The Second Reading
At a typical Sunday Mass, there are three Scripture readings.
The first reading will come from the Old Testament and
the second reading from the New Testament letters. In the
Old Testament, we hear the story of God’s chosen people, including
In the New Testament letters, we hear about the Church from its
foundation, and how the teachings of Christ were to be applied to
both Jew and Gentile. Many of the New Testament letters were
meant in part to answer questions or clear up problems that were
popping up in those early days. These letters were read at Mass
from the very earliest times.
While the words of the second reading were written nearly two
thousand years ago, they contain God’s timeless wisdom that can
still help us in our lives today.
At the end of the first and second reading, the lector will pause and
then proclaim, “The Word of the Lord.” As we ask God to enliven
our hearts and our faith through hearing the Word proclaimed, the
people reply, “Thanks be to God!” And after the second reading,
we prepare our hearts to listen to the Gospel reading.
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the prophesies that pointed to Jesus, the Christ.
Notes