Last Sunday night, I had the opportunity, or misfortune of watching Australian Idol. I was struck by some of the comments of the judges to the contestants, the positive ones, not the criticisms. In the midst of picking on their attire, they had also advised the singers to bring their performance to life. That the song they had sung was their only chance to show their wares and it was important to endeavour to sell their product. Whilst the readers within our Church liturgies are not performers before an audience, it is still important that whoever undertakes this important ministry endeavours to bring the Word to life. Each reader is proclaiming the Word of God, and each test of Scripture has its own life and its own energy. Through the voice of the reader, it comes to life for the Community.
It is important to remember that the Word that is proclaimed is not simply a shopping list to be run through as quickly as possible, but rather the Word of God being proclaimed by one reader and being heard by many listeners. With that in mind, allow the Word to resonate with its hearers. Allow times for pause and for silence, spend some quiet time after the Reading, and before the Psalm is proclaimed or the Gospel is welcomed. Like a great banquet, it is important to savour each course before rushing onto the next. The entrée well prepared and well presented, can be enjoyed without haste. Then allow time for the Second Reading to be digested before entering into the Good News proclamation.
When these parts of the Mass are sung, it is important that the music ministry endeavour to allow that same space before rushing into the Psalm and Gospel acclamation. It will not add much more to the Mass and may even allow people to sit with the Word, and perhaps hear the voice of God proclaimed so well by this member of our Community. It was through the voice of God that our world was created. By allowing God to speak once again through the minister of God’s Word, our God can make a difference in our lives as well. So break open the Word, and allow people time to listen.
– Fr. John Conway