The Second Vatican Council’s document on liturgy says the Word needs to be proclaimed to celebrate the sacraments, said Father Tom Margevicius, director of worship for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. And retired Pope Benedict XVI wrote beautiful and profound meditations on the word of God, Father Margevicius said, including how it is needed in the life of the Church’s liturgy.
God reveals himself through his words and deeds, Father Margevicius said. The retelling of how God works allows people to relive his great deeds today, he said.
Father Tom Margevicius
Pope Benedict XVI referenced a Hebrew word used in the Old Testament that can be translated in various ways as either “word” or “deed” or “thing,” Father Margevicius said, with its meaning gained through context. “Pope Benedict’s point is, for God, there is no difference between what he says and what he does,” Father Margevicius said. Back to the beginning of creation, God said “let there be light, and then light happened.”
“God’s word is powerful and effective, as it says in the Book of Hebrews, (so) that when God speaks, something happens,” Father Margevicius said.
Father Margevicius recently joined “Practicing Catholic” radio show host Patrick Conley to discuss the Liturgy of the Word for his latest episode of “Mass Class.”
During transubstantiation of the bread and wine into Jesus’ body and blood, “we sometimes bypass the fact that that only happens because we proclaim the word of God,” Father Margevicius said.
During baptism, God redeems a new creation, he said. That happens when words from Scripture are repeated, Father Margevicius said, in the phrase, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
“Sacraments aren’t magic,” Father Margevicius said. “It’s because God is speaking his word. And when God speaks his word, something happens. So, the Church insists on the importance of proclaiming the Word at every sacramental celebration, precisely to draw attention to the fact of the potency of God’s word.”
As presented by Vatican II, Father Margevicius said, Jesus is present in multiple ways in every liturgy, most especially in the consecrated species, but also in the word of God. “For when the word is proclaimed, Jesus himself is speaking,” he said. “And that’s the real presence of the voice of God in the liturgical actions. We don’t just have the presence in the sacred species; we have Jesus present, as his word is being proclaimed.”
During the interview, Father Margevicius also addressed a listener-submitted question about whether things like interpretive skits or a reading of someone’s choosing instead of the prescribed readings for a particular day’s Mass could replace the Liturgy of the Word. To hear Father Margevicius’ response, catch the full show 9 p.m. July 8 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM. It also repeats at 1 p.m. July 9 and 2 p.m. July 10. To submit topics or questions to be addressed in future episodes of “Mass Class,” leave a voicemail message at 651-251-7737.
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the latest show also includes interviews with Nancy Bandzuch from Catholic Sprouts, who offers ideas for summer activities and resources that help children grow in faith, and JoAnn Marshall, president of the nonprofit organization Choose Life Minnesota, who is lobbying for state legislation that would create specialty Choose Life Minnesota license plates.
Listen to their interviews after they have aired:
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