"I do all for the sake of the gospel, so that I too may have a share in it. Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize? Run so as to win. Every athlete exercises discipline in every way. They do it to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one. Thus I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight as if I were shadowboxing. No, I drive my body and train it, for fear that, after having preached to others, I myself should be disqualified." (1 Cor. 9:19-27)

The Epistle (or Lesson), more commonly known today simply as the "Second Reading," is taken from one of the books of the New Testament that is not one of the four Gospels.

The Epistle is a teaching quite apart from the liturgical movement of the other readings. It is not in the same cycle and special care WAS NOT given that it keep to the thematic format of the First reading and the Gospel. However, it often does indeed fit in very well with the other readings, and one can, with very little effort, make the exhortation, correction or 'pep' message meaningful in connection with the rest of Christ's teachings.

One of the best ways that we can make use of the Epistle is to read it before hand. In the AFMOPITH booklet that comes each month, the readings are clearly stated with chapter and verse. The official NAB Bible has some very good commentaries written at the bottom... when in doubt, look it up!

Apart from simply reading the Epistle before Sunday Mass, try to read the reading in context -- a good section before and after the text cited. In the Roman Rite, we have never been able to have a contiguous reading cycle of Scripture from cover to cover in the Sacred Liturgy (there are some profoundly dry spots in the Bible that, for the sake of the economy of time and energy, hold a less pivotal and essential place for our consideration). It would help most of all to take a critical look at yourself after your reading to see where you might be coming up short in your commitment to Jesus.

Psalm 25:4-5: Make known to me your ways, LORD; teach me your paths. Guide me for you are God my savior.