In his engaging book, The Joy of the Gospel, Pope Francis puts great importance on the diligent preparation of a preacher's homily in order to support and advance The New Evangelization.  And much of his message applies to both lectors and listeners in the pews as well.

"A preacher who does not prepare is not spiritual," notes the Pope. "He is dishonest and irresponsible with the gifts he has received. If he does not take time to hear God's word with an open heart, if he does not allow it to touch his life, to challenge him, to impel him, and if he does not devote time to pray with that word, then he will indeed be a false prophet, a fraud, a shallow imposter."

Strong language, but a caution for lectors who show up just five or ten minutes before Mass and do little to prepare their assigned readings ahead of time. And it's also a message to the worshipers in the pews to be more attentive to the readings at Mass.

What is needed by more preachers in our Pope's words is "an attitude of humble and awe-filled veneration of the word, expressed by taking the time to study it with the greatest care, and a holy fear lest we distort it."

He says, "When we stop and attempt to understand the message of a particular text, we are practicing reverence for the truth. It's the humility of heart which recognizes that the word of God is always beyond us, that we are neither its masters or owners, but its guardians, heralds and servants." 

Words not only applicable to presiders, but everyone in the assembly as well.

Visit our Sunday Prep section for lectors and homilists to get more engaged in the readings at Mass with the reverence and awe our Pope speaks about.