At most of the parishes where I've served over the past thirty years, my job title was "Director of Music and Liturgy." I expect everyone could give some definition of the word “music,” but can we do the same for “liturgy?” We use the word often: “Liturgy of the Eucharist," “Liturgy of the Hours," “liturgical ministers," etc. The word “liturgy” comes from the Greek word λειτουργία (leitourgia) which literally means “public work.” The Church’s liturgy is how we worship “in public,” but even more importantly, it is how God works in our midst. Through liturgical worship we truly encounter God in action. For this reason, the “how to” of liturgy, the forms and materials prescribed for worship, are especially important. Much of the “how to” of Catholic worship comes from our Jewish heritage, which emphasized Scripture readings (especially the Psalms) and the offering of a sacrifice. Jesus himself gave his disciples the “how to” of prayer (“Our Father”) and the Eucharistic rite (“do this in memory of me”), among other rites. In addition to those prescribed in the Scriptures, the Church has based its liturgy on Sacred Tradition, passed down from the Apostles to our own day. The basic form of our Mass has been essentially unchanged for almost 2000 years! Around 150 A.D. St. Justin (Martyr) wrote a description of a Sunday liturgy very similar to our own: readings from the prophets and apostles, a Gospel reading, homily, presentation of bread and wine and prayers over the gifts, and partaking of what was clearly understood to be the actual Body and Blood of Christ. Since our faith calls us to public worship, the “how to” of liturgy is extremely important. The music we sing, the vestments we wear, the books we read from, the sacred vessels we raise, the gestures we make, when we sit stand or kneel, all of these things are not matters of personal preference but sacred actions prescribed for worship. Each act in our “liturgy” brings us closer to God, just as He is coming to us in the sacraments. Have a question about liturgy? Leave it in the comments here - maybe the next blog will give you the answer! Blessings!
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
December 2020
CategoriesAlex E. HillCatholic husband for 36 years. Catholic father of 6. Catholic musician, published Catholic composer. Lover of authentic Catholic liturgy and music, in line with Catholic teaching. Did we mention Catholic? |