| Words After the Gospel |
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| ROME, OCT. 21, 2003 (Zenit.org).- Answered by Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical University. Q: Is it absolutely necessary for a priest to raise up the Lectionary after reading the Gospel and saying, "This is the Gospel of the Lord"? I find this very cumbersome. Also, what is the correct proclamation at the end of the readings? Some say, "The word of the Lord"; others, "This is the word of the Lord." Also, can a priest proclaim the Gospel and preach from behind the altar? -- E.S., Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia A: This subject is dealt with in the General Instruction on the Roman Missal (No. 134) and substantially repeated in other places: "Then he proclaims the Gospel and at the end says the acclamation 'Verbum Domini' (The gospel of the Lord), to which all respond, 'Laus tibi, Christe' (Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ). The priest kisses the book, saying quietly, 'Per evangelica dicta, deleantur nostra delicta' (May the words of the Gospel cleanse us of our faults). As you can see, the text makes no specific reference to raising the book at this moment, so there is no requirement for doing so. The expression "The Gospel of the Lord" does not refer primarily to the book but rather to the Word that has been heard. When a bishop celebrates the deacon may take the Book of the Gospels to him so that he may kiss it. The new GIRM (No. 176) provides that on solemn occasions he may now also impart a blessing with the book. English being a widely spoken tongue, there are slight variations in some texts of the Mass in different regions. In the United States, "the Word (or Gospel) of the Lord" is used, while elsewhere most countries use the "This is" form. As you are writing from a country where English is not the local language you may follow whatever Lectionary you use at Mass. As a new translation of the entire missal is under way, some of these variations may eventually be eliminated. In Masses celebrated with a congregation the Gospel should be read at the ambo (see GIRM, No. 134). The homily, however, may be preached from another place in accordance with GIRM, No. 136: "The priest, standing at the chair or at the ambo itself or, when appropriate, in another suitable place, gives the homily. When the homily is completed, a period of silence may be observed." Under normal circumstances the altar should not be used for the homily, as it is good liturgical practice to leave the altar unused until the Liturgy of the Eucharist begins. There may be situations, however, when the occasion and the particular circumstances of the presbytery might allow it. For example, in those countries where the traditional custom is to celebrate marriage in front of the altar within the precincts Follow-up: Words After the Gospel In the wake of the column on the words spoken after the Gospel (see Oct. 21), I found a related question from a priest in Salem, New Hampshire. He asked why so few priests give a brief commentary before the Scripture readings. Actually there are about four moments when the priest may make brief comments or introductions during Mass. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal, No. 31, makes clear that the priest "may give the faithful a very brief introduction to the Mass of the day (after the initial Greeting and before the Act of Penitence), to the Liturgy of the Word (before the readings), and to the Eucharistic Prayer (before the Preface), though never during the Eucharistic Prayer itself; he may also make concluding comments to the entire sacred action before the dismissal." It is very important that these commentaries be very brief and to the point so as to avoid the impression of giving multiple homilies or of being longwinded. And, of course, there is no obligation to make use of all four opportunities. Probably many priests prefer not to introduce the readings so as not to detract from the homily that comes immediately afterward. The priest may, however, delegate these brief remarks to a commentator who, according to GIRM, No. 105.a, "provides the faithful, when appropriate, with brief explanations and commentaries with the purpose of introducing them to the celebration and preparing them to understand it better. The commentator's remarks must be meticulously prepared and clear though brief. In performing this function the commentator stands in an appropriate place facing the faithful, but not at the ambo." The priest should either write the commentaries himself or at least revise them so as to ensure that they are appropriate and doctrinally correct. Failure to do this can lead to difficulties as happened to a priest friend when the commentator introducing the Scripture readings undermined the main point of his homily. Some priests give a shorter than usual homily for a few weeks each year so as to explain the symbolic and spiritual meaning of the different parts and rites of the Mass and so encourage active participation in the celebration (taking "active" in its deepest and fullest meaning as conscious and devout). This can be done providing a proper balance is maintained and the above norms regarding the proper moments for these commentaries are respected. |