Lectors and commentators
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The document provides guidance for lectors on effectively proclaiming Scripture during church services. It emphasizes that lectors should have a deep understanding of and connection to the passages they read through Bible study and reflection. It also stresses the importance of using vocal techniques like varying inflection, pacing, and emotion to engage the congregation and convey the meaning and intent of the text. Proper use of eye contact and posture are also encouraged to bring the word of God to life for all those listening. The overall goal is for lectors to share their faith and inspire others through passionate yet natural readings of Scripture.
Lectors and commentators
- 5. Definition: Lector a person commissioned to proclaim Holy Scriptures in church services; someone personally and prayerfully involved in proclaiming the Word of God with the purpose of celebrating and refreshing the faith of the assembly;
- 6. Definition: Lector one who combines strong personal faith, good communication skills and spiritual inspiration to cause the assembly to listen to what is being proclaimed; a church minister who brings life and flesh to the Word of God .
- 8. Why are you here? He called and you answered, “Here I am, Lord!” You realized _ “The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few”. You would like to fall more deeply in love with God and His Word in Scripture Your parish needs you to take on a more active role in the church community
- 9. Why are you here? You were a lector at your former parish and would like to continue serving You believe you can do a better job than those you’ve already seen and heard One of the lectors has inspired you to want to do the same thing they do You’ve got this nagging feeling in your gut that you’ve got to.
- 10. Why are you here? Inspired by the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) _ God blessed you with a good speaking voice _ to whom much is given … much is expected
- 12. Christ is present in His Word since it is He Himself who speaks when the Holy Scriptures are read in the Church. From Second Vatican Council In The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, #7
- 13. Three (3) areas in preparing to be more effective proclaimers of the Scriptures:
- 14. Sensitivity to the personal meaning and significance of the specific Scriptural passage being proclaimed. How? By in-depth knowledge/understanding of the Scriptures, on-going Bible reflection, religious education, etc.
- 15. 2nd area in preparing to be more effective proclaimers of the Scriptures: Conviction that God is using the lector’s skills, knowledge and example of Christian living to reach others who most need to hear God’s Word at the moment
- 16. 3rd area in preparing to be more effective proclaimers of the Scriptures: Use of proclamation skills/techniques to bring life to the Word of God _ emotional expression, changing pitch, pausing, pacing & energy, distinguishing between statements and questions,
- 17. Bringing God’s Word to Life
- 18. Bringing God’s Word to Life Text Work Voice Work Eye Contact / Posture Inflection Intention Emotion
- 19. Text Work: Style Narrative: Change inflection to differentiate speakers Didactic (ex. St. Paul’s writings) Exhortatory (needs much more energy to manifest types of emotion) ~ Strong, heightened language, often with exclamation points in the translation; ~ Direct address to the people or to God.
- 20. Text Work: Literary Devices Parallel contruction Paradox Hebrew (thought) rhyme
- 21. Text Work: Take time to reflect the meaning of what you are reading What is the author’s intent? What are the circumstances surrounding the situation described or inferred in the passage? Communicate the meaning of the reading Context: Scriptural, Liturgical, Lectionary
- 24. Voice Work Volume “Blowing them away with loud volume is not the answer nor is hoping they’ll listen by speaking softly” ~ Vocal energy ~ Link to eye contact ~ Vary soft and loud AS NEEDED
- 26. Voice Work Tempo/Pacing “Speaking too quickly deprives the listeners of valuable time to process the meaning of the words/phrases”
- 28. Voice Work Rhythm /Stressing for meaning Pausing “processing moments” in order to add a dimension to the meaning of what is being said.
- 30. Eye Contact / Posture Eye Contact Posture
- 32. Inflection Use all parts of your voice range to convey emotion Avoid the dying inflection Use commas as “up arrows”
- 34. Intention What is the author’s intent? What are the circumstances surrounding the situation described or inferred in the passage? What is the author’s tone? Is it argumentative? Advising? Angry? Joyful? Threatening?
- 36. Emotion The use of emotion MUST NOT be confused with “DRAMATICS” Delivery must be a natural expression from the heart with an even modulated voice but not monotone nor melodramatic
- 39. PERMISSION GRANTED Please attend Holy Mass and pray the Holy Rosary before you use these slides for the Holy Intentions of our beloved Pope and for world peace. Thank you and God bless us all. Thank you Kathy rookiekay@hotmail.com