Liturgy of the Word (Continued)

In this weekends Four Minute Catechism, we will continue our discussion of the Liturgy of the Word. Last week we spoke about the Old and New Testament readings and the Responsorial Psalm; this time we will discuss the Gospel, Homily, Profession of Faith and Prayer of the Faithful. The Alleluia The reading of the Gospel is the high point of the Liturgy of the Word. Before the Gospel is read, there is an acclamation or hymn of praise. Usually we know this as the Gospel Alleluia. The Hebrew word Halleluiah means Praise the Lord (this word is written in Latin or Greek as Alleluia). In the Old Testament, this joyful cry appears at the beginning or end of certain psalms that are thought to have been intended for use in the Temple liturgy. The only occurrence of the alleluia in the New Testament appears in the Book of Revelation (19:1-9) where it forms part of the victory hymn sung by the redeemed in heaven. (Lawrence Johnson, The Mystery of Faith) This seems appropriate because we prepare to hear the Gospel by proclaiming a hymn of victory of Christs triumph over death. It serves as a greeting of welcome of the assembled faithful to the Lord who is about to speak to them and as an expression of their faith through song. (General Instruction of the Roman Missal - GIRM) Because of its connections to the Easter mysteries, the alleluia is replaced in Lent by another acclamation (such as Glory to you, O Word of God, Lord Jesus Christ or other acclamation form of scripture). From earliest times the primacy of the Gospel has been emphasized by special signs of respect and honor surrounding its liturgical proclamation. (Johnson) Along with this hymn of praise, the alleluia may accompany a procession of the book of the Gospels from the altar to the ambo carried by the deacon or priest. Incense and candles may lead the procession. Everyone present turns their attention to the ambo out of respect for the Gospel of Christ. The Gospel The Gospel reading is also set apart from the other readings in the Liturgy of the Word by our posture. As the alleluia is sung before the Gospel, the congregation stands. We have a similar image in the first reading from last Sundays Mass when we heard in the Book of Nehemiah that [Ezra] opened the scroll so that all the people might see it (for he was standing higher up than any of the people); and, as he opened it, all the people rose. As early as the fourth century, standing for the Gospel became a sign of respect and alertness. We rise to greet Christs presence in His word. Another sign of honor we give to the Gospel is to sign ourselves with the cross as the reading is announced by the deacon or priest. The making of small signs of the cross on the book, forehead, mouth and heart was seen as expressing readiness to open ones mind to the word, to confess it with the mouth, and to safeguard it in the heart. (Johnson) The Gospel book may be incensed just before the reading is proclaimed in reverence to the presence of Christ in His word. Each time the Gospel is proclaimed we echo the words of St. John, We announce to you the eternal life which dwelt with the Father and was made visible to us. What we have seen and heard we announce to you, so that you may have fellowship with us and our common fellowship be with the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. (1 John 1:2-3) The Homily Immediately following the proclamation of the Gospel is the homily that is given by the priest or deacon. The homily is a continuation of the proclamation of the Good News and is usually given by the celebrant of the Mass, although another concelebrating priest or the deacon may give it. It is an integral part of the Sunday liturgy. By means of the homily, the mysteries of the faith and the guiding principles of the Christian life are expounded from the sacred text during the course of the liturgical year; the homily, therefore, is to be highly esteemed as part of the liturgy itself; in fact, at those Masses which are celebrated with the assistance of the people on Sundays and feasts of obligation, it should not be omitted except for a serious reason. (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy) The homily is a breaking open of the Word of God, applying the Scriptures to the lives of those in the congregation. It is an exhortation to live out the teachings of Christ and inspire us to be more faithful disciples. Whether the homily explains the text of the Sacred Scriptures proclaimed in the readings or some other text of the Liturgy, it must always lead the community of the faithful to celebrate the Eucharist actively, so that they may hold fast in their lives to what they have grasped by faith. (Lectionary for Mass) The Profession of Faith At baptism, our parents and godparents professed a confession of our faith, or if we were baptized when we were older, we made a profession. On Sunday Masses and on Solemnities (such as holy days of obligation) as one community of believers, we remind ourselves of baptism and profess our Faith together. The Creed professed at Mass today was formulated by the Church at the Council of Nicaea (325 AD) and the Council of Constantinople (381 AD) and confirmed at Chalcedon in 451 and is largely unchanged from these early times. It was professed at baptism in the early Church and recited at Mass starting in the 6 th century, usually before the Eucharistic prayer as a profession of faith before receiving the Body and Blood of Christ. The third edition of the Roman Missal allows either the Nicene Creed or the Apostles Creed to be used as a response 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... (GIRM) By using the words, I believe said in unison with the whole community, we remember the personal and communal dimensions of our faith. According to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, at the words, and by the holy Spirit...and became man all make a profound bow (a bow from the waist). On Christmas and the Solemnity of the Annunciation, we genuflect at these words. Both gestures signify our reverence for God who became man. If we are ever asked the question, As a Catholic, what do you believe? we never have to be at a loss for words; we could always begin by proclaiming the Creed from Mass. The Prayer of the Faithful The prayers of the faithful are a series of petitions offered after the Creed. The celebrant introduces the prayer and the prayers are proposed by the deacon or one of the faithful. The faithful present take their part by saying a common response. Since the Church is both local and universal, at least one intention is usually taken from each of the following categories: 1) the needs of the Church; 2) public authorities and the salvation of the world; 3) those oppressed by any need; 4) the local community. (Johnson) After hearing the mighty deeds in the Scriptures, reflecting on Christs presence and power in our lives and proclaiming our faith, in this prayer we confidently bring all our intentions before almighty God. This completes our discussion of the Liturgy of the Word. Stay tuned next week for our next Four-Minute Catechism Fr. Paul Snyder