Messengers (07/29/2024)

Yesterday, I served as the lector for our faith community’s Eucharistic celebration. It’s an honor I don’t take lightly. I always pray that I will proclaim the LORD’s Word well. I am always nervous as I walk to the ambo. The prayer helps me to remember that it is not about me.

I’ve lectured for over 40 years in my numerous parishes. It is one way I believe I am called to serve. I can’t sing or play an instrument, so the choir is out. I started lectoring because I love the scriptures. I love to read them myself; it made sense to read them for others.

And then this summer, something happened. It began in June when a woman from the parish stopped me on the way out of church and told me that when I lector she hears and understands the Word better. I thanked her for taking the time to tell me that. And then we talked about other things. Then in early July, a gentleman I do not know stopped me to thank me for my reading of the Word. He told me that for the first time in years, he had heard the Word and could follow. I thanked him for telling me and added that the Word is meant to illuminate our journey and I was thankful that I could bring that to him. And then yesterday, as I was leaving, a young expectant mother surrounded by her four children stopped me and said, “Thank you for your reading today. I understood the Word.” And I was speechless.

As I stood there smiling at the woman, I didn’t know what to say. I knew that my prayer, “LORD, help me to proclaim your Word to your people” had been answered. And I spent time in prayerful reflection about those three messengers and what the LORD was saying to me through them. Was it simply that the LORD was telling me my prayer was heard and answered or is there more to it?  I am not sure. It requires more reflection.

What is my point? It is simple. At times the LORD speaks to us through others, moved by the Spirit. They are messengers of the LORD’s will for us. Will we hear the message? Will we prayerfully seek guidance from the LORD? Is it a case of the LORD wanting us to know He’s heard our prayer? Or is it a call from the LORD for more?

If we believe that the LORD is active in our world through the Spirit, then it makes sense that the Spirit will guide others toward the LORD’s divine will. Will we take the time to seek to read the signs of the times and to open ourselves to the direction of the Spirit?

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.