Liturgical Symbolism Of Homily At The Ambo

[Lil Red]

what is the liturgical symbolism of the priest giving the homily at the ambo, if there is one? why is it important to give the homily at the ambo and not in front of the altar/assembly?

[cappie]

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, [b]the minister's homily which extends its proclamation[/b]

From the GIRM:

[i]The Ambo
309. The dignity of the word of God requires that the church have a place that is suitable for the proclamation of the word and toward which the attention of the whole congregation of the faithful naturally turns during the Liturgy of the Word.

It is appropriate that this place be ordinarily a stationary ambo and not simply a movable lectern.
The ambo must be located in keeping with the design of each church in such a way that the ordained ministers and lectors may be clearly seen and heard by the faithful.

From the ambo only the readings, the responsorial Psalm, and the Easter Proclamation (Exsultet)
are to be proclaimed; [b]it may be used also for giving the homily[/b] and for announcing the intentions
of the Prayer of the Faithful. The dignity of the ambo requires that only a minister of the word
should go up to it.[/i]

It is not necessary to use the ambo for the homily but it is desirable from the point of the symbolism of extending the proclamation of the Word which has just been heard.