The Gospel, Homily, Creed and General Intercessions

The Gospel

The Gospel is the high point of the Liturgy of the Word. As a mark of honour, we stand and sing the Gospel Acclamation to welcome the risen Christ present in his Word.  The proclamation is reserved to the deacon, or in his absence, a priest. This is because the deacon’s ministry was essentially one of service in the pattern of Christ. 

A small sign of the cross is made on the book and three times on ourselves, indicating that we will open our minds to the Word, proclaim it with our lips, and hold it in our hearts. 

How important is the Gospel?  

The Gospel is so important that it may never be omitted, even at a Mass with children, which permits an abbreviated Liturgy of the Word. The Lectionary for Masses with Children has all the Sunday Gospels, slightly modified to suit their age. Each of the Gospel writers paints a portrait of Jesus Christ from a particular perspective, depending on the community  for which they were writing.  The three-year cycle of readings is therefore designed to help us to come to know Christ more deeply and live his Gospel more convincingly. 

The Homily†

The Homily is an integral part of the liturgy, developing some point of the readings, or the Mass itself, and taking into account the needs of the people present.  (GIRM 65) 

‘The people of God have a right to receive abundantly from the treasury of God’s word. Its riches are presented to them through use of the Order of Readings, the Homily, and pastoral efforts’.  (GIL 45)    

As with the First and Second Readings, there should be a silent pause after the Homily. 

The Creed

This is not a prayer as such, but a statement of belief called the Profession of Faith. It only appeared in the Roman liturgy in the eleventh century.  Today it is used on Sundays and the most important feasts and is not generally sung.  

Prayer of the Faithful

These prayers have been restored to the post-Vatican II liturgy. In the early Church, they were usually prayed only by the baptised (that is, "the faithful"), with the catechumens dismissed from the assembly for catechesis. Hence the term ‘prayer of the faithful.’  

Because the catechumens were not yet part of God’s priestly people whose work is to pray for the world, they were dismissed prior to these prayers. 

The intentions are supposed to emerge out of the readings of the Mass of the day and should address each of the following categories:  1. the Church, 2. public authorities and the need of the world, 3. those currently oppressed, and 4. the particular needs of the local community. 

There is also a correct way of wording the intentions. The need (intention) is presented to the assembly: e.g. “For all those suffering persecution..” The actual prayer is at the conclusion of the intention and is addressed to God: i.e. “Lord, hear our prayer.”

Although these prayers are the ministry of the laity, presenting the intentions has traditionally been the role of the deacon who  ministered to the sick, poor, widows etc. and therefore knew the needs of the community.

The Prayer of the Faithful completes the Liturgy of the Word.

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This article was originally published in Let’s Walk Through The Mass. © Diocese of Parramatta.  1999, 2000, 2007. Reprinted with permission.