Pay attention to the words – and the Word

Msgr Michael de Verteuil, Chair of the Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission continues a series of articles looking at some areas of our Eucharistic celebration.

We communicate in different ways but primarily we do so with words. We use them for different purposes, e.g. to get information, to greet, to acclaim, to instruct. The purpose of our communication dictates how we say it (volume, tone, accompanying body language). 

For example, when someone achieves something e.g. scores a goal, wins a race, graduates, we cheer loudly and joyfully. When we greet, we speak warmly and at conversational volume.

In the Mass, we use words in many ways—we have acclamations (Gloria, Alleluia, Holy Holy, Amen), prayer, instructions, greetings (“The Lord be with you…….And with your spirit”), proclamation (Creed, Mystery of Faith).

We need to pay attention to what type of speech we are using, and this will tell us how to say it. 

The greeting we say in a clear, warm voice rather than with a mumble. The acclamation we say clearly and robustly; the proclamation we say with faith and boldness. 

But we need to pay attention—as we do this, responding appropriately, we will be taking a fuller, more conscious, active part in the Mass which will then become more meaningful and fruitful. 

If we mumble our responses or say them all in the same way, our participation will be minimal and our ‘getting nothing out of the Mass’ will become a reality. What we put in; we will get out.

Words have power to affect us—when someone compliments, we usually feel good; on the other hand, if someone insults, we feel the opposite. The words that people speak to us or that we read can direct, encourage, comfort, move us to action. If human words can do this to us, how much more powerful should the Word of God be in our lives.

In the Mass, the most important word is God’s Word. Scripture tells us that God’s Word is active and alive (Heb 4:12), is the Word of life (Phil 2:16), is the light for our path (Ps 119:105). 

All of this tells us of its importance for our lives. Therefore, paying attention to the Word as it is being read in Mass is important, though not necessarily easy. The sound system nor the reader may be working well, but we need to try our best to pay attention and not miss out on the food being given to us.

The General Instruction of the Roman Missal says, “When Sacred Scriptures are read in church, God speaks to his people and Christ, present in his own word, proclaims the Gospel.” 

Because we believe we hear Christ speaking in the gospel we respond, “Praise be to you, Lord Jesus Christ”—which is a profession of faith and thus said accordingly, not lifelessly, which is hardly becoming a proclamation.

Words are spoken for a response, so too the Word of God. An Introduction to the Lectionary at Mass (ILM) states, “When God shares his word with us, he awaits our response…. so that what we hear in the liturgy we carry out in the way we live.” 

God uses the assembly (if we pay attention to the Word) so that His Word may triumph, and His name be exalted among the peoples (7, ILM).

All of this is only possible if the people can hear (sound system), the reader proclaims well (is prepared, has the skills), and the people pay attention.