Reading the Scriptures: Rehearsing Identity, Practicing Character
Jim Fodor
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Liturgical reading of the scripture in worship is important as it reminds the community that they are people of the covenant, a people who God has vowed to love.
Reading Scriptures Liturgically: A "Composite" Portrait. The content, the modes of reading, as well as the setting of the readings are all important in a liturgical sense. The following describes the readings in a liturgical church (like a Catholic church--the author is Catholic--or the National Cathedral or the Duke Chapel). The procession with the scriptures carried in emphasize the importance of God's word. Moving he scriptures helps the congregants to focus on the texts at hand. The book is not touched by the reader. The voice used to read the gospel is changed, and an attempt is made to not inject any "melodic overgrowth". There is much more detail and history in the text. <cae: I have witnessed this several times and find it oddly moving. But, I think I would find it commonplace and it would lose that emotional appeal if it were used every Sunday. And the danger, it seems to me, is that it becomes the object of worship instead of God and Jesus Christ.>
Scripture Reading as Scriptural Reasoning: Exercises in the Grammar of Faith. There are different strategies for reading the liturgy. Lectio continua involves reading books continuously from Sunday to Sunday. This was the practice in the Jewish synagogues. Lectio selecta involves reading selections from one book. As the church developed, it became common to read an OT passage, an epistle passage, and a NT passage. For music of the church's history, public reading was the only way for the congregants to hear the scripture.
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Scripture Reading as Conversion: Ethical Formation and Identity Constitution. "By being read, Scriptures work themselves into the lives of the faithful just as yeast is kneaded into dough." Scripture reading should lead to changes in lives as the meaning of the reading sinks into our lives. The physical act if important to reinforce the words.
Conclusion.