Lectors

Scripture is the living Word of God. This Word took flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. Lectors of St. Matthew Church proclaim the Word of God so that it will continue to take flesh before the Assembly at each and every Mass. Lectors approach this through a loving knowledge of Scripture, prayer for enlightenment and understanding, and submission to God’s graces. They proclaim His Word so that it can be understood and to enhance the spiritual growth of the parish.

The role of the lector is to proclaim the word of God at Mass in the Scripture readings that precede the Gospel reading. The lector may also read the General Intercessions (in the absence of a Deacon) and the Missal antiphons.

Proclaiming Christ: More than Reading Aloud
As the prologue of John’s Gospel reminds us, “In the beginning was the Word." Christ, as the incarnate Word of God, comes to meet us and reveal the hidden realities of the inner divine Life of God. Thus the words that the Word has left us, aglow with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that they may continue to be living words to us even now, must be treated with the respect they deserve and must be communicated in a manner that allows them to enliven the Church to whom the words are proclaimed.

“Lector” may literally be “reader”, but a ministerial lector must not simply read as if for their own edification, but must read so that the Voice of the Lord may be heard in the midst of His Church. This begins with being open spiritually to the gifts God offers and being aware of the great gift of the text placed on the ambo.

The Heart and Voice of a Lector
If lectors do not pray with the text and allow Scripture to soak more deeply into their hearts, they are impeding the work of the Spirit to be heard from their lips. This does not mean a lector reads with self-inspired dramatic tones, but is instead the musical instrument through which the wind of the Spirit blows to allow the intention of God to become known. 

A lector is not simply one who reads a passage out loud in public occasionally but must be someone committed to deepening their knowledge and appreciation of Scripture and has a calling to allowing themselves to live out the mystery of the Gospel more completely in their lives—in a sense, to become the book they proclaim. New lectors are provided with training on the various aspects of the ministry.