By Archbishop Thomas Wenski - The Archdiocese of Miami
Homily by Archbishop Thomas Wenski at Mass at Redemptoris Matter Seminary for the Institution of Acolytes. March, 16, 2026. Hialeah, FL.
We are already halfway through Lent – and today’s first reading from Isaiah reminds us that Lent is a journey towards a total renewal – “a new heavens and a new earth” and not just some minor self-improvements. Jesus’ healing for the royal official’s son calls us to trust in God’s power and in his providence. Jesus does not go with the royal official to his son’s bedside. He simply says: You may go, your son will live. The healing takes place when the royal official believes in his word.
Today, we will institute new “lectors” or readers of the Word – a step on your way to the priesthood but it is more than just that. As lectors you are called to be nourished by the Word and to proclaim it faithfully. Allow the Word to transform your lives and the lives of those who hear you proclaim the Word.
God’s word is transformative – but is must be received and proclaimed. And that requires humility on the part of the one who receives the Word and on the part of the one who proclaims the Word. Humility, I like to remind people, is not about thinking less of yourselves but thinking about yourself less. In other words, don’t get in the way. Don’t allow your idiosyncrasies to be a distraction. Working on accent reduction is important, good diction is also important but so is praying over the Word, studying it, meditating on it, before you proclaim it. In other words, the Word must be lived before it is proclaimed.
As lectors you are “officially” commissioned to be the voice through which the Spirit can speak to the community. It’s not simply reading – it is a ministry, a ministry of the Word, intended to rouse faith in others. And as I said, to be proclaimed well, it has to be lived well.
All this also implies a catechetical role- as instituted lectors you also are charged with instructing the faithful in the faith and preparing them for the worthy reception of the Sacraments.
The Word of God is "living and effective". In this fourth week of Lent, we are invited to "see beyond the ordinary". By listening to the Word proclaimed, we are drawn into the "new creation" Isaiah describes, moving from the mourning of our sins into the "dancing" of God's grace.
