LITURGICAL CORNER  

 The Liturgy of the Word.  The main part of the Liturgy of the Word is made up of the readings from Sacred Scripture together with the chants occurring between them.  The homily, Profession of Faith, and Prayer of the Faithful, however, develop and conclude this part of the Mass. 

SILENCE

The liturgy of the Word is to be celebrated in such a way as to promote meditation.  During the Liturgy of the Word, it is appropriate to include brief periods of silence so that the word of God may be grasped by the heart and a response through prayer may be prepared.  It may be appropriate to observe such periods of silence, for example, before the Liturgy of the Word itself begins, after the first and second reading, and lastly at the conclusion of the homily. 

THE BIBLICAL READINGS

In the readings, the table of God’s word is prepared for the faithful, and the riches of the Bible are opened to them.  In the celebration of the Mass with a congregation, the readings are always proclaimed from the ambo.

By tradition, the function of proclaiming the readings is ministerial, not presidential.  The readings, therefore, should be proclaimed by a lector, and the Gospel by a deacon or, in his absence, a priest other than the celebrant.  If, however, a deacon or another priest is not present, the priest celebrant himself should read the Gospel.  Further, if another suitable lector is also not present, then the priest celebrant should also proclaim the other readings.

After each reading, whoever reads gives the acclamation, to which the gathered people reply, honoring the word of God that they have received in faith and with grateful hearts.

The reading of the Gospel is the high point of the Liturgy of the Word.  The Liturgy itself teaches that great reverence is to be shown to it by setting it off from the other readings with special marks of honor, whether the minister appointed to proclaim it prepares himself by a blessing or prayer; or the faithful, standing as they listen to it being read, through their acclamations acknowledge and confess Christ present and speaking to them; or the very marks of reverence are given to the Book of the Gospels.

02/11/2006