Describing 'liturgy'

[Renascor]

I tried to find this by searching, but did not really find anything. If this has been beaten to death, let me know, please!

From my understanding of the word ‘liturgy’ (cursory as it may be), It comes from the Latin word meaning ‘the work of the people.’

If this is to be true, then how does the liturgy (any aspect) represent the works of the people? From dioceses to dioceses liturgy may differ (heck, from parish to parish, or even service time!). Is liturgy cultural? Contextual?

As an essentially protestant Christian, I have a difficult time describing liturgy to non-Catholics, and I also have difficulty getting a definition from congregants of the parish I attend. Furthermore, it is difficult for some of the same non-Catholic friends of mine to see the “worshipful” nature of the liturgy (this may due to tradition (most are Charismatic), or big-headedness, etc).

Any help would be nice! Thanks so much!

Grace!

 

[scylla]

The work of the people is our sacrifices and anything good we do offered up to God united with the Sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross.

Since nothing we do is worth anything without Jesus and we cannot do anything ourselves we unite our humble offerings together with the one Sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross for God. This is the one perfect Sacrifice the one Holy work that saves us and is worthy of God. This is why there is a Crucifix in the center and we focus our worship on the work of Christ with which we unite our work.

Without Him we are nothing so He gives us value to ourselves and our actions. The Liturgy highlights the saving power of Christ on the Cross and how our faith in that, needs to work in love for our salvation.

I could go on and on as the Liturgy speaks on so many levels and is very profound. It all comes down to the One Holy Sacrifice of Jesus is the only thing that saves us, so our Liturgy unites us in that one Sacrifice. We could be on our knees all the Mass and it still be fully participating.

God Bless
Scylla

 

[nightwalker]

Catholic Encyclopedia:

Liturgy (leitourgia) is a Greek composite word meaning originally a public duty, a service to the state undertaken by a citizen. Its elements are leitos (from leos = laos, people) meaning public, and ergo (obsolete in the present stem, used in future erxo, etc.), to do. From this we have leitourgos, “a man who performs a public duty”, “a public servant”, often used as equivalent to the Roman lictor; then leitourgeo, “to do such a duty”, leitourgema, its performance, and leitourgia, the public duty itself.

more at New Advent

The liturgy, then is not a work **of **the people, but a work on behalf of the people.

The worship of liturgy is of the type of the liturgical and sacrificial worship in the Temple. Under the law God expressly told the Israelites how to worship Him. The Christian Liturgy is based on the synagogue worship. Catholic Liturgy adds the fulfillment of the Temple Sacrifice (that of the Cross) to liturgy of the word.

 

[PhilotheaZ]

The Catechism of the Catholic Church has an extensive discussion on liturgy. First, may I offer you a definition from the glossary:

LITURGY: In its original meaning, a “public work” or service done in the name of or on behalf of the people. Through the liturgy Christ our High Priest continues the work of our redemption through the Church’s celebration of the Paschal Mystery by which he accomplished our salvation (1067-1069).

The numbers 1067-1079 refer to paragraph numbers in the Catechism that give more detail. You can read those sections (and the following ones) here: vatican.va/archive/catechism/p2.htm

 

[Mark77]

"In Christian Tradition it means the participation of the people of God in the “work of God.” through the liturgy of Christ, our redeemer and high priest, continues the work of our redemption in, with, and through his Church.(CCC 1069)

"In the new testament, the word “liturgy” refers not only to the celebration of divine worship, but also to the proclamation of the Gospel and to active charity. (CCC 1070)

When in doubt, refer to the Catechism of the Catholic Church(CCC) for in depth clarification.

I recommend anyone that is serious about their love for Jesus should read the Catechism from cover to cover several times. It is clear, concise and accurate, with numerous references from Sacred Scripture, Church Fathers and other enlightening sources.

Don’t waste your time trying to answer a question yourself when you can call on the perfect wisdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as He speaks through his Church.

Mark

 

[bpbasilphx]

From my understanding of the word ‘liturgy’ (cursory as it may be), It comes from the Latin word meaning 'the work of the people.

**Actually, it’s a Greek word.

There is a Charismatic/Pentecostal liturgy. In its full form it goes something like this:

1. Someone will come up and talk about how down s/he was feeling until s/he listened to an old tape of his/her previous testimony and got his/her jollies back.
2. Amen Charlie will shout, “Hallelujah.”
3. About 15 min later, the stout lady with her hair in a bun who has previously been speaking in tongues will get slain in the spirit.
4. “Have a LIttle Talk with Jesus” will get sung 12 times sitting down and at least 27 times standing up.
5. The preacher will start doing the Pentecostal Pirouette and say, “Oh, we’re gonna have church toNIGHT!”
6. Suddenly he will stop and say, “God’s shown me there are 100 people here tonight who are being called to give $1000 to this crusade.”
7. Everything will wind down in time to go to Denny’s before it closes.

Am I right?

EVERY Church has a liturgy, The question is: are we going to have a liturgy based on practices going back in an uninterrupted, unbroken line of useage to the apostes and first generation of the Church? Or are we going to have something based on more recent and local notions?

And free-wheeling spontaneity is NOT necessarily spiritual.**

 

[Renascor]

Basil:
As accurate, or as inaccurate, as that may be, I think we should be a bit more respectful of others’ traditions.
Liturgy will differ, as I said, even from service time to service time. I don’t see that as a representation of the first century church. And, undoubtedly, if any of the apostles were with us, they might feel uncomfortable for various reasons in a particular parish.

• There is a local parish here in Tampa, FL that uses a “praise band” with contemporary songs.
• My parish has no kneelers, and is cruciform in design (centered on the Table).
• etc.

Are any of these things particularly bad? I would argue, no. Some might argue, yes.
I would also have to argue that structure (as apostolic as it may be) does not necessarily mean spiritual, either. I don’t feel that if we simply went through rites that it would mean anything if we did not make it mean anything.
I could say an infinite amount of Our Fathers, but if I don’t mean any word of it, I am just a clanging cymbal.

Thanks everyone for answering. I was aware of the standard places to look, I suppose. But I was more or less wondering how you felt a part of the liturgy. How does the liturgy feel worshipful, etc.