A reader writes:

I'm in a kind of liturgical bind right now. My parish wants to do a 'Gospel skit' for the Scrutiny Gospel. I am opposed to this, but everyone else seems to think it okay (including my pastor).

The text of the Gospel will not be read at all. There will be a paraphrased narration read by a non-ordained lector (they wanted me to be one of the narrators–I declined). Actors will be playing the different characters in the Gospel silently while the narration occurs. They will not be reading any parts of the Gospel.

How should I respond to this?

First, here's what canon law says about the observance of the Church's liturgical books:

Canon 846 §1

The liturgical books approved by the competent authority are to be faithfully observed in the celebration of the sacraments; therefore, no one on personal authority may add, remove, or change anything in them.

One of the Church's liturgical book (in fact, it's main liturgical book) is the Roman Missal. The Roman Missal comprises the Sacramentary, the Lectionary, and the Book of the Gospels. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) contains the core instructions for celebrating Mass. The GIRM that is currently in force states:

57. In the readings, the table of God's word is prepared for the faithful, and the riches of the Bible are opened to them. Hence, it is preferable to maintain the arrangement of the biblical readings, by which light is shed on the unity of both Testaments and of salvation history. Moreover, it is unlawful to substitute other, non-biblical texts for the readings and responsorial Psalm, which contain the word of God.

59. By tradition, the function of proclaiming the readings is ministerial, not presidential. The readings, therefore, should be proclaimed by a lector, and the Gospel by a deacon or, in his absence, a priest other than the celebrant. If, however, a deacon or another priest is not present, the priest celebrant himself should read the Gospel. Further, if another suitable lector is also not present, then the priest celebrant should also proclaim the other readings.

60. The reading of the Gospel is the high point of the Liturgy of the Word. The Liturgy itself teaches that great reverence is to be shown to it by setting it off from the other readings with special marks of honor: whether the minister appointed to proclaim it prepares himself by a blessing or prayer; or the faithful, standing as they listen to it being read, through their acclamations acknowledge and confess Christ present and speaking to them; or the very marks of reverence are given to the Book of the Gospels.

In view of this, the proposed skit in your parish is prohibited on several counts:

  • The text of the Gospel cannot be paraphrased. The Lectionary and Book of the Gospels are liturgical books and therefore must be observed strictly, with no additions, deletions, or substitutions. Thus, no paraphrasing. To construct a paraphrase of the Gospel amounts to the creation of a non-biblical text that also falls afoul of the GIRM.

  • The pantomiming of the Gospel also represents an addition to what is called for in the liturgical books and is therefore disallowed. Further, it detracts from the reverence due to the Gospel, which is stressed in the GIRM.

Jimmy was born in Texas, grew up nominally Protestant, but at age 20 experienced a profound conversion to Christ. Planning on becoming a Protestant seminary professor, he started an intensive study of the Bible. But the more he immersed himself in Scripture the more he found to support the Catholic faith, and in 1992 he entered the Catholic Church. His conversion story, "A Triumph and a Tragedy," is published in Surprised by Truth. Besides being an author, Jimmy is the Senior Apologist at Catholic Answers, a contributing editor to Catholic Answers Magazine, and a weekly guest on "Catholic Answers Live." View all posts by Jimmy Akin