When two lectors are assigned for Sunday readings and one of them doesn't show, some parishes may not consider it a big deal to just grab any lector in the pew 10 minutes before Mass. But in other parishes with higher standards, it's a practice in which every effort is made to avoid.

When a lector doesn't show up or get a sub, it can put a huge strain on the sacristan to find a last-minute replacement. And when one can't be found, there's an added strain on the remaining lector to do both readings plus the intercessory prayers.

In addition, when a lector has poured his or her heart into preparing their one assigned reading, taking on additional readings can dilute their focus on doing a great job and knock the wind out of their sails.

Scrambling around to find last-minute lectors is also a disservice to the parishioners, especially to those who come expecting to hear the word of God proclaimed well. When a replacement (and prepared) lector can't be found, one lector doing all three readings can appear odd to the parishioners when they're used to having God's word read to them by two different and well-prepared lectors.

In one of my past churches, our pastor would fire any lector or Eucharistic minister if they didn't show up or get a sub. A little extreme, perhaps; but a good policy in any church might be to give one or two (at most) warnings to repeated offenders before removing them from the schedule.