WHY READINGS DURING MASS

The table of the Word (Ambo) is the focal point of the listening assembly during the Liturgy of the Word, and it's around this table that the assembly gathers in order to be nourished and transformed by the Lord who speaks to us through the Sacred Scriptures. The proclamation of the word of God is central to every celebration of the Liturgy. It is intimately connected to the meaning of what is celebrated , interpreting the ritual action in the light of the history of salvation and the transforming power of the Holg Spirit at work in the Church.

In fact, the table of the Word offers the same understanding of the history of salvation and especially of the Paschal Mystery which the risen Jesus himself gave to his disciples since it's Christ himself who speaks when Sacred Scriptures is read in the Church. It follows that we cannot hear the Scriptures as a message from the past or as a record of events and persons long ago. The Scriptures speaks to us in the present ,in the liturgical today, and leads us to understand the mystery of salvation that transcends the limitation of time and place.

In the liturgical proclamation of the living Word, the listening assembly is confronted with God's will and plan, challenged to grow in faith and in holiness, strengthened in its discipleship and desire to proclaim the Word to others. 

The liturgical proclamation of the Word of God is first of all a dialogue between God and his people, a dialogue in which the wonders of salvation are proclaimed and the demands of the covenant are continually restated.

Listening itself is not enough, the Word sown into the listening hearts leads the Assembly to give thanks and praise and to embark on a life of conversion, faith and witness. It's this conversion that makes us well disposed to participate in the Holy Communion.

Thanks for reading this article.

Samuel Nyonje Muhanji wishes you God's blessings.

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[ Cf. Vatican II - SC 7,33. GIRM 55&57]