A word on the Word

Last Fall, the Synod of Bishops met at the Vatican to consider the topic, The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church. The US Bishops’ Committee on Divine Worship issued an informal translation in their November-December 2008 Newsletter. The Synod Fathers presented 55 propositions to the Holy Father for his consideration preparing an Apostolic Exhortation. (You may recall Sacramentum Caritatis [Sacrament of Charity], which was Pope Benedict’s Apostolic Exhortation following the Ordinary Synod on the Eucharist.)

The Holy Father has spoken frequently and eloquently on the importance of Scripture to Christians, echoing the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy’s well-known phrase:

[Christ] is present in His word, since it is He Himself who speaks when the holy scriptures are read in the Church (para. 7).

This Synod, a regular gathering since the Second Vatican Council, reflected on many facets of the Word over the course of nearly three weeks. Among the propositions made are some concrete examples of how we can assist honoring the Word as well as how we can recognize its transformative power. One of the most intriguing of these says,

The Book of Sacred Scripture, even outside of the liturgical action, should have a visible place of honor in the interior of the church.

Imagine enthroning the Lectionary in a worthy place, open to the day’s Scripture. On Sunday the Gospel Book could stand open near the door of the church so that people could see the beautiful illustrations as they enter for the celebration of the Eucharist.


The Word dwells with us and among us and makes his home with us. We then carry that Word—invisible in our hearts but waiting to be proclaimed yet again—in our procession, held high for all to see. We place it on the altar of Sacrifice and prepare to once again hear the Lord speak to us as he prepares us to receive his Body and Blood.