August 31, 2025
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Lector Preparation for Sunday Readings
Lector Preparation for Sunday Readings
Lisa Bellecci (bell-LAY-chee)-st.romain has a masters in pastoral theology. Her day job is a Christian clinical social worker in private practice bringing healing via psychotherapy to those with civilian trauma.
Greg’s website offers a close look at upcoming Sunday readings, focusing on not only on the lector’s understanding and proclamation, but also the historical and theological background.
- FIRST READING
- SECOND READING
Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29
22nd Sunday of Year C
Sirach – a tender reading, short, written in couplets which give advice. Use your best gentle mentoring voice!
Be tenderness personified as you proclaim this reading! Slowly, lots of eye contact and hold your gaze as you speak the short phrases. Be the mentor of all the people you see in front of you.
Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24a
22nd Sunday of Year C
ontinuing in the letter to the Hebrews, this section is rich with allusion to Moses receiving the Commandments at Mount Sinai, only to compare it to the wonderful Mount Zion and the heavenly Jerusalem. It’s full of excitement and intensity. Lisa has suggestions for helping that build!
Hebrews! and the first century Jewish converts to Christianity would have understood all these (“scary”) references to appearances of God in the Old Testament…
- A
- B
- C
- D
- E
- G
- H
- I
- J
- K
- L
- M
- N
- O
- P
- R
- S
- T
- U
- Z
Abiezrite [ay-bee-EEZ-rite]
Abilene [ab-uh-LEE-neh]
Abinadab [uh-BIN-uh-dab]
Abinoam [uh-BIN-oh-am]
Abishai [uh-BIHSH-ay-ai]
Abiathar [uh-BI-uh-thahr]
Abram [AYB-ruhm]
Achaia [uh-KAY-yuh]
Achor [AY-kohr]
Acts [akts]
Adar [AY-dahr]
Admah [AD-mah]
Agabus [AG-uh-buhs]
Agar [AY-gur]
Ahaz [AY-haz]
Ahio [uh-HIGH-oh]
Ai [AY-eye]
Akkub [ACK-ub]
Alphaeus [al-FEE-uhs]
Amalekites [uh-MAL-uh-kytes]
Amaziah [am-ah-ZYE-uh]
Ammon [AM-uhn]
Ammonites [AM-uh-nytes]
Amon [AY-muhn]
Amorites [AM-uh-rytes]
Amos [AY-muhs]
Amoz [AY-muhz]
Amphipolis [am-FIP-oh-lis]
Anaiah [uh-NYE-uh]
Ananias [AN-uh-NYE-uhs]
Anathoth [AN-uh-thoth]
Annas [ANN-uhs]
Antioch [AN-tee-ahk]
Antiochus [an-TYE-uh-kuhs]
Apollonia [AP-uh-LOH-nee-uh]
Apollos [uh-PAH-luhs]
Apphia [AF-ee-uh]
Arabah [AIR-uh-bah, AIR-uh-buh]
Aram [AY-ruhm]
Aramean [AAH-ruh-MEE-uhn] from Aram
Archelaus [AHR-kuh-LAY-uhs]
Archippus [ahr-KIP-uhs]
Arimathea [ehr-uh-muh-THEE-uh]
Areopagus [air-ee-AHP-uh-guhs]
Asenath [AS-uh-nath]
Asher [ASH-uhr]
Ashkelon [ASH-kuh-lon]
Assyria [a-SIHR-ee-uh]
Aven [AY-ven]
Azal [AZ-uhl]
Azariah [az-uh-RYE-uh]
Azotus [ah-ZOH-tus]
Baal [BAY-uhl]
Baals [BAY-uhlz]
Baale-judah [BAY-uh-lee-JOO-duh]
Baalpeor [BAY-uhl-PEE-ohr]
Baals [BAY-alz]
Baal-shalishah [BAY-uhl-shuh-LYE-shuh]
Baal-zephon [BAY-uhl-ZEE-fuhn]
Babyon [BAB-ih-lon]
Balaam [BAY-luhm]
Balak [BAY-lak]
Baladan [BAL-uh-dan]
Bani [BAY-nye]
Barabbas [buh-RAH-buhs]
Barak [BAIR-uhk]
Barnabas [BAHR-nuh-buhs]
Barsabbas [BAHR-suh-buhs]
Bartimaeus [bahr-tih-MEE-uhs]
Baruch [BARE-uhk]
Bashan [BAY-shun]
Bathsheba [bath-SHEE-buh]
Beelzebub [bee-EHL-zee-buhb]
Beer-lahai-roi [BEE-uhr-luh-HYE-roy]
Beer-sheba [BEE-uhr-SHEE-buh]
Bel [BAYL, BEL]
Belshazzar [behl-SHAZ-uhr]
Belteshazza [bel-tih-SHAZ-ahr]
Beor [BEE-or]
Berea [beh-REE-uh]
Beroea [beh-REE-uh] (alt. for Berea)
Bethel [BETH-uhl]
Bethlehem [BETH-lee-hem]
Bethlehemite [BETH-lih-heh-myte]
Beth-peor [beth-PEE-ohr]
Bethphage [BETH-fuh-gee]
Bethsaida [beth-SAY-ih-duh]
Bethlehemite [BETH-le-heh-mite]
Bethuel [buh-THOO-uhl]
Bethzatha [beth-ZAY-thuh]
Bildad [BIL-dad]
Bilhah [BIL-hah]
bitumen [bih-TOO-mehn]
Caesarea [ses-uh-REE-uh]
Caesarea Philippi [sehs-uh-REE-uh fih-LIP-eye]
Caiaphas [KAY-uh-fuhs]
Calneh [KAL-neh]
Cana [KAY-nuh]
Canaan [KAY-nuhn]
Cananaean [kay-nuh-NEE-uhn]
Canaanites [KAY-nuh-nytes]
Candace [kan-DAY-see]
Capernaum [kuh-PUHR-nee-uhm]
Cappadocia [kap-uh-DOH-shee-uh]
Carmel [KAHR-muhl]
caul [KAWL]
Cephas [SEE-fuhs]
Chaldeans [kal-DEE-uhns]
Cheebar [KEE-bahr]
Cherubim [CHAIR-yoo-bim]
Chilion [KIHL-ee-uhn]
Chloe's [KLOH-eez]
Chrispus [KRIS-puhs]
Chronicles [KRON-ih-kuhlz]
Chuza [KOO-zuh]
Cilicia [sih-LISH-yuh]
Cleopas [KLEE-uh-puhs]
Clopas [KLO-pas]
cockatrice’ [KAH-kuh-trihs]
Colossae [kuh-LOHS-ee]
Colossians [kuh- LAH-shuhnz]
Corinth [KOR-uhnth]
Corinthians [kuh-RIN-thee-uhnz]
Cornelius [kor-NEE-lee-uhs]
Cretans [KREE-tenz]
Cushite [CUHSH-ite]
Cyrene [sy-REE-neh]
Cyrenians [sy-REE-nee-enz]
Cyrus [SYE-ruhs]
Damascus [duh-MAS-kuhs]
Daniel [DAN-yuhl]
Darius [duh-RYE-uhs]
Decalogue [DEK-uh-log]
Decapolis [dee-KAP-uh-lis]
denarii [dih-NAIR-ee-eye]
denarius [dih-NAIR-ee-uhs]
Deuteronomy [DOO-tuh-RON-uh-mee]
Diblaim [dib-LAH-yim]
Didymus [DID-uh-muhs]
Ecclesiasticus [ih-KLEE-zee-AS-tih-kuhs]
Ecclesiastes [ih-KLEE-zee-AS-teez]
Edom [EE-duhm]
Ehud [EE-hudd]
Elah [EE lah]
Elamites [EE-lah-mites]
Eldad [EHL-dad]
Eleazar [ehl-ee-AY-zer]
Eli [ee'lye]
Eliab [ee-LYE-ab]
Eliam [el-ee-AWM]
Elias (ee-LYE-us)
eli eli lema sabachthani
[AY-lee AY-lee LUH-mah sah-BAKH-thah-nee]
Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?
[AY-lo-ee AY-lo-ee LEH-mah
sah-BAHK-tah-nee]
Eliezer [ehl-ih-EE-zer]
Elijah [ih-LYE-juh]
Elimelech [ih-LIHM-eh-lehk]
Elisha [ih-LYE-shuh]
Elkanah [el-KAY-nuh]
Emmanuel [ih-MAN-yoo-ell]
Emmaus [ih-MAY-uhs]
Enoch [EE-nuhk]
Epaphras [EPP-uh-fruhs]
Ephah [EE-fah]
Ephphatha [EHF-uh-thuh]
Ephesian [eh-FEE-zhun]
Ephesians [eh-FEE-zhunz]
Ephesus [EF-uh-suhs]
Ephraim [EE-fray-ihm]
ephod [EH-fahd, EE-fod]
Ephrathah [EHF-ruh-thuh]
Ephrathites [EHF-ruh-thites]
Esaias [EE-zay-uhs]
Esau [EE-saw]
Esdras [EZ-druhs]
Esther [ES-tuhr]
Euodia [yoo-OH-dee-uh]
Euphrates [yoo-FRAY-teez]
Exodus [EK-suh-duhs]
Ezekiel [ih-ZEE-kee-uhl]
Ezra [EZ-ruh]
Gabbatha [GAB-uh-thuh]
Gadarene [gad-uh-REEN]
Gadarenes [gad-uh- REENZ]
Gaius [GAY-yuhs]
Galatia [guh-lay-SHEE uh]
Galatians [guh-LAY-shuhnz]
Galileans [gal-ih-LEE-uhn]
Galileans [gal-ih-LEE-uhnz]
Gath [GATH]
Gaza [GAH-zuh]
Gehazi [gee-HAY-zye]
Genesis [JEN-uh-sis, JEH-nuh-suhs]
Gennesaret [gih-NES-uh-ret]
Gerasenes [GAIR uh seens]
Gibeah [GIB-ee-uh]
Gibeon [GIHB-ee-uhn]
Gideon [GID-ee-uhn]
Gilboa [gil-BOH-uh]
Gilead [GIHL-ee-uhd]
Gilgal [GILL-gal]
Girgashites [GER-guh-shytes]
Golgotha [GOL-guh-thuh]
Goliath [go-LYE-uhth]
Gomer [GOH-murr]
Gomorrah [guh-MOR-uh]
Goshen [GOH-shuhn]
Habakkuk [huh-BAK-kuhk]
Hadadrimmon [hay-dad-RIHM-uhn]
Hades [HAY-deez]
Hakeldama [hah-KEL-'duh-muh]
Hagar [HAY-gahr]
Haggai [HAG-ay-eye]
Ham [ham]
Haman [HAY-muhn]
Hamath [HAY-muth]
Hanamel [HAN-uh-mehl]
Hanan [HAY-nuhn]
Hananiah [han-uh-NYE-uh]
Haran [HAY-ruhn]
Harbona [khar-BO-nah]
Harosheth-ha-goiim
[huh ROH-sheth huh Goy-ihm]
Hashbaddanah [hash-BAD-ah-nuh]
Hashum [HAY-shum]
Hazael [HAZ-uh-el]
Hazor [HAY-zor]
Hebrews [HEE-brooz]
Hebron [HEE-bron]
Hermon [HER-mun]
Herod [HAIR-uhd]
Herodians [hih-ROH-dee-uhns]
Herodias [hih-ROH-dee-uhs]
Hezekiah [heh-zeh-KYE-uh]
Hilkiah [hil-KYE-uh]
Hittites [HIHT-tytes]
Hivites [HYE-vites, HIH-vites]
Hodiah [hoh-DYE-uh]
Horeb [HOR-uhb]
Hosea [hoh-SEE-uh, hoh-ZAY-uh]
Hur [HER]
Iconium [eye-KOE-nee-uhm]
Immanuel [ih-MAN-yoo-el]
Isaiah [eye-ZAY-uh, (eye-ZYE-uh, chiefly Brit.)]
Iscariot [is-KAR-ee-uht]
Ishmael [ISH-may-el]
Ishmaelites [ISH-may-uh-lites]
Israel [IZ-ray-el]
Issachar [ISS-seh-kar]
Ittai [IT-tye]
Ituraea [ih-TSHOOR-ree-uh]
Jabbok [JAB-ock]
Jabin [JAY-bin]
Jamin [JAY-min]
Jaar [JAY-ahr]
Jairus [JAY-uh-ruhs]
James [jaymz]
Japheth [JAY-feth]
Jashar [JASH-ur]
Jebusites [JEH-boo-sites]
Jehoiakim [jeh-HOI-uh-kim]
Jehovah-Shalom [juh-HOH-vuh-SHAY-lom]
Jehozadak [juh-HOZ-uh-dak]
Jehu [JEE-hoo]
Jemimah [juh-MYE-muh]
Jericho [JAIR-ih-koe]
Jeroboam [JAIR-uh-BOH-uhm]
Jephthah [JEF-thuh]
Jeremiah [jer-uh-MYE-uh]
Jeshua [JESH-oo-uh]
Jethro [JETH-roh]
Jezebel [JEZ-uh-bel]
Jezreel [JEZ-ree-uhl]
Jezreelite [JEZ-ree-uhl-ite]
Joab [JOH-ab]
Joash [JOH-ash]
Job [JOHB]
Joel [JOH-uhl]
John [jahn]
Jonah [JOH-nuh]
Joppa [JOP-uh]
Joses [JOH-seez]
Josiah [joh-SI-uh]
Joshua [JOSH-yoo-uh]
Jotham [JOH-thuhm]
Jozabad [JOHZ-uh-bad]
Judah [JOO-duh]
Judea or Judæa [joo-DEE-uh]
Jude [jood]
Judges [JUHJ-iz, JUH-juhz]
Judith [JOO-dith]
Justus [JUHS-tuhs]
Kadesh [KAY-dehsh]
Kedar [KEE-dahr]
Kedesh [KEE-desh]
Kelita [KEL-ih-tuh]
Keren-happuch [KEHR-ehn-HAP-uhk]
Keziah [keh-ZYE-uh]
Kerioth [ker-ee-YOTH]
Kidron [KIHD-ruhn]
Kings [kingz]
Kir [KEER]
Kishon [KYE-shahn]
Laban [LAY-ban]
Lamentations [LAM-en-TAY-shuhnz]
Laodicea [lay-oh-duh-SEE-uh]
Lappidoth [LAP-ih-doth]
Leviathan [luh-VYE-uh-thuhn]
Levite [LEE-vite]
Levites [LEE-vites]
Leviticus [lih-VIT-ih-kuhs]
Lo-ammi [loh AM-eye]
Lo ruhamah [loh roo-HAY-muh]
Lud [luhd]
Luke [louhk]
Lycaonian [lihk-uh-OH-nee-uhn]
Lydda [LIH-duh]
Lysanias [lye-SAY-nee-uhs]
Lystra [LIS-truh]
Maaseiah [MAY-uh-SEE-yuh]
Maccabees [MAH-kuh-beez]
Macedonia [MAH-suh-DOH-nee-uh]
Magdala [MAG-duh-luh]
Magdalene [MAG-duh-leen]
Mahlon [MAH-luhn]
Mahseiah [muh-SYE-uh]
Malachi [MAH-luh-kye]
Malchijah [mal-KYE-uh]
Malchus [MAL-kuhs]
Manasseh [muh-NAH-suh]
Mamre [MAM-ree]
Mark [mahrk]
Massah [MAH-suh]
Matthew [MAH-thyoo]
Matthias [muh-THYE-uhs]
Mattithiah [mat-tih-THYE-uh]
Medad [MEE-dad]
Medes [meedz]
Megiddon [mih-GID-uhn]
Melchizedek [mel-KIZ-uh-dek]
Meribah [MAIR-ee-baah]
Merodach-baladan [MER-oh-dak-BAL-uh-dan]
Meshullam [meh-SHOO-luhm]
Mesopotamia [MESS-uh-puh-TAY-mee-uh]
Micah [MYE-kuh]
Michal [MY-kuhl]
Midian [MID-ee-uhn]
Midianites [MID-ee-uh-nytes]
(the) Millo [MILL-oh] (believed to be a type of fortification)
Milcah [MIL-kah]
mitre [mye-tuhr]
Mizar [MYE-zahr]
Mishael [MISH-uh-el]
Moab [MOH-ab]
Moabite [MOH-ab-ite]
Moreh [MOH-ruh]
Moriah [muh-RYE-uh]
Naaman [NAY-uh-muhn]
Naamathite [NAY-uh-muh-thyte]
Naboth [NAY-buhth]
Nahor [NAY-hor]
Nahum [NAY-huhm]
Nain [NAY-in]
Naomi [nay-OH-mee]
Naphthali [NAF-tuh-lye]
Nathanael [nuh-THAN-yuhl]
Nazareth [NAH-zuh-ruhth]
Nazirite [NAH-zuh-ryte]
Nazorean [naz-aw-REE-uhn]
Neapolis [nee-AP-o-lihs]
Nebo [NEE-boh]
Nebuchadnezzar [NEH-byoo-kuhd-NEH-zuhr]
Nebuchadrezzar [NEH-byoo-kuh-DREH-zuhr]
Negeb [NEH-geb]
Negev [NEH-gev]
Nehemiah [NEE-uh-MYE-uh; NEE-huh-MYE-uh]
Neriah [nuh-RYE-uh]
Nicanor [nye-KAY-nuhr]
Nicodemus [NIK-uh-DEE-muhs]
Nicolaus [NIK-uh-lay-uhs]
Nimshi [NIM-shy]
Nineveh [NIN-uh-vuh]
Numbers [NUHM-buhrz]
Nun [nuhn]
Obadiah [OH-buh-DYE-uh]
Obed [OH-behd]
Obed-edom [OH-behd-EE-duhm]
Onesimus [oh-NESS-ih-muhs]
Ophir [OH-fuhr]
Ophrah [OHF-ruh]
Orpah [OR-puh]
Paddan-aram [PAD-an-AY-ram]
Pamphylia [pam-fil'ee-uh]
Paran [PAY-ruhn]
Parmenas [PAR-muh-nuhs]
Parthians [PAR-thee-uhnz]
Patmos [PAT-muhs]
Pedaiah [peh-DYE-yah]
Pelaiah [peh-LAY-ee-uh]
Peniel [PEN-ee-ehl]
Peninnah [pih-NIN-ah]
Penuel [pen-YOO-uhl]
Peor [PEE-ohr]
Perazim [PER-uh-zim]
Pergamum [PUHR-guh-muhm]
Perizzites [PAIR-ih-zites]
Peter [PEE-tuhr]
Phanuel [FAN-yoo-el]
Pharaoh [FER-oh]
Pharpar [FAHR-pahr]
Philemon [fye-LEE-muhn, fih-LEE-muhn]
Philippi [FIL-ih-pye , fuh-LIP-eye]
Philippians [fuh-LIP-ee-uhnz]
Philistines [fih-LIHS-teenz]
Phoenicia [foh-NEE-shee-uh]
Phrygia [FREE-jee-ah]
Pi-hahiroth [Pye-huh-HYE-roth]
Pisidia [pye-SID-ee-uh]
Pisgah [PIZ-gah]
Pithom [PYE-thom]
Pontus [PAHN-tuhs]
pot-sherd [PAHT-shuhrd]
Poti-pherah [pah-TIH-fuh-ruh]
privily [PRIV ih lee]
Prochorus [PRAH-kuh-ruhs]
Prophecy [PROF-ah-see]
Prophesy [PROF-ah-sye]
Proverbs [PRAH-vuhrbz]
Psalms [sahmz, sahlmz]
Puah [POO-ah]
Rabbah [RAB-uh]
Rabbouni [ra-BOH-nye; ra-BOH-nee]
Rahab [RAY-hab]
Ramah [RAH-muh]
Rameses [RAM-uh-seez]
Rebekah [rih-BEK-uh]
Rehoboam [REE-uh-BOH-uhm]
Rephidim [REH-fih-dim]
Revelation [REV-uh-LAY-shuhn, reh-vuh-LAY-shuhn]
Romans [ROH-muhnz]
Ruth [rooth]
Sadducees [SAD-yoo-seez]
saith [SETH, SEY-uhth]
Salome [suh-LOH-mee]
Samaria [suh-MARE-ee-uh]
Samaritan [suh-MARE-uh-tuhn]
Samaritans [suh-MARE-uh-tuhnz]
Samothrace [SAM-oh-thrays]
Samson [SAM-suhn]
Samuel [SAM-yoo-uhl]
Sarai [SEHR-eye]
Sardis [SAHR-dis]
Sceva [SEE-vuh]
Scythian [SIH-thee-uhn]
Seba [SEE-buh]
Seir [SEE-eer]
Selah [SEE-luh]
Sennacherib [sen-AHK-uhr-ihb]
Seraphim [SER-uh-fim]
Shabbethai [SHAB-eh-thye]
Shallum [SHAL-uhm]
Shammah [SHAH-mah]
Shaphat [SHAY-fat]
Sharon [SHEHR-uhn]
Shealtiel [shee-AL-tee-el]
Sheba [SHEE-bah]
Shechem [SHEE-kehm]
Shekel [SHEK-uhl]
Shekels [SHEK-uhlz]
Shem [shem]
Shema [SHUH-mah]
Shemaiah [she-MAY-yuh]
Sheol [SHEE-ohl]
Sherebiah [SHAIR-uh-BYE-uh]
Shew [show]
Shiloh [SHYE-loh]
Shiphrah [SHIF-rah]
Shittim [SHIH-tim]
Shuhite [SHOO-hyte]
Shunammite [SHOO-nuh-mite]
Shunem [SHOO-nem]
Sidon [SYE-duhn]
Siloam [sye-LOH-uhm]
Silvanus [sil-VAY-nuhs]
Sin [sin]
Sinai [SYE-nye]
Sion [SYE-ahn]
Sirach [SYE-ruhk]
Sisera [SIS-uh-ruh]
Smyrna [SMUHR-nuh]
Sodom [SOD-uhm]
Solomon [SAH-luh-muhn]
Sosthenes [sahs'thuh-neez]
Stephanas [STEF-uh-nuhs]
Susanna [soo-ZAN-uh]
Sychar [SYE-kahr]
Syene [sye-EEN-nee]
Syntyche [SIN-tih-kee]
Tabitha [TAB-ih-thuh]
Tabor [TAY-bor]
Talitha cum [TAL-ih-thuh-KOOM]
Tarshish [TAHR-shish]
Tekoa [tek-OH-ah]
Teman [TEE-man; TEH-men]
Terah [TEE-rah]
Thaddaeus [tha-DEE-uhs]
Theophilus [thee-AH-fih-luhs]
Thessalonians [THES-uh-LOH-nee-uhnz]
Thessalonica [THES-uh-loh-NYE-kah]
Thummim [THUH-muhm]
Thyatira [thye-uh-TYE-ruh]
Tiberias [tai-BIHR-ee-uhs]
Tiberius [tai-BIHR-ee-uhs]
Timon [TYE-muhn]
Timothy [TIM-uh-thee]
Tishbite [TISH-bite]
Titus [TYE-tuhs]
Tobit [TOH-bit]
Trachonitis [trak-o-NYE-tihs]
Troas [TROH-as]
Tubal [TOO-buhl]
Tyre [tire]
Ur [UHR]
Uriah [yoo-RYE-uh]
Urim [YOOR-im]
Uz [UHZ]
Uzzah [UHZ-uh]
Uzziah [uh-ZI-uh]
Zacchaeus [zah-KEE-uhs]
Zacharias [zak-uh-RYE-uhs]
Zaphnath-paaneah [ZAF-uh-nath-puh-NEE-uh]
Zarephath [ZAIR-uh-fath]
Zarethan [ZER-uh-than]
Zerubbabel [zuh RUH buh behl]
Zebedee [ZEB-uh-dee]
Zeboim [zuh-BOH-im]
Zebulun [ZEH-byoo-luhn]
Zechariah [ZEK-uh-RYE-uh]
Zedekiah [zehd-uh-KYE-uh]
Zephaniah [ZEF-uh-NYE-ah]
Ziklag [ZIHK lag]
Zilpah [ZIL-pah]
Zin [ZIHN]
Zoan [ZOH-an]
Zoar [ZOH-ahr]
Zophar [ZOH-fahr]