Liturgy of the Word
One of the fruits of the liturgical reform that came from the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) was the publication of a new Lectionary, which was in three volumes. This Lectionary contained all the Scripture readings that are used at Mass on Sundays and weekdays. It enabled us to hear proclaimed more scripture from both Old and New Testaments.
Pope Benedict wrote, in his Apostolic Exhortation Verbum Domini:
‘The present structure of the Lectionary not only presents the more important texts of Scripture with some frequency but also helps us to understand the unity of God’s plan thanks to the interplay of the Old and New Testament readings, an interplay in which Christ is the central figure, commemorated in his Paschal Mystery.’
The original version was in Latin and each country used a version of the Bible already existing in the vernacular language concerned. For over 50 years we have been familiar with the English from the Jerusalem Bible and the Grail Psalms. From the first Sunday of Advent, we will begin to use a version based on the English Standard Version (ESV) Catholic Edition and the Revised Grail Psalms (also known as The Abbey Psalms and Canticles).
Why this version?
The ESV is a revision of the Revised Standard Version. Bishop Hugh Gilbert, in his CTS booklet entitled Hearing Christ’s Voice (available in the shop) which is about this new Lectionary, says that the ESV takes care to incorporate the latest scholarship regarding the original Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic texts. He says: ‘It recognises the balance that must be struck between taking the people to the Bible and taking the Bible to the people, between being “source orientated” and “target orientated”.’ Bishop Hugh says that this translation is based on quality textual scholarship, an indispensable requirement. It is also grounded on a robust sense of the Scriptures’ divine worth. It has a strong grasp of the ultimate unity of Scripture and of Christ as the source of that unity. It shows respect for, and aims at, transparency to the original languages and is refreshingly precise. (Copies of Bishop Hugh Gilbert’s CTS book
The Psalms we use in the Lectionary are not from the ESV, but are a revision of the Grail Psalms carried out by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey, Missouri. It also includes revised versions of the Old and New Testament Canticles.
It is good to remember the importance of reading in the Liturgy of the Word. Being a Lector or Reader at Mass means not only having clear enunciation, pronunciation and understanding of the structure and meaning of the text — but also adequate preparation. This is certainly true as we begin to use this new translation.
I pray that this new English translation of the Lectionary will help bring us all to ‘the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus.’ (Phil 3:8)
More information: https://www.cbcew.org.uk/new-lectionary-for-england-and-wales/