Pastoral Letter on Liturgy
Liturgy of the Word
The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy states that Christ is present in the Liturgy in a variety of ways, one of which is in the proclamation of the Scriptures. The liturgical assembly is to be actively involved in this part of the Liturgy. I would like to suggest that, in the parish bulletin, the readings be listed for the next Sunday, perhaps with a couple short questions for reflection and prayer – in this way, the entire community would come prepared to participate in the liturgy more fully, consciously and actively. Having already prayed with the Scriptures, all are more ready to actively listen to the Word proclaimed and broken open with the homily. Before the first reading, a moment of silence may help the people be seated and get ready to actively listen to the Word about to be proclaimed. Attention to the ritual movement of the lector to the place of proclamation (lectern/ambo) may help move the congregation's attention to the lectern. The lector may offer a slight bow of reverence toward the altar as they approach the lectern. The principle activity of the assembly during the proclamation of the Scriptures is active listening. Parishes may wish to reconsider their use of missalettes with all the readings in them. Certainly, provision should be made for those who have difficulty hearing and understanding the Scriptures; however, well-trained lectors will proclaim the Word of God in a clear, articulate manner that will make the assembly"š sit up and listen. The lectors will have studied their reading during the week, prayed with it, and prepared to proclaim it on Sunday so that the proclamation flows from their life of faith.
The Liturgy of the Word must also be arranged so that some moments of reverent silence allow the community to meditate on the Word they have heard. The liturgy of the word must be celebrated in a way that fosters meditation; clearly, any sort of haste that hinders reflectiveness must be avoided. The dialogue between God and his people taking place through the Holy Spirit demands short intervals of silence, suited to the assembly, as an opportunity to take the word of God to heart and to prepare a response to it in prayer. Proper times for silence during the liturgy of the word are, for example, before this liturgy begins, after the first and the second reading, after the homily. The responsorial psalm after the first reading is ideally sung. So important is this that the Introduction to the Lectionary (20-21) offers a number of options for its delivery. It may be done in the (usual) responsorial fashion. The psalm may be sung in direct fashion in which there is no intervening response by the community; either the psalmist or cantor of the psalm sings the psalm alone as the community listens or else all sing it together. The Lectionary offers the possibility of psalms to be used for entire seasons if a community has difficulty learning a new psalm every week. The psalms, when sung well, become a significant part of the language of prayer in people's individual lives of faith. After the second reading is proclaimed, again a moment of reverent silence allows the community to internalize the message. The gospel acclamation is intoned, and we stand to honor the proclamation of the Gospel, which is the high point of the liturgy of the word. On special occasions, this (always) sung acclamation accompanies a procession with the Book of the Gospels, candles and incense. If a deacon is one of the ministers participating in the Liturgy, it is his role to proclaim the Gospel. Priest and deacon alike will have done all the work asked of the lectors in preparing the Gospel proclamation. The homily is an integral part of the liturgy of the word, and is normally given by the presiding celebrant. It is a reflection on the Scriptures, prepared and given by a person of faith. It is the fruit of prayer, meditation and study during the entire week. A small group of people may gather with the homilist also during the week to pray with the Scriptures, and further reflect on how the Word of God is speaking to this particular community.
The Introduction to the Lectionary (24) states: The homily sets forth the mysteries of faith and the standards of Christian life on the basis of the sacred text. […] As a rule it is to be given by the one presiding. "Whether the homily explains the biblical word of God proclaimed in the readings or some other texts of the liturgy, it must always lead the community of the faithful to celebrate the Eucharist wholeheartedly" it must be truly the fruit of meditation, carefully prepared, neither too long nor too short, and suited to all those present, even children and the uneducated. The priest is encouraged to be seated after the homily for a moment of silence (about a minute), again, that the community might meditate a moment on the message and begin to form a response to the good news they have heard. Announcements are not to be a part of the homily; it is directed that the proper place for them is after the post communion prayer (Introduction to the Lectionary 27). The communal recitation of the creed is our public response to the good news and is followed by the general intercessions. The intercessions normally are proposed "for the needs of the universal Church and the local community, for the salvation of the world and those oppressed by any burden, and for special categories of people. In these petitions "šthe people, exercising their priestly function, make intercession for all, with the result that, as the liturgy of the word has its full effects in them, they are better prepared to proceed to the liturgy of the Eucharist."
(Introduction 30) These are concluded with a concluding prayer by the celebrant. There are a number of resources available that offer good models of the intercessions and concluding prayer "“ these must be adapted to the local parish.
* Are lectors trained to proclaim the Word of God well?
Are they given the resources to study the scripture
passage during the week, delve deeper into its meaning so
that they can proclaim the message of salvation to the
sacred gathering on Sunday?
* Is every effort made to sing the responsorial psalm?
* Are a few moments allowed for silence in the liturgy of
the word to reflect on what has been proclaimed?
* How does your community experience "Christ speaking
through the Scriptures?" Encourage prayer and reflection
on the Sunday scriptures by printing the references in
the bulletin. Parish meetings could begin with a
proclamation of the following Sunday's Gospel.
* How does the homilist prepare to preach? How does he
receive feedback on his preaching style and content?
