As part of her preparations towards the 2023 Synod of Bishops, let us examine the contribution of the liturgy. This expose treats the three dimensions synod theme – Communion, Participation, Mission.
1. Liturgy and Communion
In the words of the Fathers of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council (Vatican II), “The Church, in Christ, is in the nature of sacrament – a sign and instrument, that is, of communion with God and of unity among all men” (Lumen Gentium [LG, Nov 1964] n. 1).
The text identified and describes the Church as “a sign and instrument of communion with God”. Besides the communion with God (vertical), the text also noted the “unity among all men” (horizontal).
Therefore, on one hand, the Church communion is to be understood as the relationships with the triune God – the Father who is Creator, the only Son who is Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit who is the Sanctifier. On the other, it is the unity fostered by the Spirit among believers in Christ.
Towards servicing this dual religious life and alliance, the liturgy is both handy and apt in its nourishing role.
The Church is essentially human and divine, visible but endowed with invisible realities, zealous in action and dedicated to contemplation, present in the world, but as a pilgrim (Cf. Sacrosanctum Concilium [SC, Dec 1963] n. 2).
Therefore, while accomplishing the work of salvation, “liturgy, especially the sacrifice of the Eucharist, enables the faithful to express in their lives and manifest to others the mystery of Christ and the real nature of the true Church” (SC n. 2).
Safeguarding her true nature, “the liturgy daily builds up those who are in the Church, making of them a holy temple of the Lord, a dwelling-place for God in the Spirit, to the mature measure of the fullness of Christ” (ibid).
Ultimately, liturgy keeps the Church communion alive, making it “a sign lifted up among the nations, to those who are outside, a sign under which the scattered children of God may be gathered together until there is one fold and one shepherd” (ibid).
2. Liturgy and Participation
After the treatment of the role of the liturgy in keeping Church communion, we examine how it equally supports PARTICIPATION, the second area of the theme for the 2023 Synod of Bishops.
In the manner that we stated how the liturgy constitutes locus theologicus for discerning the nature of ecclesial communion, we investigate how the liturgy is a formidable guide to Church participation.
It is about sharing in the common life of the Church, the People of God and Faithful of Christ, with one body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all (cf. Eph 4:4-6).
The building of Church common is realized through the full, conscious and active participation of Christian people. This participation is both a right and an obligation by reason of baptism (cf. SC n. 14) which made us a chosen race, a royal priesthood, and a redeemed and holy people (cf. 1 Pet 2:9a).
As the faithful gather for a rite, Vatican II liturgical reformers stated: “Mother Church earnestly desires that all the faithful should be led to that full, conscious, and active participation which is demanded by the very nature of the liturgy” (SC n.14).
That participation be as “demanded by the very nature of the liturgy” is because it enables participants to express in their lives and manifest to others the real nature of the true Church (cf. SC n. 2).
Hence, in drawing Norms from the Hierarchic and Communal Nature of the Liturgy, the reformers request: “Each person, minister, or layman who has an office to perform, should carry out all and only those parts which pertain to his/her office by the nature of the rite and the norms of the liturgy” (SC n. 28).
Thus, participation is demanded both by the nature of the liturgy and the nature of the rite.
Moreover, those who officiate must be well informed: “They must all be deeply imbued with the spirit of the liturgy, each in his/her own measure, and they must be trained to perform their functions in a correct and orderly manner” (SC n. 29).
(To be continued)
Source : Rev. Fr. Dr. Prosper Abotsi
Email – abotsiprosper@yahoo.co
