Dom Adrian Nocent’s proposal for an optional cycle of 2nd readings for Sundays per annum Dom Adrian Nocent, O.S.B. (1913-96) was a Belgian monk from Maredsous Abbey who was a member of the Consilium, and served on the group responsible for the revision of the lectionary, Coetus XI.1 Later on, he was a professor at the Pontifical Atheneum at Sant’ Anselmo in Rome. In 1994, he wrote a book called A Rereading of the Renewed Liturgy, in which he advocated for several more reforms in the post-Vatican II liturgy, including an additional, optional cycle of 2nd readings for tempus per annum. The aim of his proposed cycle2 is to link the 2nd reading thematically with the 1st reading and Gospel readings. In the lectionary as reformed after Vatican II, the 2nd reading on Sundays per annum works on its own semi-continuous cycle,3 and is not related to the other readings: The Sundays in Ordinary Time do not have a distinctive character. Thus the texts of both the apostolic and gospel readings are arranged in an order of semicontinuous reading, whereas the Old Testament reading is harmonized with the gospel. (General Introduction to the Lectionary, 67)
Nocent considers this to be a pastoral problem that has become more evident since the reformed Lectionary was promulgated. In his opinion, the fact that the 2nd reading is not linked to the other readings means that it is not possible to use it in homilies without significantly distorting the text itself. Moreover, since the faithful are “by now, after twenty-five years [in 1994]... used to a certain degree of coherence in the readings” (Rereading, p. 8), Nocent thinks it reasonable that the 2nd reading should be given a relation to the others. The following tables below give Nocent’s proposed 2nd readings for the three-year per annum Sunday cycle (found in Rereading, pp. 9-18), alongside the existing 1st readings and Gospel readings. Nocent also suggests a ‘theme’ for each Sunday, which is given in the tables, and I have added the existing 2nd reading for the purposes of comparison. An extract from A Rereading of the Renewed Liturgy explaining Nocent’s position with regard to the lectionary follows the tables.
Bugnini mentions that Nocent, along with seven other people, was added as a member to Coetus XI after it had already started work (cf. The Reform of the Liturgy 1948-1975 [Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press], p. 409 n. 12). 1
Whether it can be described as entirely his work is perhaps debatable, since Nocent himself says that the scheme of second readings is mainly the work of his students in seminar at Sant’ Anselmo (Rereading, p. 9, n. 19). See the extract from Rereading which follows these tables below. 2
In Year A, we read semi-continuous parts of 1 Corinthians 1-4 (on Sundays 2-6), 2 Corinthians (7-8), Romans (924), Philippians (25-28), and 1 Thessalonians (29-33). In Year B, we read 1 Corinthians 6-11 (2-14), Ephesians (1521), James (22-26), and Hebrews 2-10 (27-33). Finally, in Year C, the per annum 2nd readings are from 1 Corinthians 12-15 (2-8), Galatians (9-14), Colossians (15-18), Hebrews 11-12 (19-22), Philemon (23), 1 Timothy (24-26), 2 Timothy (27-30), and 2 Thessalonians (31-33). 3
YEAR A Sun
2nd Reading (Nocent)
OT and Gospel Readings
Theme
2nd Reading (OLM)
2
1 Jn. 4:4-10, 13-14
Isa. 49:3, 5-6 Jn. 1:29, 34
The Son is sent for the remission of sins
1 Cor. 1:1-3
3
Eph. 5:1-2, 8-14
Isa. 8:23b–9:3 Mt. 4:12-23 or 4:12-17
Liberation from darkness by the light of the good news of the kingdom
1 Cor. 1:10-13, 17
4
1 Cor. 1:26-30
Zeph. 2:3; 3:12-13 Mt. 5:1-12a
Blessed are the humble and the poor, they are the chosen of God
1 Cor. 1:26-31
5
Rom. 12:9, 17-21
Isa. 58:7-10 Mt. 5:13-16
The light of justice in charity
1 Cor. 2:1-5
6
Rom. 13:8-10
Sir. 15:16-21 Mt. 5:17-37 or 5:20-22a, 27-28, 33-34a, 37
The fulfilment of the Law is love
1 Cor. 2:6-10
7
1 Pet. 1:14-16, 22-23
Lev. 19:1-2, 17-18 Mt. 5:38-48
Love even of the enemy; the way of perfection
1 Cor. 3:16-23
8
Jas. 4:13-15
Isa. 49:14-15 Mt. 6:24-34
Trusting in God for tomorrow
1 Cor. 4:1-5
9
Jas. 1:19-25
Dt. 11:18, 26-28, 32 Mt. 7:21-28
Words and deeds
Rom. 3:21-25, 28
10
Rom. 12:1-2, 9-13
Hos. 6:3-6 Mt. 9:9-13
Sincerity and outward show
Rom. 4:18-25
11
1 Pet. 2:5-10
Ex. 19:2-6a Mt. 9:36–10:8
A holy people, a royal priesthood
Rom. 5:6-11
12
1 Pet. 3:13-16
Jer. 20:10-13 Mt. 10:26-33
Our lives are in the hands of God, our defender
Rom. 5:12-15
13
1 Jn. 4:6-8
2 Kgs. 4:8-11, 14-16a Mt. 10:37-42
Giving of oneself in love to make manifest the kingdom
Rom. 6:3-4, 8-11
14
Phil. 2:3-8
Zech. 9:9-10 Mt. 11:25-30
Glorying in humiliation
Rom. 8:9, 11-13
15
1 Pet. 1:22-25
Isa. 55:10-11 Mt. 13:1-23 or 13:1-9
Receiving the seed of the Word
Rom. 8:18-23
16
2 Pet. 3:8-9, 14-15a
Wis. 12:13, 16-19 Mt. 13:24-43 or 13:24-30
The merciful patience of God lets the good and the evil grow until harvest
Rom. 8:26-27
17
Jas. 3:13-17
1 Kgs. 3:5, 7-12 Mt. 13:44-52 or 13:44-46
Wisdom and the discernment of true values
Rom. 8:28-30
18
1 Cor. 11:23-26
Isa. 55:1-3 Mt. 14:13-21
The multiplication of the loaves in charity
Rom. 8:35, 37-39
Sun
2nd Reading (Nocent)
OT and Gospel Readings
Theme
2nd Reading (OLM)
19
1 Jn. 5:4-5, 10-12
1 Kgs. 19:9a, 11-13a Mt. 14:22-23
The triumph of faith
Rom. 9:1-5
20
Heb. 10:19-23; 11:12
Isa. 56:1, 6-7 Mt. 15:21-28
Universal salvation in faith
Rom. 11:13-15, 29-32
Rom. 1:26-30
Isa. 22:19-23 Mt. 16:13-20
Choosing God who is revealed to the humble and gives them the keys to the kingdom
Rom. 11:33-36
22
Rom. 12:1-2
Jer. 20:7-9 Mt. 16:21-27
Not to follow the ways of the world, but to renounce oneself and follow Jesus
Rom. 12:1-2
23
Gal. 6:1-2, 10
Ezk. 33:7-9 Mt. 18:15-20
The brotherly reproach in charity
Rom. 13:8-10
24
Col. 3:12-15
Sir. 27:30–28:7 Mt. 18:21-25
Forgiving your neighbor in order to be forgiven by the Lord
Rom. 14:7-9
25
Rom. 11:33-36
Isa. 55:6-9 Mt. 20:1-16a
Have we given our gifts first to the Lord so as to be worthy to receive his gifts in return?
Phil. 1:20c-24, 27a
26
Eph. 2:11-13, 19-20
Ezk. 18:25-28 Mt. 21:28-32
Pagans, tax-collectors, and prostitutes in the kingdom opened to repentance
Phil. 2:1-11 or 2:15
27
Rom. 11:1-6
Isa. 5:1-7 Mt. 21:33-43
Israel the vineyard of the Lord and his newlyelected workers in the vineyard
Phil. 4:6-9
28
1 Cor. 10:1-5, 11-12
Isa. 25:6-10a Mt. 22:1-14 or 22:1-10
Conditions for being received into the wedding banquet of the kingdom
Phil. 4:12-14, 1920
29
Rom. 13:1, 5-7
Isa. 45:1, 4-6 Mt. 22:15-21
To each his due
1 Thess. 1:1-5b
30
1 Jn. 4:15-16, 19-21
Ex. 22:20-26 Mt. 22:34-40
To have care for one’s neighbor and to love him
1 Thess. 1:5c-10
31
Rom. 2:1, 17-23
Mal. 1:14b–2:2b, 8-10 Mt. 23:1-12
Forbear judging and do oneself what one makes others do
1 Thess. 2:7b-9, 13
32
Eph. 5:8-15
Wis. 6:12-16 Mt. 25:1-13
Wisdom keeps watch even during daylight hours
1 Thess. 4:13-18 or 4:13-14
33
1 Cor. 4:1-5
Prov. 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31 Mt. 25:14-30 or 25:14-15, 19-21
Be faithful servants, even in little things
1 Thess. 5:1-6
21
YEAR B Sun
2nd Reading (Nocent)
OT and Gospel Readings
Theme
2nd Reading (OLM)
2
Rom. 1:1-3a, 5-7
1 Sam. 3:3b-10, 19 Jn. 1:35-42
The call of God
1 Cor. 6:13c-15a, 17-20
3
1 Cor. 9:12c, 16-17
Jon. 3:1-5, 10 Mk. 1:14-20
Announcing the Gospel for conversion
1 Cor. 7:29-31
4
2 Pet. 1:16-21
Dt. 18:15-20 Mk. 1:21-28
The authority of the prophets and of Christ
1 Cor. 7:32-35
5
2 Cor. 12:7-10
Job 7:1-4, 6-7 Mk. 1:29-39
Sickness and the healings
1 Cor. 9:16-19, 22-23
6
Rom. 6:12-14
Lev. 13:1-2, 44-46 Mk. 1:40-45
The leprosy of sin
1 Cor. 10:31–11:1
7
Rom. 3:21b-26
Isa. 43:18-19, 21-22, 24b-25 Mk. 2:1-12
The Son of Man redeems from sin, wipes out the past
2 Cor. 1:18-22
8
Eph. 5:25b-27
Hos. 2:16b, 17b, 21-22 Mk. 2:18-22
Christ as spouse
2 Cor. 3:1b-6
9
Col. 2:6-8, 16-17
Dt. 5:12-15 Mk. 2:23–3:6 or 2:23-28
The letter and the spirit
2 Cor. 4:6-11
10
Eph. 6:10-17
Gen. 3:9-15 Mk. 3:20-35
Victory over Satan
2 Cor. 4:13–5:1
11
1 Cor. 3:6, 7-9
Ezk. 17:22-24 Mk. 4:26-34
The humble seed becomes the edifice of God
2 Cor. 5:6-10
12
Heb. 10:22-23; 11:1
Job 38:1, 8-11 Mk. 4:35-41
Absolute faith in the power of God
2 Cor. 5:14-17
13
1 Cor. 15:20-22a
Wis. 1:13-15; 2:23-24 Mk. 5:21-43 or :21-24, 3543
The person who has found salvation, immortality
2 Cor. 8:7, 9, 1315
14
Heb. 12:1b-3
Ezk. 2:2-5 Mk. 6:1-6
A prophet in his or her own country, and among us
2 Cor. 12:7-10
15
2 Tim. 1:9-12
Am. 7:12-15 Mk. 6:7-13
The sending of the Apostles on mission
Eph. 1:3-14 or 1:3-10
16
1 Pet. 2:21-25
Jer. 23:1-6 Mk. 6:30-34
Sheep without a shepherd
Eph. 2:13-18
17
1 Cor. 11:21-26
2 Kgs. 4:42-44 Jn. 6:1-15
The multiplication of the loaves, foretelling of the Eucharist
Eph. 4:1-6
Sun
2nd Reading (Nocent)
OT and Gospel Readings
Theme
2nd Reading (OLM)
18
1 Cor. 10:1b-4
Ex. 16:2-4, 12-15 Jn. 6:24-35
Believing, and being hungry no more
Eph. 4:17, 20-24
19
1 Jn. 5:9b-12
1 Kgs. 19:4-8 Jn. 6:41-51
The believer possesses life within
Eph. 4:30–5:2
20
1 Cor. 10:16-17
Prov. 9:1-6 Jn. 6:51;58
The body and blood of Christ, true nourishment
Eph. 5:15-20
21
2 Cor. 6:13-16
Josh. 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b Jn. 6:60-69
Listening to the words of eternal life
Eph. 5:21-32
22
Col. 2:20–3:1
Dt. 4:1-2, 6-8 Mk. 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
Going against human tradition and following the commandments of God
Jas. 1:17-18, 21b22, 27
23
Jas. 1:19, 22-25
Isa. 35:4-7a Mk. 7:31-37
Keeping one’s ears open, listening to the Word
Jas. 2:1-5
24
Phil. 2:6-11
Isa. 50:4-9a Mk. 8:27-35
The Son of Man must suffer
Jas. 2:14-18
25
1 Pet. 2:19-21a
Wis. 2:12, 17-20 Mk. 9:30-37
Jesus, the Suffering Servant, bears unjust pains
Jas. 3:16–4:3
26
1 Cor. 12:1-3
Num. 11:25-29 Mk. 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
It is the Lord who bestows the charismatic gifts
Jas. 5:1-6
27
Eph. 5:21-23
Gen. 2:18-24 Mk. 10:2-16 or 10:2-12
Do not separate what God has united
Heb. 2:9-11
28
Phil. 3:7-14
Wis. 7:7-11 Mk. 10:17-30 or 10:17-27
Leaving behind everything for the wealth which is Christ
Heb. 4:12-13
29
1 Cor. 9:19-23
Isa. 53:10-11 Mk. 10:35-45 or 10:42-45
Giving up his life to be everything for everyone
Heb. 4:14-16
30
Rom. 10:8b-13
Jer. 31:7-9 Mk. 10:46-52
It is faith which saves
Heb. 5:1-6
31
1 Jn. 4:16, 19-21; 5:1-3
Dt. 6:2-6 Mk. 12:28b-34
Love of the Lord and love of one’s neighbor
Heb. 7:23-28
32
2 Cor. 9:6-10
1 Kgs. 17:10-16 Mk. 12:38-44 or 12:41-44
The wealth of the person who gives up all
Heb. 9:24-28
33
2 Thess. 5:1-6, 9-10
Dan. 12:1-3 Mk. 13:24-32
The time of salvation and the reuniting of the elect
Heb. 10:11-14, 18
YEAR C Sun
2nd Reading (Nocent)
OT and Gospel Readings
Theme
2nd Reading (OLM)
2
2 Cor. 4:3-6
Isa. 62:1-5 Jn. 2:1-11
Jesus transforms the world and the Gospel shines with his glory
1 Cor. 12:4-11
3
Gal. 3:23-29
Neh. 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10 Lk. 1:1-4; 4:14-21
The Spirit which is upon Christ accomplishes Scripture
1 Cor. 12:12-30 or 12:12-14, 27
4
Rom. 10:16-21
Jer. 1:4-5, 17-19 Lk. 4:21-30
The prophets and Jesus spoke not only to Israel but to all; but were they heard?
1 Cor. 12:31– 13:13 or 13:4-13
5
1 Cor. 9:16-19, 22-23
Isa. 6:1-2a, 3-8 Lk. 5:1-11
God calls those who are to proclaim salvation
1 Cor. 15:1-11 or 15;3-8, 11
6
1 Cor. 3:18-23
Jer. 17:5-8 Lk. 6:17, 20-26
Happy is the one who trusts in the Lord
1 Cor. 15:12, 1620
7
Rom. 12:14-21
1 Sam. 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23 Lk. 6:27-38
Be merciful
1 Cor. 15:45-49
8
1 Jn. 2:7-11
Sir. 27:5-8 Lk. 6:39-45
The Word, source of wisdom and the rule of life
1 Cor. 15:54-58
9
Jas. 5:13-16
1 Kgs. 8:41-43 Lk. 7:1-10
Healing is offered to all who believe
Gal. 1:1-2, 6-10
10
Eph. 2:1, 4-7
1 Kgs. 17:17-24 Lk. 7:11-17
The Lord restores life to us
Gal. 1:11-19
11
Rom. 5:15, 20-21
2 Sam. 12:7-10, 13 Lk. 7:36–8:3 or 7:36-50
Love elicits the forgiveness of sins
Gal. 2:16, 19-21
12
Rom. 6:3-4, 8-11
Zech. 12:10-11; 13:1 Lk. 9:18-24
To confess Christ and follow him
Gal. 3:26-29
13
1 Pet. 1:14-19
1 Kgs. 19:16b, 19-21 Lk. 9:51-62
To walk in the Spirit, called to freedom
Gal. 5:1, 13-18
14
1 Thess. 1:1-8
Isa. 66:10-14c Lk. 10:1-12, 17-20 or 10:1-9
To be ready for the kingdom when it is proclaimed, and to preach love and peace
Gal. 6:14-18
15
Jas. 1:21-25
Dt. 30:10-14 Lk. 10:25-37
Be a Good Samaritan to obey Christ and put his words into practice
Col. 1:15-20
16
1 Pet. 4:9-11
Gen. 18:1-10a Lk. 10:38-42
Practice hospitality
Col. 1:24-28
17
1 Jn. 5:14-16a
Gen. 18:20-32 Lk. 11:1-13
To ask boldly in order to receive
Col. 2:12-14
Sun
2nd Reading (Nocent)
OT and Gospel Readings
Theme
2nd Reading (OLM)
18
Col. 3:1-5, 9-11
Eccl. 1:2; 2:21-23 Lk. 12:13-21
The vanity of earthly treasure rather seek those things on high
Col. 3:1-5, 9-11
19
Eph. 6:13-18
Wis. 18:6-9 Lk. 12:32-48 or 12:35-40
To await and hold oneself in readiness in prayer
Heb. 11:1-2, 8-19 or 11:1-2, 8-12
1 Pet. 4:12-19
Jer. 38:4-6, 8-10 Lk. 12:49-53
The cross as sign of contradiction; read the signs of the times in order to be saved
Heb. 12:1-4
21
1 Pet. 2:9-10
Isa. 66:18-21 Lk. 13:22-30
To be received at the table of the kingdom and belong to a holy people; live nobly
Heb. 12:5-7, 1113
22
1 Pet. 5:5b-7, 10-11
Sir. 3:17-18, 20, 28-29 Lk. 14:1, 7-14
Clothe oneself with humility, the teaching is directed to the humble
Heb. 12:18-19, 22-24a
Heb. 12:25-27
Wis. 9:13-18b Lk. 14:25-33
The old ways are gone; we must build while renouncing all to follow the word
Phlm 9-10, 12-17
1 Tim. 1:12-17
20
23
24
1 Tim. 1:12-17
Ex. 32:7-11, 13-14 Lk. 15:1-32 or 15:1-10
The God of the Covenant renounces his anger; Christ brings salvation; heaven rejoices in a repentant sinner
25
Jas. 5:1-6
Am. 8:4-7 Lk. 16:1-13 or 16:10-13
One cannot serve two masters
1 Tim. 2:1-8
26
Jas. 2:5-9
Am. 6:1a, 4-7 Lk. 16:19-31
The rich and the poor, their destiny to come
1 Tim. 6:11-16
27
Gal. 3:6-11
Hab. 1:2-3; 2:2-4 Lk. 17:5-10
To live by faith
2 Tim. 1:6-8, 1314
28
Eph. 2:5-6, 8-10
2 Kgs. 5:14-17 Lk. 17:11-19
Our gratitude, we who are saved by grace
2 Tim. 2:8-13
29
1 Tim. 2:1-3, 8
Ex. 17:8-13 Lk. 18:1-8
The Lord hears and answers prayer
2 Tim. 3:14–4:2
30
2 Cor. 12:7-10
Sir. 35:12-14, 16-18 Lk. 18:9-14
Strength lies in weakness
2 Tim. 4:6-8, 1618
31
Tit. 3:3-7
Wis. 11:22–12:2 Lk. 19:1-10
The Lord saves what is lost
2 Thess. 1:11–2:2
32
1 Cor. 15:51, 53-58
2 Mac. 7:1-2, 9-14 Lk. 20:27-38 or 20:27, 34-38
The Lord is the God of the living
2 Thess. 2:16–3:5
33
2 Thess. 2:1-4, 13-17
Mal. 3:19-20a Lk. 21:5-19
In patience we shall possess life
2 Thess. 3:7-12
Extract from A. Nocent, A Rereading of the Renewed Liturgy (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1994) [p. 6] It is undeniable that the reworking of the lectionary has been one of the most important and most fundamental tasks of renewal. To restore to Christians frequent and varied exposure to Scripture, especially through the liturgy, means working with the power of the Spirit to influence their way of thinking, their conception of the divine persons, the Church and her sacraments. It is still too early to make an objective assessment of the results so far. But it would not be premature to assert that certain ways of presenting dogma and the sacraments are now outdated. During the second millennium, the catechesis of dogma and of the sacraments was mainly based on the Lex credenda, which is to say that the means of teaching were largely limited to conceptual demonstration and the study of the “mechanics” of the sacraments. Whereas the use of a lectionary such as the one we have now largely brings us back to the catechetical methodology of the first millennium, that is, the Lex orandi, a dynamic presentation of dogma and of the sacraments which springs from the historical realities of salvation as revealed in Scripture. [...] [p. 7] It is not our intention here to go into the history of the lectionary. But a few remarks are indispensible if the reasons for what we have to say about the second readings of Sundays in Ordinary Time are to be clearly understood. The discussion will be limited to those particular readings. It required much deliberation, but finally it was decided to organize these Sundays into three cycles of readings, spread out over three years. The Synoptic Gospels would be read continuously, in order, as much as possible. The Gospel of John would keep its traditional place in Lent and Eastertide. It was also decided to pair together, approximately, the first reading (from the Old Testament) and the passage from the Gospels. This rough pairing was already in place for the different liturgical seasons, as, for instance, in the readings for the Sundays in Eastertide. So this was no innovation, but since the importance was also recognized of giving the faithful a continuous reading from Scripture—which had been done for the Synoptics—the suggestion was made to do the same thing for the Epistles. The group studying the question found the idea attractive, and we see the results in the lectionary. How well is this system working, now, after twenty-five years? Opinions may differ: Many, in particular biblical scholars, are happy with the continuous reading, both for themselves and for the faithful, who will thus come to know Scripture better. But [p. 8] there are some who look to antiquity, as well as to quite recent times, and are of the opinion that it is a mistake to overdo these pairings, even when done only approximately, and that we should let Scripture speak for itself. With all due respect for this opinion, which has its justifications, we must still not forget that there is an important difference between reading the Bible and drawing exegetical interpretation from it, and proclaiming the Bible as the Church does with another spiritual interpretation, chosen not in contradiction with the first, but from a distinctly other viewpoint. The Church’s understanding of a particular text, and especially of the Gospels, is manifest from the choice of preceding readings. A particularly clear example is the First Sunday in Lent, Cycle A. On this day catechumens can give their chosen name in order to receive instruction and the exorcisms preparatory to their baptismal initiation. The liturgy for the day proclaims for their benefit Genesis 2:7-9 and 3:1-7, which relate the creation of the world, and the temptation and fall of Adam and Eve. The choice for the Gospel reading, Matthew 4:1-11, acts as a prism through which to look at the first reading: It tells of the victory of Christ over the temptations offered him by Satan. The second reading, Romans 3:12-19, delves into the deeper meaning of the first and the third readings: Where sin abounds, there is abundant grace. In this instance the liturgy is actually giving an interpretation of these texts by the act of their proclamation. It may be obvious to the exegete that these three readings have no particular affinity, but we see here the intention of the Church, clearly enriching, attaching greater importance to the catechetical
value of this sequence of texts than to the importance of providing a continuous reading of Scripture with no particular point of view. In the case of Sundays in Ordinary Time, the particular meaning of the Gospel is determined by the first reading, but the second one, since it is continuous with that of preceding weeks, bears no relationship. The result is another element of value in itself but which cannot be a part of the first reading and the Gospel, nor even a complement to them, unless it is pulled and squeezed out of shape in order to try and force it into the perspective of the preceding readings, a process likely to do considerable distortion to the text itself. This problem has been obvious to the faithful who, by now, after twenty-five years, are used to a certain degree of coherence in the readings. So the very opposite of [p. 9] what was wanted happened. In a significant number of parishes the second reading is no longer proclaimed, for pastoral reasons that fall within the rubrics and which justify this omission: It is impossible to use the second reading in the homily with any coherence. It might be objected that the second reading itself might be the subject of the homily, but we do not find such a practice either possible or right. For it is obvious that the Gospel is the high point of the Liturgy of the Word, and to ignore this would be neither legitimate nor good catechetics. We must bow before the facts, and not blame the faithful for having been imbued with the meaning of the Liturgy of the Word which, moreover, we have tried to teach them. In conclusion, it seems a good idea to suggest, as an appendix, yet another choice, which would not require any change in the lectionary for Sundays in Ordinary Time. A study group has proposed another series of second readings more in harmony with the two others. This proposal is of course offered only as preliminary: It remains to be determined whether this new system totally eliminates some epistles from all the cycles, and whether there might not be some readings repeated too close to each other, etc. Smoothing out these wrinkles will be easy once the principle behind the new selection has been agreed upon.19* [...] A. Nocent, Les deuxièmes lectures des dimanches ordinaires, Ecclesia Orans, 8, 1991, 2, 125-126. The work is that of the students of the Faculté de Liturgie, Saint-Anselm of Rome, in seminar. 19*
[p. 18] The second readings proposed here are only suggestions; a final choice will have to be made in a workshop. The importance of such reworking of the second readings should not be underestimated, however. It is no secret that a large number of parishes, in France, Germany, Belgium, and other countries, are skipping the second reading because it introduces a theme that does not fit in with the two principal readings. Unless we admit that there is a problem here, we may be encouraging what is in fact an act of disobedience that a number of persons might find legitimate, faced as they are with a categorical refusal and what could be considered a blocking tactic on the part of specialists in Scripture and in the liturgy who have no pastoral concerns at heart. In fact, for all the major liturgical seasons, we have been encouraged to work within fairly broad themes, and pastors who have been taught to do so might find a refusal to work out this particular problem an incomprehensible and stubborn lack of cooperation. It would be possible, of course, to leave the lectionary just as it is, but there is no reason not to suggest a choice of second readings for the Sundays in Ordinary Time.
