Rachel Evans
The Catholic Church has organised the Lectionary, or the book in which the scheduled readings are arranged, to ensure that even the most lukewarm members of the congregation are exposed to the whole of the Bible. The Mass, which is made up of the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, follows a three-year cycle of readings. Each year is dedicated to one of the Gospel writers, Matthew, Mark, or Luke, with the Gospel of John being used during the Easter season of every year. The Old Testament reading is selected to reflect a theme from the Gospel, and the second reading, usually an Epistle, typically follows in order of the preceding Sunday.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Parts of Mass | Liturgy of the Word and Liturgy of the Eucharist |
| Mass Readings | Ordinary and Proper |
| Sunday Readings | Repeat every three years, labelled A, B, and C |
| Year A Readings | Gospels are mostly from Matthew |
| Year B Readings | Gospels are mostly from Mark |
| Year C Readings | Gospels are mostly from Luke |
| Old Testament Readings | Selected to reflect a theme from the Gospel |
| Second Reading | Usually an Epistle |
| Gospel of John | Used during the Easter season of every year |
| First Reading | Chosen from the Old Testament or Acts of the Apostles in Eastertime |
| Second Reading | Chosen from a New Testament letter or the Book of Revelation in Eastertime |
| Readings and Prayers | Collected in a single book called the Roman Missal after the Council of Trent |
| Readings | Proclaimed according to a schedule of passages called a lectionary |
| Readings | From the Jerusalem Bible, English Standard Version, or New American Bible |
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What You'll Learn
The Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist
In the Roman Rite, the Mass is divided into two principal parts: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The Mass begins with the Introductory Rites and ends with the Concluding Rites.
The Liturgy of the Word is a part of the Mass where Catholics listen to readings from the Bible. The readings are chosen according to a schedule called a lectionary. The lectionary is a book that contains the scheduled readings. Sunday readings repeat every three years, and are labelled A, B, and C. In Year A, the Gospels are mostly from Matthew, Year B is mostly Mark, and Year C is mostly Luke. The Gospel of John is used each year at Christmas, Lent, and Easter. The Old Testament reading is selected to reflect a theme from the Gospel, and the Psalm often does the same. The second reading, usually an Epistle, typically follows in order of the Sunday preceding.
The Liturgy of the Eucharist begins with the preparation of the gifts and the altar. Ministers prepare the altar, while representatives of the people bring forward the bread and wine that will become the Body and Blood of Christ. The celebrant blesses and praises God for these gifts and places them on the altar. The Prayer over the Offerings concludes this preparation. The Eucharistic Prayer is the heart of the Liturgy of the Eucharist. In this prayer, the celebrant acts in the person of Christ and gathers the substance of the congregation's lives, joining them with Christ's sacrifice and offering them to the Father. The congregation sings the Sanctus, and the Church implores the power of the Holy Spirit to consecrate the gifts offered. The Institution narrative and Consecration are then performed by the priest, who offers the Eucharistic Prayer in the first person plural. This "we" signifies that all the baptized present make the offering in union with Christ.
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The Ordinary and Proper sections of Mass
The Ordinary and Proper are two sections of the Mass in Catholic liturgy. The Ordinary refers to the part of the Mass that is generally invariable and is performed regardless of the date of the service. The Proper, on the other hand, refers to the parts of the Mass that vary according to the date, feast, or occasion being observed.
The Ordinary of the Mass, or Ordinarium Missae in Latin, is the set of texts of the Mass that remain largely unchanged across different celebrations. The first section of the Mass Ordinary is Kyrie eleison, which means "Lord, have mercy". This is followed by Gloria, or "Glory to God in the Highest", which is reserved for Sundays, solemnities, and feasts, excluding Sundays within the penitential season of Lent. The Credo or Nicene Creed, which begins with "I believe in one God", is said on Sundays and major feasts, while the Apostles' Creed may be used during Lent and Easter and at children's Masses. The Sanctus, which begins with "Holy, Holy, Holy", is often sung separately after the Consecration. The Agnus Dei, or "Lamb of God", is another important part of the Ordinary. The final part of the Ordinarium in the post-Tridentine Mass is the phrase "Ite, missa est", which means "Go, it is the dismissal".
The Ordinary also includes Gregorian chants, such as the Profession of Faith and the Lord's Prayer, which are preferably sung in Latin. Sacred silence is also observed at designated times during the Ordinary, allowing individuals to meditate on the readings or the homily, and to praise God after Communion.
The Proper of the Mass, in contrast, includes the variable texts and rituals that change according to the specific feast, feria, or occasion being observed. This includes the Scripture readings, prayers, and rituals that are specific to a particular date or observance within the liturgical year. For example, the Gloria of the Ordinary may be replaced by the blessing and sprinkling of water to recall Baptism during the Season of Easter. The Proper also includes the homily, where the priest or deacon focuses on the Scripture texts or other texts from the liturgy, drawing lessons that relate to living a life more faithful to Christ's call.
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The Lectionary and its history
The Lectionary is the book in which the Catholic Church arranges the schedule of passages to be read at Mass. The Church organizes the Lectionary in such a way that ensures Catholics are exposed to the entirety of the Bible. The Sunday readings follow a three-year cycle, labelled years A, B, and C, with each year focusing on a different Gospel: Matthew, Mark, and Luke, respectively. The Gospel of John is used during the Easter season of each year, as well as during Christmas and Lent, and to round out Year B since the Gospel of Mark is relatively short.
The history of the Lectionary dates back to the early Christians, who read whatever scriptures were available in their community. The first "lectionaries" appeared by the 5th or 6th century and were Bibles with marginal notes indicating the passage to be read on a particular Sunday. By the 7th century, Mass readings began to be compiled into separate books. After the 16th-century Council of Trent, all readings and prayers for Mass were collected into a single book called the Roman Missal. However, Vatican II in 1963 called for a return to the older practice of publishing the readings separately, and a new Lectionary was prepared by an international committee of experts and implemented in 1970. This Lectionary has since been revised twice, with the most recent revision in 1992 aiming to address the issue of certain books, such as those featuring women like Ruth, Esther, and Judith, being infrequently included in the readings.
The use of the Lectionary ensures that Catholics are exposed to a wide selection of biblical texts during Mass. While the Lectionary provides a structured framework for the readings, it is important to note that Catholics are encouraged to engage with the Scripture beyond just the readings at Mass to fully appreciate the narrative of salvation history.
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The selection of readings for Sunday Mass
On Sundays, the first reading is typically chosen from the Old Testament, carefully selected to complement the theme of the day's Gospel. The Old Testament reading is often reflected in the Psalm as well. The second reading is usually an Epistle or a continuous reading from other New Testament books, following the order of the preceding Sundays. During special seasons like Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter, specific gospel passages are assigned, while the remainder of the gospel is read during Ordinary Time.
The Lectionary aims to provide a comprehensive exposure to the Bible, ensuring that Catholics hear and engage with a diverse range of Scripture passages. This approach allows for a deeper understanding of the faith and its narrative of salvation history. However, it is acknowledged that certain books, such as those featuring women as key figures, may be underrepresented in the Lectionary.
The process of selecting readings for Sunday Mass involves liturgical reforms and the input of experts. The readings are chosen to create a cohesive and meaningful experience for Catholics, connecting the Old and New Testaments and emphasizing key teachings and themes. While the specific readings may vary based on the liturgical calendar and local customs, the overall structure and intention behind the selection process remain consistent.
Additionally, the readings at Mass are not the only source of Scripture for Catholics. It is important to engage with the Scriptures outside of Mass as well, as this allows for a deeper understanding of the faith and the context in which the readings are selected and presented. By combining the readings at Mass with personal study and reflection, Catholics can gain a more comprehensive understanding of their faith and its rich biblical foundations.
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The role of readings in Catholic education
Readings are an integral part of Catholic education, providing a structured framework for the faithful to understand and engage with the Bible. The Mass, which is central to Catholic worship, is divided into two principal parts: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The Liturgy of the Word involves a series of readings from the Bible, including the Old Testament, the Psalms, the Gospels, and the New Testament letters. These readings are carefully selected and follow a specific order, known as the Lectionary.
The Lectionary ensures that Catholics are exposed to a wide range of biblical texts and that the entire Bible is covered over time. It is organized on a three-year cycle, with each year designated as Year A, B, or C. During Year A, the Gospel readings primarily come from the Gospel of Matthew, Year B from Mark, and Year C from Luke. The Gospel of John is used during the Easter season and at other specific times.
The first reading at Mass is typically chosen from the Old Testament, with a thematic connection to the day's Gospel. This is followed by a Psalm, which often reflects the theme of the Gospel as well. The second reading is usually an Epistle or a selection from the New Testament letters, and it may or may not be coordinated with the Gospel and first reading. On special occasions, such as Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter, the readings are chosen specifically for their thematic relevance to the occasion.
While the Lectionary provides a structured approach to readings in Catholic education, it is important to note that Catholics are encouraged to engage with Scripture beyond these readings. The narrative of salvation history, when appreciated in order without jumping around, can offer a deeper understanding of the Faith. Additionally, the selection of scriptures from the Old and New Testaments, as well as the Psalms, sets Catholic Christians apart from other denominations and contributes to the harmony and unity of the faith.
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Frequently asked questions
The order of readings in the Catholic Mass is divided into two principal parts: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The Mass begins with the Introductory Rites and ends with the Concluding Rites. Readings are chosen from the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the Psalms.
Readings for Mass are chosen from a book called the Lectionary, which was prepared by an international committee of experts and went into use in 1970. The Lectionary is organized on a three-year cycle: Year A is the year of Matthew, Year B is Mark, and Year C is Luke. The Gospel of John is used during the Easter season and at Christmas and Lent each year.
Examples of readings from the Catholic Mass include:
- "Give to everyone who asks you, and do not ask for your property back from the man who robs you. Treat others as you would like them to treat you."
- "Teach each other, and advise each other, in all wisdom. With gratitude in your hearts sing psalms and hymns and inspired songs to God; and never say or do anything except in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
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