Liturgy, Symbol and Ritual

Hi Saints of God,

            I read only a portion of Moe’s post, because for some odd reason, I cannot pull it up in its entirety. However, I did have the pleasure of reading Carly’s post, and am able I think to understand a little more of what Moe stated. For me, Sundays are not enough, but it is a good start. I am at a place in my relationship with God, where I need Him every hour. My worship is unrelenting, and my praise a necessary action for my day to have any semblance of normalcy. Chupungco put it best when he wrote, “Liturgy is the action of Christ and the Church” (Chupungco, 31). Now I know he may have meant the physical buildings of brick and mortar, but I see the “Church” as the people of God as well. My worship is personal. Considering all that I am going through at this moment in my life, it is imperative for me to praise God through my circumstance, and worship Him for all He has done for me and my family, as well as what he continues to do.

            Carly hit upon a point I was leading up to when she wrote about Vorgrimler’s explanation about grace from God. God’s grace has sustained me thus far, and shall continue to carry me over this rough patch in my life. In response to Moe’s question, I pray that my understanding of it is correct (using Carly’s response as a guide). I have understood for some time now that it is through my praises and true worshipping of God our Father, His grace is continually upon me. As for my ministry, I will better be able to explain that we worship God through the Sacraments and Liturgy. There is a particular song I use to praise God with entitled “One God”, by Maurette Brown Clark, and to jump start my worship session, I use “Because of Who You Are”, by Vicki Yohe.

Sacraments and Worship-

Thank you Moe for a lovely writing on Sacraments, Liturgy, and Worship.

Vorgrimler defines within his writing two definitions of the word sacrament.  The first he defines by Hugh of St. Victor (d. 1141), "as a bodily or material element that is used in an external, sensible manner and, through a certain similarity, makes present an invisible and spiritual grace, indicates that grace because of its institution (by Jesus Christ) and contains what is salvafic (for human beings)."  A second definition is stated by the bishop of Parish, Peter Lombard (d. 1160), "as the sign of God's grace and the form of invisible grace, in such a way that it is both the image and the cause (causa) of that grace."  I understand sacrament to be defined as a sign or an image.  "Here, for the first time, it is said that the sacrament is the cause or reason for divine grace," (Vorgrimler, 46).  Because of the sacraments or reasons of grace, liturgy then becomes reality or practice.  Chupungco states that the word "liturgy" is service and is derived from the Greek words laos (people) and (ergon) work.   "The recognition, understanding, and communication that happen in the symbolic event are unthinkable without language and its critical function," (Vorgrimler, 69).  Therefore sacraments are not simply images or static signs, rather they are "relational events," they create relationships, they lead to an understanding of reality that is relational, dynamic and process-oriented.  Because of sacrament, we have liturgy, and because of both of these, we have worship.  We are then called to this act of worship, whether it be through sacrament or praise unto Him. 
In response to Moe's question, the readings have offered new insights to my practice.  When participating in the Eucharist next, (which will be at my Easter service back home) I will view this sacrament not only as an act of forgiveness of my sins and purity of my heart, but also an act of beautiful and intimate worship.  It is within sacrament and liturgy that we can experience Christ's presence.  For me, I look forward to Sunday morning "worship;" I long for it throughout the week.  For this is where I feel His presence.  This is my uninterrupted time to send praises to Him through uplifting and sweet songs united with a group of believers who share a forever bond in Christ.  After the readings and Moe's challenge, for me personally, remembering that worship is more than just praising Him through my words in song, but yet it is also worship through the powerful act of sacrament and liturgy as well.  Here a few of my pictures from my missions trip to the Philippines last year.  One is reference to "Sacrament/Eucharist" and one in reference to "Liturgy/Service," both leaving us with images of acts of "worship," unto our beautiful Savior.

Prayer before participating in the Eucharist-

 

 

 

                                                                                                                           

Serving His precious children with a hot meal-

Sacraments & Worship

Sacraments & Worship

The readings present for us a connection between Sacrament and Worship.  At the beginning of the readings for the week, I quickly realized how rich in thought and faith the liturgy is designed to be.  Sacramental theology ultimately points to the belief that Christ is present.  It is becoming clear to me how Church, liturgy, and sacraments have this at their heart as evidenced through the organizational structures, rituals, and ideology that serve to make Christ present to people of faith.  Attending Mass has been a regular way I seek to encounter Christ through Eucharist each Sunday.  This routine is very important to me, but now I have a new perspective to take with me next time I attend Mass. I was enlightened and empowered when I read Chupungco’s insight on one of the ways Christ is present in those gathered in the Church for worship.   He emphasizes that Jesus, “in his risen body Christ…dwells in the ‘space’ of the assembly, which he claims as his body” (146).  I was astonished at the joy this thought brought to my heart and newly realized perception of how Christ is present during Mass.  I felt like I must have known this to be true through in my experience, but to see it actually written was very affirming.   I have had moments in which I could detect Christ’s presence in the congregation.  This occurs in reflecting how the church is full of people who are mostly strangers to me, yet we share a deep bond through our baptism and our showing up to Mass to participate in the Eucharist.  Other times it happens as I join the voices around me to lift up in song and prayer praise and thanksgiving to God.  It is a unique experience that is unmatched in other gatherings where people who do not know each other are gathered for one purpose such as a Saints game, Mardi Gras, or party.  Indeed, those gathered as Church would have an opportunity to know that through worship “unity is experienced at its deepest level, because the assembly breaks the barriers of race, social status, and ideology” (143).  I find this to be true in my experience at the Mass I attend here in New Orleans.  Our congregation is very diverse in race, ethnicity, and status, yet we share one Spirit in Christ.  When I have visitors in from out of town, I make a point to have them join me for Mass.  Each visitor so far has been impressed with the sense of community and spirit they felt throughout the liturgy.  Thus, even outsiders to the community indicate that Christ’s presence can be found in the assembly of those gathered for worship.  I am grateful for my parish community and the fact that all aspects of liturgy truly manifest Christ presence sacramentally.  I invite you to think about the ways you experience Christ’s presence in the context of worship and to consider if the readings offered any new insights to your practice. 

I want to end with something else that was a new thought for me regarding the Eucharist.  Chupungco points out that  “mass as sacred meal copies the Last Supper and hence is held on a table” and continues by saying because the Mass is an anamnesis of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, the table is also called altar” (135).  This new connection gives rise to new reflections on what it means for me to share in the Eucharist at Mass. As we approach Easter, this is all the more relevant and I think will bring new meaning to my prayer life at this time.