Welcome to Lectors Proclaim!

LectorsProclaim.org is dedicated to helping men and women become more effective proclaimers of the Scriptures in liturgical ceremonies.

The major difference between a “reading” and a “proclamation” in liturgy involves the degree to which the person proclaiming a Scripture passage is personally involved with the passage. By that we mean how much the proclaimer is investing in who they are, what they believe, and how they understand the passage in their effort to proclaim the message in the passage. In short, the significance the passage has for the proclaimer is reflected in the way the lector “proclaims” the passage to his or her fellow disciples.

We hope you enjoy our web site and that it helps you to proclaim the Word more effectively!

Peace!

Gene Hayes                                                       SOMETHING TO CONSIDER
Webmaster/Lector Trainer
Today, in the early part of the 21st Century, the world is in the throes of massive change — in government, in economies, in education, in communications — to name a few.  The increasing gap between rich and poor is creating extensive pressure on leaders to do something to promote greater equity and justice between those who manage the economy and those whose productivity sustains it.  And that pressure is building.  Clearly, today’s world is reaching a point where the old rules and regulations are less and less relevant to the needs and problems of the societies they were promulgated to provide structure and stability for in the past.  Those societies are being replaced and/or modified particularly in the Middle East, Asia and across the African continent.

These times are not that much different from the world that Jesus entered and preached in and sought to change.  He told stories to illustrate his points and reminded his fellow humans that the “spirit” of laws and regulations is still valid but that it needs a new approach to social rules and regulations in order to flourish.  He reminded his fellow humans that there is much more to life than just day-to-day living.  That situation is with us once again.

We, as lectors, have a role in promoting the changes our societies need through our efforts to proclaim the “spirit” of Jesus’ message in our own times.  It is an awesome responsibility that requires study, attention to speaking skills and, most importantly of all, commitment to help our listeners understand and take to heart the message God proclaims through our efforts.  That commitment to the spirit, the meaning, and the wisdom of God’s Word in Scripture for ourselves and our fellow human beings is what sets us apart as a ministry.  Jesus is counting on us to both provide His voice as well as His example in our lives as Ministers of the Word!

We intend to work with you to make it all happen!