Preparing for the GOSPEL.... ALLELUIA A prayer that expresses joy in the greatness of God. The word is Hebrew for "Yahweh be praised!" and occurs often in the psalms. Catholics sing "Alleluia" before and after a brief verse, right before the proclamation of the Gospel during the Mass. During Lent the Alleluia is not said. PRACTICE We stand and sing "Alleluia." Priest: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Priest: A reading for the holy Gospel according to (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John). People: Glory to you, Lord. With our hand held closed like we are holding a little piece of chalk, we make three crosses. One cross is on our forehead, one cross is on our lips, one cross is over our heart. We are thinking and praying silently, "May our mind be open to God's word, our lips be ready to profess God's word, our hearts be open to accept God's word." | Last Week's Word.... Second Reading This reading is read after the Responsorial Psalm and is taken from the Epistles of the New Testament.  Since Paul wrote most of the epistles, most of the second readings are from St. Paul. The other New Testament letters (Saint Peter, Saint John, Jude, the writer to the Hebrews, etc.), as well as Revelation, are read as Second Readings. At the end of the Second Reading, the Lector says: "The Word of the Lord." The People respond: "Thanks be to God." Faith Fact: Although the first reading is supposed to reflect the Gospel, sometimes the connection may not be very obvious. The second reading is not chosen with any reference to the other readings. |
Word of the Week |
