We may no longer see the Sunday Missal in full supply at the pews as in the old days, but there will always be those few who "must" bring their own missals to church and read along with the proclaimer, as well as those who feel they must pull the readings up on their iPhones for the same reason.

Is this wrong? Not so much for those who have hearing difficulties, but for most, there are two schools of thought. One says that when you're taking in the readings through two senses, hearing and seeing, your retention is better.

But what are these worshipers trying to retain? And why? Is it for their educational purposes? Does it give them satisfaction in knowing the what, when and why of a reading. Perhaps it does, but is that all there is?

What about the spiritual benefits? The other school of thought. The benefits of simply listening in stillness, savoring God's word and letting it penetrate their hearts as it's being proclaimed?

When one is so consumed with trying to listen and read along with their missals or iPhones at the same time, those transcendent spiritual experiences just aren't going to happen as much.

The more they try to learn, the less time they have to yearn.

And what can lectors do about it? Just keep striving to be the most effective proclaimer of God's word you can be; and in time, more worshipers will turn away from their missals and iPhones, and begin to cast their eyes and ears on you.