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Sunday, September 2, 2018

EXPRESSIONS by FATHER ED

Scriptures at Mass

During the summer, I received a number of e-mails from some non-Christians asking me to explain the readings at Mass.  Even though they have little association with Catholicism, they were surprisingly informed and continually wrote back with more questions.  I was very impressed.  In the course of our back and forth discussions, I wondered how many Catholics might have similar questions about the readings at Mass.  The column this week is an effort to provide you with some basic information

All the readings at Mass are assigned by the Church, based on a three year cycle for weekends and a two year cycle for weekdays.   This current arrangement is a result of the reforms initiated by Vatican II, so that Catholics would become more familiar with the Bible.  The first reading on the weekend is invariably a text from the  Old Testament.  It is explicitly chosen to match the theme of the Gospel.  The second reading is a continuous reading from a New Testament book, usually with a different theme.  The Gospel likewise is a continuous reading.  During the weekdays, there are only two readings.  The first reading is a continuous reading from the Old Testament, for instance from the Book of Genesis, then alternating with a New Testament reading from one of the letters, perhaps from St. Paul.  There is a Gospel reading at every Mass, both weekdays and weekends.  There also is a Psalm response in-between the readings  which may be sung or read.  The mainline Protestant churches share the same Scriptural system as Catholics.  It was part of the ecumenical initiative inspired by Vatican II.    In the fundamental Protestant churches, however, the individual preacher chooses the relevant texts.

At every Mass, the preacher is expected to explain the readings and relate them to contemporary life.  The homily is actually a central part of the Mass and is meant to provide the congregation with a thoughtful interpretation of God’s Word.  It is different than a sermon which is focused on other topics.  On a feast day, the priest also may want, at the beginning of Mass, to discuss the life of the particular saint who is being celebrated.  The saints are Catholic heroes who are relevant to our times, as well as  their own.  On weekends and major feasts, there always is a Profession of Faith or Creed, immediately followed by the Prayer of the Faithful, which is an opportunity for the entire congregation to mention their own needs and those of the whole world. While a few prepared petitions may be used to begin these prayers, the entire congregation ought to be invited to participate with their own intentions. These prayers, furthermore, are meant to be positive, not critical or judgmental.  With these prayers, the first part of Mass, the Liturgy of the Word, is concluded.