liturgy of the Word

liturgy of the Word, the first of the two principal rites of the mass, the central act of worship of the Roman Catholic Church, the second being the liturgy of the Eucharist (see also Eucharist).

The liturgy of the Word typically consists of three readings, the first from the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) and the second and third from the New Testament. The first New Testament reading is from the Acts of the Apostles, the Epistles, or the Revelation to John (the Book of Revelation); the second is from the Gospels (the four narratives relating the life and death of Jesus Christ). The reading from the Old Testament and from the non-Gospel books of the New Testament are done by a lector (a lay reader), while the Gospel is proclaimed by a deacon. A responsorial psalm and a Gospel acclamation divide the three readings. The priest then delivers the homily (a short sermon), which usually focuses on one of the readings or on that day’s special occasion. Then follows the public profession of faith, consisting of a recitation of either the Nicene Creed or the shorter Apostles’ Creed. The Nicene Creed is a succinct statement of Catholic doctrine:

I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the Prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Ending the liturgy of the Word are the general intercessions (the Prayer of the Faithful), in which petitions are commonly offered for the church, for the civil authorities, for those oppressed by various needs, for all humankind, and for the salvation of the entire world. Specific prayers may also be extended to couples recently married in the church, to persons ordained or confirmed in the church, or to members of the church suffering illness or bereavement.

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