At the close of the Collect, the priest and congregation sit as the Liturgy of the Word begins. On Sundays and solemnities, there are four readings, for weekday Masses three. The First Reading is usually taken from the Old Testament although it can also be taken from the Book of Acts during the Easter season or from the epistles for daily Mass. The Lectionary deliberately matches the First Reading to the Gospel in some way, at least on Sundays and solemnities, either presenting a foreshadowing or a shared theme.
If at all possible, we should read the Scriptures for Mass beforehand. This way, we will be more attentive as we listen and more likely to hear God speaking to us in His Word. After all, the more we put in, the more we will get out. God wants to interact with us through Scripture, but our hearts need to be open and ready to listen.
In fact, we sit for the First Reading (as well as the Psalm and Second Reading) to indicate that we are in a position of listening and learning. Remember that when the Scriptures are read at Mass, God is teaching us in a special way, both as a church and individually. We should give Him our utmost attention.
At the end of the reading, the lector declares, “The word of the Lord,” for that is exactly what we have just heard: God's Word proclaimed to us. We respond with our firm and joyous agreement: “Thanks be to God!”
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