A Language of Love: The Liturgy of the Word

Prior to the Second Vatican Council, many Catholics did not read the Bible, nor was reading it encouraged. Church authorities were concerned that the laity would not know how to interpret Scripture, or worse, would interpret it incorrectly. With the Second Vatican Council, that thinking changed. The Council document the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation states, “Easy access to Sacred Scripture should be provided for all the Christian faithful” (22).

This increased emphasis on the Word of God is clearly evident in the amount of Scripture proclaimed during the liturgy. Before the Council, the readings followed a one-year cycle, with two readings proclaimed during Mass. With the reform of the liturgy, the faithful hear a much greater portion of the Bible proclaimed.

The readings for the liturgy now follow a three-year cycle with three readings and a psalm proclaimed during Sunday Mass. Typically, the order of the readings follows the format of a reading from the Old Testament, a Psalm, a reading from the New Testament, and a Gospel reading.

The synoptic Gospel accounts, those from Matthew, Mark, and Luke, are divided over a three-year period. In Year A, Matthew’s Gospel account is heard, in Year B, Mark’s account, and in Year C, Luke’s. John’s Gospel account is used throughout the three-year cycle, in particular during Lent, the Triduum, and Easter. This expansion of the number of readings at Mass affirms the statement in the Vatican II document the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, which called the use of Sacred Scripture in the liturgy “of the greatest importance” (24). The document went on to state:

The treasures of the bible are to be opened up more lavishly, so that richer fare may be provided for the faithful. In this way a more representative portion of the holy Scripture will be read to the people in the course of a prescribed number of years. (51)

Since the Lectionary includes only portions of Scripture, reading the surrounding text of the day’s reading will enhance understanding. The text that comes before and after the reading provides the context for the portion proclaimed in the liturgy. That context may give insight into the intent of the author, which often reveals a new and deeper understanding of God.

The ambo, the place where the readings are proclaimed during the liturgy, is intended to reflect the dignity and nobility of God’s word. The US bishops’ document Built of Living Stones: Art, Architecture and Worship, 61, explains, “Here the Christian community encounters the living Lord in the word of God and prepares itself for the ‘breaking of the bread’ and the mission to live the word that will be proclaimed.”

Reading and meditating on the Scriptures, exploring them during Bible study, or sharing their meaning for our lives with others in a small faith community enhances the experience of hearing the Word proclaimed at the liturgy. Reflection on the Scripture helps it to become for us a living Word, a lamp for our feet and a light for our journey.

Five Minute Jesus

Using the Gospel for Prayer – The Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

July 23, 2023

It’s simple. 1. Read the Gospel for the following Sunday slowly, reflecting on the story it tells. 2. Reflect on the questions assigned for each day. 3. Make some resolution about how what you read can be lived that day. 4. Then thank God for speaking to you through this reflection.

Gospel Matthew 13:24-30

Jesus proposed another parable to the crowds, saying: "The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everyone was asleep his enemy came and sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off. When the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well. The slaves of the householder came to him and said, 'Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where have the weeds come from?' He answered, 'An enemy has done this.' His slaves said to him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?' He replied, 'No, if you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them. Let them grow together until harvest; then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters, "First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning; but gather the wheat into my barn."'"

Monday

Was there something in this reading that spoke to me? Challenged me? What was it? Why did it have this effect on me?

Tuesday

The householder chooses to let the wheat and weeds grow together until harvest. How can I apply this principle of patience and discernment in my own life when faced with challenging situations or difficult people?

Wednesday

Consider the householder, the slaves, and the enemy. How do their responses relate to my own journey of faith? What can I learn from their roles?

Thursday

The wheat represents the righteous and the weeds symbolize the wicked. How can I apply this imagery to my life? Are there any areas in my life where I need to cultivate righteousness? Or maybe uproot weeds of negative influences?

Friday

In today’s parable the wheat and the weeds are intertwined and tangled together. In the confusion of modern life, how do I maintain a clear vision of what is wheat in my life?

Saturday

What are instances where I have experienced the coexistence of good and evil, or righteousness and wrongdoing? How have I navigated through such situations?