LITURGY LESSON: GOSPEL

(Given: 7^th Sunday Easter May 16, 2010)

A liturgy lesson about the Gospel may not seem to be needed. We know that Gospel means “good news.” We know that there are four Gospels, each written by a man called an Evangelist, a Greek word which means “bringer of good news.” We know that those evangelists were Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. We know that these men gathered the stories and sayings of Jesus and each arranged them in a book to present a particular point of view about this Man in whom they had great faith as Savior of the World.

But it is their place in the Liturgy that is important to us today. From earliest times the primacy of the Gospel has been emphasized by special signs of respect and honor surrounding its liturgical proclamation. Last week we talked about the Alleluia and the triple sign of the cross.

Note, also, that we stand for the Gospel. Standing in the early church was the ultimate sign of respect. In the celebration of the Mass, the faithful form a holy people, a people whom God has made his own. Indeed, they form one body, whether by hearing the word of God or by singing or by joining in prayer. This unity is beautifully apparent from the gestures and postures observed in common by the faithful.

Another sign of importance is that the Gospel is always to be proclaimed by an ordained minister - the priest or deacon. At the end of the proclamation, the priest or deacon says, “The Gospel of the Lord,” and we respond “Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.” We are speaking to the Word of God when we say that. “Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.”

Finally, note that the priest or deacon kisses the Book at the end of the reading. He says quietly to himself, “May the words of the Gospel wipe away our sins.”

The power of the Gospel is profound. It gives us faith and wipes away our sins. No wonder that here at Divine Word we pay it so much respect.