Liturgy: God’s Story and Our Story

Theological question

What is the meaning of Christian worship?
How do we discover and articulate a theology of liturgy?
How is ritual an expression of culture?
What is the meaning of symbol, sign, and metaphor?

Goal

The goal is to come to a better understanding of how God calls us to conversion and the role of liturgical worship in that process.

Content

The goal of this session is for students to come away with a working definition of “community” in the context of liturgy.

Homework

Journal

  • How are symbols used in the liturgy?
  • What are the multivalent (“many values” or meanings) qualities of the symbols used?
  • Post some thoughts on the session Web page

Read

  • Living Liturgy: Elementary Reflections, Sofia Cavalletti,
    • “Sacraments and the Subhuman World,” pp. 41-44.
  • General Instruction on the Roman Missal, para. 46-71. (This is a lot, so take it in small chunks. It is more important to get a sense of the flow of the Mass than it is to read every line here.)
  • Optional
    • Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, para. 26-32
    • Liturgy with Style and Grace, p. 36-39
  • Post some thoughts on the session Web page

Handouts

Liturgy Our Story handout.rtf
How liturgy works flow chart.gif