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The Liturgy of the Word, Part 1 – The Way of Mystery with Deacon James Keating
Deacon James Keating and Kris McGregor explore how the Liturgy of the Word shapes conscience and draws the faithful into a deeper encounter with Christ. Conscience is not a mystical faculty but the human mind oriented toward discerning right and wrong, always influenced by what and whom we love. Because the mind is constantly being formed by outside voices, it is crucial to attend to the Word of God proclaimed at Mass, where Christ himself enters through language. Unlike mere information or historical detail, Scripture proclaimed in the liturgy is meant to bring transformation—similar to Christ’s dialogue with the Samaritan woman at the well. By allowing the Word to “take up residence” within, a person gradually shifts from deriving identity from worldly approval to resting in their Catholic identity, formed within the community of the Church.
The liturgy is not simply storytelling or nostalgia but a living prayer in which Christ becomes present and personally addresses each heart. To benefit fully, preparation is vital—reading the Scriptures beforehand ensures they penetrate deeply during Mass rather than fading like an overheard announcement. Within the liturgy, there is both a general message for the whole Church and a unique “particularization” by the Holy Spirit for each person’s circumstances, offering moments of genuine conversion. The Liturgy of the Word, then, is not passive listening but an encounter that requires hospitality toward God’s presence, openness to interior change, and the courage to allow conscience to be guided from within by the Word received through the Church.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
- How do I allow the Word of God at Mass to shape my conscience rather than letting worldly voices guide me?
- Do I prepare for the Liturgy of the Word by reading and praying with the Scriptures during the week?
- When hearing Scripture proclaimed, am I open to encounter Christ personally rather than receiving only information?
- What loves or attachments influence the way I discern right and wrong in my daily life?
- Do I let my Catholic identity rest in Christ and his Church, or do I still seek validation from the world’s approval?
- How willing am I to welcome the particular ways the Holy Spirit convicts and challenges me during the readings?
- In what areas of my life am I resisting the Word because I fear the change it might require?
- Do I treat the Mass, especially the Liturgy of the Word, as true prayer where Christ comes close to me now?
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
