PROCLAIMING THE WORD OF GOD _ #8

The high point of the Liturgy of the Word is the proclamation of the gospel. After the lector has proclaimed the reading from Saint Paul's correspondence to the various churches, the assembly readies itself for the proclamation of the gospel.

The assembly prepares for the Gospel proclamation through sound and movement. The sound is musical. It is called an acclamation. "The acclamations are shouts of joy which arise from the whole assembly as forceful and meaningful assents to God's word and action. They are important because they make some of the most significant moments of the Mass (gospel, eucharistic prayer, Lord's Prayer) stand out. It is of their nature that they should be rhythmically strong, melodically appealing, and affirmative. The people should know the acclamations by heart in order to sing them spontaneously. " (Music in Catholic worship, 53).

The usual acclamation is the sung Alleluia. This acclamation and its verses accompany the procession of the Gospel book and its ministers. They move and process from the heart of the assembly to the ambo, the reading stand where the gospel will be proclaimed. Those who process are the priest or deacon, the candle bearers, and the incense bearer. Sometimes this procession is solemn and formal. At other times it is done like a festive and joyous dance.

Why do we process? Processions are stylized movements that get our attention. They alert us to the presence of Christ, the Risen Lord, whom the gospels proclaim. The gospel, the good news, is first and foremost the person of Jesus Christ. We stand in reverence and because it is a posture of attention. We often stand up for what we stand for. The gospel is also the literary texts of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. These narrative stories are themselves dramatic and require skillful ritual and verbal presentation. The gospel, too, is an event. It announces the mighty work of God which was accomplished in Jesus Christ and which the Spirit is doing in a particular assembly.

The reading of the gospel begins with a greeting, the solemn announcement of the gospel, and the sign of the cross on the forehead, the lips, and the heart. At its conclusion, the assembly responds and the gospel book is kissed.

In addition, the reading should be done in a manner that is clear, coherent, and colorful, The proclamation requires a sense of drama and intensity. The gospel is meant to move and motivate God's people. It should be proclaimed beautifully and attractively because the assembly's salvation is at stake.

Part of the proclamation is the preaching that then takes place. The homily is part of the Liturgy of the Word. It is more like a colorful parable than a learned lecture. Its purpose is not catechesis or instruction. Nor does it want to teach doctrine or persuade people to live the moral life with an ethical wholesomeness. It is not, in length and in style, like the preaching one hears at a parish mission or a weekend retreat.

The homily is liturgical preaching that is based on the gospel and the liturgical event. It leads the assembly into the petitions of the intercessory prayer and helps it cross over the bridge to the Liturgy of the Eucharist.