About the Mass: Liturgy of the Word: The Gospel

ABOUT THE MASS SERIES. 

THE MASS: ABOUT THE MASS SERIES ICON.

Liturgy of the Word: The Gospel 

The proclamation of the Gospel is considered the summit of the Liturgy of the Word as it is Christ who speaks to us, and it is a celebration of Christ. Remember those precious words: ‘the Lord be with you’ and we reply ‘and also with you’.   The priest invites us to listen to Him in His Word according to Matthew, Mark, Luke or John.   

It is Christ whom we acclaim, and not the book when we say during this Gospel dialogue ‘Glory to You Lord’, and after the Gospel is read ‘Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ’. The making of the small signs of the cross on the book (priest), and on our foreheads, mouths and hearts is seen as expressing our readiness to open our minds to the Word, to confess it with the mouth, and to safeguard it in the heart.  

Notice too, after the Gospel is proclaimed, how the priest venerates the Gospel book by kissing it. Christ is being ‘hugged’ in our midst. Then he says quietly on our behalf ‘May the reading of this Holy Gospel wipe away our sins’.

So why is the Gospel so important?

The Gospel is the Good News of salvation, a living word, is proclaimed as the Risen Lord. It is Christ present among us and He continues to speak to us as he calls us to faith and conversion.

·                     Does a phrase, a line speak to your heart when it is read each week?

·                     Do we hear the Gospel read and reflect on what it means for my life right
          now?

·                     What do you take away from the Liturgy of the Word for during the
           week?  Christ wants to stir up our faith and speak to each on of us.

Let us continually ask the Spirit to renew us in body mind and spirit. May the Spirit pour into our hearts a greater love for the Mass, and rekindle the fire so that we may all be bearers of the Good News.