Mary Betz explains the role of the Leader of the Word and the order of the listening and praying activities within that part of Eucharist.

In the Liturgy of the Word we still ourselves to hear sacred stories from ancient times and cultures and to ponder their meanings for us today. This phase of the liturgy encompasses readings and a psalm from the Scriptures, a homily, the Prayer of the Faithful and the Profession of Faith.

After the Opening Prayer, the transition from the Gathering Rite to the Liturgy of the Word is marked by the exchange of the liturgical candle from the Leader of Gathering to the Leader of the Word, who comes forward from her/his place in the congregation to receive it.

Throughout this and all phases of the liturgy, inclusive language is used for both people and God. It is important in our music, prayer and other speech, to acknowledge not only that there are many images through which each of us understands God, but that God is beyond all understanding.

The Leader of the Word is a lay person with knowledge, training and an experiential understanding of Scripture. She or he prepares and gives a short (100 word) introduction before each reading to set the texts in their contexts. This enables listeners to hear the readings attentively and with some basic knowledge to more easily appreciate them.

The author, date, place and community of the biblical text, where the reading is situated in relation to other biblical events, or the meaning of difficult words may be helpful to hearers' understanding.

The first two readings are proclaimed by readers who come from and return to the congregation. The psalm between the readings is sung (or spoken) responsorially or as a hymn, and is led by a cantor or music group. Following the second reading, the introduction to the Gospel is given by the Leader, who then invites those gathered to welcome the Gospel. After the Gospel Acclamation is sung, the Gospel is proclaimed — usually by the priest who is the Leader of the Eucharist.

The homily or reflection may be given by a priest or lay person — usually the Leader of the Word or the Leader of the Eucharist. In our community lay people preach on about one out of every three Sundays. One of the strengths of shared leadership liturgy is that the congregation can hear perspectives on the Word from preachers with richly varied life experiences.

Homilies are usually about eight minutes, but sometimes the preacher speaks for a shorter time and proposes a question or two for the congregation to reflect on and talk about with those around them. Homilies focus on the meaning of the day’s Scripture texts in the time and place they were written, and suggest possible ways of understanding and living them today. Biblical themes such as the nature of God, wisdom, prophetic speaking and action, compassion, fullness of life, prayer, forgiveness and justice, both affirm and challenge us in our contemporary responsibilities toward peace and justice in society, to our planet and in the life of our Church and community.

After the homily and a moment of silence, a Prayer Leader leads the Prayer of the Faithful. He or she prays a brief introduction, often invoking themes or images of God from the readings, which invites all present to offer prayers aloud or in silence. When everyone who wishes has spoken, the Prayer Leader concludes the prayer. This Prayer of the Faithful follows directly after readings and homily, so that people’s thoughts and reflections can be immediately and easily incorporated into their prayers.

The Leader of the Word then leads the community in the Profession of Faith. The Apostles’ Creed, Nicene Creed, or a creed in more contemporary language gleaned from sources such as the Book of Common Prayer, may be used. Praying both ancient and modern creeds connects us with our early Christian roots as well as enabling us to articulate our Trinitarian faith in words we understand more readily.

At the conclusion of the Profession of Faith, the Leader of the Word passes the liturgical candle to the Leader of the Eucharist, who comes from the congregation to receive it, and then the Leader of the Word returns to sit with the congregation.