The First and Second Reading
We all are all seated while the lector proclaims the First Reading.
To indicate the end of the reading, the Lector acclaims: The Word of the Lord
We say: Thanks be to God
Origin and Meaning
The First reading is usually taken from the Old Testament, except on Easter Season when it is taken from the Act of the Apostles.
The Old testament sets the tone for us to understand the New Testament: from the creation of man to the divine birth of God in Christ; from Passover’s sacrificial lamb to the Eucharist’s Lamb of God -- it opens the door for us to fully appreciate the Life of Christ by showing us the life of the people and the Work of God before Christ.
When the reading ends and the Lector says, “The Word of the Lord”, he is acclaiming that what is shared with us is the Word of God. It is similar to the work of the Apostles as they “proclaimed and testified the word of the Lord” (Acts 8:25) but these words can also be taken as a call for us to listen to God and stay away from sin as mentioned in Hos 4:1.
In our reply: “Thanks be to God” are the favoured words uttered by Saint Paul (Rom 6:17, 7:25, 15:27; 1 Cor 2:14, 2 Cor 8:16 and 2 Cor 9:15) in expressing his gratitude for being saved from sin through Christ.
Second reading
Second Reading comes after the Responsorial Psalm. It is started and concluded in similar manner to the First Reading.
Origin and Meaning
The second reading is taken from the Epistles, the Acts of the Apostles or Book of Revelation. These are all from the New Testament which shows us on how to live our life through Christ and prepare us for the world to come. The readings are also chosen in correspondence to the different seasons or feasts that is being celebrated.