Living the Eucharistic Readings, May through August

       I have become accustomed to using the Scripture readings for Eucharist as lectio divina. Although booklets are available, easily handled and most helpful, I prefer to start with my ancient well-used Bible. Often in the Eucharist readings, selected verses are joined with some large sections understandably omitted. But the reading is very clear and coherent. By first using my old Bible, I can get a bigger picture.

      With the Easter season ended and feast days having special readings, the Old Testament readings from June 28 until August 25 traveled through Genesis (13 readings), Exodus (13), Leviticus (2), Numbers (3), Joshua (20, Judges (3) and Ruth (1). They took me from Abraham’s sojourn in Egypt until Ruth’s movement with Naomi back to the land of promise. This year’s readings made a great tour of ancient places at ancient times to think about.

      The Gospel readings for these same days were from Matthew. Tightly adhering from day to day with few skipped passages, I could travel on a short time segment of Jesus’ earthly journey. Some days the first and second readings had a relatively common theme such as feeding the people. On August 3 St. Walburg Monastery celebrate golden and diamond jubilees—Srs. Sharon Portwood and Joan Gripshover (50), Sr. Mary Carol Hellmann (60). It was a true coincidence that the reading for that day was a description of the Jewish Jubilee Year with its almost unbelievable restoration of property, freedom and identity. During this time period I also had the opportunity to attend a performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. A delightful experience with song and dance—and a bit of omission!

      Benedictines pray Liturgy of the Hours four times each day. Although this has been a part of my life for many years, lots of the psalms spoke to me a bit more loudly each day as they recalled the blessings, trials, struggles, sins of God’s people that had been proclaimed in the daily readings.

      On Monday of this we began the letters of St. Paul in the Eucharistic readings, continuing with the Gospel of Matthew. My reflection on the first reading will necessitate a bit of reorientation.

     Sr. Andrea Collopy, OSB