The Liturgy of the Word is made up of two sets of elements: those which proclaim the word of God and those which respond to the word of God. Thus it has a structure of Word and Response, which may be schematized thus:

This structure of word and response is not about repeating the past, but letting the word as proclaimed rouse a response in us now in our present time and circumstances. The word of the Lord echoes down to us to seek out our response in parallel to those to whom his words were addressed at the time.

By silence and singing, the people make this divine word their own, and affirm their adherence to it by means of the profession of Faith; finally nourished by the divine word, the people pour out their petitions by means of the Universal Prayer for the needs of the whole Church and for the salvation of the world” (General Instruction on the Roman Missal, no 55).

“The main part of the Liturgy of the Word is made up of the readings from Sacred Scripture together with the chants occurring between them. As for the Homily, the Profession of Faith (Creed) and the Universal Prayer (Prayer of the Faithful), they develop and conclude it. For in the readings, explained by the Homily, God speaks to his people, opening up to them the mystery of redemption and salvation, and offering spiritual nourishment; and Christ himself is present through his word in the midst of the faithful.

By Frank O’Loughlin