Hearing the Word of God at Mass at St. Denis Church

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Through Hearing the Word of God

When the Scriptures are read in the Church, God himself is speaking to his people and Christ, present in his own word, is proclaiming the Gospel. (General Instruction #29) In the hearing of God’s word the Church is built up and grows, and in the signs of the liturgical celebration God’s wonderful past works in the history of salvation are presented anew as mysterious realities. (Introduction to the Lectionary, #7)

In speech and song, posture and gesture, in silent meditation and, most important of all, by listening attentively to the Scriptures as they are proclaimed, we open our lives to God’s Word. We pray that the Holy Spirit may make God’s Word effective in our lives so that we will “Be doers of the word and not hearers only.” (James 1:22)

Our full, conscious, and active participation is required if the Word of God is to find a home in us. We make the ritual responses, “Thanks be to God,” and “Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.” We respond to the first reading by signing the Responsorial Psalm, and we sing the acclamation before the proclamation of the Gospel. We listen attentively as the reader, priest or deacon proclaims God’s Word. We listen as if Christ himself were standing at the ambo, for in fact it is God who speaks when the Scriptures are proclaimed.

It is beneficial to prepare ourselves for a fruitful hearing of the Scriptures. In his instruction, Dies Domini, Pope John Paul II encourages “those who take part in the Eucharist, priest, ministers, and faithful… to prepare the Sunday liturgy, reflecting beforehand upon the Word of God which will be proclaimed.” The Holy Father adds that if we do not, “it is difficult for the liturgical proclamation of the Word of God alone to produce the fruit we might expect” (#40).

The Liturgy of the Word also includes the homily, which helps us understand the meaning of the Scriptures and other Mass texts, more closely connecting God’s Word and the texts to our daily lives. Because the homily is a liturgical action and is given by the priest or deacon, it may not be omitted on Sundays and Holy Days.

After we recited the Creed together, the Prayers of the Faithful conclude the Liturgy of the Word as the community, moved by the inspired Word of God, prays for the needs of the whole Church, the world, and the local community.

The twofold table of God’s Word and Eucharist continues to spiritually nourish the Church. “In the word of God the devine covenant is announced; in the Eucharist the new and everlasting covenant is renewed.” (Introduction to the Lectionary, #10) God’s Word leads us to the Eucharistic table where we enter the mighty deeds of God and especially the saving death and resurrection of Jesus. By uniting ourselves to Jesus in his self-offering to the Father, we are drawn more deeply into the life of God.

Next: Meditative Silence

St. Denis Church
23 Manchaug Street, Douglas, MA 01516 ● 508-476-2002