Introduction to the Teaching MassThird Week of Teaching Masses
Liturgy of the WordThe 2003 General Instruction of the Roman Missal quoted from the Ecumenical Council of Trent to highlight the importance of teaching at Mass: “Lest Christ’s flock go hungry . . . the Holy Synod commands pastors and all others having the care of souls to give frequent instructions during the celebration of Mass, either personally or through others, concerning what is read at Mass; among other things, they should include some explanation of the mystery of this most holy Sacrifice, especially on Sundays and holy days, #11.” In response to this command, we continue today with a series of teaching Masses. This weekend we will focus on the Liturgy of the Word. According to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal; “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. For in the readings, as explained by the homily, God speaks to his people, opening up to them the mystery of redemption and salvation, and offering them spiritual nourishment; and Christ himself is present in the midst of the faithful through his word. By their silence and singing the people make God’s word their own, and they also affirm their adherence to it by means of the Profession of Faith. Finally, having been nourished by it, they pour out their petitions in the Prayer of the Faithful for the needs of the entire Church and for the salvation of the whole world, #55.”
Readings from the Sacred Scripture - “In the readings, the table of God’s word is prepared for the faithful, and the riches of the Bible are opened to them, #57.” “In the sacred books, the Father who is in heaven comes lovingly to meet his children, and talks with them, (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 104). “For Sundays and solemnities, three readings are assigned: that is, from a Prophet, an Apostle, and a Gospel. By these the Christian people are brought to know the continuity of the work of salvation according to God’s wonderful plan, #357.” “If there are several readings, it is well to distribute them among a number of lectors, #109.” Silence - “The Liturgy of the Word is to be celebrated in such a way as to promote meditation, and so any haste that hinders recollection must clearly be avoided. During the Liturgy of the Word, it is also appropriate to include brief periods of silence, accommodated to the gathered assembly, in which, at the prompting of the Holy Spirit, 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, #56.”
Psalm - “After the first reading comes the responsorial Psalm, which is an integral part of the Liturgy of the Word and holds great liturgical and pastoral importance, because it fosters meditation on the word of God. It is preferable that the responsorial Psalm be sung, #61.”
Alleluia
- “After the reading that immediately precedes the Gospel, the Alleluia or another chant indicated by the rubrics is sung, as required by the liturgical season. An acclamation of this kind constitutes a rite or act in itself, by which the assembly of the faithful welcomes and greets the Lord who is about to speak to it in the Gospel and professes its faith by means of the chant, #62.” Gospel - “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 on the part of the minister appointed to proclaim it, who prepares himself by a blessing or prayer; or on the part of the faithful, who stand as they listen to it being read and through their acclamations acknowledge and confess Christ present and speaking to them; or by the very marks of reverence that are given to the Book of the Gospels, #60.” After the Gospel is announced, all use the thumb to make the sign of the cross on their forehead, mouth, and breast (see #134). A short prayer could be said like, “Lord, help me to understand Your Gospel with my mind, to proclaim it with my lips, and to believe it with all my heart.” Homily - “The homily . . . is necessary for the nurturing of the Christian life, #65.” In the homily the homilist tries to relate the readings from Sacred Scripture to the lives of the people today through a short explanation of the Gospel message. “The homily is preached in order that a community of believers who have gathered to celebrate the liturgy may do so more deeply and more fully-more faithfully-and thus be formed for Christian witness in the world, (The Homily in the Sunday Assembly #43).” Profession of Faith - “The purpose of the . . . Profession of Faith, or Creed, is that the whole gathered people may respond to the word of God proclaimed in the readings taken from Sacred Scripture and explained in the homily and that they may also call to mind and confess the great mysteries of the faith by reciting the rule of faith in a formula approved for liturgical use, before these mysteries are celebrated in the Eucharist, #67.” “At the words . . . by the power of the Holy Spirit . . . and became man, all make a profound bow, #137.” Prayers of the Faithful - “In the Prayer of the Faithful, the people respond in a certain way to the word of God which they have welcomed in faith and, exercising the office of their baptismal priesthood, offer prayers to God for the salvation of all. It is fitting . . . that petitions be offered for the holy Church, for civil authorities, for those weighed down by various needs, for all men and women, and for the salvation of the whole world, #69.” “It is for the priest celebrant to direct this prayer from the chair. He himself begins it with a brief introduction, by which he invites the faithful to pray, and likewise concludes with a prayer. The intentions announced should be sober, be composed freely but prudently, and be succinct, and they should express the prayer of the entire community, #71.”continue to Liturgy of the Word for Commentators
