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By Br F Regis Hickey
Last week we spoke of the Mass (Eucharist) as a sacred drama. It is a drama in three acts. The first act is the Readings, when we
listen to the inspired word of God. Act One of the Mass could also be called Listening, for the word is proclaimed in the hearing of all those present.
This first part of the Mass is modelled on the
gatherings in the Jewish synagogues. There the readings were and are from the Old Testament. In our Christian gatherings the readings are from both Old and New Testaments, pride of place being given to the Gospels.
Listening is like fishing. You may or may not catch something significant. The important thing is to be ready. Listening requires that we give our full attention to what is being said. Often, in spite of
ourselves, our minds go off on a tangent.
The first reading is taken from either the Old Testament or the New. It is not always easy to relate to, because of its historical setting, but the constant theme is
the call to trust in God, who is loving, loyal and caring. We understand what it means to be a member of God’s family as we listen, in the company of our fellow Christians, to the first reading.
The reading
is followed by a psalm. This should be sung, though it seldom is. When we sing, as St Augustine observed, we pray twice over because singing adds the gifts of the heart to those of the head. Just as we have
ministers of the Eucharist, so we should have a pool of people ready to lead the singing of the psalm (and of the Alleluia verse at its conclusion).
The high point of the readings is the Gospel. It is
proclaimed by the priest while the people stand, to show their respect. The simple story or lesson – for the Gospels are full of simple stories and lessons – brings home to us the power and mission of Christ in his
earthly life.
As you listen to the readings, you should try to absorb their spirit rather than increase your knowledge. Sometimes a word or a sentence may be particularly meaningful to you because the word of
God is, as Hebrews tells us, a two edged sword, penetrating to the marrow, capable of moving our hearts and leading us to great things.
Sometimes the priest gives a reflection on the readings. His aim is not to
display his learning but to share his faith.
Act One of the Mass deepens our faith, preparing us for the sacred action to follow.
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