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The Liturgy of the Word formally begins when the lector comes to the lectern and reverently breaks open the lectionary

this signifies that the Word of God is about to be broken open so that it may enter our lives.

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from the Old Testament

during Easter time we use the Acts of the Apostles

usually connects with the Gospel

reveals the continuity between Israel and Jesus who comes not to replace but to fulfill Israel

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from the book of Psalms

reflects themes in the readings

chosen to respond to the First Reading

In the Mass, we use the Psalm as a long-loved prayer-response to the Scripture Reading - using words that time and constant prayer  has made holy

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sometimes referred to as the Epistle

from the New Testament

may include the Book of Acts or the Book of Revelation

the letters address particular situations in the early Church

transcends the centuries to motivate contemporary Christians and deepen our appreciation of the mystery of Christ

usually from the Letters written by some of the apostles (St. Paul)

St. Paul wrote letters to the communities he and others had founded and you find references to the friends he made there

his letters contain a mixture of teaching and personal thought

during Easter we read from the Book of Apocalypse

the Letters were written to the early Christian communities who were working out what it meant to be Christian

the Letters give advice about how the communities should live - how to deal with different issues as they arose  - and to work out what made the communities different from the people around them

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"Alleluia!"

Latin echo of the Hebrew acclamation "Praise God!"

key word in Christian worship

not sung/said during Lent

heralds the Gospel

during the Gospel Acclamation a deacon, priest, or bishop goes to the ambo which has a book called the Book of the Gospels

contains only the readings from the four Gospels

ambo: a reading stand where Scripture is proclaimed

in some parishes, altar servers carrying candles and sometimes incense accompany the deacon, priest, or bishop

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Dialogue at the Gospel (Gospel Dialogue)

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Dialogue at the Gospel (Gospel Dialogue)

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Priest: May the Lord be with you.

Assembly: And with your spirit.

Priest: A reading from the Holy Gospel according to ... (insert gospel writer")

Assembly: Glory to you, O Lord

Priest: The gospel of the Lord

Assembly: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ

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climax of the Liturgy of the Word

Catholic faith teaches that in proclaiming the Gospel, Christ is truly present to the community

the community stands to witness to Christ’s resurrection which allows him to be present to his people

as the deacon or priest introduces the Gospels all in the community they sign themselves with the sign of the cross traced on the forehead, the lips, and over the heart

reminds us “Christ in my thoughts” (forehead), “Christ from my lips or what I say” (lips) and “Christ in my heart” (heart)

hearing the Gospel proclaimed also reminds and identifies Catholics with the first community which heard these words for the mouth of Jesus

on the conclusion of the reading the minister proclaims, “This is the Gospel of the Lord”

he means not the book, but the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the “Good News” itself

the community affirms in faith by responding, “Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ”

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a bishop, priest, or deacon explains the readings and applies their meaning to our lives today

Christians believe that "faith comes through preaching.” (Romans 3:13-15)

this idea is rooted in Jewish belief that the creative power of God’s word transforms human life

the Scriptures are not always easy to understand and apply to our life now

the homily breaks open the Scriptures, showing how the word of God addresses us today

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also known as the Creed, Nicene Creed, Apostles' Creed

expresses our core beliefs and renews our baptismal promises

a written profession summarizing the community’s search for an ever deepening understanding of Jesus and His message

the Nicene-Constantinople Creed is most often used at Mass, although the Apostles’ Creed may be used at some liturgies

both creeds are used by not only the Catholic Church, but also by Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Methodists, Lutherans, Orthodox and many other Christian faiths

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Universal Prayer (Prayer of the Faithful)

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Universal Prayer (Prayer of the Faithful)

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we pray for the needs of the Church, for the world, for those entrusted with leading Christ's Church on earth, for people in need, and for our community's particular needs

we ask God to help us be like Christ, the Living Word, so we can be a life-giving word to all those in need

we imitate Christ, who prayed to the Father for those he loved and for those who were suffering

praying for others is one way we were recreated to be like Christ

the people petition God for the needs of the Church, society, the parish, people in need, the sick and suffering, and those who have died

they direct our faith which has been deepened through prayer and listening to God’s word to specific situations today

these prayers conclude the Liturgy of the Word

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represents the Epistles

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Pope Francis holding the Gospel Book at his last Mass in the United States on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia.

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eagle: John

ox: Luke

lion: Mark

angel: Matthew

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prisoner of war from vietnam coming home

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlok4pLcDWk

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The Parts of the Mass: The Liturgy of the Word

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Visit biblestudyforcatholics.com to learn more and to subscribe to this free series. During the Liturgy of the Word, the lectern becomes the focus. In this session of The Parts of the Mass, Jeff Cavins shows how this is our chance to hear a personal word from the Lord.