Be Formed Season 3, Week 13 The Gospel Acclamation and the Gospel

Introduction

The speaker introduces the topic for the week and reminds viewers of important dates.

Season 3 Closing Mass and Season 4 Registration Deadline

• December 15th at 7:30 PM is the closing mass for season three at Holy Family in Shorewood.

• December 12th is the deadline to register for season four of Be Formed.

Importance of Building Good Habits

• The goal of Be Formed is to form good habits one at a time so that they can be built upon after the season ends.

• Viewers are encouraged to stick with their commitment cards in between seasons.

Liturgy of the Word: Gospel Acclamation and Gospel

The speaker discusses the importance of the Book of Gospels, its procession during mass, and how it represents Christ's presence among us.

The Book of Gospels

• The Book of Gospels contains only Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

• When sacred scriptures are read in church, God himself speaks to his people through Christ present in his own word.

• During mass, when the gospel is proclaimed, Jesus is speaking to us through scripture.

Procession and Placement on Altar

• The Book of Gospels is processed by a deacon (if there is one), who places it on the altar. If there isn't a deacon present, it's usually already placed on the altar.

• Father Doug Mardus (now Father Eusebius), says that "the altar receives the word of God in a similar way that the altar receives the body and blood of Jesus during the liturgy of the Eucharist."

Significance of Book of Gospels

• The Book of Gospels is kissed by the deacon or priest as if it were Christ himself.

• The Church teaches that Christ is present to us in various ways during mass, including through scripture.

Singing Alleluia During Mass

The speaker explains why we sing Alleluia during mass and why everyone stands when it's sung.

Significance of Alleluia

• We sing Alleluia during mass because it's a joyful expression of praise.

• During Lent, we don't sing the Gloria or Alleluia because it's a penitential season. However, we still sing Alleluia during Advent.

Standing for Alleluia

• Everyone stands when singing the Alleluia because it's a sign of respect and reverence for God.

Introduction to the Gospel

This section provides an introduction to the Gospel and its significance in the liturgy.

The Gospel Acclamation

• The Gospel Acclamation highlights what we're about to hear in the gospel.

• It's a hymn of joy like the angels proclaiming good news to the shepherds in Bethlehem.

The Importance of the Gospel

• The gospel is good news, and it's significant because it's Jesus speaking to us.

• We sing Alleluia before and after reading the gospel.

• The deacon or priest processes with the book of gospels, accompanied by candles and incense (outside COVID).

• Incense highlights that God is speaking to us in a special way through the gospels.

Proclaiming and Hearing the Gospel

• The deacon proclaims the gospel, which is considered as a high point of Liturgy.

• We stand up as a sign of reverence while hearing it.

• After reading, we say "Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ," and Deacon kisses Book of Gospels as if it were Christ himself.

Significance of Consecration

This section explains how consecration plays an important role during mass.

Purifying Our Thoughts, Words, and Actions

• We make threefold signs on our mind, lips, and heart before hearing from Holy Gospels.

• There's nothing official in church teaching but can say prayer like "May Lord be on my mind that I may know word of God."

• Consecrating our thoughts, words, actions means dedicating them all to Lord.

Specialness of Alleluia Praise

• Alleluia praise is special because it's the good news of Jesus crucified and risen.

• We are to pass on this good news from generation to generation.

The Gospel as Good News

This section explains how the gospel is not just a historical story but Christ speaking to us in the present moment.

The Gospel as Christ Speaking to Us

• The gospel is not just biographical facts or historical stories, but it's Christ speaking to us in the present moment.

• When we hear "Nor do I condemn you now go and sin no more," Jesus tells us that he doesn't condemn us, and we should sin no more.

• When Jesus says, "Repent and believe in the gospel," he means that we should repent and believe in the gospel.

Preparing for Mass

In this section, the speaker emphasizes the importance of praying with the scriptures before mass and enshrining a bible in our homes.

Praying with Scriptures

• Pray with the scriptures before mass.

• Ask God to speak to your heart.

• Use a possible prayer: "Lord cleanse my heart of all obstacles that block me from hearing your word. May my heart be rich soil where your word can bear fruit a hundredfold."

Enshrining a Bible in Our Homes

• Encourage having a place where the bible is open at home.

• Read it in our homes as well.

• Choose your favorite gospel passage and every time you see it, it's a reminder that Jesus is alive and wants to speak to us.

Lectio Divina

In this section, the speaker talks about Lectio Divina and reads Revelation 19:5-7.

Revelation 19:5-7

• This week's Lectio Divina is Revelation 19:5-7.

• Talks about the heavenly Jerusalem and what is happening in heaven we are experiencing here on earth.

• The vision of the heavenly Jerusalem is described as a voice coming from the throne saying "Praise our God all you his servants and you who revere him small and great."

• A great multitude or sound of rushing water or mighty peels of thunder said alleluia which we sing before the gospel.

• The Lord has established his reign our god almighty let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory for the wedding day of lamb has come his bride has made herself ready.

Worshiping God at Mass

In this section, the speaker talks about worshiping God at Mass and becoming more fully the men and women that God has called us to be.

Worshiping God at Mass

• We use our bodies to worship God.

• Stand at the gospel, deacon kisses, etc.

• It's a way of reverencing the Lord.

• We become more fully the men and women that God has called us to be.

Closing Prayer

In this section, the speaker leads a closing prayer.

Heavenly Father Prayer

• The speaker leads a prayer thanking and praising God for his holy word.

• Help us to reverence you and welcome you into our hearts, minds, lips, and homes.

• May your word take root in our hearts so we may live it fully in this world today.

Conclusion

In this section, the speaker concludes by encouraging listeners to think about their pilgrimage of life and how they can't wait to hear what the Lord has to say each day.

Pilgrimage of Life

• Think about your pilgrimage of life when you go to mass.

• Can't wait to hear what the Lord has to say each day.

• Speak to me Lord your servant is listening.