Gospel (liturgy)
In the Christian liturgy, the word gospel is the abbreviation for the last of the (two or three) scriptures readings within the service , which is taken from one of the four gospels of the New Testament .
The liturgical gospel is the culmination of the liturgical service because it is the voice of Christ. It is greeted with the exclamation of Hallelujah and the accompanying Hallelujah verse and is honored with candlesticks and incense in the Catholic Mass . Often this takes place as part of a solemn Gospel procession in which the most preciously set and decorated gospels are carried from the altar to the ambo and accompanied by incense and candlesticks.
The recitation of the Gospel in Mass is reserved for the deacon , or alternatively for the priest .
The congregation responds to the Sunday Gospel and its interpretation in the homily with the Credo , before intercessions and the preparation of gifts lead to the Eucharist .
The selection of the sections of the Gospel on the individual Sundays and public holidays follows the pericope order in the Evangelical Church and the reading order in the Catholic Church .
