UNDERSTANDING THE LITURGY by John J. O'Brien, C.P.

HEARING GOD'S WORD: SOME PRACTICAL POINTS

We were starving. We were impoverished. Thanks to the Reformers the hearing of the Biblical Word was preserved and developed in the Churches. It was reinforced by biblical characters in stained glass windows and carved into walls and pews.

God gives the baptized the enjoyment of the tables of Word and Lords Supper. We feasted on a rich variety of Biblical readings presented to us over the last thirty years. The Liturgy of the Word is a major part of Sunday worship. I want to focus on the hearing of the Word over the next few weeks.

First, let me be practical. We need to put on an attitude as we show up for liturgy. The attitude is: I want to hear Gods Word -- not just the homily, i.e., the breaking of the bread of the Word presented by the priest or deacon. I want to hear Gods Word: this is essential to Catholic life and renewal. It is the main banquet given our catechumens and their sponsors.

Secondly, let me be honest. We are called to hear Gods Word. When we sit down to hear, to listen to the Word, we have to position ourselves to pay attention to the place where the Word is proclaimed and the person proclaiming. The day of the missal and the missalette is over in Catholic worship. We cannot fully appreciate the Word by keeping our noses glued to the text. The liturgy of the Word is an event proclaimed and spoken. Attending to the Word means looking to the sacrament that the reader/proclaimer is. The reader is a sign of Gods nourishing and transforming presence. God is speaking through the sacramental ministries of the Word. When the deacon proclaims the Gospel, it is Christ who is speaking. This is the tradition.

Third, this puts a great responsibility on the ministers of the Word (lay proclaimers, the priest and deacon). They have to let the rest of us get settled so that all can attend to their presentation of Gods Word. They have to pay attention to us, How? They have to prepare ahead of time. They have to be loud enough to be heard. They have to communicate with feeling. They have to refine and develop their skills. They have to make the Bible their primary tool for their spiritual life and saturate their spirit in the Word.

Lastly, what do I do if I come late? I respect that all kinds of legitimate reasons can cause someone to be late. If you come in late, do this. One, pay attention to what the assembly, your brothers and sisters, is doing. If the Word is being proclaimed, wait. Listen. Go to your seat when there is a break (after the first reading, after the sung Psalm, after the Gospel is finished). Or, option two: if you need to go to you seat immediately, do so but dont disrupt others. Slip into your seat and enter into where the assembly is at its worship. Do not act as if nothing has been happening by your kneeling to say your personal prayer. This will distract your neighbor who will pay more attention to your getting settled instead of attending to the Word