High Liturgy
Saint Anne’s Catholic Church
Mackinac Island, MI
For many Protestants, Catholic Liturgy is a common source of confusion and misunderstanding. It can be overwhelming and uncomfortable for someone who doesn’t understand or know how to participate (or not participate) respectfully. Many Protestants are, in fact, drawn to the concept of liturgy because of the reverence often seen lacking in their churches.
While the term “liturgy” is rarely heard within Protestantism, it is a central word in Catholicism. For starters: liturgical year, Liturgical Hours; heavenly liturgy, sacramental liturgy; liturgical assembly, liturgical celebration.
The official Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) summarizes the focus on liturgy in these ways: “Liturgy is an action of the whole Christ (Christus totus)” (#1136) and “The whole liturgical life of the Church revolves around the Eucharistic sacrifice and the sacraments.” (#1113) Perhaps it can be better understood in saying liturgy is the Catholics’ way of being joined with the Body of Christ as He (Jesus Christ) presents Himself before God. Every specific form of liturgy is derived from this belief as a way to draw the devout not only into worship but into communion with Jesus. While most Protestant services focus on giving to God, the Catholic Mass is designed to focus on joining with God.
Going back to the Early Church, we can trace the origins of the liturgy. In the years following the destruction of the Temple (70AD), the hub of Christianity moved from Jerusalem to Antioch and eventually to Rome. Bishops succeeded the Apostles as Christianity spread across the Roman world. In response to subversion and division, Christian leaders gathered as Councils to develop orthodox doctrine. To protect unity and theology, prescribed forms of worship became known as “liturgy.” Today, the Catholic Mass retains the core of that ancient prescribed worship. Known as “High Liturgy,” it is a blend of proclamation of, response to, and participation in the Gospel of Christ.
Next time we will begin a closer look at the components of High Liturgy found in the Mass. Until then, I encourage you to listen to A Liturgy, a Legacy, and a Ragamuffin Band (1993) by the late Rich Mullins. Before his death, in 1997, Rich was exploring Catholicism as he lived and worked on a Navajo Indian Reservation in New Mexico. Some people strongly believe he was in the process of converting, though that did not take place before his tragic accident. Rich already lived an uncommon, unconventional life, so it’s hard to know for sure where he was at regarding this. He did attend RCIA classes (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) in addition to Mass services on the reservation. His 1993 album certainly reflects the components of High Liturgy. An online blog describes it this way:
“The album is delivered in two section[s]; a liturgy and a legacy. The former addresses the theological and doctrinal standards of the historic Christian Church and are placed in a traditional format of a liturgy that includes profession, confession, affirmation and worship. These “lost” standards of authentic Church worship are lost on many in mainline, evangelical Churches, but are immediately noticeable by those with a high Church history.” (https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/2011/10/26/26-a-liturgy-a-legacy-and-a-ragamuffin-band-rich-mullins/)
You may be surprised by some of the songs. For now, in words once echoed by Rich Mullins*, “…it is not about being Catholic or Protestant. It’s about being faithful to Jesus. The issue is not about which church you go to, it’s about following Jesus where He leads you.”
Follow on!
*(Radio interview with Artie Terry, “The Exchange,” WETN, Wheaton, Ill., April 1997, quoted in An Arrow Pointing to Heaven, James Bryan Smith, p54)
