Sunday of the Word of God: ‘A Day of Awakening’

By the Vatican News staff reporter

Pope Francis instituted ‘The Sunday of the Word of God’ to be observed every year on the third Sunday of ordinary time, with the apostolic letter in the form of a Motu proprio “Aperuit illis”, issued September 30, 2019 .

The Pope had intended it to be a day devoted to the celebration, reflection and dissemination of the Word.

Importance of the Holy Scriptures in our lives

A note released on Saturday by the Congregation for the Divine Adoration and Discipline of the Sacraments, and signed by the Prefect, Cardinal Robert Sarah, explains that The Sunday of the Word of God is a means of helping people ‘again to become aware of the importance of the Holy Scriptures for our lives as believers, starting with its resonance in the liturgy that places us in a living and permanent dialogue with God. “

It adds that the day is also “a good opportunity to reread some Church documents, especially the Introduction of the Sequence of mass readings. “

The note itself is divided into ten points, the first of which indicates that “through the proclaimed biblical readings in the liturgy, God speaks to his people and Christ himself preaches his gospel.” It indicates that “one of the ritual options suitable for this Sunday could be the procession with the Book of the Gospels or simply placing the Book of the Gospels on the altar.”

The document then specifies that the Biblical readings arranged by the church in the lectionary should not be replaced or suppressed, and that versions of the Bible approved for liturgical use should be used.

“The proclamation of the texts of the Lectionary forms a bond of unity between all believers who listen to them,” says the note, which also recommends the singing of the Responsorial Psalm.

The sermon

It focuses on the homily and invites bishops, priests and deacons to “explain the Holy Scriptures and enable everyone to understand the Holy Scriptures” and to make them “accessible to their communities,” through this ministry. to conduct “with special dedication, appreciating the resources proposed by the Church.” The importance of silence in liturgical celebrations is also emphasizes, because “meditation is favored, permitting the word of God to be received within by the listener.”

With regard to those who preach the Word of God in the congregation – priests, deacons, and lecturers – the memorandum specifies that “specific preparation from within and without, familiarity with the text to be preached, and the necessary practice in its proclamation” requires.

It also insists on the care of the ambo from which the Word of God is proclaimed, and while “the sermon and the intentions of universal prayer may be proclaimed from it,” “it is less suitable to use it for comments, announcements, or for directing vocals. “

There is also a request to take care of the material value and proper use of “books containing the readings of the Holy Scriptures,” adding that it “is never appropriate to make use of leaflets, photocopies, and other pastoral aids such as replacement for liturgical books “. . “

Founding meetings

In order to better publicize the Holy Scriptures and its value in liturgical celebrations, the Congregation urges the promotion of formative meetings, near or in the days after the Sunday of the Word of God, to emphasize in more detail the ‘ criteria for the liturgical distribution of the different Bible books over the year and seasons, and the structure of the Sunday and weekday cycles of readings for Mass. “

Finally, the document identifies the Sunday of the Word of God, where the communal celebration of Lauds and Vespers is promoted, as “ an appropriate opportunity to deepen the link between the Holy Scriptures and the Hours of Prayer, the praying of the Psalms and Songs of Songs. ” of the Bureau, as well as the Biblical readings. “

Jerome

It also suggests that Saint Jerome is presented as an example “of the great love he had for the Word of God.”