The Liturgy of the Word

Friday, Jul. 02, 2010

In the last article, we discussed the Roman Collect, which concludes the Introductory Rites of the Eucharistic celebration. Our next stop on this journey brings us to the Liturgy of the Word. The Liturgy of the Word includes the proclamation of the Scriptural texts, the homily, the Profession of Faith (Creed), and the General Intercessions. In the new Missal, the only changes you will notice will occur in the Profession of Faith.

God’s Word is at the heart of our Christian story. From its earliest days, the Church has gathered to share the story of salvation and break bread together. We continue this tradition every time we gather to celebrate the resurrection of Christ by reading texts from the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures. The Scriptures are the community’s story. Pause for a moment and think of your favorite passage or a passage that struck you as odd. How has this passage invited you into deeper communion with Christ? The Scriptures contain scandals, erotic poetry, angry prose, adultery, healing, slavery, wisdom, history, and lots of drama. Does this sound familiar? It should, because these are the stories of the human community.

Before the Second Vatican Council, there was very little Scripture proclaimed over the course of a liturgical year. The Council reasserted the importance of Scripture in our celebrations and provided the Church with a three-year lectionary that shapes our reading to the liturgical season. The homily is a chance to make all of these connections clear. In the homily, the community is invited to consider the implications for being a Christian today in this place. We take these words out into the world with us, as we join together in the ancient faith of the Church (the creed) and hold up our concerns to God (the intercessions).

All of this communicates where we have been and who we are as God’s chosen people. These stories tell us of God’s infinite love and mercy, which culminate in the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus. And the story continues to unfold today within our communities. The word is alive and calling us to conversion. Normand Bonneau states, “Scripture’s home is the liturgy, for in liturgical proclamation scripture becomes fully what it is, the living word of God present and active in our midst.” This proclamation is a real encounter with the Word made Flesh who has called each of us by name to leave everything behind and follow him. The word proclaimed is provocative; it challenges us to live radically differently. Each Sunday, as the word of God washes over us and vibrates in our hearts, we are transformed and once again invited to be lovers, invited to live a life which proclaims the Good News of salvation.

In the coming weeks, observe how your parish celebrates the Liturgy of the Word and lives the Word.