Question:
Answer:
When the Sacred Scriptures are read in the Church, God himself speaks to his people, and Christ, present in his word, proclaims the Gospel (General Instruction of the Roman Missal 29).
We respond “Thanks be to God” because God is speaking to us through the Scripture readings, and by hearing the word of God his will becomes active in our hearts and souls. In his word, God is revealing his very self. This is indeed a great gift. We not only hear the word of God but have the opportunity for the word of God to take root in our very being and enter into an intimate relationship with our creator. “Thanks be to God” is our response to God’s gift of Scripture.
We also recognize that when the Gospel is read it is Christ himself preaching to us, and we therefore proclaim, “Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.”