Proclamation: Ministry of Service and Transformation
Like Jesus, the lector is called to be a servant. The lector serves the needs of the Eucharistic assembly, the people God has gathered to hear his Word. The lector's ministry demands far more than the ability to read well in public. The lector proclaims the Word that strengthens the faith of God's people and invites them to celebrate Eucharist.
Because ministry is a gift, no lector can rightfully claim to serve from his or her own innate strength. The Lord accepts us as we are, in our foibles and weaknesses, and empowers us to minister. Loved and transformed by the Lord, the lector becomes proclaimer. That kind of ministry is at the heart of the Vatican II renewal.
Jesus, Servant Minister
During Jesus' ministry, he tried to convince his followers that radical service to others was central to his ministry. Once, he foretold his suffering and death. Then he asked his disciples what they had been arguing about. "At this they fell silent, for on the way they had been arguing about who was the most important. So he sat down and called the Twelve around him and said, 'If an one wishes to rank first, he must remain the last of all and servant of all' " (Mark 10:34-35).
Jesus' followers listened, but they did not yet understand. They were still envisioning ministry on their own terms in order to gain personal power and recognition.
At the Last Supper, Jesus' mind was set on being broken and poured out for others. "He rose from the meal and took off his cloak. He picked up a towel ... and began to wash his disciples' feet" (John 13:4-5). When finished, Jesus explained, "Do you understand what I just did for you? You address me as 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and fittingly enough, for that is what I am. But if I wash your feet - I who am Teacher and Lord - then you must wash each other's feet" (John 13:12-14).
Response to Jesus' call to ministry demands a willingness to walk in his footsteps. "The Son of Man has come not to be served, but to serve" (Mark 10:45).
The Proclaimer As Servant
Every lector is called to serve as Jesus did. Lectors become servant proclaimers when they are willing to make the transition from good readers to faith-filled proclaimers.
A technically correct reading, important as it may be, still falls short of proclamation. The liturgy of the Word is not meant to be a conveyance of information. A genuine proclaimer succeeds in communicating the passion and emotion of the scripture writer. Such proclamation serves to nourish the faith of a believing community.
Proclamation never occurs automatically. It takes prayer, time, practice, and continued effort to gain a sense of what it means to proclaim a reading with transparent faith. Only when the Word is first heard in silence can it be proclaimed with sincere enthusiasm.
Proclamation lets us share our convictions with our brothers and sisters who may be uncomfortable with our public expression of faith. Some of us may be afraid of reactions when we express our enthusiasm. But there's no need to fear. God invites us to be proclaimers so he can touch the hearts of his people through us and invite them to joy filled Eucharistic celebration. Nothing can stifle a celebration faster than a technically correct, lifeless reading. Only when belief is openly shared and expressed can there be a lively Eucharist.
The servant proclaimer makes the commitment to prepare the readings adequately. A detailed method for prayerful preparation of the Sunday readings will be described in coming meetings.
Jesus' Own Transformation
Jesus came not to be served, but to serve. He also came to be transformed through his passage from death into risen life. In the Easter mystery, Jesus underwent a profound change. The crucified Jesus willingly placed his entire life and destiny at his Father's disposal, so that the Father would raise him up as Lord, empowered with the Spirit.
St. Paul began his letter to the Christians at Rome with a description of Jesus' own transformation: "Greetings from Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart to proclaim the gospel of God which he promised long ago through his prophets, as the holy Scriptures record - the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh but was made Son of God in power according to the spirit of holiness, by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 1:1-4).
The change in Jesus did not occur automatically. Jesus' transformation came about because he risked all in obedience to his Father:
"He humbled himself, obediently accepting even death, death on a cross!
Because of this, God highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name
above every other name, So that at Jesus' name every knee must bend in the heavens, on the earth, and under the earth, and every tongue proclaim to the glory of God the Father: JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!"
(Philippians 2:8-1 1)
Christian Ministry Demands Personal Transformation
Every minister must be willing to follow in Jesus' footsteps. No one can minister on his or her own terms. No ministry is possible without personal transformation, as the Lord has planned that transformation for each of us. Two proclaimers in the gospels,,-Mary Magdalene and Simon Peter, serve as examples of ministers transformed by the Lord Jesus.
In John's gospel, Mary Magdalene is the first proclaimer of the Good News of Easter. Before meeting Jesus, Mary sold herself to men for their lustful pleasures. Though Jesus knew she was misguided in her expressions of love, he was fascinated by her potential to love. We do not know the exact words and glances that were exchanged when Jesus invited Mary to change. We see only transformation as the gospel continues.
One evening while Jesus was eating dinner in the home of Simon the Pharisee, Mary Magdalene decided to express her love for Jesus in a bold manner. She washed his feet with her own tears. The other dinner guests were shocked. What they failed to see was Mary's conversion. In response to Jesus' transforming love for her, Mary the sinner was changed into Mary the proclaimer.
On Easter Sunday morning, Mary shed tears of sadness. At first she mistook Jesus to be the gardener. When Jesus revealed to her that he was alive with new life, Mary enthusiastically grabbed him by the feet and held him with love.
Jesus then commissioned her to be the first Easter proctaimer: "Mary, go to my brothers and sisters and tell them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God!' Mary went to the disciples. 'I have seen the Lord!' she announced" (John 20:17-18).
Simon Peter was another proclaimer transformed by the Lord. Jesus chose Peter to lead: "You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church" (Matthew 16:18). Later, Peter was to preach the first sermon on Pentecost Sunday. The time that elapsed between Peter's call to be leader and Pentecost provided Peter's opportunity to realize his own powerlessness and be opened to the Lord's forgiveness and healing.
Peter was not the kind of guy who would have "personal transformation" at the top of his list of "things to do today." Peter was too sure of his own insights and ability. When Jesus made his first prediction of his suffering, death, and resurrection, Peter was quick to contradict him: "Lord," Peter asserted, "far be it from you to undergo all of that" (Mark 8:32). Jesus replied, "You tempt me, Peter. But there's still time. Get behind me. You follow. I lead"(See Mark 8:33).
Peter's extreme humiliation and subsequent transformation began on the night of Jesus' arrest in the garden. Earlier at supper, Peter claimed unwavering loyalty to Jesus. "Lord, even if all abandon you, I will never abandon you." Jesus spelled out for Peter what was about to happen: "Peter, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times."
Peter did deny Jesus later that same night. Peter chose the safety of anonymity and deception before a warm fire, rather than risk proclaiming Jesus as his Lord and Master. Luke tells us that Jesus turned around at that moment and looked Peter in the eye. Realizing what had happened, Peter went off and wept bitterly. What remorse Peter must have felt. After the resurrection, however, Peter is given the opportunity to accept Jesus' forgiveness and healing love.
Three times, the risen Jesus asks Peter the question that will transform him from a cowardly braggart into a faith filled proclaimer: "Peter, do you love me?" (John 21:16). Loved, forgiven, and healed, Peter is a changed man.
Later, on Pentecost, Peter boldly proclaims his belief in Jesus and invites his Jewish listeners to conversion. The one who speaks is Peter, who no longer trusts in his own opinions and ability. Peter now senses that his effectiveness as a proclaiming minister comes from the Lord.
We Proclaim the Lord's Word by His Power, Not Our Own
The transformation stories of Mary Magdalene and Simon Peter suggest that our stories as proclaimers may be similar to theirs. Each of us has a built-in resistance to change. We can easily point out shortcomings in others, but we are often blind to our need to change. If we deny our need to be healed, how can the Lord Jesus proclaim his powerful, healing Word through us? Every genuine proclaimer is a wounded healer.
Little do we suspect how we may eventually experience the Lord's healing power in our lives. As in the first and third steps of the Alcoholics Anonymous program, we admit that of ourselves we are powerless in ministry and that our strength and effectiveness come from the Lord. Only when we sense our own weakness are we truly open to the Lord's power to change us.
Like Mary Magdalene, we are sure we know what life and love are all about. Jesus patiently invites us to grow: "Has no one condemned you? Nor do 1. Go, sin no more!" (John 8: 10-1 1).
Like Peter, we are certain we can speak out in a convincing manner. We need Peter's words to remind us where our true power lies: "Lord, to whom shall we go? You alone have the words of eternal life!" (John 6:68).
What are your particular shortcomings? Perhaps you are afraid to stand and read before others. You may be keenly aware of your lack of knowledge of the Scriptures. Perhaps, unconsciously, you seek ministry on your own terms. You may be convinced that you have traveled long and far on your spiritual journey and are actually closed to the Spirit at the present time.
Jesus is not easily discouraged. He is fascinated by our potential. Like a potter with clay, he fashions us into his proclaimers. How and when that transformation is accomplished are his to decide.
To be proclaimers, we must first hear the Word in the silence of our hearts. Jesus seeks a way to touch us with his healing Word. Then we will be empowered to proclaim a message that heals, a message that brings hope to our sisters and brothers.
For Your Reflection:
1.
How much of Mary Magdalene is in me?
2.Is there some of Peter in me?
3. How have I sensed the Lord's transforming influence in my life and ministry?
4. What prevents me from being a more effective proclaimer?
