Liturgy language

Liturgy : 

Liturgy The Language of Worship

Different understandings… : 

Different understandings… The biggest change since Vatican II is not how we celebrate the Eucharist but how we talk about it.

Experience : 

Experience Sense Experience Any perceptions mediated through our bodily sense organs Depth Experience Brings us into contact with such realities as truth, meaning, value and beauty, Mediated through sense experience Religious Experience Type of depth experience that draws us toward encounter with the Transcendent. Mediated through sense experience

Humans persons are embodied : 

Humans persons are embodied “The body, and it alone is capable of making visible what is invisible, the spiritual and divine. It was created to transfer into the visible reality of the world, the invisible mystery hidden in God from time immemorial, and thus to be a sign of it.” --Pope John Paul II

Human Consciousness : 

Human Consciousness Basis of our spiritual identity Knowledge of human nature rooted in self-awareness Basis for concepts of self and others Capacity to perceive and appreciate: ongoing process of being mystery of that process.

Symbols… : 

Symbols… …are pointers. …anything into which we place meaning or feeling. Symbols have two dimensions Cognitive Affective Symbols are the language of consciousness through which we interact with the world

Slide 7: 

Symbols arise in several ways… Brain seeks patterns of meaning from experience Culture provides a vocabulary of shared symbols

Slide 8: 

Limit language … symbol systems that allow us to perceive and appreciate what is beyond immediate sensory knowledge. Bring us to limit of comprehension and point beyond Theology uses metaphors, ritual and stories

Slide 9: 

Spirituality is the internalization of religious symbols (Robert Neville) Internalization involves affective engagement with the symbol Symbols help us recognize and name the Mystery Religious tradition gives Mystery a face and a context in which we can relate to Mystery.

Symbols are important : 

Symbols are important Language is means through which we constitute our experience of world. Liturgy, via its symbolic language, is the embodiment of the meaning of the Christ event & allows the believer to take it and personally appropriate it. Liturgy presents an interpretation of world in which possibilities of grace are revealed.

Ritual : 

Ritual Symbolic action Involves Script/shared pattern of action Actors Audience Quality of action has strong effect on all who take part

Slide 12: 

Liturgy immerses assembly in symbol system Interpret world Find possibility of grace Assembly then able Grasp & accept possibilities Community finds expression and strengthening Liturgy is expression of self-identity

Liturgical Ministry of Deacon : 

Liturgical Ministry of Deacon Significant element in conversation between assembly and Christ Assembly not just audience but full participant in liturgy & deacon facilitates it participation and mission in world. Deacon’s actions should lead assembly to deeper experience of holy

Slide 14: 

Deacon communicates through word and gesture Actions and intonation consistent with meaning of liturgy Graceful gestures & actions as evidence of prayer Silence Homily echo Word of God Live what you proclaim