This is the first article of a regular column devoted to liturgy offered by the Office of Worship and the Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission. In coming issues, we will reflect upon our belief that is expressed through the liturgy and the faith that is handed on to us as participants in the liturgy. We will explore topics on the Mass and other liturgies of the Church such as the Rite of Marriage, Infant Baptism, Liturgy of the Hours, etc. To begin, let’s remind ourselves about the liturgy and why the liturgy is the most important reality in our lives.
“Liturgy” refers to any of the official public rites of the Church, some of which are listed above. The word comes to us from a combination of Greek words laos (people) + ergon (work) literally meaning public work. For the ancient Greeks, leitourgia referred to work undertaken for the public good at his own expense. The person performing the service was called leitourgos. So, a slightly more nuanced definition is a work done on behalf of, or for others.
But how is the liturgy of the Church work, and what sort of work is it? The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy from the Second Vatican Council states that it is God’s will that all people be saved (5). It is through the liturgy that God’s work of redemption is accomplished. Most of all “the divine sacrifice of the Eucharist is the outstanding means whereby the faithful may express in their lives, and manifest to others, the mystery of Christ and the real nature of the true Church” (#2). This sanctification is made present through perceptible signs which signify the grace they manifest (#7). In other words, this redemption, this grace, is made tangibly present through the sacramental signs. In order for this to happen, Christ, the leitourgos, is truly present in the liturgy in the person of the minister, in the sacraments and especially the Eucharistic species, in His Word, and in the gathered assembly as it prays and sings (#7). It is Christ who acts.
If you are thinking that this sounds like the work of the liturgy is actually the work of Christ offered to the Father on our behalf, you would be heading in the right direction. However, because of the awesome and unfathomable love of the Trinity, Christ invites us to participate in the eternal Divine Liturgy through our participation in the liturgies of the Church. In fact, the Church says it is the right and duty of the faithful by reason of baptism to be fully conscious and active participants together with Christ in the liturgy (14). The liturgy is the work of the entire Mystical Body of Christ (7).
The nature of the Church is to be properly ordered creatures before our Creator. The liturgy establishes that relationship; graces us with the ability and teaches us how to maintain this in our daily lives. Through the various liturgies of the Church, this relationship is created, sustained and repaired until that time when God will be all in all. Until that time, in the liturgy and in our daily lives, we offer ourselves as a living sacrifice of love to God as we go forth to love and serve the Lord.
“Liturgy” refers to any of the official public rites of the Church, some of which are listed above. The word comes to us from a combination of Greek words laos (people) + ergon (work) literally meaning public work. For the ancient Greeks, leitourgia referred to work undertaken for the public good at his own expense. The person performing the service was called leitourgos. So, a slightly more nuanced definition is a work done on behalf of, or for others.
But how is the liturgy of the Church work, and what sort of work is it? The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy from the Second Vatican Council states that it is God’s will that all people be saved (5). It is through the liturgy that God’s work of redemption is accomplished. Most of all “the divine sacrifice of the Eucharist is the outstanding means whereby the faithful may express in their lives, and manifest to others, the mystery of Christ and the real nature of the true Church” (#2). This sanctification is made present through perceptible signs which signify the grace they manifest (#7). In other words, this redemption, this grace, is made tangibly present through the sacramental signs. In order for this to happen, Christ, the leitourgos, is truly present in the liturgy in the person of the minister, in the sacraments and especially the Eucharistic species, in His Word, and in the gathered assembly as it prays and sings (#7). It is Christ who acts.
If you are thinking that this sounds like the work of the liturgy is actually the work of Christ offered to the Father on our behalf, you would be heading in the right direction. However, because of the awesome and unfathomable love of the Trinity, Christ invites us to participate in the eternal Divine Liturgy through our participation in the liturgies of the Church. In fact, the Church says it is the right and duty of the faithful by reason of baptism to be fully conscious and active participants together with Christ in the liturgy (14). The liturgy is the work of the entire Mystical Body of Christ (7).
The nature of the Church is to be properly ordered creatures before our Creator. The liturgy establishes that relationship; graces us with the ability and teaches us how to maintain this in our daily lives. Through the various liturgies of the Church, this relationship is created, sustained and repaired until that time when God will be all in all. Until that time, in the liturgy and in our daily lives, we offer ourselves as a living sacrifice of love to God as we go forth to love and serve the Lord.
