<aside> 🤔
How do you pronounce “propitiation?” What does propitiation mean? Do we have a decent enough understanding of the role of propitiation in what it means to be “saved” in a Christian Orthodox perspective? Would the reader be able to clarify what is meant if someone was paying attention closely enough to ask for clarification?
</aside>
The reader rank is expected to read with understanding, and the gap between where we are and where we should/could be is immense. In an ideal world we would have enough time and enough preparation for each reader to be able to stop at a point in the reading and clarify what is being read, as necessary. We do not live in an ideal world, so we have three very good reasons this won’t happen: 1) it is hard to assign the readings in advance, 2) it is hard to prepare the readings in advance, and 3) we do not have time in the liturgy to stop and explain each reading. If that is not feasible, then what can we do to make sure that the Liturgy of the Word is as effective and edifying as possible?
To address our three key challenges, we need a streamlined resource that supports all potential readers with minimal time investment, so that all the deacons are encouraged to prepare the readings in advance, in case they are assigned a reading.
This is a simple, accessible resource that helps readers prepare quickly even when they don't know which reading they'll be assigned:
This solution accepts our limitations around reading assignments and timing, while making preparation easier and quicker. Even briefly reviewing this resource before reading would help deacons deliver the text with better understanding and clarity than reading it cold.
The Kingdom of God - 1st Sunday of the Great Lent
Temptation Sunday - 2nd Sunday of the Great Lent
The Samaritan Woman - 4th Sunday of the Great Lent (1)
The Paralyzed Man - 5th Sunday of the Great Lent (1)
The Man Born Blind - 6th Sunday of the Great Lent