INTRODUCTION
The imperative of the Ministry of Lector cannot be over-emphasized in the life of the Church. This is affirmed on the back drop of this fact that, through the Lector, the word of God which is Christ himself (John 1:14) proceeds from his mouth in the liturgical celebration. Hence, it is a much esteemed privilege to be called to the Sacred duty of proclaiming the word of God at the Eucharistic and Sacred celebrations.
The efficacy of our call to the Sacred Ministry of proclaiming the word as contained in the Scriptures cannot be arbitrarily divorced from the life of the reader himself/herself. Hence, the tenet of the word proclaimed must mirror the personal life of the proclaimer (Lector). Meanwhile, Christ the word made flesh is, and should be our primus mentor. After which we can bring to fore our wise and Holy leaders (Saints), in reflecting on their lives and imitating their faith. (Hebrew 13:17). Thus, this passage of the scripture offers a veritable ground for us to have St. John the Evangelist as our role model as Lectors.
WHO IS A LECTOR?
It is apt to remind ourselves again of whom we are and what responsibility is demanded of us as lectors. In a common language, a lector is someone who takes the readings at the liturgical celebrations. However, that does not ensumes or captures totally who a lector is. Lector is a ministry in the life of the Church, in which one after acquiring an adequate knowledge of the word and Sacrament in conjunction with reading finesse can be installed officially as a lector. Hence, he can take the scriptural readings at the liturgical celebration.
Traditionally, the ministry of lector was one of the orders that must be received or conferred only on those preparing for ordination to the Priesthood. Until 15th of August, 1972, owing to the emergence of the apostolic letter by Pope Paul VI, “certain ministries in life of the Church” (Ministerial Quaedam), the minor orders were then changed to ministries. Thus, this fundamental document brought a workable reformation to those who can be administered some certain miniseries in the church. Meanwhile, some minor changes surfaced in the church’s ministries includes;
First, the ministry is no longer reserved for candidates to the Priesthood, but entire faithful who have the zeal and mien.
Second, reader is assigned for the function proper to him; he is also to take the psalm if the psalmist is not available.
Third, he/she is to prepare faithful for worthy of reception of sacrament.
Forth, he/she is to train and bring up faithful by appointment on a temporal basis to read when necessary. He/she is to present the intentions for the general intercessions in the absence of a deacon or cantor; he is to direct the singing and the participation by the faithful
Fifth, Lector (instituted) may wear Alb with Cincture for the liturgical celebration or only Alb if no need of Cincture. Cassock is also allowed to be worn be them.
Sixth, Common or ordinary lectors/readers (Uninstituted) can also assume the position of readers in the liturgical celebration and may wear Alb as well or any suitable attire that has been legitimately approved by the Bishop.
Last, there is no distinction between male and female reader.
After having the understanding of who and what a lector is in the church, it will be apposite to have a glimpse of who St. John the evangelist is as our role- model.
ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST AS THE ROLE MODEL OF LECTORS
Role model is simply a person looked to by others as an example of values, attitude and behaviours associates with a role. No doubt St John the Evangelist is a profound model to be considered in relation to readers. He is a reader and a writer of several books in the scriptures including the Gospel of St John, the only Gospel of the high Christology. John was born around 15 AD and died around 100 AD consequently, having attained the ages 93 or 94. John is called Yohana in Hebrew and loannes in Latin languages respectively, meaning "YAHWEH is gracious.” John was one of the twelve Apostles of Jesus and was the son of Zebedee and Salome, and the brother of James an apostle of Christ as well. Tradition holds it that he was the only apostle that died of natural cause. He has his feast day as December 27th
WORKS
John through his works can be confidently said, without any string of prejudice to be a scholar. He was said to have been inspired to write 5 books in the Scripture all together. That is, the gospel of John, the three epistles of John and the Apocalypse (Revelation). Bible exegetes have it that his gospel is of high Christology, that is, conceiving God from his eternal essence (John 1:1-14) while the other synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark &Luke) are of low Christology, that is conceiving Christ from human dimension and relating him to be divine being.
One outstanding miracle that is notable to the life of St John is his miraculous escape after being plunged into boiling oil by Emperor Domitian in Rome and suffering nothing from it. This miracle however made all the audience of Colosseum(An iconic symbol of imperial Rome and is the largest Amphitheatre ever built) to convert into Christianity. After his escape from the hot oil, John was banished to the isle of Pathmos and there he was eventually given the vision that we know as the Book of Revelation. Even though St. John did not die as a Martyr, he is an indelible figure in the history of Christianity. He used his talents for the gospel proclamation and has won many souls to God through his works and sacrifices.
Hence, having gone through the historicity, works and the ideals of John the Evangelist; now, the Simple BigQuestion is:
AS A LECTOR, HOW CAN I INTEGRATE MY
FAITH BY IMITATING ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST?
A. FAITH INTEGRATION
First, the word ‘integrate’ means the ability to combine one thing with another so that they become a whole. This simply means that, in imitating St John, we should be able to harmonize our ‘Time’, ‘Talent’ and ‘Treasure’ for the projection of the Gospel and the word of God we proclaim. Thus we;
i. Integrate our challenges to build our faith.
ii. Integrate our opportunities with talents and gifts. St. John used the gifts of writing, preaching, and courage in the proclamation of the Gospel.
iii. Integrate our zeal, passion and commitment with our call.
B. WITNESSING
As Lectors, we proclaim the Gospel by witnessing to what we proclaim. Witnessing presupposes believe in what we read out in the liturgical celebrations, just as St. John testifies in his first letter (1 John 1:1-4), the joy of serving Christ through personal testimony. In addendum, the gospel slated out the imperative of witnessing. John 21:24 claims that the Gospel is based on the written testimony of the ‘Beloved Disciple’. 20:2. Hence;
i. By witnessing, we should proclaim the world of God convincingly and with courage.
We proclaim it as if God is speaking through us – that is, making the word of God Present in us.
ii. By witnessing, we must not be out-cast to the readings & the readings must not be strange to us. Proper studying and reflection is needed.
iii. Be witnessing, we believe what we preach and live out what we proclaim.
C. SACRIFICE
As lectors, we sacrifice in love just like John sacrificed his whole being for the Gospel to the extent of being banished from Rome after the miracle of the ‘Hot Oil’. He made himself an instrument to covey God’s message to the people, an instrument of conversion. The experience of the Colosseum testified to this. Thus;
i. We should sacrifice our time to become better in life struggles.
ii. We should sacrifice our time to grasping better the knowledge what we proclaim.
iii. Sacrifice your time, talent and treasure (TTT)
iv. Read your Bible: It is your vocation!
D. “FIDES QUAERENS INTELLECTUM”- FAITH SEEKING UNDERSTANDING.
It was St Anselm of Canterbury who says in his proslogion, ‘Theology is faith seeking understanding’, and this is what we mirror on the life and works of St John. Our faith should lead us to profound knowledge of God and our world as well. Thus, our search for knowledge should be ‘ad infinitum’ just like John who in his banishment at Ephesus still seek the knowledge of Christ, and there received the revelation of the End time [Apocalypse]. Therefore;
i. We must study to improve our physical, spiritual and intellectual life.
ii. Our belief should necessarily precede our understanding, just like St Anselm posits; believe in order to understand (credo utintelligam)
iii. Our knowledge should lead us to the truth. John 6:13
iv. ‘Lectio Divina’- It should be adopted for spiritual development.
Process of Lectio Divina: (1) Reading of scriptural passage, (2) meditation or reflection, (3) wait for response from God (Be silent), (4) contemplation on one’s life.
E. EVANGELIZE
John was an Evangelist! This is the kpim of his call, to take the Good news to the people and it is cristally clear that John did it in an unreserved manner. John 3:11. Hence;
i. We evangelize by witnessing.
ii. We evangelize by our commitment and sacrifice.
iii. We evangelize by calling others to the ministry of readers.
iv. We evangelize by the lovely way you read at mass-Read Well!!!
CONCLUSION
It is essentially fitting to draw this paper to a terminus by reemphasizing the role of a lector as one who is called to proclaim the word which is Christ himself, present at the liturgical Assembly. Thus, in imitating the faith and life of St. John the Evangelist as our secondary model (Christ is the primordial role model of Christian Faith), we assimilate his sacrifice and draws from the fruit of his inspiration (books) as lectors. Finally, If all the aforementioned are put into action, St John would be gracious to intercede for us and ultimately, God will be happy with us. God bless us all.
Thanks!
