A Beacon Of Light… The Catechism And The Liturgy
By FR. RICHARD D. BRETON JR.
(Editor’s Note: Fr. Richard D. Breton Jr. is a priest of the Diocese of Norwich, Conn. He received his BA in religious studies and his MA in dogmatic theology from Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Cromwell, Conn.)
- + + Having completed the first pillar of the Catechism, namely our profession of faith as recited in the Creed, today we turn our focus to the second pillar of the Catechism which will discuss the importance of the Celebration of the Christian Mystery, also referred to as the liturgy.
Why is the liturgy so important? Precisely because it is the symbol of faith that the Church confesses through the Holy Trinity and in it the plan of “God’s good pleasure.” So the liturgy is the means by which the Father exercises the mystery of His will. This is supremely accomplished in the Eucharistic Liturgy where the work of our redemption is made manifest before our eyes. This involves a participation by the faithful.
This participation is revealed in the Catechism where it says: “The word ‘liturgy’ originally meant a ‘public work’ or a ‘service in the name of/on behalf of the people.’ In Christian tradition it means the participation of the People of God in ‘the work of God.’ Through the liturgy Christ, our redeemer and high priest, continues the work of our redemption in, with, and through his Church” (CCC, n. 1069).
In fact it was the Second Vatican Council that reminded and reinforced this in its document on the liturgy called Sacrosanctum Concilium:
“Mother Church earnestly desires that all the faithful should be led to that fully conscious, and active participation in liturgical celebrations which is demanded by the very nature of the liturgy. Such participation by the Christian people as ‘a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a redeemed people’ (1 Peter 2:9; cf. 2:4-5), is their right and duty by reason of their Baptism” (SC, n. 14).
So our participation in the Sacred Mystery, is the participation in the Paschal Mystery of Christ where we proclaim: “His blessed Passion, Resurrection from the dead, and Glorious Ascension, whereby ‘dying he destroyed our death, rising he restored our life.’ For it was from the side of Christ as he slept the sleep of death upon the cross that there came forth ‘the wondrous sacrament of the whole Church’” (CCC, n. 1067).
So if we profess our belief in the faith through the Creed, then the liturgy is the first and foremost way we put these beliefs into action. Every time we celebrate the Mass we are entering into the most beautiful aspect of our faith. For where we can experience the mysterious aspect of our encounter with the Lord? The liturgy is “the mystery of faith” as is proclaimed each time during the Eucharistic Prayers of the Mass. Thus, the work of the Church is seen most of all through this action of faith. The liturgy is the visible sign of the Church as she makes present the mystery of redemption in the world. She does this publicly through the community of the faithful as they gather in their local parishes each time the Eucharist is celebrated.
The “mystery of faith” is also made present in the world through other ways. It is true that the Eucharist is the primary force, but what about the other sacraments? Each is a visible manifestation of the liturgy whereby we are reminded that God never ceases to remind us of His redemptive work.
Baptism opens the door of redemption for us and begins the journey with the Lord. Reconciliation reminds us that God’s love is so great, He forgives us our sins. Confirmation “seals us with the Holy Spirit” as we are guided on the path of redemption. Anointing of the Sick is where we experience the healing touch of Christ just as He cured the blind, the lame, and the deaf.
Marriage is the sacrament Jesus instituted to remind us of the great love that exists between Christ and His Church and is expressed in the love between a man and a woman preparing to marry. In the Sacrament of Holy Orders, Jesus Himself provides for us the mediators between God and Man to assist us on the way of redemption.
Lastly, all of these find their fulfillment in the primary Sacrament of the Eucharist. For it is through the liturgy that Jesus offers Himself to us for this journey of redemption.
Really Listen To The Prayers
There is another aspect of the liturgy that we often overlook. The liturgy is communication with the Father. Throughout Jesus’ public ministry He taught us about the importance of praying to the Father. This connection with the Father was seen most prevalently on the night of the Last Supper. For after eating with His disciples Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane where He went to pray to the Father, asking for the strength needed to undergo the Passion. Like Jesus, the liturgy is where we find the portal to the Father. It is, however, where we also encounter the Holy Spirit.
Have you ever listened to the prayers at Mass, I mean really listened? The liturgical prayers always present a petition for which we pray. The Opening Prayers, or Collects, of the Mass are always addressed to God the Father. In them we find the foundation for which we pray. This foundation is our “thanksgiving to God” for the gift of redemption.
In a similar way, there are other prayers that lead us to the Holy Spirit and to Christ Himself. This is found mostly in the Eucharistic Prayers of the Mass. After singing the Sanctus, the Eucharistic Prayers always begin by calling on the Holy Spirit to transform the bread and wine into Jesus’ Body and Blood.
The Roman Canon is the first place we pray this: “Be pleased, O God, we pray, to bless, acknowledge, and approve this offering in every respect; make it spiritual and acceptable, so that it may become for us the Body and Blood of your most beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.”
The Second Eucharistic Prayer says this: “You are indeed Holy, O Lord, the fount of all holiness. Make holy, therefore, these gifts, we pray, by sending down your Spirit upon them like the dewfall, so that they may become for us the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Each of these Eucharistic Prayers places us in the presence of the Father and the Holy Spirit. Upon completion of these prayers, we also encounter Christ Himself, truly present on the Altar, His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. It is here in the action of the consecration of the Mass where the finger of God touches humanity, and we in turn, touch God.
Interestingly enough, I often wonder if the faithful understand what they are participating in and what the liturgy is. For Catholics, our participation in the liturgy is the culmination point of our entire week. Actually, the Sunday Mass refocuses us for the week ahead and strengthens us in our resolve to follow Christ.
Answering Questions
In the weeks ahead celebrating the second pillar of the Catechism, which is the liturgy, we will delve deeper into understanding what is happening. Our study of liturgy will develop within us a better appreciation of what we celebrate.
As we begin this, I suggest we open our eyes and ears to the weekly liturgy and begin participating differently by taking notice of the Sacred Actions happening around us.
Over the next few weeks, we will continue our survey of the Catechism focusing on the liturgy. The following questions will be a guide:
Who celebrates the liturgy? How is the liturgy celebrated? When is the liturgy celebrated? Where is the liturgy celebrated? Answering these questions will help us in our understanding of the liturgy.