具体描述
Introduction
Liturgy celebrates the mystery that is God. This is the fundamental truth
on which the celebration of all the Church s rites depends. It is on thi~
conviction that A Priest s Handbook is based: to assist the People of God
in working to worship and praise God and in working to be reconciled and
sanctified in Christ through the Holy Spirit. Other forms of prayer exist as
devotional aids, but only in common liturgical worship can the People of
God respond to the command, "Do this in remembrance of me."
By its nature liturgy is ordered worship. As creation is ordered in the
perfection that is God, so also the response must be ordered. But creation
does not realize the perfection for which it is created, for we do not say "yes"
to the purpose of God. We deface the image of God through sin. Thus one
element of liturgy is to acknowledge imperfection and seek reconciliation;
the gathered community confesses its faults and is renewed. Liturgy promises
and proclaims the final perfection of all creation.
In Word and Sacrament liturgy proclaims the Incarnation and promises
Resurrection. These both point to the Kingdom, in which perfection will be
realized in the universal affirmation of the Creator.
In the Word of God the liturgy recalls and makes present the saving work
of God. Through the Daily Office, th~ Liturgy of Hours, the Church offers
ceaseless praise. In the Eucharist, the Word teaches, remembers, and prepares
the People of God for the Banquet in which the Kingdom is made present
and the promise of everlasting glory is given. Liturgical celebration begins
with the Word and points to the Kingdom. The ultimate sign is the Eucharistic
Banquet in which Word and Sacrament are joined to proclaim the unity of
creation with Creator, a unity that tells of the Kingdom of God and celebrates
salvation for the People of God. In liturgy we celebrate the mystery that is
God.
Celebration is joyfully recalling, reenacting, and sharing in the liturgy which
seeks the perfection that is God and the glory that is the Kingdom of God.
Liturgy is the Body of Christ saying "yes" to the purpose of creation.
Liturgical celebration implies order if it is to be faithful in proclaiming
the unity of celebration. Chaos does not celebrate. Chaos says "no" to God.
Likewise, spontaneity that is not grounded in the Incarnate Word is
meaningless, for it is through the Word that ordered creation came into being
and is redeemed in the fullness of time. Liturgy which does not seek to
celebrate the glory and perfection of God is not true celebration.
In the pursuit of this theological ideal, a Handbook such as this one is
useful, not to inhibit the People of God in their joyful celebration but rather
