LITURGY OF THE WORD

Readings, Responsorial, Gospel Verse & Gospel

Many Protestant services end where Catholic Masses begin. There are hymns, bible readings, Gospel proclamation, preaching and petitions for the faith community and the world. If there is a communion service it may not be weekly and is directed more toward fellowship than to necessary divine worship. The focus of Christ’s presence for most Protestants is the Word but not the sacrament. Given that Catholics appreciate that the Word prepares us for the Eucharist, I have often been asked, might the Scriptures be sufficient for a saving faith? While the original reformers deliberately broke away from the Catholic Church, many Protestants find themselves by accident of birth in non-Catholic churches through no fault of their own. God understands ignorance and he also knows those who love him. The answer to what is saving is located somewhere between one’s appreciation of the truth and the…