Lesson 5 - The Liturgy of the Word

(Lesson 5)

The Mass (Part 1): The Liturgy of the Word

“In the beginning was the Word…” John 1:1

Discussion Guide:

The reading of Scripture was always an important part of worship. When the first Christians gathered to "break bread" (The Eucharist), they kept the Jewish synagogue custom of "reading the word" as well. In these readings, God speaks a message of redemption and salvation. Even before the Church had the written gospel accounts, they shared letters written by early Christian missionaries (Col. 4:16; 2 Pet. 3:15-16), along with the instruction by the Apostles (Acts 20:7). Eventually, the gospels were written down and read to the assembly.

Jesus Christ is present among the faithful through his word. The Church says, "It is he himself who speaks when the holy Scriptures are read in the Church" (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, #7). A profound relationship exists between the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

The first reading is from the Old Testament: The passage is selected to harmonize with the Gospel message indicating the unity and continuity of both Testaments.
The Responsorial Psalm is in response to God's Word and should be sung when possible.

The second reading is taken from a letter (Epistle), from the Acts of the Apostles, or from a non-gospel New Testament book. Depending on the liturgical season, sometimes the Book of Revelation is read.

The third Reading is taken from a Gospel: This is where we meet Jesus. The core of our faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ is from the gospels.

Discussion Points:

· The first part of the Mass is called “The Liturgy of the Word”

· We need to show reverence for Jesus Christ in his Holy Word, the Bible

· We all participate in the Mass in a special way before God

· Priests and Deacons have a unique role in the liturgy

· Lay ministers can contribute to the liturgy in many ways

The Mass of all Ages

(Catechism of the Catholic Church)

1345 As early as the second century we have the witness of St. Justin Martyr for the basic lines of the order of the Eucharistic celebration. They have stayed the same until our own day for all the great liturgical families. St. Justin wrote to the pagan emperor Antoninus Pius (138-161) around the year 155, explaining what Christians did:

On the day we call the day of the sun, all who dwell in the city or country gather in the same place.

The memoirs of the apostles and the writings of the prophets are read, as much as time permits.

When the reader has finished, he who presides over those gathered admonishes and challenges them to imitate these beautiful things.

Then we all rise together and offer prayers* for ourselves . . .and for all others, wherever they may be, so that we may be found righteous by our life and actions, and faithful to the commandments, so as to obtain eternal salvation.

When the prayers are concluded we exchange the kiss.

Then someone brings bread and a cup of water and wine mixed together to him who presides over the brethren.

He takes them and offers praise and glory to the Father of the universe, through the name of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and for a considerable time he gives thanks (in Greek: eucharistian) that we have been judged worthy of these gifts.

When he has concluded the prayers and thanksgivings, all present give voice to an acclamation by saying: 'Amen.'

When he who presides has given thanks and the people have responded, those whom we call deacons give to those present the "eucharisted" bread, wine and water and take them to those who are absent.


1346 The liturgy of the Eucharist unfolds according to a fundamental structure which has been preserved throughout the centuries down to our own day. It displays two great parts that form a fundamental unity:

-The gathering, the liturgy of the Word, with readings, homily and general intercessions;

-The liturgy of the Eucharist, with the presentation of the bread and wine, the consecratory thanksgiving, and communion.


The Mass (Part 1): The Liturgy of the Word

“In the beginning was the Word…” John 1:1

Opening Prayer:

The Lord’s Prayer: Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven, give us this day, our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Theme:

The first part of the Mass is called “The Liturgy of the Word”. The Church reverences the Bible because it is the Holy Word of God. When we participate in the Mass we hear the Lord in a unique way.

Bible Reading:

Acts 2:40-42 He testified with many other arguments, and was exhorting them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation. "Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand persons were added that day. They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers.

Explanation of the Bible reading: The Church was established on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured down on the Apostles like tongues of fire (Acts 2:1-4). From the very beginning of the apostolic age, the word of the Lord was proclaimed to the assembly of believers. The book of Acts tells us that they devoted themselves to the teaching of the Apostles and to the breaking of the bread. In these two statements we can already see that the Liturgy of the Word was distinct from the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The teachings of the Apostles can be heard at Mass in the reading of the scriptures, and in the homily.

Matt 26:26-30 The Mass was handed on to the Apostles by Jesus
1 Cor 11:23-30 The Mass has been handed down to us from the Apostles

Catechism of the Catholic Church:

1348 All gather together. Christians come together in one place for the Eucharistic assembly. At its head is Christ himself, the principal agent of the Eucharist. He is high priest of the New Covenant; it is he himself who presides invisibly over every Eucharistic celebration. It is in representing him that the bishop or priest acting in the person of Christ the head (in persona Christi capitis) presides over the assembly, speaks after the readings, receives the offerings, and says the Eucharistic Prayer. All have their own active parts to play in the celebration, each in his own way: readers, those who bring up the offerings, those who give communion, and the whole people whose "Amen" manifests their participation.

1349 The Liturgy of the Word includes "the writings of the prophets," that is, the Old Testament, and "the memoirs of the apostles" (their letters and the Gospels). After the homily, which is an exhortation to accept this Word as what it truly is, the Word of God, and to put it into practice, come the intercessions for all men, according to the Apostle's words: "I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings, and all who are in high positions."

1350 The presentation of the offerings (the Offertory). Then, sometimes in procession, the bread and wine are brought to the altar; they will be offered by the priest in the name of Christ in the Eucharistic sacrifice in which they will become his body and blood. It is the very action of Christ at the Last Supper - "taking the bread and a cup." "The Church alone offers this pure oblation to the Creator, when she offers what comes forth from his creation with thanksgiving. The presentation of the offerings at the altar takes up the gesture of Melchizedek and commits the Creator's gifts into the hands of Christ who, in his sacrifice, brings to perfection all human attempts to offer sacrifices.

1351 From the very beginning Christians have brought, along with the bread and wine for the Eucharist, gifts to share with those in need. This custom of the collection, ever appropriate, is inspired by the example of Christ who became poor to make us rich:

Those who are well off, and who are also willing, give as each chooses. What is gathered is given to him who presides to assist orphans and widows, those whom illness or any other cause has deprived of resources, prisoners, immigrants and, in a word, all who are in need.

Faith words:

Liturgy: (leitourgia) is a Greek composite word meaning originally: a public duty. In Christian use, liturgy means the public official service of the Church.

Liturgy of the Word: The first part of the Mass that includes Bible readings, the homily, and prayers.

Mass: The celebration of the Lord’s Supper, or the Mass, is the complex of prayers and ceremonies that make up the service of the Eucharist in the Latin rites.

Persona Christi: In administering the sacraments, the priest is acting in the person of Christ. That means that it is Jesus acting through the priest.


Reflection Questions:

How do you try to participate in Mass?








Does your mind start to drift during the service?








What part of the Liturgy of the Word do you enjoy most?