AFTER THE COLLECT   

FIRST READING

This is read by a member of the congregation. It is usually from the Old Testament, except at Eastertide. Following the First Reading a psalm portion is sung.

THE EPISTLE

The Second Reading is sung by the Subdeacon at High Mass. It is a good point to remember that all ceremonial of the Western Church is based on the High Mass, the normative celebration. Indeed, in the Eastern Church there is no such thing as Low Mass.

An Epistle means a letter and the lesson read at this point is generally from one of the letters of the Apostles to be found in the New Testament. In ancient days, other lessons from the Old Testament were read before it but the number was later reduced to three (Prophet, Epistle, and Gospel) and then to two, although in the modern three year lectionary, the Old Testament lesson has returned. The Epistle, or New Testament lesson, may come from any part of the New Testament except the four Gospels, and it is for the instruction of our souls and for exhortation to a Christian life that the words of Prophets or Apostles "whatsoever things were written aforetime for our learning" are read to us. In gratitude for the light of God's revelation we answer "Thanks be to God" at the end of the reading, as for the first reading.

THE GRADUAL

Between the Epistle and the Gospel, a cantor sings an Alleluia verse; in Lent, the Alleluia is replaced by a chant. On