Deacon Ian’s Homily on the New Lectionary

FROM THE HOMILY GIVEN BY DEACON IAN BLACK:

Next week, with the first Sunday of Advent, this year it nicely coincides with the 1st December, we start the new Church Year liturgically. But this year is a bit different from other years. As we start Year C for Sunday’s and Year 1 for weekdays, there is going to be a significant change. We will be changing over to the new Lectionary, that many have been speaking about, and has been mentioned in the newsletter and on the parish website. 

Well, what’s all the fuss about?, what’s different?, and how will it affect us here at St Francis?. To put it simply and into context, we may not notice a massive change, and as one of my deacon friends humorously observed – “the story, message, characters and ending don’t change!”  What you will notice is a change in some of the words and language that we have all been so familiar with. Why change? Why meddle? Why confuse? you may say, but the new lectionary aims to help us to gain a clearer and contemporary understanding of scripture. With time, language and its meanings change.

The current lectionary readings at Mass are taken from the Jerusalem Bible – The English version has been in use since 1966, that in turn was translated from the French, which was published about 10 years before that, that in turn was translated from Latin, etc, etc…The new lectionary is taken from the English Standard Version – Catholic Edition. The text is also going to be laid out differently, making it easier to read and in turn listen to. The new text is also closer to the original translations, and not subject to so much interpretation and what is called Dynamic or Literary equivalence (changing it to fit the meaning). 

So, how does this help us with the message of the readings for today, or throughout the coming years? I think we need to see this as an opportunity. The biggest opportunity is for us all to re-engage with the scriptures. There are many times that I read a familiar piece of scripture, but how often do I really think about what it actually means? Here’s a chance, even if I start off trying to play spot the difference (apparently around 6% of the text has changed)! It will give us an opportunity to think-How does this make a difference? Is there something I’ve been interpreting in a different way all this time? What’s the real message here? But most importantly, what is it that the scriptures tell me about living a life and reaching the ultimate goal of life eternal with the Father? That is to me what today’s scripture is asking us to do, and here is Mother Church, through the divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit, giving us the tools and opportunity to achieve it. Let’s embrace the chance rather than moan about it!