Sunday readings have been arranged in such a way that if you come to church regularly over a three year period, you will have read almost all of the New Testament and a varied selection of texts from the Old Testament. The Church’s Calendar year starts in Advent. The gospel reading in Year A is generally from Matthew, Year B from Mark, and Year C from Luke.

Do you know the meaning of the Liturgy of the Word? Do you know why we have three readings on a Sunday Mass? Well, the Liturgy of the Word is God speaking to us. If you have been paying attention to the readings, you would have noticed that the first reading is always taken from the Old Testament except during the Easter season (check out the readings during this Easter period).In general, the first reading tells us what God did in the past for the chosen race (the people of Israel). This reading usually has a connection with the gospel reading.

After the Sign of the Cross, the priest says the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ… be with you all,” and the congregation says: “And with your spirit.” This means that Christ is present in our midst. Scripture says “for where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20).

Why is the Mass so Important to Catholics?

Every Sunday when we gather for Mass as Catholics, we remember what Jesus did at the Last Supper. Do you know that the words of Jesus, “Do this in remembrance of me,” have been obeyed without interruption for nearly two thousand years? Whenever we come together as Catholics to celebrate the Mass, we are there to do what Jesus commanded. It is our faith that in that action, Jesus is made present for us.

In Matthew Commentary chapter 15, J. C. Ryle wrote “The heart must be the principal point to which we attend in all the relations between God and our souls. A new heart. What is the sacrifice God asks us to bring to him? A broken and a contrite heart. What is the true circumcision? The circumcision of the heart.