Lection
A lection, also called the lesson, is a reading from
History
The custom of reading the
The oldest manuscripts of the Gospels have marginal marks, and sometimes actual interpolations, which can only be accounted for as indicating the beginnings and endings of liturgical lessons.[1]
From the
The canons of
There are traces of fixed lessons coming into existence in the course of the 3rd century.
In the Apostolic Constitutions (ii. 57, ca. 380) a service is described which is required of the church. First come two lessons from the Old Testament by a reader, the whole of the Old Testament being made use of except the books of the Apocrypha. The Psalms of David are then to be sung. Next the Acts of the Apostles and the Epistles of Paul are to be read. Finally the four Gospels are to be read by a deacon or a priest. Whether the selections were ad libitum or according to a fixed table of lessons is not mentioned.[1]
The
Nothing in the shape of a lectionary is extant older than the 8th century, though there is evidence that Claudianus Marnercus made one for the church at Vienna in 450, and that Musaeus made one for the church at Marseille ca. 458.[1]
Conclusion of readings
In many Christian denominations, when the lector finishes reading the scripture lesson, they say one of the following:[2]
- "The Word of the Lord."[2]
- "May God bless the reading of His Word."[3]
- "Here endeth the first/second lesson."[2]
The congregation responds with "Thanks be to God."[2]
If the reading is from one of the Epistles in the Bible, lectors may conclude it with:[2]
- "Here endeth the Epistle."[2]
If the reading is from one of the
"The Gospel of the LORD."
The congregation responds with "Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ" (along with a bowing their heads at the mention of the name "Jesus Christ").
See also
- Gospel Book
- Lector
- Lectio Continua
- Lectio Divina
- Lectio Sacra
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h public domain: Warren, Frederick Edward (1911). "Lection, Lectionary". In Chisholm, Hugh (ed.). Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 16 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 357. One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the
- ^ a b c d e f Enticott, Ian (28 October 2016). "'This is the word of the Lord'". Church Times. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
- ^ Raymond, Erik (4 February 2020). "Some Best Practices for Public Reading of Scripture". The Gospel Coalition. Retrieved 5 April 2021.