"I bow low toward your holy temple; I praise your name for your fidelity and love. For you have exalted your name and your promise over all." (Ps. 138:2)

The Responsorial Psalm is an ancient tradition in which the reading in Mass or in the Divine Office was "rounded off" by a sung psalm response. A trained cantor would intone the psalm and the people would sing a refrain from that psalm.

It is an interesting side note to see that in the ancient Masses, the cantor could rise almost to the level of the lectern (where the readings are done), but not quite, for the cantor had to stop at the penultimate step since this step was reserved for the Gospel reading alone.

At the cantor's discretion, the psalm refrain could be substituted for the Alleluia when not in the Lenten season. In time this mini-ritual began to take on a life of its own, and the Gospel acclamation was developed. Almost all ancient liturgies enjoyed the singing of the Alleluia immediately before the Gospel reading.

Again the greatest obstacle for active participation has to do with our own apathy and lack of enthusiasm. It is quite apparent that not only do many people not participate, but they couldn't recognize the words they were mouthing just a minute after the Responsorial Psalm had ended.

The Psalms are such an important part of a priest's life. We pray them in the Divine Office (five times a day!), we pray them at Mass, for consolation, etc. Yet I can remember when it seemed like a chore. It was suggested that I enter into the psalmist's mind and heart, and make his prayer, my prayer -- indeed the prayer of the entire Church with me, us -- regardless of the words.

The psalms began to take on meaning for me. They came to life.... And so did the liturgy that encompassed them.