Fr. Lawrence Mick in his guide to participating at Mass, Worshiping Well, notes, "Many Catholics view the Liturgy of  the Word as some kind of Catholic version of Sunday School," like an educational experience instead of a spiritual one.

 And when they view the readings this way, they miss the opportunity to encounter Christ and feel his true presence in the word proclaimed. 

When the words of the lectionary are proclaimed, they're not meant to be studied, analyzed or speculated on at that time, but to simply be listened to, accepted as being spoken by Christ, and allowed to penetrate the listeners' hearts and souls.

The Liturgy of the Word is not a Sunday Bible study, but a time to listen and quietly rest in what's being proclaimed. It's a time to meditate and let the readings ask questions of us, not to speculate or ask questions about the readings.  

There is a time, of course, for study, analysis and speculation of the readings during the days ahead of Sunday if a worshiper wants to be better prepared to listen to them. But when the readings are delivered from the ambo, study time is over.

It's not our place to "teach" from the ambo. And though we may not actually view ourselves as doing so, we must be careful not to convey that demeanor of a teacher, especially when we feel that there's a point the assembly "must" get. Because if we take this stance, we can diminish the spiritual experience our listeners may be hoping for.

When the word of God is proclaimed with genuine love and passion, the listeners will have a stronger feeling that it truly is Jesus speaking through the lector, and will begin to realize that something transformative is happening to them, both as a community and as individuals.

So let us do all we can to help make their experience transformative... not educational.