in the readings from Sacred Scripture the Word of God is addressed to all people of whatever era and is understandable to them, a fuller understanding and a greater efficaciousness of the word is nevertheless fostered by a living commentary on the word, that is, by the Homily, as part of the liturgical action.“
General Instruction of the Roman Missal [GIRM], no. 29
Mathew 4:16 says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
So, dear lector, will you be willing to let your light shine today?
Books To Help You Understand The Catholic Mass
The Lamb’s Supper: The Mass as Heaven on Earth
A Biblical Walk Through the Mass: Understanding What We Say and Do in the Liturgy
The Liturgical Sense of The Readings at Mass – Year A by David L. Gray
Food for the Soul: Reflections on the Mass Readings (Cycle A) (Food for the Soul Series)
Breaking the Bread: A Biblical Devotional for Catholics Year A
The Word of the Lord: Reflections on the Mass Readings for Solemnities and Feasts
Through the Year with Jesus: Gospel Readings and Reflections for Children
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