Notes from the Pastor [2]
(Please note this is an archival post that is decades old. Msgr. Awalt passed away a number of years ago.)
A visitor to a Catholic church recently asked about the gesture made by the congregation and the celebrant prior to the proclamation of the Gospel. What is it? The gesture is the sign of the cross made with the thumb on the forehead, the lips and the heart. Following the Gospel announcement, it is preceded by the people’s response: “Glory to You, O Lord.” It recognizes God’s presence in the reading of Scripture. Made thoughtfully upon the forehead, the gesture means that we want to know the Word of God. When made on the lips, we indicate that we will proclaim the Word of God. Finally gestured over our hearts, it means that we will love the Word of God. The cross reminds us that sometimes to know. to proclaim and to love what we believe will entail a cost. It entails the Cross. The Cross also reminds us of the ultimate and enduring triumph of Christ. (It would help for us to look over the readings prior to Mass, and of course, to be on time to listen so that we can truly know, proclaim and love what we hear.)
William J. Awalt
Filed under: Awalt Papers, Uncategorized |
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“May the Lord be in my thoughts, upon my lips and in my heart.” Christians are called to have the mind and heart of Christ. Then and only then can we proclaim the Gospel through our words and actions as we should. The encounter with Christ always changes the disciple.