Have you ever planned to stop off at the store on the way home and then start driving only to find yourself at home and realize that you forgot to stop off at the store? I had that happen to me many times in the past. It’s like going into a kind of autopilot mode where not a lot of thought is needed to get through the familiar tasks. This kind of autopilot can happen to us during Mass too. Listen to my homily to learn more about the Mass, specifically the Gospels and the homily, to help you avoid the autopilot mode.
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Readings: WIS 2:12, 17-20; PS
54:3-4, 5, 6 AND 8; JAS 3:16—4:3; MK 9:30-37
Symbols of the Four Gospels with Jesus Christ at the Center
This homily was the 11th in the series. Click on the links below for the other homilies.
Below is the Bulletin Article that corresponds to this homily.
Gospel and Homily (Bulletin Article)
We
all stand for the Gospel. Standing is a
sign of respect, attention, and readiness for the coming of Jesus Christ to us
through the Gospel. The “Alleluia” comes
from a Hebrew expression meaning “Praise the Lord!”
The
Gospels have a prominent place in our Liturgy because they best reveal and
express to us the words and deeds of Jesus Christ who comes to us through these
sacred texts. Notice the procession with
the Book of the Gospels on Sunday.
Unlike the other readings, this one must be proclaimed by an ordained
minister because he speaks the words of Jesus Christ.
He
tells us which Holy Gospel the reading is from and all respond, “Glory to you,
O Lord!” This response is said with joy
and gratitude for the gift of Jesus Christ.
All
make the triple Sign of the Cross. First
on the forehead, then the lips, and lastly over the heart. We do this to consecrate our thoughts, words,
and actions to the Lord, by asking that what is contained in the Gospel be
always kept on our minds, on our lips, and in our hearts.
The
word “Gospel” means “Good News.” The
Gospels present to us the best news.
That God the Father gave us His Son, who suffered, died, and was buried;
and He rose on the third day bringing about our salvation.
Once
the Gospel is proclaimed, the priest or deacon says, “The Gospel of the
Lord.” We respond by saying, “Praise to
you, Lord Jesus Christ.” We praise Him
for all He has done, for being present with us through the proclamation of the
Gospel, and for offering salvation to us.
The
word “homily” means “explanation.” The
homily explains the scriptural readings and applies them to our lives. Only a deacon, priest, or bishop can give the
homily because they share in the authority of Christ. All scripture, and especially the Gospels,
are to be read and understood according to the apostolic faith, which is
entrusted to the bishops, who shared that responsibility with the priests and
deacons.
