Liturgy Lesson: SECOND READING

Given: 5^th Sunday of Easter May 2, 2010

The Liturgy of the Word is an integral part of the Eucharistic celebration. The meaning of the celebration is expressed by the Word of God which is proclaimed and by the response of faith to it.

The second reading is taken from books of the New Testament. They are the Epistles, Acts of the Apostles and the Book of Revelation. The word Epistle means Letter and it referred to the letters that a leader in the early Christian Church wrote to various communities. Most of these, of course, were written by St. Paul but there were also letters from Peter, James, John and Jude. The Acts of the Apostles deals with the early history of the church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It was written by the author of the Gospel of Luke as a sequel. The Book of Revelation, known as the apocalypse which means unveiling. This is a highly symbolic work written to aid Christians under persecution to remain steadfastly loyal to Jesus. (This is our Faith)

These letters became so important to the various communities that selections from them began to be read every Sunday. During the weeks of the Easter season the second reading will be from the Book of Revelation. Apocalyptic literature speaks in symbols often obscure to us but familiar to its intended audience.

The words of Sacred Scripture are unlike any other texts we will ever hear, for they not only give us information, they are the vehicle God uses to reveal himself to us, the means by which we come to know the depth of God's love for us and the responsibilities entailed by being Christ's followers, members of his Body. When the Scriptures are read in the Church, God himself is speaking to his people. USCCB/Roman Missal

1. Catechism of the Catholic Church

2. The New Testament a Students Intro – Harris, S.L. Mayfield Publishing

3. This is our Faith a catholic catechism for adults – Pennock, M.F. Ave Maria Press

4. USCCB Website