WORD   

    We continue our Eastertide reflection on the mystery of faith—our most important prayer, the Mass. Saint Justin the Martyr once wrote: “On Sunday we have a common assembly of all our members, whether they live in the city or in the outlying districts. The recollections of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as there is time. When the reader has finished, the presider of the assembly speaks to us; he urges everyone to imitate the examples of virtue we have heard in the readings. Then we all stand up together to pray.”

    Doesn’t this sound like what we do each week when we gather together to pray? And yet this description of the first part of the Mass dates from the second century! From the earliest times, the prayer of the Christian community has consisted of two main parts: Word and Eucharist.

    In the Liturgy of the Word, we don’t just recall past events: we learn what it means to be followers of Christ, here and now. We listen to the word proclaimed in our midst and we respond: Thanks be to God! Thank you, God, for speaking this Word to us!

    Think of the Liturgy of the Word as the school of disciples. There is only one way to become a disciple: by hearing the Word and letting it take root in our hearts. (That is why to miss the Liturgy of the Word by arriving late for Mass is to deprive ourselves of something we cannot afford to miss!)

    The Fathers of the Second Vatican Council wrote that “Christ Himself speaks when the holy scriptures are proclaimed in the Church.” Christ himself is speaking! So as we listen to the readings, we shouldn’t get too comfortable. Instead, we should brace ourselves! Because when Christ speaks, things happen. People change. Minds are opened. Hearts are set on fire. Through Christ’s living Word, the Spirit will break into our lives—-if we let it.

    “Lord Jesus, open the Scriptures to us; make our hearts burn while you speak to us.”

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