Someone at my church recently questioned the need for reciting the Epistle and Gospel during Mass. My thought is that it's good to just listen. Being Substackers I assume we're all inveterate readers. But instead of reading along (or reading ahead) on Sundays in the program, I try to put it down and just listen. It short circuits the over-analyzing, I find, and gives the teachings of the day more impact.
Not only is this wise as individual practice (for those whose ears are in good health and are native speakers of the language they are listening to), but as a church practice, it would save a lot of trees. Another advantage of sticking to the 1662 BCP/Sarum lectionary is that you don’t need to print readings on pew sheets every week. They are all in the book.
Someone at my church recently questioned the need for reciting the Epistle and Gospel during Mass. My thought is that it's good to just listen. Being Substackers I assume we're all inveterate readers. But instead of reading along (or reading ahead) on Sundays in the program, I try to put it down and just listen. It short circuits the over-analyzing, I find, and gives the teachings of the day more impact.
Not only is this wise as individual practice (for those whose ears are in good health and are native speakers of the language they are listening to), but as a church practice, it would save a lot of trees. Another advantage of sticking to the 1662 BCP/Sarum lectionary is that you don’t need to print readings on pew sheets every week. They are all in the book.