How we can receive more from the Mass - 9 (Lectionary)

This seems an appropriate point at which to explore the Lectionary, of which we start using a new edition on the 1st Sunday of Advent later this year.

The Second Vatican Council reminds us that we are fed from two tables in the Holy Mass: Word and Sacrament.

“The treasures of the Bible are to be opened up more lavishly, so that richer fare may be provided for the faithful at the table of God's word.  In this way a more representative portion of the holy scriptures will be read to the people in the course of a prescribed number of years.” (Sacrosanctum Concilium 51)

For too long, the Church didn’t provide its flock with a great deal of nourishment from Scripture in the Mass.  The Council Fathers sought to correct that, which led the introduction of the 1969 Lectionary – the  book which contains all the Readings that are proclaimed during the Liturgy of the Word.  On any given Sunday, at every Catholic church in every country of the world, we listen to the same Readings.

Many will not be aware – or will have forgotten – that, before Vatican II, we were nourished less generously from the Bible during Holy Mass.  Just two readings were read – one from an Epistle and the other from a Gospel.  The Old Testament was hardly ever read.  At Sunday Masses, over the course of a year, we only heard 1% of the Old Testament and just 22.4% of the Gospels. 

But, since the introduction of the 1969 Lectionary, we hear 13% of the Old Testament and nearly 90% of the Gospels.  This was aided by the introduction of a three year cycle of readings. 

But that Lectionary went much further in its influence.  After it was produced, other Christian denominations took notice of its treasures and, to a greater or lesser extent, took it on board.  As a result, at most Christian churches on any given Sunday, the same Gospel reading will be proclaimed.

Good news indeed!