So the Levites read from the book, from the Law of God, with interpretation. They gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading

(Nehemiah 8:8)

The first reading of the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time tells us how Israelites listened to the Word of God and how lectors performed their job in the liturgical assembly. This event, which took place when the people of God returned from the Babylonian captivity to the Promised Land, reminds us not only of the great value and importance that the Word of God has but also of how serious duty binds those who proclaim it. Today I would like to say a few words about performing the ministry of the Word. We are happy that we have volunteers who read the liturgical readings during Sunday and weekday Masses. This ministry requires not only a good pronunciation and some skills of the oratorical art but also the awareness of what is the Word of God. The Word of God has in itself power to create, change and act. In the Book of Genesis, the first book of the Bible, God created man and the whole world by His word. He said a word and everything was done according to the word. In the Gospels Jesus healed many people from physical and spiritual diseases by His word. The Word of God is holy and it is to be treated respectfully. During the liturgy lectors read the Word of God from the liturgical books that are designated to be used in the liturgy: The Lectionary and Book of the Gospels. Out of the great respect for the Word of God and for the liturgy we are not to read liturgical readings from any other sources such as brochures, pamphlets, loose sheets of paper or binders. They may be more practical but are not suitable for the liturgy. By the same reason we should put The Lectionaries and Book of the Gospels in a proper place.

This Monday, January 28th, we observe a memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church, who was outstanding in his zeal for holiness and his study of sacred doctrine.
On Thursday, January 31st, we celebrate a memorial of Saint John Bosco, Priest and Founder of Salesians, who was a father and teacher of the young and whose teaching was motivated by charity and gentleness.
This week we also observe the first Friday and the first Saturday of the month with Masses respectively at 8 and 10 am.
God bless,
Father Peter