Proclaim the word

"The Fathers of the Second Vatican Council, in the Constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium, sought to make 'the table of the word' offer the treasures of Scripture more fully to the faithful. Consequently they allowed the biblical readings of the liturgy to be proclaimed in a language understood by all. It is Christ himself who speaks when the Holy Scriptures are read in the Church. The Council Fathers also urged the celebrant to treat the homily as part of the liturgy, aimed at explaining the word of God and drawing out its meaning for the Christian life.

"Forty years after the Council, the Year of the Eucharist can serve as an important opportunity for Christian communities to evaluate their progress in this area.

"It is not enough that the biblical passages are read in the vernacular, if they are not also proclaimed with the care, preparation, devout attention and meditative silence that enable the word of God to touch people's minds and hearts."
John Paul II, Apostolic Letter Mane Nobiscum Domine, 13