First, I recognize that not everyone has the free time I do to concentrate on the lector ministry. I am not married, have no children, no pets, and work from home. I can sleep or eat anytime I choose and am not fixed on a set schedule.
That being said, I still believe it is not only imperative, but necessary for every lector to do weekly or daily reading of the Bible, in particular the upcoming Sunday's readings, and also to spend some time each day in prayer. Both prayer and study (akin, sort of, to St. Benedict's ora et labora) are necessary to become a better lector, I believe.
I put out a call to the lectors at my parish to join me one hour per week in studying the upcoming Sunday readings and got a small number, about six, replying that they would like to do so. Thankfully, one of our deacons has such a group that meets for an hour once a week. I am joining that group and will report here and via email to the lectors about my experiences at the group. Perhaps I can get more to join?
I know it is hard with work and family and life, in general, keeping us from spending time with God in prayer and Scripture study. But it is necessary for every Catholic. It is also doubly necessary for every lector. After one is a lector for five or ten or twenty years, one feels that they "know it all" in regard to being a lector. I think that is why we see few lectors go to any training and enrichment opportunities.
But such prayer and study are important and I am going to continue to encourage lectors at my parish to do so, individually and together.
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