A RESTORED UNDERSTANDING OF THE PLACE OF THE WORD IN THE EUCHARIST

PRINCIPLES OF THE REFORM The significance of the Word

basic for all liturgical actions Scripture more widely used proclaimed in the vernacular scriptural basis of prayers and songs Vatican Council reform

forms a community of Christ’s disciples celebrates Eucharist for life meditates on the Word listens attentively

In his word In the person of the minister In the very assembly GIRM 27 Substantially and continuously under the Eucharistic species

CSL 7 Always,... Christ is present in his word.

© Copyright ICEL 2010 WORD AND TABLE

‘The Church is nourished spiritually at the twofold table of God’s word and of the Eucharist’ GIRM 28

Origen (254 AD) 'when you receive the body of the Lord, how you protect it with all caution and veneration lest any small part fall from it…But if you are so careful to preserve his body, and rightly so, how do you think that there is any less guilt to have neglected God’s Word than to have neglected his body?' Homily on Exodus 13.3

Caesarius of Arles (542 AD) … God’s Word is not less than Christ’s Body… One who listens negligently to God’s Word is just as guilty as one who, through carelessness, allows Christ’s Body to fall to the ground'. Sermon 300.2

© Copyright ICEL 2010 CHANGES TO THE TEXT: THE WORD OF THE LORD