On the Holy Mass: The Liturgy of the Word
“The Holy Mass, as it were, has two parts: The Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. But they form just one act of worship” (GIRM 28). The Liturgy of the Word opens the treasures of the Bible and provides food for the faithful at the table of God’s Word (SC 51).
When the Apostles and Disciples began gathering on the first day of the week, they usually began with recalling the life, works and teachings of Jesus before the breaking of the bread. This prefigured the rites of the Holy Mass we celebrate on Sundays. After the time of the Apostles, the early Christians in their gatherings included a reading of the memoirs of the Apostles and writings of the Prophets. These traditions were formalized in the Roman Missal as the Liturgy of the Word.
The Liturgy of the Word is primarily celebrated through the readings from the Sacred Scriptures, the written Word of God. They must come from the official Canon of the Bible approved by the Church at the Council of Trent and reaffirmed by Vatican II.
On one hand, God’s plan of salvation in preparing the people for the Redeemer is found in the books of the Old Testament. How God chose the people of Israel and how God continued to speak to his people through the prophets, are foretold, recounted, and explained by sacred authors of the Old Testament. The New Testament, on the other hand, contains the fullness of redemption wrought by Jesus Christ. The Gospels, the Epistles of Paul and other Apostolic writings, are the perpetual and divine witnesses of this reality.
On Sundays and Solemnities, there are two readings before the Gospel while on other days, one reading. The First Reading is followed by the Responsorial Psalm which fosters meditation on the word of God. The Second Reading, if prescribed, is taken from the Epistles of the New Testament.
The proclamation of the Gospel is the highest point of the Liturgy of the Word. It is accorded with special dignity like the use of incense and the rule that only ordained ministers are permitted to proclaim the Gospel. The people are also asked to stand because of its importance and, in High Masses, the Bishop even blesses the people with the Book of the Gospels. The Holy Mother Church asserts that the Gospels faithfully hand down what Jesus, while living on earth, really taught and did for the redemption of all until He ascended into heaven. The Gospels are the principal witness to the Life and Teaching of Jesus that is why they hold preeminence in all of Sacred Scriptures.
The Homily, which is the exposition of the mysteries of faith and guiding principles of Christian life, is an integral part of the Liturgy and thus obligatory and never to be omitted on Sundays and Solemnities unless for a serious reason.
The Liturgy of the Word is a time to listen and meditate on the Word of God. It is not a time for going out of the Church, for refreshments (recess?), checking messages, conversing with others, or even minds and hearts flying to other thoughts and concerns. Sometimes, I am guilty of this too when after sitting down, I call the sacristan for other instructions or reminders. But with God's mercy and grace, we can always resolve anew to give full attention to the Liturgy of the Word when Jesus, the Word made flesh, is truly present and actively speaking to us. With the Holy Spirit, we can then appreciate the marvelous story of our Redemption and Journey of Faith to our Heavenly Father's Kingdom.
Sources: Dei Verbum (DV), Sacrosanctum Concilium (SC) and General Instructions of the Roman Missal (GIRM).
Red Stock photos by Vecteezy
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