Forms for the Reading of Scripture

Traditional and contemporary ways of reading the Scriptures for public worship are explained in the following article. Traditional Forms The Old Testament reader, rising out of the congregation or from the seats where the leaders of worship sit, may walk to the pulpit or some other place and say "A reading from the book of_______________. " The reader then reads the appointed lesson in a clear and forceful voice, ending with the words "This is the Word of the Lord. " When this action is done with conviction, the people can respond with an equally strong statement-"Thanks be to God"-as a way of showing their acceptance of the Word. After a responsorial psalm, the Epistle reader rises out of the congregation or from the seats where the leaders of worship sit, walks to the pulpit or some other place and says,"A reading from the [First/Second/Third] Epistle [Letter] of [Paul to the]_______________. " The reader then reads in a clear and forceful voice, ending the reading with the wor…