06/09/2025
π€π€π€π€π€π€π€π€π€π€π€π€π€π€π€WHY DOES THE PRIEST KISS THE GOSPEL BOOK AFTER READING IT AT MASS?
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Many people notice this beautiful gesture: after proclaiming the Gospel, the priest (or deacon) bows and kisses the Book.
Is it just a ritual? A tradition?
No, itβs much deeper than that. Letβs break it down.
βοΈ 1. THE GOSPEL IS CHRIST HIMSELF
All of Scripture is inspired by God, but the Gospel is unique.
It carries the words and deeds of Jesus, the Word made flesh (John 1:14).
So when the priest kisses the Book, he isnβt kissing paper and ink.
He is kissing Christ, the living Word.
Itβs an act of love and reverence, the same way we might kiss the cross on Good Friday.
βοΈ 2. A SIGN OF LOVE AND RESPECT
When you love someone, you express it.
Parents kiss their children. Spouses kiss one another.
In the same way, the priest kisses the Gospel as the Bride of Christ (the Church) kisses her Bridegroom (Christ).
Itβs a small gesture, but it says:
π βLord, I love You.β
π βYour words are precious to me.β
π βYou are my life.β
βοΈ 3. ROOTED IN JEWISH TRADITION
In Jewish worship, when the Torah was carried or read, the people would often reach out, touch it, and kiss their hands in reverence.
The Church, flowing from her Jewish roots, continues this sign, but now itβs not the Law of Moses we kiss.
Itβs the Gospel, the fulfillment of the Law in Christ.
βοΈ 4. A PRAYER IN SECRET
As the priest kisses the Book, he whispers a short, powerful prayer:
π βThrough the words of the Gospel may our sins be wiped away.β
Itβs a reminder that the Gospel is not just information. It is salvation.
Hearing Christβs Word has the power to cleanse, heal, and transform us.
βοΈ 5. MASS IS HEAVEN ON EARTH
At Mass, we donβt just listen about Jesus, we meet Him.
We hear Him in the Gospel, and we receive Him in the Eucharist.
The kiss of the Gospel is like a bridge between Word and Sacrament.
The same Christ who speaks in the Gospel is the Christ who soon comes to us on the altar.
π₯ SOβ¦ WHY DOES THE PRIEST KISS THE GOSPEL?
Not because of ritual.
Not because of habit.
But because love demands a gesture.
Because the Word deserves reverence.
Because Christ, the living Gospel, is present.
Next time you see it, whisper in your heart:
π βLord, let Your Word wipe away my sins and set my heart on fire.β
π The Gospel is not just read. It is proclaimed.
The Gospel is not just honored. It is loved.
And love always ends with a kiss.
God bless you π Catholic and Proud CatholicFacts-today Catholic Online PROUD TO BE A CATHOLIC Catholics Online Class γ γviralγ· γ