The Liturgy of the Word

The liturgy of the Word typically consists of three readings, the first from the Old
Testament (Hebrew Bible) and the second and third from the New Testament. The first
New Testament reading is from the Acts of the Apostles, the Epistles, or the Revelation
to John (the Book of Revelation); the second is from the Gospels (the four narratives
relating the life and death of Jesus Christ). The reading from the Old Testament and from
the non-Gospel books of the New Testament are done by a lector (a lay reader), while
the Gospel is proclaimed by a deacon. A responsorial psalm and a Gospel acclamation
divide the three readings. The priest then delivers the homily (a short sermon), which
usually focuses on one of the readings or on that day’s special occasion. Then follows
the public profession of faith, consisting of a recitation of either the Nicene Creed or the
shorter Apostles’ Creed.

Silence
1. Silence as a Christian ascetical value
2. Silence as a condition for contemplative prayer
3. The silence prescribed by the liturgical norms
4. The importance of silence for the quality of the liturgy

THE BIBLICAL READINGS

(Exodus 29.38-46)

The Lord commanded Mosesto instruct the Israelites to present to God at the appointed
times the required food offerings that are pleasing to him.

These are the food offerings that are to be presented to the Lord: for the daily burnt
offering, two one-year-old male lambs without any defects. Offer the first lamb in the
morning, and the second in the evening, each with a grain offering of 2 pounds of flour,
mixed with 2 pints of the best olive oil. This is the daily offering that is completely burned,
which was first offered at Mount Sinai as a food offering, an odor pleasing to the Lord. As
the wine offering with the first lamb, pour out at the altar 2 pints of wine. In the evening
offer the second lamb in the same way as the morning offering, together with its wine
offering. It also is a food offering, an odor pleasing to the Lord.
The Responsorial Psalm

The psalms are older than Christianity itself. In reciting them, we take up formulas of
worship that were used by the Jews in the Temple centuries before the coming of the
Messiah. They’re a proclamation of the Word of God in which the listeners also
participate through the refrain ordinarily taken from the readings of the day.

The Acclamation Before The Gospel

The Gospel Acclamation is part of the celebration of the Mass. On Sundays it takes place
after the second reading as an introduction to the Gospel reading by the Priest or Deacon.
At a week day Mass (it s use is optional on weekdays) it comes after the Responsorial
Psalm and before the reading of the Gospel. On Sundays the Acclamation is sung by the
Cantor (song leader), on a weekday Mass when a Cantor is usually not present it is sung
by the Priest or Deacon who will be reading the Gospel. The Acclamation is a verse from
the Holy Scriptures usually of the New Testament but sometimes it is a verse found in
Both the New and the Old testament.

The Homily
A homily is a speech or sermon given by a priest in a Roman Catholic Church after a
scripture has been read. The purpose of the homily is to provide insight into the meaning
of the scripture and relate it to the lives of the parishioners of the church. A homily may
also be a long speech given by a lay person to teach a moral lesson.

The Profession Of Faith

(Nicene Creed or Apostle’s Creed)

I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things
visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true
God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were
made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy
Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was
crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on
 the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is
seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living
and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord,
the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and
the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in
one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of
sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.
Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL

Celebrant;

Let us turn in prayer to our God who strengthens us for the challenge of living His
Gospel.

INTERCESSIONS

In today’s gospel, Jesus tells us that, even if our faith is as small as a mustard
seed, we have the potential to do great things in his name. We pray for the grace,
strength and commitment to make more effort to put the message of Christ into
action in our families and in our communities.

We pray to the Lord R. Lord, hear our prayer

On today, the Church’s Day for Life, we reflect on the wonders of God’s creation
and recognize that he is present in the whole universe, in all humanity and in the
smallest of creatures. We ask you, O Lord, to bestow on us the power of your love
that we may protect the life and beauty you have gifted us.

We pray to the Lord R. Lord, hear our prayer

At this time in Ireland and throughout the world, we pray for an understanding and
acceptance that all human life is precious, because it is a most wonderful gift from
our God and Father whose love is infinite.

We pray to the Lord R. Lord hear our prayer

We pray for those who work for ecological justice and peace in the world, that they
may inspire in others a love for creation and a reverential care for our common
home on this earth.
We pray to the Lord R. Lord hear our prayer

We pray for our parish community remembering especially the housebound, the
sick, those feeling isolated and lonely and the bereaved.

We pray to the Lord R. Lord hear our prayer

We pray for all God’s creatures that we may treat them in a caring and humane way.

We pray to the Lord R. Lord hear our prayer

We bow our heads and remember in silence our own personal intentions and the
intentions of those who have asked for our prayers.

We pray to the Lord R. Lord hear our prayer

Celebrant;

Father, may our faith in you grow daily together with our commitment to your
gospel. Through Christ, our Lord, Amen.
LITURGY OF THE WORD

Most of the Liturgy of the Word is made up of readings from Scripture. On Sundays
and solemnities, there are three Scripture readings. During most of the year, the first
reading is from the Old Testament and the second reading is from one of the New
Testament letters. During Easter Time, the first reading is taken from the Acts of the
Apostles which tells the story of the Church in its earliest days. The last reading is
always taken from one of the four Gospels.

In the Liturgy of the Word, the Church feeds the people of God from the table of his
Word (cf. Sacrosanctum Concilium, no. 51). The Scriptures are the word of God, written
under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. In the Scriptures, God speaks to us, leading us
along the path to salvation.

The Responsorial Psalm is sung between the readings. The psalm helps us to meditate
on the word of God.

The high point of the Liturgy of the Word is the reading of the Gospel. Because the
Gospels tell of the life, ministry, and preaching of Christ, it receives several special
signs of honor and reverence. The gathered assembly stands to hear the Gospel and it
is introduced by an acclamation of praise. Apart from Lent, that acclamation is "Alleluia,"
derived from a Hebrew phrase meaning "Praise the Lord!" A deacon (or, if no deacon is
present, a priest) reads the Gospel.

After the Scripture readings, the celebrant preaches the homily. In the homily, the
preacher focuses on the Scripture texts or some other texts from the liturgy, drawing
from them lessons that may help us to live better lives, more faithful to Christ's call to
grow in holiness.

In many Masses, the Profession of Faith then follows the homily, either the Nicene or
Apostles' Creed. The Nicene Creed is a statement of faith dating from the fourth
century, while the Apostles' Creed is the ancient baptismal creed of the Church in
Rome. If baptismal promises are renewed, from a formula based on the Apostles'
Creed, this takes the place of the Creed.

The Liturgy of the Word concludes with the Universal Prayer, also called the Prayer of
the Faithful. The gathered assembly intercedes with God on behalf of the Church, the
world, and themselves, entrusting their needs to the faithful and loving God.