The Living Word

In last month’s examination of the Catholic Mass, we come together as one during the Introductory Rite. Opening us to the Holy Trinity prepares us to receive God’s healing graces. Now let us examine the Liturgy of the Word—the Living Word.

Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart. [Hebrews 4:12]

In the Liturgy’s readings, as explained by the Homily, God speaks to us. God opens us to the mystery of redemption and salvation, offering spiritual nourishment, according to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM). Christ is present through his word in the midst of the faithful, says GIRM.

Inspirations of the Holy Trinity

On Sundays in Ordinary time, the First Reading comes from the Old Testament. The Spirit of the Lord speaks through the prophets—preparing the world for the first coming of our Savior. “The books of the Old Testament bear witness to the whole divine pedagogy of God’s saving love: these writings ‘are a storehouse of sublime teaching on God and of sound wisdom on human life, as well as a wonderful treasury of prayers; in them, too, the mystery of our salvation is present in a hidden way’” [CCC 122].

The Mass gives us the opportunity to take God’s Word into our being to strengthen our faith, enliven our hope, and unite with our Lord to share his love in the world. Thanks be to God! To help us with our contemplation, we have the Responsorial Psalm.

The Psalms provide songs of praise and thanksgiving. There also are more Psalms of lamentation than any other. The prayerful words of the Psalms, inspired by the Holy Spirit before Christ was born, help us articulate our need for God’s help in all that we do and face in our daily living.

God through his life in Christ fulfilled the prophecies and meaning of the Psalms. Christ brings to life the prayers for the healing and salvation of the body and soul. In Christ, the Psalms teach us how to pray [CCC 2587], raising our minds and hearts to God [CCC 2590].

Living Our Faith

The Second Reading from the New Testament reveals the promptings of the Holy Spirit in those who carried on Christ’s work. “What Christ entrusted to the apostles, they in turn handed on by their preaching and writing, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to all generations, until Christ returns in glory” [CCC 96]. Allowing our Lord to touch us with his Word, his works, and his merciful love, our lives change forever as our faith takes hold within us.

To deepen our faith, we have the Gospel readings—the Good News. The Gospels cover Christ’s life and ministry—his teachings, his healings, his Passion and Crucifixion, his Resurrection and Ascension—his restoration of life. The celebrant’s Homily helps us to apply our Lord’s life and teachings to today’s challenges. Remember, within the Homily is the Holy Spirit’s prompting. The Word of God came to life in Jesus and through the Holy Spirit lives in all who follow Christ.

The Liturgy of the Word prepares us to unite with our Savior’s Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. By uniting our lives with Christ, we can be healed of sufferings that separate us from God’s love. Living our faith, we can bring God’s love into the world, providing hope perhaps where hope had not existed. Do we believe?

Author’s note: Next month we will examine our Profession of Faith.