Church, Sacraments and
Liturgy
January 13, 2015
I did not know that the Liturgy of the Hours is a public
prayer of the Church, along with the Mass (Sockey, 11). I thought it a private
prayer and am intrigued and pleased to learn about its practice that unites
with others around the world (Sockey, viii). The Liturgy opens up the rest of
the Bible in an organized format that invites the celebration and reflection of
each day/evening. In keeping the focus
on “the praises of God” (Sacrosanctum Concillium, ch. 4, “The Divine Office,”¶ 84), it turns or “returns” our
attention to the holiness of every moment. It underscores Julian of Norwich’s
“All is well.” Its form complements our human activities throughout the
day/evening with nature’s flow from sunrise to sunset to moonrise. While
recognizing the already busy-ness of each day, I look forward to incorporating
it into my daily life.
Vondey, People of
Bread: “companion” = sharing bread together (42). What a beautiful image of
bread as God “providing his companionship” to the Israelites and then, to all
(45). “Companionship” nourishes both body and soul (44), thus making bread the
“unmistakable symbol of the social nature of the people of God” (44).
As a Eucharistic bread baker for my worship community, I
am aware of the special blessing conferred on me in participating in this
ministry. While I do not always succeed, I try to honor God and my community in
attending to the Eucharistic bread preparation and baking when I am rested,
gracious and grateful. I plan to add a baking prayer to my preparation “that
recognizes God as ‘the nourisher and the Father of all’ (Vondey 46). My small
role in the sharing of God’s companionship lets me extend and participate in
God’s hospitality to a small part of the world (Vondey 101-02).
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