The Liturgy of the Word provides the opportunity for the assembly to hear the Word of God proclaimed. The Second Vatican Council tells us that Christ is present in his word, “since it is he himself who speaks when the holy scriptures are read in the Church,” (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, par. 7). Therefore when the readings are proclaimed at Mass, Christ becomes truly present in this spoken word. The scriptures are no longer words on a page, but come alive for us in their proclamation! Because of this we ought to have the utmost reverence when the word of God is being proclaimed. If we happen to come in late for Mass and the readings have begun, we show our respect for Christ’s presence in the word by waiting until that reading is finished before moving to find a seat. We also show our respect by focusing our full attention on the Scriptures as they are read. If it’s possible, try to listen to the word as it is proclaimed rather than reading along (unless following the missal is needed to aid in better understanding the reading). Finally, allow the silence to help the word “sink in” to your mind and heart. The General Instruction on the Roman Missal encourages such silence: “In the course of [The Liturgy of the Word], brief periods of silence are also appropriate, accommodated to the assemble congregation; by means of these, under the action of the Holy Spirit, the Word of God may be grasped by the heart, and a response through prayer may be prepared,” (par. 56). Through such silence, we have the opportunity to digest and respond to the power of God’s word.