UPDATED/ADAPTED FROM CELEBRATION 2018 NOTES

It is natural that liturgical leaders pay regular attention to the way that various liturgical ministers carry out their ministries. If the lector cannot be heard or the musicians play and sing poorly, the whole community is affected. But this attention to special ministers can lead us to overlook the assembly.

This is a good opportunity to encourage all to heighten their attention to the Word of God. We all need reminding occasionally that listening is an active skill that is essential for the preaching of the word. If the preacher preaches and no one listens, the exercise is futile.

A pause between the opening collect and the first reading allows the assembly to settle in their seats and calls attention to the importance of what is about to happen (if only because they wonder why there is this silence!). Pauses, after the first and second reading and after the homily, allow time to reflect on what has just been heard. (cf. GIRM #128-136)

SOURCE: NCR: Cycle B series.

Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter, Motu proprio “Aperuit illis” (2019), established “the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time is to be devoted to the celebration, study and dissemination of the Word of God.

• Resource page from the Diocese of Fargo
• Catechetical, ecumenical, liturgical and prayer resources from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops