Colm Fitzpatrick
People should be willing to “open their hearts and minds” to Scripture readings at Mass said Pope Francis, because it allows us to hear God directly speak to his people.
Continuing his series of audience talks about Mass, Pope Francis spoke today about the Liturgy of the Word and the importance of listening to the Bible readings at Mass at his weekly general audience.
“In the Liturgy of the Word, in fact, the pages of the Bible stop being something written and become the living word, delivered by God himself,” the Pope said.
The Pontiff stressed that as the readings are proclaimed, people in the pews should be silent and receptive, opening their hearts and minds to what is being said, not looking around or making small talk and criticising what other people are wearing.
“We have to listen, open our hearts, because it is God himself who is speaking to us. So, don’t think about other things or talk about something else. Understood?” the Pontiff asked the thousands of people gathered in St Peter’s Square.
For that reason, the prescribed texts should never be skipped or substituted during Mass, lectors should read clearly and people should always listen with an open heart so that the words may eventually bear fruit in good deeds, he said.
Substituting God’s word with something else “impoverishes and compromises the dialogue between God and his people in prayer,” the Pope said, while sticking with the prescribed readings expresses and fosters ecclesial communion, helping everyone on their journey together.
The Pope also insisted on choosing lectors who are well-prepared and speak clearly, rather than people who garble their words. He added listening to the Word of God requires more than just our ears, but also our heart and hands, which results in good works in the world.
“It’s necessary to have an open heart to receive the word,” Pope Francis said. “God speaks and we turn to him to listen so as to then put into practice what we have heard.”
