ABOUT THE MASS SERIES VOL 2. LITURGY OF THE WORD PART 2
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About the Mass Vol 2 icon. |
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE:
Some time ago, I went to Mass at a
different Church. On my return journey, thinking I desperately needed a couple
of Panadols’ to get over the experience, I tried to recall the readings at
Mass. It was a rude awakening- my mind was totally blank.
This experience proved valuable, as I
realised how blessed we are when we hear the Word of God proclaimed well, and
as I pondered: how can I practice and adapt the Readings and Gospel to my life
during the coming week when I could not recall any part of them at all?
So, what about you?
- Do you remember any part of the First Reading- a line, a phrase which spoke to you as the lector proclaimed it?
- Do you prepare for Mass during the week by reflecting on the readings?
- What resolve do you have when you hear Christ in his Word speak to you?
- What about our response to the readings?
LISTENING TO THE WORD OF GOD
The Lector completes the reading, and before saying: ‘the Word of the
Lord’, should pause for a brief silent
reflection. It is a great opportunity to recall what has been proclaimed and
its implication for your life during the week. We as a congregation
reply: ‘Thanks be to God’.
If we are
sincere about following Christ and wanting to hear Mass well, we have a duty to
prepare the readings ourselves before we go to Mass. We cannot rely on the lectors to read the word
of God well. It is a sad fact that many lectors do not read the word of God well, and as a result, the congregation miss out on
hearing the word of God proclaimed. In
every parish, there are a handful of great lectors, and should we be lucky
enough to have them read the word of God at the Mass that we attend, we are
indeed fortunate. In short therefore, it
is our responsibility to prepare the word of God by reading and reflecting upon
it during the week, so that we are prepared for Holy Mass.
It is a worthwhile practice to start preparing the readings on Sunday evening for the following Sunday. Read them each day and reflect upon them. When you hear the word of God read the following Sunday, you will hear them in a whole different way. At least that is my experience.
I have found that when I prepare the readings like this, I also am able to identify areas of my life where I can apply the reading. I have also found that when I do not prepare the readings in this way, by ability to act upon them in my life is minimised considerably.
If you are not used to preparing the readings: following Sunday, and you find that reading them is too much to do, then concentrate by the gospel as a starting point. Then as you develop this habit, you will start to incorporate the other readings as well. Remember not to overlook the Responsorial psalm and the gospel acclamation since the latter can be a useful prayer during the week.
Technically,
we are meant to listen to the word of God.
However, we are human and can become distracted by others in the
congregation and our own thoughts as well.
It is better to follow the readings in our missal, rather than miss the
readings completely. If we have prepared
the readings during the week, then our ability to hear the word of God, along
with following it in our missal, will greatly be improved. We will start to hear the word of God with
our hearts. Then we will be able to
reflect upon it and act on it in our lives.
It is also worthwhile to reflect upon
the words ‘’ the word of the Lord’’. We
may even ask ourselves why does the reading finish in this way. It is also important to reflect upon our
response.
THANKS BE TO GOD.
So what does this little response
with so much significance mean to you?
Perhaps, on some Sundays it will have
a different meaning for you. With all the responses at Mass, we can be caught
saying them without thinking. Perhaps on the Sunday in question mentioned above
it had another meaning for me!
Whenever we meet
Christ in his Word and hear it proclaimed, let our hearts as well as our lips
say
‘Thanks be to God’
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