Liturgy Corner

May 28 - Holy Scripture (that is, the Holy Bible) has always been an integral part of the Mass. Indeed, the Mass is steeped in the Word; in fact, many of the texts are drawn from the Psalms, which was basically the hymnal of the Hebrews, and many of the prayers are inspired by Scripture.

Specifically, the entire first half of the Mass, the Liturgy of the Word, is dedicated to giving us lessons from Scripture, formally called the Lectionary. Sundays Masses consist of two Readings, one from the Old Testament and one from the New (except during Paschaltide, when both come from the New), a Responsorial (usually from the Psalms, though occasionally a canticle), and of course, the Gospel Reading, taken from one of the four Gospel accounts. For daily Masses, there is one Readiing instead of two (so don’t get thrown off when you come to one!). The Sunday Lectionary is on a three-year cycle (A, B, C) and daily Masses are on a two-year cycle (I, II). So right now we are in year A-I (you sunk my battleship). As such, if one were to attend Mass every day for three years, they would hear about 13.5% of the Old Testament (not counting the Psalms, which are used throughout) and 71.5% of the New.

Bearing in mind the words of one of my patrons, St. Jerome: “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ”, let us reflect: Do I pay attention at Mass when the Scriptures are read and even read them ahead of time? Do I take time outside of Mass to read Scripture or pray the Divine Office (Liturgy of the Hours)? Am I able to look beyond the apparent text to hear what God is speaking to me?


- Fr. Kyle