The Liturgy and Christian Life
The Liturgy in the Life of the Church
Liturgy encompasses all celebrations of Christian life. These celebrations have three basic rhythms:
Weekly Rhythm
The weekly rhythm focuses on Sunday, the Lord’s Day, with the celebration of the Eucharist, remembering Jesus’ resurrection.
Annual Rhythm
The annual rhythm follows the liturgical year, highlighting the most important events in Jesus’ life: birth, death, and resurrection. This is why we speak of seasons.
Life Events Rhythm
Throughout life, sacraments and Christian celebrations accompany us from birth to death, marking important moments: Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage, and Holy Orders.
Living United with Jesus
Early Christians experienced the closeness of Jesus even after his death. Though initially discouraged and confused, after Pentecost, they felt Jesus’ presence as an inner strength, especially when gathered together. This union with Jesus is experienced in personal prayer and communal gatherings.
Historical texts describe early Christian assemblies with prayers and celebrations. Every moment of life is not the same, and through celebrations with rituals and symbols, we express our feelings. Celebrating is a festive occasion with three characteristics:
- A time distinct from ordinary life
- Specific rites and symbols
- A community gathering in union and joy
The Sacraments: Christian Celebrations
In Christian life, celebrations are important, and all refer to events in Jesus’ life. The seven sacraments are the most significant:
- They use signs, symbols, rituals, and gestures related to Jesus’ actions and words.
- Jesus acts through these gestures and words.
- They are performed in community.
- They are led by a minister.
- They have a strong connection to specific times or circumstances in life.
The sacraments are tangible signs instituted by Christ to communicate his grace. Christ acts through them, except for Baptism and Matrimony, which he instituted during his earthly life.
Saved to Save
The Christian community feels saved by Jesus’ strength and love, also through celebrations. Celebration leads to mission and commitment, as demonstrated by the early Christians in their missionary expansion.
What Jesus Did
Jews gathered in spring for Passover, the biggest festival of the year, remembering the Exodus from slavery to the Promised Land. During Passover, Jesus met with his disciples and shared powerful words, commanding them to “love one another as I have loved you” and to remain united.
He washed their feet as a gesture of humility and asked them to do the same. During the meal, he took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Later, he took wine, blessed it, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.” He asked them to repeat these gestures and words in his memory. These actions instituted the Eucharist.
The Eucharist in the Order of Christian Life
The Eucharist is the center of Christian life:
- It is food and a banquet where Jesus invites everyone to share, establishing an intimate union between him and those who receive him.
- It is the sacrifice and self-giving of Jesus, tying his words about bread and wine to his sacrifice on the cross for all people.
- It is a permanent invitation to dedication and sacrifice for others and the world’s needs.
- It is a sign of Jesus’ love and unity, leading to sharing and brotherhood.
The Eucharist comes from the Greek word “eucharistia,” meaning thanksgiving. It is the action of grace and love in Jesus’ self-giving. In the sacrament, through the priest’s words during consecration, bread and wine become the body and blood of Jesus.
Anointing of the Sick
Jesus was always close to the sick and suffering. After choosing the twelve apostles, he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of Heaven and heal the sick.
The Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament of life. The symbol used is oil, and the priest anoints the sick person on the forehead and hands, representing their whole body and spirit. The sacrament helps discover meaning in suffering.
Media (MCS)
Media (MCS) are systems that transmit information and opinions to citizens. They offer role models, influence behavior, and shape trends through information, advertising, and opinions.
Informed and Globalized Society
Thanks to MCS, we receive information from around the world almost instantly, making our world a “global village.” However, globalization risks certain countries or groups dominating MCS and imposing their interests and values on others.
The Church Before the MCS
The Church appreciates MCS as wonderful inventions but asks for:
- Respect for human dignity
- Truthfulness and a real image of events
- Promotion of unity and human advancement
- Denunciation of injustice and inequality
- Avoidance of citizen manipulation
Freedom of Expression and Manipulation
Freedom of expression is internationally recognized, but MCS must serve the truth. Manipulation occurs when:
- Information is distorted or lies are told.
- Opinions are censored or important issues are silenced.
- There is no distinction between objective information and opinion.
- Subliminal messages are used.
Advertising Techniques
Advertising techniques are increasingly sophisticated, informing about products but also connecting to consumers’ desires. Some advertising is deceptive, resorting to lies to sell products. This can create false needs in individuals.
The Public: Molding Our Behavior
Advertising often tries to convince us that a product will bring us self-esteem, power, success, etc.
Living in Truth
God is truth and came into the world to witness to the truth. A life based on truth involves three basic attitudes:
- Sincerity: telling the truth, thinking and acting authentically.
- Authenticity: being oneself, regardless of circumstances.
- Honesty: fulfilling commitments without cheating or deception.
Attitudes That Do Not Conform to the Truth
Several attitudes prevent us from living truthfully:
- Hypocrisy: living differently than we feel, hiding behind a mask.
- Resentment: denying others their dignity.
- Lying: saying something we know is not true.
- False witness: attributing actions to others that they haven’t done.
- Indiscretion: publicly disclosing secrets.
- Perjury: solemnly affirming a lie.
- Slander: harming someone’s reputation with untrue remarks.
- Failure to keep commitments.
- Misrepresenting information.
- Political demagoguery: making promises with no intention of fulfilling them.
Consumerism and Advertising
Consumerism is the tendency towards excessive consumption of non-essential goods. Advertising is a set of techniques to promote the commercialization of products or services.