What is the liturgy of the word?

Answer 1

The Liturgy of the Word is the first half of a Catholic Mass. During this, we read from the Hebrew Scriptures ( Old Testament), a Psalm, an Epistle from the Christian Scriptures, sing ALLELUIA, and the priest or Deacon reads from a Gospel.

Then the priest or deacon gives a homily ( NOT a sermon) based on the readings of the day, and presents them in form that everyone present can relate to.

BTW- Did you know that every Catholic Church in the WORLD reads the same readings on the same day? Well, pretty much- there are some optional feasts with optional readings...but it is pretty cool!

After the homily, we recite the Nicene Creed. that ends the Liturgy opf the Words, then the Liturgy of the Eucharist begins with the offering of bread and wine at the altar, bread and wine which will become the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ. ( See John 6)

Answer 2

The Liturgy of the Word
The Liturgy of the Word includes "the writings of the prophets," that is, the Old Testament, and "the memoirs of the apostles" (their letters and the Gospels). After the homily, which is an exhortation to accept this Word as what it truly is, the Word of God, and to put it into practice, come the intercessions for all men, according to the Apostle's words: "I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings, and all who are in high positions."

How the Liturgy of the Word should be celebrated
1154 The liturgy of the Word is an integral part of sacramental celebrations. To nourish the faith of believers, the signs which accompany the Word of God should be emphasized: the book of the Word (a lectionary or a book of the Gospels), its veneration (procession, incense, candles), the place of its proclamation (lectern or ambo), its audible and intelligible reading, the minister's homily which extends its proclamation, and the responses of the assembly (acclamations, meditation psalms, litanies, and profession of faith).

1155 The liturgical word and action are inseparable both insofar as they are signs and instruction and insofar as they accomplish what they signify. When the Holy Spirit awakens faith, he not only gives an understanding of the Word of God, but through the sacraments also makes present the "wonders" of God which it proclaims. The Spirit makes present and communicates the Father's work, fulfilled by the beloved Son.

Answer 3

I found this definition at the website listed below, but really, it means the formal ceremony surrounding reading the new testament gospels during mass, or the formal ceremony to prepare the eucharist during mass

lit·ur·gy (lĭt'ər-jē)
n., pl. -gies.
A prescribed form or set of forms for public religious worship.
often Liturgy Christianity. The sacrament of the Eucharist.